📜 What is a Birth Plan?
A birth plan is a simple document outlining your preferences for labor, delivery, pain management, newborn care, and postpartum recovery.
Think of it as a roadmap—your destination is a healthy baby and a healthy you, but your preferences help guide the journey. While some detours may arise, having your wishes documented ensures your care team understands your priorities and can support your experience as much as possible.
📝 What Should Be Included in a Birth Plan?
🏥 1️⃣ Choosing a Birth Location
Where do you plan to give birth?
🔹 Hospital – Learn their policies on pain management, interventions, and visitor restrictions.
🔹 Birth Center – Ask about available labor tools and birthing options.
🔹 Home Birth – Plan for midwife-led care and emergency backup if needed.
🤰 2️⃣ Labor Preferences
Your comfort and birth environment play a big role in labor progression. Consider:
✅ Pain Relief Options:
🤱 3️⃣ Delivery Preferences
Consider your preferences for pushing, delivery methods, and interventions:
✅ Preferred pushing positions (upright, squatting, on all fours, etc.).
✅ Delayed cord clamping for enhanced newborn benefits.
✅ Who will cut the umbilical cord (partner, midwife, or provider).
✅ Use of mirrors to see the birth or touching the baby’s head as they crown.
⚠️ 4️⃣ Planning for the Unexpected
Sometimes, interventions are necessary. Prepare for alternatives:
✅ If assisted delivery is needed, do you prefer:
👶 5️⃣ Newborn Care Preferences
Decide how your baby will be cared for immediately after birth:
✅ Skin-to-skin contact right after birth.
✅ Feeding preferences: Breastfeeding, formula, or donor milk.
✅ Newborn medical procedures:
💡 How to Create Your Birth Plan
1️⃣ Start Early – Research your birth options and discuss with your provider.
2️⃣ Use a Template – A structured format keeps it clear and organized.
3️⃣ Keep It Simple – One page, bullet points, and easy to read at a glance.
4️⃣ Discuss With Your Provider – Bring your birth plan to prenatal visits to ensure alignment with your healthcare team.
5️⃣ Print Extra Copies – Keep one in your hospital bag and share with your provider and support team.
✨ Why a Birth Plan Matters
🔹 Empowers you to make informed decisions about your birth experience.
🔹 Ensures your healthcare team understands your preferences.
🔹 Helps you stay calm and prepared for the unexpected.
🔹 Creates a positive, supported birth journey for both you and your baby.
📍 Ready to take control of your birth experience?
A birth plan is a simple document outlining your preferences for labor, delivery, pain management, newborn care, and postpartum recovery.
Think of it as a roadmap—your destination is a healthy baby and a healthy you, but your preferences help guide the journey. While some detours may arise, having your wishes documented ensures your care team understands your priorities and can support your experience as much as possible.
📝 What Should Be Included in a Birth Plan?
🏥 1️⃣ Choosing a Birth Location
Where do you plan to give birth?
🔹 Hospital – Learn their policies on pain management, interventions, and visitor restrictions.
🔹 Birth Center – Ask about available labor tools and birthing options.
🔹 Home Birth – Plan for midwife-led care and emergency backup if needed.
🤰 2️⃣ Labor Preferences
Your comfort and birth environment play a big role in labor progression. Consider:
✅ Pain Relief Options:
- Medicated: Epidural, spinal block, nitrous oxide, IV pain relief.
- Natural: Hypnobirthing, breathing techniques, hydrotherapy, massage, aromatherapy.
✅ Movement & Positioning: - Walking, squatting, birth ball, hands-and-knees.
✅ Fetal Monitoring: - Continuous vs. intermittent monitoring.
✅ Labor Support: - Who will be in the room? (Partner, doula, family, friends).
✅ Birthing Environment: - Dim lights, calming music, essential oils, minimal interruptions.
🤱 3️⃣ Delivery Preferences
Consider your preferences for pushing, delivery methods, and interventions:
✅ Preferred pushing positions (upright, squatting, on all fours, etc.).
✅ Delayed cord clamping for enhanced newborn benefits.
