A birth plan is a plan for how you want to experience labor and delivery of your child. While your plans may change during the process, planning ahead of time and sharing your plans with your provider and support team can help you and your support team advocate for your preferences during labor and delivery. Recognize that in many obstetric practices these days, the individual provider performing your prenatal care may or may not be the same provider delivering your baby. Also, the plan you and an individual provider agree on, may not always be a comfortable plan for the provider staffing the delivery.

Who you want in the room with you

Check with your hospital or birthing center on any restrictions. Doulas are professionals who provide support to families before, during and after pregnancy. Research has shown that use of doulas improves several outcomes for Black birthing people.
How you want to manage pain

You may choose to manage pain with or without medication. Non-medication options include walking, breathing, using a birthing ball, massage, taking a shower, and using laughing gas (nitrous oxide). Common medication options include epidural, which is pain medication given through your back or opioids like morphine, nalbuphine, butorphanol, meperidine, fentanyl, which are given intravenously (IV). You should decide which option works best for you.

OB/GYN

An Obstetrician-Gynecologist (OB/GYN) is a physician that specializes in women’s health. Although most OB/GYN’s have both trainings there is a difference. Obstetricians specialize in pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care while Gynecologist specialize in female reproductive health. These physicians have gone through medical school, residency, and specialty training. They will conduct prenatal check-ups, ultrasounds, blood work, etc in addition to consulting with the patient to create birth plans and discuss pain management. After baby is born, new moms should see their OB/GYN within 6 weeks of birth or as advised by their OB/GYN for postpartum care.
Midwife

A midwife does not go through medical school but there is specialty training. A midwife is usually seen for an at-home birth where they care for the pregnant parent and their baby. Most insurances will cover midwifery or provide reimbursement for care. There are different kinds of midwives as well. A Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) works in the home and birthing center while Certified Midwives (CM) and Certified Nurse Midwives work in these same places in addition to the hospital. CNM’s have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing as well as medical nurse training that allows them to do medical procedures like surgical abortions and assisting with C-sections.
Doula

A Doula serves as a patient advocate for pregnant mothers in the delivery room as well as check-ups in addition to providing guidance and emotional support for parents through labor and delivery. There are several different types of doula as well: postpartum, full spectrum, and death doulas. Doula’s are not typically covered under insurance but some states will cover doula care through Medicaid.
In general, all three of these birthing team members can work together to ensure you have a safe, healthy, pleasant birthing experience custom to your physical and emotional comforts.

Make a custom birth plan.

Crucial Conversation: Black Birthing Matters - Who Are Your Providers of Care? Sept 2024

Centering Pregnancy

Centering Pregnancy is one of the core programs that Atrium Health is utilizing to increase access to healthcare for those affected by health disparities in Mecklenburg County. Centering Pregnancy is a model of prenatal care that is delivered in a group. Centering brings pregnant women who are due at the same time together into a comfortable relaxed setting. There are 8-10 sessions that are led by trained facilitators. Women learn about many aspects of pregnancy, labor and delivery and infant care. Centering is a fun, engaging model of care for parents.

The three main components to Centering are:
Health Assessments, during which patients receive one-on-one time with their provider to learn more about their health and to engage self-care and the care of their child

Interactive learning, which helps patients become more informed and more empowered to make healthier choices for themselves and their babies

Community building during group discussions, during which patients can ask questions and form meaningful relationships with participants
The Centering Model is changing prenatal health care - and is helping parents and babies across the country

Centering Pregnancy participants are seen by a health care provider (MD, Nurse Practitioner or Midwife) for their regular prenatal check up, including blood pressure and weight checks. At the sessions, women then spend up to two hours in their Centering circle. This results in women spending about 10 times more time with a provider than with traditional prenatal care.

Studies show that Centering mothers are more likely to deliver healthier, full-term babies. Centering has decreased the rate of preterm births, increased pregnancy spacing, and narrows racial disparities in preterm birth.
Some other benefits to Centering include:
More time with health care providers

More well-rounded and informed education on self-care

Fewer after-hour calls to providers and emergency visits, as Centering mothers are more prepared for labor and delivery and better understand what is normal

Strong and meaningful friendships