Birth plan can be a roadmap to a fulfilling experience

A birth plan is simply a written way for you to communicate your preferences about the birth experience to your healthcare provider, care staff and labor attendants. The plan should be used as a guide, not as a series of orders that absolutely must be followed.

Putting your wishes on paper will help you think about and prepare for one of life's most intense experiences.

Birth plans are as individual as each pregnant woman, but if there are three hard-and-fast rules to remember when developing your plan, they are these:

Keep it clear and simple. If you can't fit your plan on a single page, it's probably too complex. A plan that tries to address every possible development that can occur during birth and what you would like done about it is less likely to be followed. The goal is to present what's really important to you, so that those involved understand it clearly.
Keep it flexible. Truth is, birth can be an unpredictable experience. In the middle of labor you may change your mind and decide you want pain medication. Although you're not planning on a cesarean, they do happen. Also, hospitals often have their own rules and procedures. If the hospital policy requires fetal monitoring, it won't do you any good to state "no fetal monitoring" in your birth plan.
Keep it cooperative. Hopefully you will have a chance to review your plan with your physician 4 to 6 months before birth and then again closer to birth after you have attended birth preparation classes. This way you will have fewer surprises. The plan shouldn't read like a general's list of orders to enlisted personnel, but should contain a list of your preferences. Use phrases such as "I would like, I prefer, I would hope to avoid."

Specifics you can include. One good way to organize a plan is by labor, birth and post-birth. You can simply state these preferences as a list, such as:

In labor I would like:

To move around and change positions.
To eat and drink.
No pain medication unless I ask for it.
An epidural for pain as early as possible.
To take photographs. Be sure to check with staff and other guests in the room about taking pictures.
To have no photographs taken.
To have my immediate family and specific persons (name them) in the room.
To have no one in the room except my partner and medical personnel.

During the birth I would like:

To avoid an episiotomy; some tearing is okay.
To avoid the use of forceps or vacuum.
To have my partner cut the cord.
To have my partner accompany me in the event of a cesarean delivery.

After the birth I would like:

To hold the baby right away.
To breastfeed the baby right away.
To avoid the use of bottles or IV's for the baby.
For the baby to stay in my room.
For the baby to be with the parents or (specific individuals) whenever possible.

Your plan should cover all the things that really matter to you. If you're clear, flexible and cooperative, a birth plan can do a lot to ensure a satisfying labor and delivery.

Use the Birth Plan link in the navigation below to create your own birth plan.

Date last reviewed: April 2005.

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