In the middle of a contraction, it's hard to articulate that you'd prefer dim lighting and absolutely no students in the room. A birth plan means your midwife and doctor already know your wishes — without you having to explain anything during the most intense moments of labor.

What is a birth plan?

A birth plan (sometimes called a birth preferences document) is a short document describing your wishes for labor and delivery. It's not about controlling the uncontrollable — it's about communicating your preferences to your care team.

Most hospitals and birth centers encourage pregnant people to write birth plans. According to the WHO, informed decision-making and shared communication between patients and care providers leads to better birth outcomes. A birth plan is one of the best tools for starting that conversation with your midwife or OB.

A good birth plan covers:

Who you want present
Atmosphere and environment (lighting, music, quiet)
Pain relief — what you want to try and what you'd prefer to avoid
Preferences during the birth itself
What should happen right after birth (skin-to-skin, breastfeeding)
Special considerations (cesarean, previous experiences)

Most hospitals and birth centers welcome birth plans. They give your care team a quick overview of your wishes and help create a more personalized birth experience.

Birth plan example: What it can look like

Here is an example of a complete birth plan. Use this as a template and adapt it to your own preferences:

Birth Plan for [Name] Due Date: [Date] Partner: [Partner's name] Hospital/Birth Center: [Name]

About me: This is my first birth. I would like as natural a birth as possible, but I am open to medical support if it becomes necessary. I have no known complications.

Atmosphere and environment:

Dim lighting
Quiet and minimal interruptions between contractions
Only my partner and midwife present (no students)
Music from my own playlist welcome

Pain relief — my preferences (in order):

Natural methods first (warm bath, movement, breathing exercises)
TENS machine
Gas and air (nitrous oxide) if natural methods aren't enough
Epidural if I request it

During labor:

I would like to move freely and choose my own positions
Use of a birthing pool if available
Please keep me informed of what is happening throughout
Partner to cut the umbilical cord

After birth:

Immediate skin-to-skin contact
Delayed cord clamping (wait until the cord stops pulsing)
Early breastfeeding — place baby to the breast within the first hour
Partner to hold baby if I am unable to

In the event of a cesarean:

I would like to be awake
Partner to be present in the operating room
Skin-to-skin as soon as possible after surgery

Use this as a starting point and adapt it to your own preferences. A birth plan generator can walk you through each section interactively, asking the right questions and producing a finished document.

Section by section: What to include in your birth plan

1. About you — background information

Start with what your midwife or doctor needs to know:

Name, age, and due date
Parity (first baby, second, etc.)
Relevant medical history
Any complications in the pregnancy
Blood type if known
Partner's name and role during labor

2. Atmosphere and environment

How do you want the room to feel? Common preferences include:

Dim lighting
Music (your own playlist)
As few people in the room as possible
Quiet and stillness between contractions
Access to a birthing pool or shower

3. Pain relief

List your preferences for pain management. Most hospitals offer a range of options.

Natural methods:

Warm bath or shower (birthing pool)
Movement and position changes
Breathing techniques
Massage and counter-pressure on the lower back
TENS machine
Acupuncture (available at some hospitals)
Sterile water injections

Medical pain relief:

Gas and air (nitrous oxide/Entonox) — self-administered
Epidural — placed by an anesthesiologist
Opioid injections (pethidine/morphine)
Pudendal block — local anesthetic

According to the WHO and AAP guidelines, you have the right to adequate pain relief during labor. It helps to rank your preferences: "Try natural methods first. Gas and air as a next step. Epidural if I ask for it."

4. During labor

Think through these questions:

Do you want to stand, lie down, sit on a ball, or use a birthing pool?
Are you okay with an episiotomy if your midwife recommends it?
Who cuts the umbilical cord?
Do you want delayed cord clamping?
Would you like to see the baby being born (mirror)?
Are you okay with continuous monitoring, or do you prefer intermittent?

