Giving birth is one of the most exciting, nerve-wracking, and life-changing experiences. Whether this is your first baby or your fifth, labor and delivery can be unpredictable—but that doesn’t mean you can’t prepare.
Enter the birth plan: a personalized guide that lets your healthcare team know your preferences for labor, delivery, and postpartum care. It won’t guarantee that everything goes exactly as written (babies love to throw curveballs!), but it will help ensure that your wishes are respected as much as possible.
So, what should you include in your birth plan, and why does it matter? Let’s break it all down.
🤔 Why Create a Birth Plan?
✅ Gives You a Voice – Your doctor and nurses deliver babies all the time, but this is YOUR experience. A birth plan ensures your preferences are clear.
✅ Reduces Stress – Knowing what to expect (and having backup plans) helps you feel more in control.
✅ Helps Your Support Team – Your partner, doula, or family members will know how to advocate for you during labor.
✅ Prepares You for the Unexpected – Birth is unpredictable! A flexible birth plan helps you feel prepared, not powerless.
📋 Birth Plan Components & How to Decide What’s Right for You
Your birth plan should be tailored to your preferences, but here’s a step-by-step guide to making the best choices for YOU.
🏥 1. Labor & Delivery Preferences
Why It’s Important: Your labor experience can be dramatically different based on factors like your comfort, pain management choices, and mobility.
What to Consider:
- Where will you give birth? Hospital, birth center, or home?
- Who do you want in the room? Your partner? Mom? Doula? (Check hospital policies on visitors!)
- What kind of environment do you prefer? Dim lights, music, aromatherapy, quiet atmosphere?
💡 How to Decide: Think about what helps you relax. Do you prefer a calm, private setting, or do you want a strong support team cheering you on?
📌 Example:
✅ “I want my partner and doula present, soft lighting, and calming music.”
💊 2. Pain Management Choices
Why It’s Important: Everyone experiences labor pain differently, so knowing your options ahead of time helps you stay in control of your birth experience.
Pain Relief Options:
✔ Epidural – Most effective but requires an IV and limited mobility.
✔ IV Medications – Temporary pain relief without full numbing.
✔ Natural Methods – Breathing techniques, massage, water birth, hypnobirthing.
💡 How to Decide: Do you prefer a medicated or unmedicated birth? If unsure, keep it flexible! You can plan for natural birth but still be open to an epidural.
📌 Example:
✅ “I plan to try natural pain relief methods first but am open to an epidural if needed.”
🤱 3. Pushing & Delivery Preferences
Why It’s Important: There are different pushing techniques and birthing positions—and not all hospitals offer the same options.
What to Consider:
✔ Birthing Positions – Lying on your back, squatting, water birth?
✔ Coached vs. Self-Directed Pushing – Do you want nurses counting, or do you prefer to follow your body’s instincts?
✔ Perineal Care – Do you want to avoid an episiotomy (cutting to prevent tearing)?
💡 How to Decide: Ask your OB-GYN or midwife what positions are available. Some hospitals have birthing bars, tubs, or peanut balls to help with positioning.
📌 Example:
✅ “I prefer to push in a squatting position but am open to adjustments as needed.”
🏥 4. Cesarean Section (If Needed)
Why It’s Important: Even if you plan for a vaginal birth, a C-section might become necessary. Having a plan reduces anxiety in case of unexpected changes.
What to Consider:
✔ Do you want a clear drape to see the baby being born?
✔ Do you want skin-to-skin contact immediately after?
✔ Who do you want in the operating room?
💡 How to Decide: If you have a strong preference for skin-to-skin or delayed cord clamping, discuss this with your doctor in case of a C-section.
📌 Example:
✅ “If a C-section is necessary, I would like my partner in the OR and immediate skin-to-skin contact.”
👶 5. Newborn & Postpartum Care
Why It’s Important: The first few hours after birth are crucial for bonding, feeding, and baby’s initial medical care.
What to Consider:
✔ Skin-to-Skin Contact – Right after birth or after baby is cleaned?
✔ Umbilical Cord – Delayed clamping or partner cutting the cord?
✔ Breastfeeding vs. Formula Feeding – Do you want immediate breastfeeding support?
✔ Baby’s First Procedures – Vitamin K shot, eye ointment, first bath?
💡 How to Decide: Talk to your pediatrician and OB-GYN about these procedures so you feel informed ahead of time.
📌 Example:
✅ “I want immediate skin-to-skin contact and to start breastfeeding within the first hour.”
✔️ Pros & Cons of Having a Birth Plan
| Pros 👍 | Cons 👎 |
|---|---|
| Helps communicate your wishes clearly | Labor is unpredictable—things might change |
| Reduces stress and anxiety | Some hospitals have strict policies |
| Empowers you to make informed choices | A rigid plan can cause disappointment if things don’t go as expected |
💡 Reality Check: Flexibility is key! A birth plan should be a guide, not a rulebook.
📌 Final Tips for a Successful Birth Plan
✔ Discuss it with your OB-GYN or midwife ahead of time.
✔ Keep it concise (1-2 pages max).
✔ Print multiple copies for your doctor, nurses, and support team.
✔ Stay flexible—the goal is a safe delivery, not perfection!
📌 Want a birth plan template?
📚 Bibliography & Trusted Sources
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). (n.d.). Creating a Birth Plan. Retrieved from https://www.acog.org/womens-health/health-tools/sample-birth-plan
- Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). What to Include in a Birth Plan. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/labor-and-delivery/in-depth/birth-plan/art-20048135
- The Bump. (n.d.). How to Create a Birth Plan. Retrieved from https://www.thebump.com/a/tool-birth-plan
💙 Remember: No matter how your birth unfolds, you’re doing amazing! 💙
Additional Resorces: Birth Plan template:
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Legal Disclaimer: The information provided by our nonprofit is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical concerns. We make no guarantees about the accuracy or completeness of the information and are not liable for any decisions made based on it. If you have a medical emergency, call 911 or seek immediate medical care.