✅ Who will cut the umbilical cord (partner, midwife, or provider).
✅ Use of mirrors to see the birth or touching the baby’s head as they crown.
⚠️ 4️⃣ Planning for the Unexpected
Sometimes, interventions are necessary. Prepare for alternatives:
✅ If assisted delivery is needed, do you prefer:
- Vacuum extraction or forceps?
✅ If a C-section becomes necessary: - Gentle Cesarean options: clear drape, skin-to-skin contact in the OR, delayed cord clamping.
- Vaginal seeding if desired.
👶 5️⃣ Newborn Care Preferences
Decide how your baby will be cared for immediately after birth:
✅ Skin-to-skin contact right after birth.
✅ Feeding preferences: Breastfeeding, formula, or donor milk.
✅ Newborn medical procedures:
- Vitamin K shot, eye ointment, Hepatitis B vaccine.
- Delaying baby’s first bath to preserve protective skin oils.
✅ Circumcision preferences (if applicable).
💡 How to Create Your Birth Plan
1️⃣ Start Early – Research your birth options and discuss with your provider.
2️⃣ Use a Template – A structured format keeps it clear and organized.
3️⃣ Keep It Simple – One page, bullet points, and easy to read at a glance.
4️⃣ Discuss With Your Provider – Bring your birth plan to prenatal visits to ensure alignment with your healthcare team.
5️⃣ Print Extra Copies – Keep one in your hospital bag and share with your provider and support team.
✨ Why a Birth Plan Matters
🔹 Empowers you to make informed decisions about your birth experience.
🔹 Ensures your healthcare team understands your preferences.
🔹 Helps you stay calm and prepared for the unexpected.
🔹 Creates a positive, supported birth journey for both you and your baby.
📍 Ready to take control of your birth experience?
There are many decisions, as a couple, that need to be made.
This is a list of most of the common questions or preferences for birth.
Feel free to add your own.
📄 Birth Plan Template
👶 Personal Information📅 Estimated Due Month: [Month]
🏥 Planned Birth Location: [Hospital/Birth Center/Home]
👩⚕️ Primary Healthcare Provider: [Name]
💞 Birth Support Team: [Partner, Doula, Midwife, Family]
🟢 Labor PreferencesPain Management:
🔹 [ ] Alternative pain relief (breathing, massage, hydrotherapy, position changes)
🔹 [ ] I will ask for medication if needed
🔹 [ ] I’d like to be offered medication options if I’m struggling
🔹 [ ] IV narcotics
🔹 [ ] Nitrous Oxide
🔹 [ ] Epidural (regional anesthesia)
Monitoring & Movement:
🔹 [ ] Intermittent fetal monitoring (if safe)
🔹 [ ] Saline lock only (IV access without fluids)
🔹 [ ] No IV upon admission, I will hydrate naturally
🔹 [ ] Freedom to move and change positions during labor
Birth Environment:
🔹 [ ] Dimmed lights & calming ambiance
🔹 [ ] Music or guided relaxation audio
🔹 [ ] Essential oils/aromatherapy
🔹 [ ] Minimal interruptions & quiet voices
🟡 Delivery PreferencesPushing & Positioning:
🔹 [ ] “Laboring down” (waiting for the urge to push)
🔹 [ ] Coaching if pushing progress is slow
🔹 [ ] Choice of pushing position (Hands-and-Knees, Side-Lying, Upright)
🔹 [ ] Use of a mirror to see baby crown
🔹 [ ] Touch baby’s head as they crown
Cord & Immediate Post-Birth Care:
🔹 [ ] Delayed cord clamping (if baby is stable)
🔹 [ ] Partner to cut the umbilical cord
🔹 [ ] Immediate skin-to-skin contact after birth
🔹 [ ] Cord blood banking (collection kit provided)
🔴 If a C-Section Becomes Necessary
🔹 [ ] Partner present during the procedure
🔹 [ ] Drape preferences: [Clear, Lowered, Full Drape]
🔹 [ ] Immediate skin-to-skin in the OR
🔹 [ ] Vaginal seeding (if desired)
🔹 [ ] Monitoring devices placed out of sight
👶 Newborn Care PreferencesMedical Procedures:
🔹 [ ] Vitamin K Shot: [Yes/No]
🔹 [ ] Eye Ointment: [Yes/No]
🔹 [ ] Hepatitis B Vaccine: [Yes/No]
First Moments & Feeding:
🔹 [ ] Immediate skin-to-skin contact with mom/partner
🔹 [ ] Breastfeeding
🔹 [ ] Formula feeding
🔹 [ ] Combination feeding
Other Preferences:
🔹 [ ] Delayed baby’s first bath
🔹 [ ] Circumcision: [Yes/No]
📜 Final Steps📅 Birth Plan Date: ___________
📝 Reviewed With: ___________
📍 Bring this plan to your next prenatal appointment & share copies with your birth team!
