What is a birth plan?
Alright, let’s break this down. A birth plan is basically your way of saying, “Here’s what I’d love to happen, if possible.” It’s a guide that shares your preferences for labor, delivery, and those precious first moments with your baby—but it’s definitely not set in stone.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Do I really need a birth plan? What if things don’t go the way I want?” Totally valid question! But here’s the thing—it’s not about writing a birth script. Babies don’t exactly read the plan before they decide to show up.
Instead, think of your birth plan as a tool. It helps you prepare and gives your care team a clear idea of what matters most to you. Maybe you’re counting down the minutes until that epidural, or you’re hoping to go as long as possible without one. Maybe you’re all about a calm, quiet atmosphere, or you’ve got your favorite playlist ready to go.
Whatever your preferences, your birth plan lets us, your care team, know how to support you in the best way we can. We’ll dive into the details of what to include (and what to skip) a little later, but for now, just know this: your birth plan is all about helping you feel ready and heard.
Why is a birth plan important?
A birth plan is all about communication. It’s your way of letting your birth team know what’s most important to you—whether it’s pain management, immediate skin-to-skin, or anything else you care about. Writing it down ensures everyone, from your partner to your nurses, is on the same page.
As your care team, our goal is to honor your preferences as much as we safely can. Labor can be unpredictable, and sometimes we need to make adjustments to keep you and your baby safe. But knowing what matters most to you helps us work together to make as much of your plan happen as possible.
At the end of the day, a birth plan isn’t about controlling every detail. It’s about making sure your voice is heard and creating a supportive, positive environment for one of the biggest days of your life. With clear communication, we’ll do our best to make it a wonderful experience!
Who should you share your birth plan with?
First and foremost your partner! While the birth plan is about your birth and what is happening to your body it is important for you and your partner to be on the same page. There are also some decisions you will have to make regarding the care of your baby that you both should make together.
Then you should share it with anyone you plan on being at your birth, whether it be your mom, sister, or any other family member or friend. When everyone knows your desires, everything can go smoothly the day of.
You can also bring a copy to one of your prenatal visits and share it with your provider. This is a great time to discuss any questions you may have about your birth and review any policies the hospital may have ahead of time.
And then finally, share it with your nurse. When admitting a patient, I love to sit down and review each line of the birth plan so I know exactly what she wants before we get too far into the birthing process.
Items to Add to Your Birth Plan
Here are some things you may want to include in your birth plan. Now I know this is a huge list! Do not feel like you need to include everything, or even half of this. Just add what you feel like you want and what is most important to you!
General Information
This is completely optional but at the very least I prefer when the patient puts their name and the name of their partner at the top of the birth plan. That way there is no confusion as to who it belongs to. Some other info you could include:
Partners phone number with their name
Name of your doctor
Baby’s name
Doula’s name (if you have one) and phone number
You can add some fun info like baby’s name or due date, but really anything other than your name as the patient is completely optional.
Labor Preferences
Here are some things you can include about the laboring process, pain management, and anything leading up to the delivery itself:
- Who do you want in the room with you during labor and/or delivery? (Partner, mom, mother-in-law, sister, friend, doula, etc.)
- Are you interested in any pain medications during labor, if so, what are your preferences
- Would you like to utilize a tub during labor?
- Do you want to be able to walk around the room/unit? (Ask about wireless fetal monitoring if necessary)
- What methods of non-pharmacologic pain relief are you open to? Positioning? Counter pressure?
- Would you like music playing in your labor room?
- Dim lights? Natural lighting?
- Did you learn anything in a birthing class that you would like to implement in your birth? Such as hypnobirthing?
- Are you ok with your water being broken? And if so do you have a preference on if you have your epidural or not before your water is broken?
- Do you want to wear your own clothes instead of a hospital labor gown?
- Are you open to continuous fetal monitoring?
- Do you want to use a birthing ball or peanut ball for your labor?
- Are you ok with medical augmentation or an induction of labor
- Are you ok with vaginal exams?
