What Is a Birth Plan? A Step-By-Step Guide To Creating One.
Giving birth is one of life’s most incredible moments—but let’s be honest, it can also feel overwhelming. Many parents-to-be aren’t sure how to communicate their wishes once labor starts, while others have clear preferences but don’t always feel heard by medical staff. That’s where a birth plan comes in. Think of it as your personal “playbook” for labor and delivery—covering everything from pain relief options to who cuts the cord. Below, we’ll walk you through what a birth plan is, why it matters, and how to create one that works for you.
What Is a Birth Plan and Why Is It Important?
A birth plan outlines your preferences, needs, and hopes for labor, delivery, and immediate postpartum experience. It helps you:
Advocate for yourself (or for you and your partner).
Communicate with doctors, nurses, or midwives about what matters most.
Prepare mentally for the big day so you’re not scrambling to make decisions while managing contractions.
Is It Ok to Not Have a Birth Plan?
Absolutely—it’s ok to not have a birth plan. At the end of the day, it’s your choice. Some parents prefer a go-with-the-flow approach. However, many find that writing a birth plan helps them feel more confident, informed, and in control. Even if you choose not to draft one, doing a little research ahead of time can still be super valuable.
What Should I Include in a Birth Plan?
A birth plan should include a well-rounded outline that covers the essentials like:
Location: Home, hospital, or birthing center.
Labor Pain Relief: Options like massage, gas, pethidine, or an epidural.
Positions for Labor and Birth: Lying on a bed, kneeling, standing, or squatting—whatever feels right to you.
Support People: Who do you want by your side (partner, your parents, doula, friend)?
Birth Environment: Music, dim lights, or other comfort measures.
Immediate Newborn Care: skin-to-skin contact or who cuts the cord.
What Not to Put on a Birth Plan?
Overly rigid demands: Flexibility is key; labor can be unpredictable.
Minor details: While it’s great to be thorough, decisions like “Should I have ice chips or popsicles?” might crowd your plan.
Promises from staff: You wouldn’t want someone coming to your job demanding things from you, so why would you try to do that to your medical staff? It’s ok to state preferences for who helps you but can’t demand a specific action from your medical team.
How to Write a Birth Plan.
Step 1: Research Labor and Birth
Start by learning about different pain relief methods, birth positions, and postpartum care. Understand the ins and outs of each so you can make informed choices for yourself.
Step 2: Develop Your Birth Plan
Reflect on what matters most to you—are you hoping for a natural birth, or are you open to an epidural?
Discuss with your partner, doula, or support team to clarify roles.
Organize your notes into clear sections for easy reading/navigation. (E.g., pain relief, newborn care, environment).
Step 3: Writing Your Birth Plan
Keep It Simple: Aim for one to two pages in bullet-point format.
Stay Flexible: Labor doesn’t always go as planned, so note your top preferences while acknowledging things can change.
Be Specific Where It Counts: If you absolutely want immediate skin-to-skin contact, spell that out.
Step 4: Sharing Your Birth Plan
Print or email copies to:
Your healthcare provider
Your birth partner(s) or doula.
Hospital staff (ask if they can add it to your medical file).
Who Should Review My Birth Plan?
Medical Professionals: OB-GYNs, midwives, or family doctors.
Support People: Anyone in the delivery room with you.
You! Make sure you’re comfortable with everything you’ve outlined.
Who Needs a Copy of My Birth Plan?
Your labor nurse or midwife: So they know your preferences as soon as you arrive.
Any family members who will be present—so they can advocate for you if needed.
Do I Need to Have a Birth Plan?
No, you’re not required to have a birth plan, but it’s often incredibly helpful—especially if you’re a first-time mom and you want to be sure your voice is heard. It can also reduce anxiety by giving you a sense of control.
Are Birth Plans Worth It?
In our experience, yes! A birth plan is 100% worth it. They help:
Reduce Stress: Knowing you’ve thought things through can ease worry.
Facilitate Communication: Helping everyone understand your goals upfront.
Empower You: Encouraging you to speak up about your needs and desires.
When Should I Think About Making a Birth Plan?
Most parents draft a birth plan in the third trimester—around 28-32 weeks. That gives you plenty of time to research and talk through options before delivery day sneaks up on you.
How Should I Get Started Making a Birth Plan?
Check Out a Template: Whether it’s an online birth plan builder, one included in your pregnancy journal, or a downloadable PDF, a template can provide structure for your birth care plan.
Chat With Providers: Get their input on your hospital’s or birthing center’s standard procedures. Knowing their protocols can help you envision how the puzzle pieces of your plan will come together on the big day.
Revise and Finalize: Keep refining until it feels right. Remember, we aim to have a simple birth plan that communicates your needs as quickly as possible. Refining could mean making it skimmable or color-coded for easy navigation.
Birth Plan Templates: Find the Right Fit.
Having a birth plan template at your fingertips is a great way to stay organized. But did you know many pregnancy journals include built-in sections for creating and storing that plan—right alongside your weekly milestones and reflections? For example, our best pregnancy journal, Joyful Expectations (crafted in honor of first-time moms), features a dedicated birth plan template to help you capture your preferences and wishes in one convenient spot.
Why Include a Birth Plan in Your Pregnancy Journal?
Convenience: Everything—your hopes, milestones, and daily thoughts—lives in one place.
Consistency: Reviewing your birth plan becomes part of your regular journaling habit, keeping it fresh.
Keepsake Value: You’ll have a record of all your preparations, emotions, and baby’s arrival details to look back on.
As much as we love a holistic approach to birth templates and journaling. We understand some parents are looking for a standalone PDF. Here are a few template types to consider, whether you’re using a guided pregnancy journal or PDF:
Birth Plan Template Free PDF: This is ideal if you want something straightforward to type on and print out quickly.
Natural Birth Plan Template: Perfect for mamas aiming for minimal medical intervention.
Birth Plans for First-Time Moms: Tailored checklists to guide you through each decision.
What Is a Birth Plan Request Before Birth?
A birth plan request before birth is when a hospital or birthing center lets you submit your birth plan in advance. This ensures your healthcare team can review it and add notes to your file. It’s a great way to start conversations early and clear up any questions.
What Is a Birth Plan Example?
A birth plan example might look like:
Pain Relief: I prefer to start with natural coping techniques like breathing or showering to soothe me. If those don’t methods don’t work for me, then I’d be open to an epidural if needed.
Birth Environment: I want dim lights, calm music (I made my own push list!), and minimal interruptions.
Newborn Care: I would like immediate skin-to-skin, delayed cord clamping, and breastfeeding support ASAP.
Guide Complete
You’ve now explored what a birth plan can do and how to tailor yours to fit your unique wishes. Remember, a plan isn’t just a list—it's your voice, comfort, and self-advocacy tool. Whether you're for epidurals or essential oils, it’s all about feeling heard and prepared. And if plans change? You’ll still have the peace of mind that you did your research and made informed decisions.
Ready To Build Your Birth Plan?
Use our free birth plan builder to personalize every detail and feel confident going into delivery.
We’re cheering you on each step of the way—happy planning!