This streamlined birth plan makes it easy to customize, print, and share while ensuring your care team understands your preferences quickly.
👶 Personal Information📅 Estimated Due Month: [Month]
🏥 Planned Birth Location: [Hospital/Birth Center/Home]
👩⚕️ Primary Healthcare Provider: [Name]
💞 Birth Support Team: [Partner, Doula, Midwife, Family]
🟢 Labor PreferencesPain Management:
🔹 [ ] Alternative pain relief (breathing, massage, hydrotherapy, position changes)
🔹 [ ] I will ask for medication if needed
🔹 [ ] I’d like to be offered medication options if I’m struggling
🔹 [ ] IV narcotics
🔹 [ ] Nitrous Oxide
🔹 [ ] Epidural (regional anesthesia)
Monitoring & Movement:
🔹 [ ] Intermittent fetal monitoring (if safe)
🔹 [ ] Saline lock only (IV access without fluids)
🔹 [ ] No IV upon admission, I will hydrate naturally
🔹 [ ] Freedom to move and change positions during labor
Birth Environment:
🔹 [ ] Dimmed lights & calming ambiance
🔹 [ ] Music or guided relaxation audio
🔹 [ ] Essential oils/aromatherapy
🔹 [ ] Minimal interruptions & quiet voices
🟡 Delivery PreferencesPushing & Positioning:
🔹 [ ] “Laboring down” (waiting for the urge to push)
🔹 [ ] Coaching if pushing progress is slow
🔹 [ ] Choice of pushing position (Hands-and-Knees, Side-Lying, Upright)
🔹 [ ] Use of a mirror to see baby crown
🔹 [ ] Touch baby’s head as they crown
Cord & Immediate Post-Birth Care:
🔹 [ ] Delayed cord clamping (if baby is stable)
🔹 [ ] Partner to cut the umbilical cord
🔹 [ ] Immediate skin-to-skin contact after birth
🔹 [ ] Cord blood banking (collection kit provided)
🔴 If a C-Section Becomes Necessary
🔹 [ ] Partner present during the procedure
🔹 [ ] Drape preferences: [Clear, Lowered, Full Drape]
🔹 [ ] Immediate skin-to-skin in the OR
🔹 [ ] Vaginal seeding (if desired)
🔹 [ ] Monitoring devices placed out of sight
👶 Newborn Care PreferencesMedical Procedures:
🔹 [ ] Vitamin K Shot: [Yes/No]
🔹 [ ] Eye Ointment: [Yes/No]
🔹 [ ] Hepatitis B Vaccine: [Yes/No]
First Moments & Feeding:
🔹 [ ] Immediate skin-to-skin contact with mom/partner
🔹 [ ] Breastfeeding
🔹 [ ] Formula feeding
🔹 [ ] Combination feeding
Other Preferences:
🔹 [ ] Delayed baby’s first bath
🔹 [ ] Circumcision: [Yes/No]
📜 Final Steps📅 Birth Plan Date: ___________
📝 Reviewed With: ___________
📍 Bring this plan to your next prenatal appointment & share copies with your birth team!
This streamlined birth plan makes it easy to customize, print, and share while ensuring your care team understands your preferences quickly.
