Bringing a new life into the world is one of the most powerful and personal experiences a person can have. While every birth is different and many factors are unpredictable, creating a birth plan can help you communicate your preferences to your healthcare team, reduce stress, and prepare for various scenarios. A birth plan doesn’t guarantee a specific outcome, but it’s a valuable tool for advocating your needs and outlining your ideal birth experience. How to Write a Birth Plan.
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In this article, we’ll guide you through everything you need to know about writing a thoughtful, clear, and practical birth plan, from understanding its purpose to what to include and how to communicate it with your care team.
What Is a Birth Plan?
A birth plan is a written document that outlines your preferences and wishes for labour, delivery, and postpartum care. It serves as a guide for your healthcare providers (doctors, midwives, nurses, and doulas) and your support team during your childbirth journey.
Rather than a strict script, think of it as a communication tool. Birth is unpredictable, and flexibility is key, but having your values and preferences documented helps everyone involved understand what matters most to you.
Why Write a Birth Plan?
Creating a birth plan offers several benefits:
- Clarity: Helps you think through your options and what you want for your birth experience.
- Communication: Ensures your healthcare team understands your values, needs, and preferences.
- Empowerment: Makes you an active participant in the decision-making process.
- Preparedness: Encourages discussion of various scenarios like emergency C-sections, pain management, and newborn care.
Even if your birth doesn’t go as planned, having a written plan can still offer peace of mind and structure during a physically and emotionally intense time.
Before You Start: Research and Reflect
Before putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), take time to consider the following:
1. Understand Your Options
Learn about different labour and delivery choices:
- Pain relief methods (epidural, natural, nitrous oxide)
- Positions for labour and pushing
- Medical interventions (induction, episiotomy, fetal monitoring)
- Delivery settings (hospital, birthing centre, home birth)
2. Know Your Birthplace Policies
Hospitals and birthing centres have different policies. Ask about:
- Who can be present during labour
- Availability of birthing tubs or showers
- Skin-to-skin contact after birth
- NICU policies
3. Talk to Your Provider
Discuss your preferences early on with your OB-GYN or midwife. They can provide guidance, answer questions, and help set realistic expectations.
4. Reflect on Your Values
Ask yourself:
- What matters most to me during birth?
- How do I envision my ideal labour and delivery?
- What fears or concerns do I have?
- What kind of environment will help me feel safe and supported?
What to Include in a Birth Plan
A birth plan should be clear, concise (ideally one page), and well-organised. Here’s a breakdown of sections you might want to include:
1. Basic Information
Start with a heading that includes:
- Your name
- Due date
- Your partner’s or support person’s name
- Your healthcare provider’s name
- The name of the hospital or birth centre
Example:
Name: Sarah Johnson
Due Date: August 12, 2025
Partner: Mark Johnson
Doctor: Dr. Eliza Kim
Hospital: Rosewood Medical Centre
2. People Present During Labour and Birth
List who you’d like to be in the room:
- Partner or spouse
- Doula
- Family members or friends
- Photographer or videographer
Also, mention if you do not want certain people present.
Example:
I would like my husband, my sister, and my doula to be present during labour. No students or additional personnel unless medically necessary.
3. Environment Preferences
Include what kind of setting helps you feel relaxed and focused:
- Dim lighting
- Quiet room
- Music of your choice
- Aromatherapy
- Minimal interruptions
Example:
I prefer dim lighting, calming music, and minimal staff interruptions to help me stay focused during labour.
4. Pain Management
List your preferences for managing labour pain, including whether you want to use medication or natural techniques:
- Epidural or no epidural
- Nitrous oxide
- Massage
- Breathing techniques
- TENS unit
- Hydrotherapy
Example:
I would like to labour as long as possible without medication. Please do not offer an epidural unless I request it. I plan to use a birthing ball and warm shower for pain relief.
5. Labour and Delivery Preferences
Include your choices about how you want to labour and deliver:
- Freedom to move around
- Preferred labour positions
- Use of birthing stool, squat bar, or tub
- Vaginal exams (limit if possible)
- Delayed pushing
- Perineal massage instead of episiotomy
Example:
I would like the option to walk and change positions freely during labour. I prefer to push in a squatting or hands-and-knees position. Please avoid an episiotomy unless medically necessary.
6. Monitoring and Interventions
Indicate your preferences for fetal monitoring and medical interventions:
- Intermittent vs. continuous monitoring
- Membrane sweeping
- Induction only if medically necessary
- Use of Pitocin
- Vacuum or forceps only as a last resort
Example:
I prefer intermittent fetal monitoring if safe. Please avoid induction methods unless there’s a medical concern. I would like to avoid the use of forceps or vacuum unless necessary.
7. C-Section Preferences
Even if you plan for a vaginal birth, include preferences in case a cesarean becomes necessary:
- Partner present
- A clear drape to see a baby being born
- Skin-to-skin in OR
- Breastfeeding in recovery
- Gentle or family-centred C-section options
Example:
If a C-section is needed, I would like my partner to be present. Please use a clear drape if possible, and allow skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding as soon as possible.
8. After Birth Preferences
Specify what you’d like to happen immediately after the baby is born:
- Immediate skin-to-skin contact
- Delayed cord clamping
- Partner cutting the umbilical cord
- Baby to stay in room (rooming-in)
Example:
I would like immediate skin-to-skin contact with my baby and delayed cord clamping. My partner would like to cut the cord. Please avoid separating us unless medically necessary.
9. Newborn Care Preferences
State your preferences for newborn procedures:
- Delay bathing
- Vitamin K shot and erythromycin eye ointment
- Hepatitis B vaccine
- Breastfeeding only (no pacifiers or formula)
- Donor milk if supplementation is needed
Example:
I prefer delayed bathing and immediate breastfeeding. Please do not give my baby a pacifier or formula. Administer Vitamin K and eye ointment per hospital policy.
10. Feeding Preferences
Mention how you plan to feed your baby:
- Exclusive breastfeeding
- Combination feeding
- Formula feeding
- Pumping preferences
Example:
I plan to exclusively breastfeed. I would like access to a lactation consultant as soon as possible after delivery.
11. Special Considerations
Include any cultural, religious, or personal preferences, allergies, or medical conditions.
Example:
I am allergic to penicillin. We request that prayer be offered privately after the birth by our religious practice.
Tips for Writing an Effective Birth Plan
Creating a great birth plan is about clarity, collaboration, and compassion for yourself and your medical team. Keep these tips in mind:
Keep It Simple
Aim for one page of bullet points, categorised by topic. Use clear, positive language.
Be Flexible
Birth is unpredictable. Use phrases like “if possible,” “prefer,” and “I would like,” instead of rigid statements.
Review with Your Provider
Bring your birth plan to a prenatal visit and discuss it thoroughly with your doctor or midwife. They can offer feedback and ensure your preferences align with hospital policy.
Print and Share Copies
Have several printed copies to bring to the hospital or birth centre. Give one to your provider and keep one in your hospital bag.
Keep It Positive
Avoid language that seems confrontational. Instead of “Do not do X,” try “I prefer to avoid X unless medically necessary.”
Conclusion
Writing a birth plan is an empowering step toward preparing
for childbirth. While it won’t control every outcome, it gives you a voice and helps your care team provide support aligned with your values and preferences.
The key is to approach it with flexibility, research, and open communication. Your birth plan is a roadmap, not a guarantee, but it can help create a more intentional, respectful, and informed birth experience.
