Birth plan: guide, template and examples

Are you preparing for childbirth and wondering what to include in your birth plan? In this guide, we'll explain what a birth plan is, why it can be helpful, and what information it may include.

At the end of the article, you'll also find a downloadable birth plan template.

What is a birth plan?

A birth plan is a document that you, as an expectant mother, or you as a couple, write to communicate your wishes and needs for labor and birth.

The plan is intended for your midwife and gives you the opportunity to calmly reflect on and express your preferences before labor begins. Bring a printed copy with you and give it to your midwife when you arrive at the hospital or birth center.

What can a birth plan include?

A birth plan is highly personal, and the most important thing is that it reflects your individual wishes, needs, and preferences.

You might include information about your feelings and expectations surrounding childbirth, your preferences for support and communication, pain relief options you would like to explore, preferred birth positions, and anything you would prefer to avoid.

How long should a birth plan be?

A birth plan can be as short or as detailed as you need it to be. Most birth plans are between half a page and two A4 pages long.

You don't need to worry about it being too long, as midwives generally have time to read it either during admission or at shift handovers.

Who should I give my birth plan to?

When you arrive at your birth clinic, you'll first meet a midwife for your admission assessment. You will often be offered a CTG (cardiotocography) and a vaginal examination, and together you'll discuss whether it's time for admission.

If you're admitted, you'll be shown to your birth room and assigned a primary midwife. This is the person you should give your birth plan to.

How to structure your birth plan

Below is a summary of topics you may want to include in your birth plan.

• Title and personal information
• A warm introduction to the midwives
• How the birth plan should be read
• Your feelings about birth
• Previous experiences
• Your wishes and vision for the birth
• Pain relief preferences
• Routines and procedures
• The pushing stage
• After the birth
• Your baby
• Preferences in the event of a cesarean birth
• Closing remarks and thank you

Title and personal information

Consider writing "Birth Plan" at the top, followed by your name, personal identification number (or date of birth, depending on your country), and the names of your partner and any support people.

Example

Birth Plan

Name: Lisa Gunnarsson
Personal ID Number:
Partner & Father: Andreas Gunnarsson
Baby: First child, "Eli"
Doula: Anna

Warm introduction to the midwives

We often recommend beginning with a warm introduction expressing gratitude to the midwives who will be supporting you throughout your birth experience.

Example

"Hello, and thank you for the important work you do and for supporting us during our birth. We are so grateful that you are with us today."

How to read this birth plan

You may also wish to include a short note explaining that these are your preferences, provided that they remain medically safe for you and your baby.

Example

"These are our preferences as long as they are medically safe and no emergency situation arises."

Your Feelings About Birth

Sharing your thoughts and feelings about the upcoming birth can help the midwives better understand you and the kind of support you may need during labor and birth.

Example 1

"We are excited and happy, but also a little nervous. We went through two years of IVF treatment, and it feels incredible to finally be here."

Example 2

"I have experienced a great deal of fear around childbirth. I am especially concerned about the pain and whether I will be able to manage it. We have prepared using the Birth without method and would appreciate gentle support in helping me trust my body and remember that labor pain serves a purpose."

Previous experiences

If you have given birth before, or if there are other experiences that may influence how you feel about labor and birth, consider including them in your birth plan. This can help the midwives better understand your needs and preferences.

Example

"We welcomed our son in 2023. Labor progressed relatively quickly, lasting around six hours from the first contraction, and overall it was a positive experience.

However, I found the pushing stage stressful due to the number of staff members in the room, and I became concerned about our baby's wellbeing. We would therefore appreciate clear and regular communication throughout labor, particularly regarding how the baby is doing."

Your wishes and vision for the birth

Here, you can describe how you hope your labor and birth will unfold, the type of birth experience you are hoping for, and what matters most to you.

To make your birth plan easy to read, consider grouping your preferences into categories and using bullet points.

Example 1

• We would like the room to have a calm and undisturbed atmosphere.
• Dim lighting and quiet voices would be appreciated.
• We hope to use the birth pool and, if possible, give birth in the water.

Example 2

• We enjoy humor and would appreciate a relaxed and light-hearted atmosphere.
• I respond well to encouragement and positive support.
  

Pain Relief

Describe which pain relief methods you would like to use, as well as any options you are interested in trying during labor.

Example 1

• I would like an epidural and would appreciate help finding the right time for it.

• I am open to using nitrous oxide (laughing gas).

Example 2

• I would like to prioritize natural pain relief methods such as TENS, heat packs, water immersion, acupuncture, and sterile water injections.

• I am open to using nitrous oxide if needed.

• I would appreciate support in avoiding an epidural.

Routines and procedures

During labor, you may encounter various hospital routines and medical procedures. Learning about them in advance and considering your preferences can help you feel more informed and prepared.

You have the right to receive information about the benefits, risks, and alternatives of any proposed intervention, and to make informed decisions about your care. Reflecting on these choices ahead of time may help reduce decision-making during labor.

Example

• I would like to have as few vaginal examinations as possible.

• I would prefer not to have an IV cannula inserted routinely.

The pushing stage

Consider describing your needs and preferences for the pushing stage, as this is often one of the most intense parts of labor and can benefit from some advance reflection.

It may also be helpful to include your preferred pushing positions so that your care team can support and guide you accordingly.

Example 1

• I would like to follow my body's natural urge to push and avoid directed pushing.

• Please feel free to suggest positions, but I would prefer to avoid lying on my back.

Example 2

• I would like to push on all fours in the birth pool or seated on a birth stool, or on all fours on the bed.

• Andreas would like to catch the baby if possible.

After the birth

Here you can describe your preferences for the first hours after birth. How would you like the atmosphere in the room to feel? Are there any routines you would like to accept or decline?

Example

• We decline routine administration of synthetic oxytocin injection after birth.

• We would like the placenta to be delivered naturally without unnecessary intervention. Please do not pull on the umbilical cord.

The baby

If you have preferences specifically related to your baby, you can list them under a separate section.

Example

• We would like delayed cord clamping. We will let you know when we are ready for the cord to be clamped and cut.

• We consent to vitamin K administration.

Preferences in case of a cesarean birth

Even if you are planning a vaginal birth, there is always a small possibility that a cesarean birth may become necessary.

While there is often less flexibility during a cesarean birth, there may still be preferences you can communicate in advance.

Would you like someone to desctibe what is happening 

During a cesarean birth, your view is blocked by a surgical drape. It may be helpful to consider in advance whether you would like someone to talk you through what is happening step by step, and how much detail you would like to receive.

Delayed cord clamping during a cesarean birth

If delayed cord clamping is important to you, it can be helpful to include this preference in your birth plan.

Vaginal seeding

During a vaginal birth, a baby is naturally exposed to beneficial bacteria from the vaginal environment. After a cesarean birth, some parents choose to request “vaginal seeding,” a procedure in which a swab containing vaginal bacteria is gently applied to the baby.

Who would you to have with you during the surgery?

If you have multiple support people, such as a partner and a doula, and would like both to be present, you can mention this in your birth plan.

In some cases, only one support person is allowed. If so, who would you prefer to have with you?

Closing remarks & thank you

If you wish, you may end your birth plan with a warm message to the midwives and a note of thanks for their support.

Download Our Template

Would you like to download our birth plan template with headings ready to fill in? You're welcome to do so!

• Download our Birth Plan Template (Word/Docx)

• Download our Birth Plan Template (PDF)