✍️ Making a birth preferences sheet
How-to guides w/ templates
Our own birth preferences template is available below, currently written for someone planning an unmedicated birth with a birth doula at a hospital. Edit as you like!
sf bay parent birth preferences template
Important decisions to make before birth
Decide how soon after birth to cut/clamp the umbilical cord
Whether and how to use fetal monitoring during labor
Post-birth washing, weighing, & swaddling of baby vs skin-to-skin contact (“kangaroo care”)
Whether you will be breastfeeding and/or bottle feeding
If you plan to breastfeed, consider taking a look at the Droplet website to learn more about how to set yourself up for success in the first few days after birth. Learn more about breastfeeding here.
Hearing screening for baby
Vitamin K injection for baby
Prophylactic eye ointment for baby
Circumcision for babies with penises
Whether and how to use your placenta