"Winging It" As a Birth Plan
Last week as part of World Doula Week and the launch of my online course, I hosted a series of free webinars titled The 5 Things You Need To Know If You’re Planning To Wing It Through Childbirth. If you missed it, that’s a bummer 🙁, but lucky for you, I’m gonna break down the points in a series of blog posts - beginning with this one!
“I’ll just go with the flow.”
“I trust my body, so I don’t need a plan.”
“I don’t want to overthink birth—I’ll just figure it out when I get there.”
I hear things like this all the time from pregnant people who feel like making a birth plan means setting themselves up for disappointment. And I get it! Birth is unpredictable, and no one wants to feel like they failed if things don’t go as expected.
But here’s the truth: “Winging it” is still a birth plan. Whether you write out preferences or not, the choices you make—or don’t make—will shape your birth experience.
What Happens When You “Wing It” Without Understanding Your Options?
Let’s be real: Most hospital births follow a default path unless you actively participate in decision-making. That means:
Routine IVs and continuous monitoring that could limit your movement
A one-size-fits-all approach to pain management (instead of choosing what’s best for you)
Pressure to follow the hospital’s timeline for labor, even if your body is working just fine
It’s not about needing a rigid plan—it’s about knowing how birth works so you can make informed choices, even if things change.
👇🏾 Want to know how to thoughtfully and calmly navigate decisions you might be faced with in labor? Download my free guide to using the B.R.A.I.N.S. acronym and get a simple, helpful way to map out what’s important to you.
You Don't Have to Map Out Every Detail—Just the Things That Matter Most
A birth plan isn’t about scripting every moment—it’s about identifying your priorities. Instead of feeling like you have to plan for every possibility, focus on these three key areas:
What kind of environment helps you feel safest? (Dim lights? Limited staff in the room?)
How do you feel about interventions? (When would you want an epidural or Pitocin?)
What would make you feel most supported? (Do you want a doula? What role does your partner play?)
By thinking about these ahead of time, you’re not walking in unprepared—you’re giving yourself a starting point for making decisions.
🌟 Want step-by-step guidance on how to prepare for birth without overcomplicating it? My online childbirth course, Your Birth, Your Options, walks you through everything you need to know so you can feel confident—without feeling overwhelmed.
Stay Flexible While Still Feeling in Control
Even if you love the idea of just seeing how labor unfolds, the best way to truly go with the flow is to have a solid foundation of knowledge. Here’s how to balance flexibility with informed decision-making:
Learn the basics of how labor works so nothing catches you off guard.
Use the BRAINS decision-making framework to evaluate your options in real time.
Surround yourself with a birth team that supports your choices, whether that’s a doula, a trusted provider, or a partner who knows your priorities.
🌟 Inside my self-paced online course, Your Birth, Your Options, I break down what to expect in labor and how to make the best choices for you—so you can “wing it” without feeling unprepared.
A birth plan isn’t about controlling birth—it’s about understanding your choices. I always want folks to know that they! have! optionssss!
You don’t have to predict every detail of your birth, but if you’re planning to “wing it,” make sure you’re winging it with knowledge. Birth is something that happens with you, not to you—and the more you understand, the more confident you’ll feel. 🧡
Check back in a couple of days for more of what you missed from my webinar series. I hope you see something in each post that is eye-opening and useful!
🌟 If you’re ready to feel fully prepared (without feeling overwhelmed), join my self-paced online childbirth course today.
