Meghan Markle and Prince Harry welcomed their second child into the world on June 4, 2021. Lilibet “Lili” Diana is their second child, a baby sister to two-year-old Archie. Markle delivered Archie at Portland Hospital in the U.K., while Lili was born in the United States at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.
The delivery experience for Markle’s children differed from Archie to Lili, and both were personalized. But you don’t have to be part of the royal family to have a specialized birth experience that’s tailored to your needs.
Our OB care teams at AdventHealth are ready to help you customize your birth, ranging from pain relief options like an epidural to concierge services like massage.
The goal is to create a plan that matches your desires and gives you peace of mind to enjoy your special day in body, mind and spirit. It not only empowers moms, but leads to the healthiest birth outcomes for them and their babies.
Birth Plan Options
Because you have to know your options before you can choose among them, the first step is to get educated. You’ll learn what your choices will mean for you, your baby and the experience.
Taking comprehensive childbirth classes is the best way to cover everything from the third trimester to newborn care. That includes details about the different options for pain relief through labor and childbirth. Ask your doctor or Birth Experience Team about the classes available in your area.
Making a Birth Plan
Once you’ve done research and thought about what you want, it’s time to put it in writing. That’s the best way to ensure that you and your care team are on the same page. The plan will walk you through the major elements of labor and delivery, including pain relief.
With her son Archie, Markle planned to deliver her child at their then-home in Windsor. However, she was a week past due, and some British news outlets reported that she was whisked away for a hospital delivery instead to ensure the safety of both mom and baby.
With their second child, Lili, the parents have not yet shared a lot about her birth, aside from where and when she was born.
Specifics for Your Birth Plan
Whether you want an epidural anesthetic, IV medicine or other pain relief options, writing it down ahead of time will help ensure that your wishes are carried out.
Moms often select comfort measures like aromatherapy, music, a shower, and massage to help them relax, which is essential to a smooth labor experience. Here are some of the labor options generally available at AdventHealth:
- Aromatherapy
- Birthing ball
- Choice of breathing method
- Choice of delivery position
- Epidural anesthesia
- Hot or cold packs
- Hydrotherapy (spa-like shower or laboring tub)
- IV pain medicines
- Massage
- Mirror to watch the birth
- Music
- Peanut ball
- Walking
- Wearing your own clothes
- Wireless fetal monitoring
There may be extra services available at an additional charge, including a professional baby photographer, and a fridge with your favorite snacks and gourmet meals. Every mother, however, receives whole-person care from each member of her birth team.
You may also have preferences for pushing and delivery, including the position you’ll take and the guidance you’ll receive.
The plan may also include the opportunity to address the following aspects of delivery:
- Circumcision
- Feeding your baby
- Monitoring of contractions and your baby’s heartbeat
- Skin-to-skin contact as soon as possible
- Your placenta (whether you’d like to keep it afterward)
The plan isn’t set in stone; if you change your mind, tell your team and they can adjust. Sometimes, your wishes for birth can’t be fulfilled due to the countless other variables at play during your labor.
Your health care provider is the best person to review your wishes with you and prepare for these possibilities.
Get Birth Plan Help
To learn more about what options are available during your birth experience, click here or find a location near you.