5. After the birth

The first minutes after birth matter. Common preferences:

Immediate skin-to-skin contact
Delayed cord clamping (wait until the cord stops pulsing)
Early breastfeeding (within the first hour)
Who holds the baby first?
Vitamin K for the baby (standard recommendation by the AAP)
Do you want the baby with you or in a crib?

6. Special situations

What if plans change? It helps to have thought through:

In the event of an emergency cesarean:

Do you want to be awake (spinal anesthesia)?
Should your partner be in the operating room?
Skin-to-skin as soon as possible?

For a planned cesarean:

Preferences for the operating room (music, quiet)
Who is present?
Wishes around breastfeeding after surgery

In the event of complications:

Who makes decisions if you cannot?
Priorities for the baby's safety

7. Feeding and postnatal care

Would you like breastfeeding support after birth?
Are you open to formula supplementation?
Do you want visitors in the first few hours, or quiet time?

What your midwife wants to know

Midwives appreciate birth plans because they give a quick overview of your wishes. Here is what they especially value:

What your midwife needs to know:

Any medical conditions or complications
Allergies or medications you're taking
Previous birth experiences (especially traumatic ones)
Clear preferences for pain relief
Who your birth partner is and what role they'll play

What your midwife doesn't need:

A detailed timetable for the birth
Demands that aren't realistic (births are unpredictable)
Multiple pages of text — keep it concise, ideally one page

Discuss your birth plan with your midwife or OB at one of your last prenatal appointments. They can give valuable feedback about what's realistic at your specific hospital or birth center.

Tips for a good birth plan

Keep it short. Your midwife should be able to read it quickly — ideally on one page.

Stay flexible. Write "I would prefer" rather than "I demand." Births are unpredictable. A birth plan is a set of wishes, not a contract.

Include your partner. Your partner should know the birth plan well. During active labor, it's often the partner who communicates with the care team while you're busy giving birth.

Update as you go. Your preferences may change throughout pregnancy. That's completely normal. Update your birth plan as your thinking evolves.

Write two versions. Have a long version for yourself and your partner, and a short bullet-point version for your midwife.

Bring multiple copies. Keep a copy in your hospital bag, on your phone, and give one to your midwife when you arrive.

When should you write your birth plan?

Most people write their birth plan between weeks 32 and 36. Early enough to discuss with your midwife, but late enough that you've had time to form a clear picture of what you want.

Birth plan timeline

Week	What to do
28–30	Read about pain relief options and the stages of labor. Start thinking about preferences.
30–32	Start filling in your birth plan
32–34	Discuss the plan with your partner
34–36	Go through the plan with your midwife at a prenatal appointment
36+	Put the birth plan in your hospital bag. Update if anything changes.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to have a birth plan?

No, it's optional. But most people find that communicating their wishes in advance gives them more confidence going into labor. Your care team appreciates knowing what matters to you. Even a few bullet points on a piece of paper is better than nothing.

What if the care team doesn't follow my birth plan?

A birth plan is a guide, not a legally binding document. In emergency situations, healthcare providers will always prioritize the safety of mother and baby. Under normal circumstances, they do their best to honor your preferences. If something deviates from your plan, they should explain why.

What should a birth plan include?

A birth plan should cover: who is present, atmosphere and environment, pain relief preferences (ranked), preferences during labor (positions, cord clamping), wishes after birth (skin-to-skin, feeding), and a plan B for cesarean.

Can I change my birth plan after writing it?

Yes, absolutely. Many people change their mind during pregnancy. Update your plan as needed.

Preparation beyond the birth plan

A birth plan is one part of birth preparation. For a well-rounded approach, also consider:

Learning about the stages of labor — what actually happens
Practicing breathing and relaxation techniques
Taking a childbirth preparation class
Understanding your pain relief options in advance
Packing your hospital bag from week 36

Ready to write your birth plan? Start filling it out today — most people find it takes less than 10 minutes once they know what to include.

Sources

Last updated: March 2026

Your Birth Plan: How to Write One That Works