How do you write a birth plan – and what is it? You’ve probably already planned everything from the first sign of labor until you come home with your newborn in your arms. That’s often the case. However, it’s not as certain that you’ve written everything down or thought about things that may seem distant now but could play a significant role during the birth.

What is a Birth Plan?

At the end of pregnancy, you often write a summary with your midwife that contains information about how your pregnancy has been, your expectations for the birth, and your thoughts on things like pain relief and breastfeeding. To complement this summary, you can also choose to write a birth plan, which the staff at the delivery unit will read. The birth plan gives you the opportunity to think through most things that you can control during the birth and can be an important mental preparation for the delivery.

When Do You Write a Birth Plan?

There’s no specific time for when you should write your birth plan. You can start writing it whenever you feel ready or when you think of things that feel important to include. Typically, you will give birth sometime between week 37 and 42, so it’s a good idea to plan to have it completed before then.

How Do You Write a Birth Plan?

There are no guidelines for how a birth plan should look – it’s entirely individual. Some write a long letter with lots of text, while others make just a few bullet points to highlight what feels most important. You decide how you want your birth plan to look, but if possible, try not to write too much, as there’s a greater chance that the staff won’t have time to read it all.

10 Things to Include in a Birth Plan

1. Always start the plan with your name and personal identification number. You can also include the name(s) of the person(s) who will be present during the birth.
2. Start the plan with a brief introduction about yourself. Is there something important the staff should know? For example, do you get easily angry, sad, stressed, or something else? Is there something you want the staff to say or do in a specific situation – or something you want them to avoid talking about altogether?
3. Briefly describe the person(s) who will be present during the birth. Is there something important to know about them? Do they have any health conditions, fears, or concerns that should be taken into account?
4. Have you given birth before? In the next section of the birth plan, you can briefly mention previous births. Share what went well or not so well and if there’s something you’d like to change for this birth.
5. What are your thoughts on pain relief? This is an important point for many. Some are very afraid of the pain and want all the pain relief available, while others want to give birth without any pain relief. What pain relief do you want during your birth? Regardless of what you write about pain relief, it’s not set in stone. If you write in the plan that you don’t want any pain relief but change your mind during the birth, or vice versa, your decision at the time will always take precedence.
6. Do you have any specific requests for the birth? Is there a particular position you’d like to give birth in, or would you like to listen to a specific type of music? Do you want an enema before giving birth, or would you like to shower first? Is it okay if a student is present, or is that something you absolutely don’t want?
7. Are you particularly worried about something? If so, it’s good to mention this in your birth plan. Many pregnant women worry about having a bowel movement during birth. This can happen, and it almost always does. However, midwives are very professional and quick to clean it up, so it’s rarely noticeable. If it’s something you’re concerned about, you can mention it in your birth plan. The same goes if you’re sensitive or afraid of something, such as blood or needles. If you mention it in your plan, the staff will do their best to make you comfortable.
8. How would you like to be treated? While this may seem obvious, it’s worth writing down how you would like to be treated. Some people prefer clear and direct instructions, while others prefer a gentler approach with lots of reassurance. Write down how YOU want to be treated so you can perform your best during YOUR birth.
9. How do you feel about physical touch? Some people appreciate touch during labor, like staff helping with massages or holding their hand, while others don’t like it at all. It’s helpful for the staff to know this so that nothing uncomfortable happens when you’re in labor.
10. What happens after the baby is born? How do you want things to proceed once the baby is born? Who should cut the umbilical cord? Do you want delayed cord clamping? How long would you like to stay in the hospital? Do you need extra help with breastfeeding or something else?

If you find it difficult to get started with your birth plan, there are many templates available online that you can use. Choose a template that feels right for you and then adapt it to your preferences and thoughts.

Do You Have to Write a Birth Plan?

No, there’s nothing that says you have to write a birth plan if you don’t want to. Often, people write one because it feels comforting to have thought through different scenarios and mentally prepared for how the birth might go. It’s also a good foundation to ensure you receive the care you want and don’t have to feel anxious or stressed about things you forgot to mention.

Who Do You Give the Birth Plan To?

If you’ve written your birth plan on the computer, print it out and bring it to the delivery ward. Give your plan to the staff and ask them to read it before your delivery. To ensure that the plan is read, you or your companion can remind the staff several times if needed.

What Happens if the Staff Don’t Have Time to Read the Birth Plan?

If the staff don’t have time to read your birth plan, nothing happens. Whether the plan is read or not, the delivery staff are professional and considerate. They’ve experienced many births and have worked with individuals with different needs, thoughts, and desires. They are trained and always do their best to read the situation so that you feel completely safe and secure, regardless of whether you have a birth plan or not. Don’t see your birth plan as a strict list to follow but rather as a list of wishes and hopes.

Important Things to Keep in Mind

A birth can’t be controlled, and things can happen that either make it go very quickly, or the staff may need to make decisions that go against your wishes. It could also be that you change your mind during labor and want pain relief, or you don’t like the music you had planned. That’s perfectly normal, and it’s your birth experience the entire time, so whatever you think and feel in the moment, you can and should express it.

If the birth goes very quickly or is much different from what you had hoped for in your birth plan, it’s a good idea to talk about it afterward. Ask a midwife to read the plan and discuss what happened, why things didn’t go as planned, or if there was something particularly good.