A birth plan is a written document that outlines your preferences for labour, delivery, and the immediate postpartum period. It helps your healthcare team understand your wishes and can reduce anxiety by giving you a sense of control over the process. A good birth plan is flexible — labour rarely goes exactly as expected — but having your preferences documented ensures they are known even if your circumstances change quickly.
Describe who you would like present during labour: your partner, a family member, or a doula. Specify whether you prefer a quiet environment, dim lighting, or music playing. Note any preferences for mobility during labour, such as walking, using a birth ball, or being in a specific position.
Include your preferences around pain management. Options range from non-medical techniques (breathing exercises, massage, hydrotherapy) to epidural anaesthesia or other medications. You do not need to commit to one approach — many women prefer to wait and see how labour progresses. You might write: "I would like to try managing pain without medication initially, but I am open to an epidural if needed."
Discuss your preferences around foetal monitoring: continuous electronic monitoring or intermittent auscultation (listening to the baby's heartbeat at intervals). Continuous monitoring restricts movement but is required in certain clinical situations. Note any preferences about IV lines, artificial rupture of membranes, or induction — while understanding that medical necessity may override these preferences.
Specify your preferred delivery position. Many women labour on their backs out of habit, but upright positions such as squatting, kneeling, or using a birth stool can use gravity to help and reduce the need for pushing assistance. Indicate whether you would like to attempt a physiological (non-coached) second stage, where you push when you feel the urge rather than being directed to do so.
Note your preferences around episiotomy (a surgical cut to enlarge the vaginal opening): whether you would prefer the team to try to avoid it, or allow it if clinically recommended.
If you feel strongly about certain interventions in the event of a caesarean section — such as skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth, or having your partner present — include a brief section for this scenario as well.
This section often matters most to new parents. Common preferences include delayed cord clamping (waiting 1–3 minutes before cutting the umbilical cord, which transfers additional blood and iron to the baby), who will cut the cord, immediate skin-to-skin contact with the baby, and the timing of newborn procedures such as weighing, measuring, and eye drops.
Note your plans for infant feeding: breastfeeding, formula, or combination feeding. If you intend to breastfeed, you may wish to specify that you would prefer not to have formula offered unless medically necessary, or that you would like support from a lactation consultant.
Keep it concise — ideally one page. Long documents are less likely to be read in the midst of a busy labour ward. Use bullet points rather than paragraphs. Discuss your plan with your midwife or obstetrician at a prenatal visit before your due date, so they can flag any preferences that may conflict with hospital policy or your specific clinical situation.
Print several copies: one for your birth bag, one for your partner, and one to give to the midwife when you arrive. Keep an open mind — the best birth plan includes the phrase "I understand that plans may need to change if there is a medical need, and I trust my care team's judgement."
Use our Due Date Calculator to confirm your expected delivery date, and our Pregnancy Week Calculator to plan when to complete and share your birth plan with your care team.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding your specific situation.