Giving birth should be one of the most joyous and memorable experiences of your life, and for many new mothers, it is. Although some factors are out of your control, you can take a proactive approach to labor and delivery by devising a birth plan long before you are actually due.

A birth plan is essentially a detailed outline of your thoughts, concerns, and preferences regarding the birth of your child. WebMD reminds readers that a birth plan is simply a rough idea, though, because delivery is still a medical procedure, and complications that force you to stray from your plan can arise.

Some complications may be out of your control, but you still have the right to a certain standard of care when you are bringing new life into the world. If you think your healthcare providers were negligent during delivery and your child suffered an injury as a result, contact The Bowling Christiansen Law Firm to find out if you have grounds for a medical malpractice claim. Call (504) 586-5200 to schedule a consultation with a birth injury lawyer in Baton Rouge.

Read on for a few tips regarding the process of devising a comprehensive birth plan:

1. Talk to Your Healthcare Provider

No doctor can guarantee a smooth delivery, but you should have confidence that your OBGYN will do everything possible to ensure both you and your baby remain safe and healthy during the procedure. Talk to your doctor about your delivery preferences to ensure you are on the same page. If you do not feel comfortable with the delivery team for any reason, seek another provider.

2. Try to Stay Positive

Although every thorough birth plan will acknowledge the possibility of complications–for example, what to do if the need for a cesarean section arises–the American Pregnancy Association encourages women to stay positive. Try to remain optimistic and constructive when drafting your birth plan, and focus on what you want instead of what you don’t.

3. Don’t Be Afraid to Be Assertive

It is natural to find doctors intimidating, but at the end of the day, this is your baby and your birth plan. If there is something you are especially adamant about doing–such as freeze-drying your placenta–don’t be afraid to speak up, even if your doctor tries to change your mind. As long as it doesn’t harm you or the baby, there is no reason to leave something you truly want out of your birth plan.

4. Consider Your Plans for after the Birth

Do you plan on nursing or bottle-feeding? Will you use cloth diapers or disposable ones? These are all factors you need to address in your birth plan because they will come into play while you are still at the hospital with your baby.

Devising a birth plan is just one way you can maintain some semblance of control during labor and delivery. Unfortunately, even the most comprehensive plan does not guarantee protection from medical malpractice.

If your child sustained preventable injuries during delivery, turn to The Bowling Christiansen Law Firm to discuss your situation. Call (504) 586-5200 to schedule a consultation with a spinal cord injury attorney in Baton Rouge. You can learn more about medical malpractice in Louisiana by visiting the USAttorneys website