Birth Preferences
These are all preferences related to the birth itself such as positioning, pushing, and the immediate moments after delivery.
- Do you prefer a vaginal delivery or c-section?
- Are you ok with your nurse coaching you through pushing?
- Are there any positions you prefer to (or not to) push or deliver in?
- Do you want a mirror so you can see the birth?
- Are you ok with a vacuum or forceps assistance to deliver if your doctor states it is necessary?
- Do you prefer to tear naturally or for your doctor to perform an episiotomy?
- Are you ok with students (nursing, medical, or residents) watching or assisting with your delivery?
- Who is cutting the cord at delivery?
- Do you want immediate skin to skin, or would you like your baby to be cleaned up first before you hold them?
Post Delivery Preferences
These are all things that happen in the first hour or so after delivery during the recovery period.
- Are you wanting to breastfeed? And if so would you like assistance during that first golden hour getting your baby latched?
- If bottle feeding be sure to tell your nurse so they can have a bottle ready for you when baby starts showing signs of being hungry
- Are you ok with oxytocin infusion or injection post delivery?
- Do you want to keep your placenta?
- Do you want to see your placenta before it is discarded?
Newborn Care
What types of things are you ok and not ok with when it comes to your baby? Note that all of these things will be asked your permission before doing, it is just nice to know your thoughts ahead of time.
- Are you planning on doing vaccinations for baby?
- Do you want baby to have the Vitamin K shot?
- What about erythromycin drops in their eyes?
- Do you want baby to have a bath? And if so who do you want to be involved, if anyone.
- Do you want baby to be in your room the whole time? Or go to the nursery?
- If baby has to leave the room, do you want someone to go with them? If so who
- Are you ok with pacifiers?
- Are you ok with bottles? What about supplementation?
- Do you want baby to be circumcised?
- Are you exclusively breastfeeding, pumping, or formula feeding?
Unexpected Situations
While no one wants to think about things not going to plan, it’s helpful to consider your preferences for emergencies.
- If a c-section becomes necessary, who do you want in the OR with you? (Most hospitals will have a limit of one person)
- Any calming measures you’d prefer?
- Would you still like skin-to-skin if possible?
- Would you like your partner to go to the NICU with your baby if that is necessary?
- Are you ok with blood administration in an emergency?
How to Create Your Birth Plan
Now don’t over think this part! A birth plan can be as simple as jotting down a few notes on a piece of paper that you nurse can make copies of at the hospital.
I think the easiest way is to use a template and simply check off what you want. I have a copy of my own I made at the bottom of this article but sometimes your doctor’s office or even hospital may have one you can fill out.
And finally you can totally just make your own with the info you’ve researched, but don’t overdo it. I once had a girl bring in a literal binder! It wasn’t just a birth plan, it included all sorts of stuff like breastfeeding and diaper charts, emergency contacts, and a bunch of other unnecessary stuff.
Just make sure it includes the basics of what you want and you are good to go!
Get Your Printable Birth Plan Template Here
Here is my template for you to start creating a birth plan of your own! There are many other things you could include so be sure to make it your own!
Last Thoughts on Birth Plans
Here’s the thing about birth plans—labor is unpredictable. Babies like to do their own thing, and sometimes your plan has to shift to keep you and your baby safe. That’s why I actually prefer calling it “birth preferences” instead of a “birth plan.” It’s less about creating a strict checklist and more about sharing what’s important to you.
Flexibility is key. Having preferences gives you a great starting point and helps your care team understand your wishes. But staying open to changes ensures you can adapt to whatever comes your way. Remember, the ultimate goal is a healthy mom and baby, and we’ll do everything we can to honor your preferences along the way.
Your birth experience is unique, and with a little preparation and a lot of flexibility, it can be everything you hope for—even if it doesn’t go exactly as planned!
If you have any questions about creating your birth plan, don’t hesitate to reach out—I’d love to help! This is such an exciting time, and I’m here to support you every step of the way. Let’s make your birth experience as positive and empowering as possible!
