Writing a simple birth plan
A birth plan is a short note of what matters to you in labor and after the birth. Here's what to think about, how to write one and why it helps to stay flexible.
A birth plan, sometimes called birth preferences, is a short note that tells your care team what matters to you. It isn't a contract, and births don't always go to plan. But thinking it through ahead of time helps you learn your options, talk to your team and feel more in control on the day, whatever happens. Many maternity units have a template you can fill in, so ask whether yours does.
How to write one
Learn your options
Prenatal classes, your midwife or doctor, and your maternity unit or hospital can explain what's available where you'll give birth.
Talk it through
Discuss your ideas with your birth partner, if you have one, and at a prenatal appointment, ideally by around 36 weeks. Ask what's possible and what might change. If you have a health condition or have had a cesarean before, your options may be different, so ask early.
Keep it short
One page of bullet points is easier to read in a busy room than several pages of text.
Share it
Keep copies in your hospital bag and on your phone, and make sure whoever will be with you knows what's in it.
Things to think about
Where you'd like to give birth: at a hospital, a birth center or at home, depending on what's available to you and on your health.
Who you'd like with you, and whether you'd like them there the whole time.
The environment: lighting, music, being free to move around, and using a birth ball or a birth pool if one is available.
Pain relief: what you'd like to try first, from breathing, massage, water and changing position to medical options like nitrous oxide, where it's offered, or an epidural. It's fine to keep an open mind and decide on the day.
Monitoring and interventions: how you'd like to be involved in decisions, and what you'd like explained before anything happens.
If you need a cesarean: whether you'd like the screen lowered to see your baby born, and skin-to-skin contact as soon as possible.
After the birth: holding your baby skin to skin straight away, waiting a little before the cord is clamped, who cuts the cord, and how you plan to feed.
Your baby's first care: your team will talk to you about your baby's checks and about vitamin K, which is offered to help prevent a rare bleeding problem.
Photos or video: whether you'd like any taken, and what the unit allows.
Anything personal: a language you'd like used or an interpreter, religious or cultural wishes, a disability, a past difficult birth, or anything that makes you anxious.
Staying flexible
Labor can change, and sometimes your team will recommend something you hadn't planned, for your health or your baby's. You can still ask questions so you understand what's happening and why. A simple way to remember them:
In an emergency there may not be time for a long talk, and your team will need to act quickly. Whoever is with you can still speak up for your wishes when you can't.
You can also change your mind at any point, during pregnancy or in labor. Your plan is a starting point for conversations, not a test you pass or fail.
Write your plan as short "I would like" sentences, and add a line about what you'd want if things change, such as "If I need a cesarean, I'd like skin-to-skin as soon as possible."
A birth plan never replaces calling for help. If your water breaks, you have any bleeding, your baby is moving less than usual, or you feel something is wrong, call your maternity unit or hospital straight away.
For information only — not medical advice. If something doesn't feel right, contact your midwife or doctor.
Sources
NHS — Your pregnancy and baby guide (nhs.uk/pregnancy)
ACOG — Patient FAQs (acog.org/womens-health/faqs)
WHO — Recommendations on antenatal care for a positive pregnancy experience
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