A birth plan is a way of communicating with the hospital staff that cares for you in
labor. Without listing your preferences you will not have a chance at your ideal birth
experience, rather, you will have the birth experience of the hospital and practitioners
you select. Your birth plan is no guarantee of the “perfect” birth experience, but the
absence of this will almost certainly mean that your desires will get lost in the shuffle.
Remember that these are ideas and expectations that you have about the birth of your
baby. They are used to help people who come into contact with you during your labor
and birth, allow them to know a bit more about you, how you have prepared for this
baby, and what you want from the birth. Be sure to phrase your birth plan in a pleasant
and polite tone – do not present this as a list of demands. This can help everyone feel
more confident and increase your chances of having the birth experience you want.
There are many types of birth plans in written format. Some are many pages long and
some are just a single paragraph that simply “sets the tone” for the birth. There is
always a happy medium and only you will know what works for you. I would suggest a
maximum of two pages. Be sure to include your flexibility should an unexpected
situation arise. Strive to keep your birth plan simple and clear. I have listed some
suggested phrases.
If possible I would like to….
I would prefer to…..
I would like to be able to….
I do not wish…..
Unless medically necessary…..
I hope not to…..
If there is no emergency….
If my/our baby is not in immediate danger….
You may want to list with your name(s), your
due date, the name of your care provider and
the name of where you are to deliver your baby.
Next you want a brief introduction about yourself and your partner (if applicable). The
purpose of this is to help the staff become better acquainted with you. Your general
health, any problems that you have had during your pregnancy, and any special needs
that you have could be listed in this paragraph.
I have listed below headings that you might want to use. You certainly don’t have to
use them all. Perhaps only a few are really important to you. Perhaps there are others
that you may think of which are not included.
You may chose to list your choices in order of priority – most important first.
During Labor
o Who will be with you when you give birth? Partner, friends, family, doula.
o Do you want mobility or do you wish to be confined to a bed?
o Do you want to drink and/or eat during labor?
o Do you want a routine IV, a heparin/saline lock, or nothing at all?
o What have you decided about fetal monitoring? (Continuously, intermittently,
internal, external, etc)
o Listen to music?
o Use the tub or shower?
o Use a birthing ball?
o Visualization Techniques?
o Breathing Techniques?
o Massage?
o Do you want pain medications or do you want to avoid them?
o Do you have preferences for which pain medications you want?
During Birth
o Would you prefer a certain position in which to give birth?
o Would you like an episiotomy? Or, are there certain measures you want used to
avoid one?
o If you need a cesarean, do you have any special requests? You may not want to
think about this, but if you have to have a cesarean, do you want your partner to be
present, if possible?
o Have you made any decisions in regards to the umbilical cord? When should it be
clamped, who will cut the cord, and when do you want it to be cut?
New Born Care
o What are your preferences immediately after birth? Do you want your baby placed
skin to skin, put to the breast, etc?
o Do you want any routine procedures postponed until you have a chance to bond with
your baby?
o What feeding plans do you have for your baby? (breast, bottle, both)
o Have you made any choices about routine hospital care or testing for your baby?
o Will you have the baby room in? To the nursery? Both?
As you write up this birth plan, keep in mind to address the items that are most
important to you FIRST, focusing on your priorities will help ensure that the most
important of your wishes are met. If you don’t have a strong preference on some of
these items, don’t feel as if they have to be addressed. Please add to this list what it is
that is most important to you.
As you can see there are many topics that may be addressed in a birth plan. I would
highly recommend that you go through your birth plan with your care provider at one
of your prenatal visits.
You may want to make several copies of your birth plan: for your medical chart, birth
team, and the hospital staff. You may also want to bring extra copies with you in case
there is a back up medical care provider or a back up doula. I would suggest carrying
a copy of this plan when your travel as your delivery date gets close, just in case you
are unable to deliver at the hospital of your choice.
