SMC Online Doula Training – August 2026
Instructor:
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Creating a birth plan
Creating a birth plan
1. Before Labor Begins — Spontaneous labor: I chose for the client to go into labor naturally, provided that she and her baby remain healthy, because spontaneous labor may reduce unnecessary interventions and allow the body to begin labor when it is ready.
2. Labor Environment — Partner and doula present: I chose for the client’s partner and doula to remain with her throughout labor and birth because continuous emotional, physical, and informational support can reduce anxiety and help her feel safe, confident, and empowered.
3. Cultural and Spiritual Sensitivity — Honor the client’s rituals: I chose for the birth team to respect the client’s cultural beliefs, spiritual practices, and rituals because culturally respectful care helps the client feel seen, protected, and emotionally secure during a vulnerable experience.
4. Labor Movement — Freedom to move: I chose for the client to walk, change positions, and move according to her body’s needs because movement can provide comfort, support labor progression, and help the baby descend through the pelvis.
5. Pain Relief — Nonmedical comfort measures: I chose for the client to have access to massage, breathing techniques, water therapy, and position changes because these options may reduce discomfort while supporting her desire for a physiological birth with minimal intervention.
6. Immediate Newborn Care — Uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact: I chose for the healthy newborn to be placed immediately on the client’s chest because skin-to-skin contact supports bonding, temperature regulation, breastfeeding initiation, and the baby’s transition after birth.
7. Cord Care — Delayed cord clamping: I chose for the umbilical cord to remain intact until it stops pulsating because this allows additional placental blood to reach the baby and supports the newborn’s blood volume and iron stores.
- 4 Replies
Hey Valeria, I love your birth plan and how you chose to include the client’s cultural and spiritual values/practices as a way to make her feel seen, supported and safe. That makes such a difference and holds so much weight. A lot of the preferences you chose seem to prioritize the mother’s safety, autonomy and freedom. I like that you tried to cover parts of the labor environment, medical decisions, actual birth process and cord care/immediate newborn care. Didn’t leave a single part out. Any momma in your care will be so blessed.
Thank you so much, Jocelyn. I truly appreciate your thoughtful response. It was important to me that the mother’s culture, spirituality, safety and personal choices were honored throughout the entire birth plan. You’re encouraging words mean so much.
Blessed day Valeria,
This is a very thoughtful birth plan. I loved that you spoke about cord care. This is a subject that many parents tend to over look because things move fast once the baby comes out. Having a doula there to make sure the moms whole birth plan is followed through is very important.
Thank you for sharing,
Blessed day Nardia thank you for your beautiful response. I agree that court care can easily be overlooked during such a fast moving and emotional moment. As a Doula, I want to help the mother remember our preferences and feel supported throughout the entire birth experience.
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