Benefits of having a birth plan

OBGYN Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz, MD, explains the benefits of creating a birth plan during pregnancy, and how to create the best birth plan for you
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Benefits of having a birth plan

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A birth plan can serve dual purposes. If you're having your child birth experience in a location where they're very accustomed to a lot of diversity and people who want to do natural and who want to have an epidural, I think that the birth plan is a great way for you to organize your intentions, understanding that you don't know what's going to happen but this is what you're hoping will happen. And we actually call it birth preferences. I have been doing this a long time. I pretty much know my patients, I know what I think they want; but I think it's good for them to sit down and define that. If you're delivering at a location where there isn't a lot of diversity of experience, it's a really important way for you to bring attention to what your needs and desires are to the birth team. And doing it in a respectful and loving way may really assist in setting a much more peaceful, loving environment for your child birth experience, and educating people.

OBGYN Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz, MD, explains the benefits of creating a birth plan during pregnancy, and how to create the best birth plan for you

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Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz, MD

Obstetrician & Gynecologist

Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz completed her undergraduate education at Wesleyan University and post-baccalaureate pre-medical studies at Mills College. She earned her medical degree in 1996 from the University of Southern California School of Medicine, completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Cedars Sinai Medical Center and has been in private practice of obstetrics and gynecology in Los Angeles, CA since 2000. After many years of a personal yoga and meditation practice, she completed her Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist degree at California College of Ayurveda in 2010 and was board certified in Integrative and Holistic medicine in 2008.

Suzanne is involved in women’s empowerment and public education, and appears frequently as an expert in women’s and integrative health on TV, online and in print. She is co-founder of Cedars Sinai Medical Center's Green Committee and is deeply committed to the promotion of healing that involves individuals, families, communities and the planet.  She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two children in a "green" renovated home with a sustainable native plants garden and organic “urban mini-farm”.

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Transcription: 
A birth plan can serve dual purposes. If you're having your child birth experience in a location where they're very accustomed to a lot of diversity and people who want to do natural and who want to have an epidural, I think that the birth plan is a great way for you to organize your intentions, understanding that you don't know what's going to happen but this is what you're hoping will happen. And we actually call it birth preferences. I have been doing this a long time. I pretty much know my patients, I know what I think they want; but I think it's good for them to sit down and define that. If you're delivering at a location where there isn't a lot of diversity of experience, it's a really important way for you to bring attention to what your needs and desires are to the birth team. And doing it in a respectful and loving way may really assist in setting a much more peaceful, loving environment for your child birth experience, and educating people.