How to Write a Birth Plan: A Friendly Guide for Expectant Mothers

In short: A birth plan is a simple sheet on which you write your preferences for labour and birth: where to give birth, pain relief, positions for birth and care of the newborn. It is best written in the last trimester, between weeks 28 and 36, and discussed with your doctor. Keep it clear and short, and stay flexible, because circumstances can change during labour for your safety and your baby’s.

Pregnancy is a beautiful journey, and expectant mothers deserve to enjoy every bit of it — including feeling prepared and confident for the big day.

Preparing for birth is an essential part of antenatal care, because labour and delivery can be unpredictable — and having a clear plan helps women feel more in control and confident about the process.

A delivery plan, sometimes called a birth plan, is a written document describing your preferences for labour and childbirth. It helps you communicate those preferences clearly to the people caring for you. Medical circumstances sometimes require flexibility, but your healthcare provider should try to follow your wishes as closely as possible.

What to put in your birth plan

Basic information

• Full name
• Due date
• Name of your doctor
• Name of your hospital
• Contact information for your partner or spouse
• Medical conditions
• Pregnancy complications

Labour environment

• Atmosphere — lighting, music
• Number and names of allowed visitors
• Freedom of movement
• Use of equipment such as a birthing ball, shower or tub

Options for pain management

• Natural pain management, such as breathing and massage
• Medical pain relief, such as intramuscular narcotics or epidural anaesthesia
• A combination of both

You should be able to change your pain management method at any time during labour. Nothing written in your plan commits you to anything — it is simply a guide to help your care team understand your preferences.

Delivery preferences

• Positions such as squatting or lying on your side
• Delayed cord clamping
• Use of vacuum or forceps
• Skin-to-skin contact with the baby
• When to initiate breastfeeding

Decisions about care of the newborn

• Breastfeeding or formula feeding
• Timing of the newborn’s first bath
• Vitamin K injection
• Rooming-in with the baby, versus nursery care

When should the plan be written?

During the third trimester, between 28–36 weeks of pregnancy. This is early enough to discuss at an antenatal appointment, yet late enough that you have a good sense of how your pregnancy is progressing.

Who should be involved?

• Healthcare providers — doctors and midwives
• Your partner
• Selected family members

Can the plan be changed?

Yes. Flexibility is needed, as anything new can happen throughout pregnancy and labour, and changes to the plan may become essential for your safety or your baby’s.

A woman whose labour departs from her plan has not failed. She has simply responded, with her care team, to what happened on the day.

Keep it simple

It is important to keep your plan simple and clear, so it is easy for busy healthcare providers to read and understand during labour.

A midwife coming on shift will typically only have time to read one page. Put what matters most to you at the top, and leave out anything you do not genuinely mind about — every extra line makes the truly important points harder to find.

If you would like personalised guidance on preparing your birth plan, discussing it with your care team is a good next step — your doctor or midwife can help tailor it to your individual pregnancy and preferences.