Birth plan: what to include
A birth plan lets your midwives, nurses and doctors know what you’d like to happen during labour. It helps you think through your choices, even though birth doesn’t always go to plan.
What to put in your birth plan
The NHS suggests thinking about:
- Where you’d like to give birth: at home, in a midwifery unit or in hospital
- Who you want with you during the birth
- Whether you want them with you for a forceps or vacuum delivery, or a caesarean
- Equipment you’d like to use, such as mats or beanbags, and whether you’d like a birthing pool
- Keeping active in labour, and the positions you’d prefer
- Pain relief
- Immediate skin-to-skin contact before the cord is cut
- How you’d like to feed your baby
- Whether your baby can have vitamin K if needed
- Whether you’re happy for staff in training to be present
How to write it
Write it while talking through your choices with your midwife, so they understand what you want and can explain your options. The NHS has a Word template you can download from its birth plan page.
Who’s in the room, and visitors
The NHS checklist covers who’s with you during the birth, but not visitors afterwards. Your unit will have its own rules, so ask your midwife, and add your wishes to your plan. This part is general advice rather than official guidance.
If plans change
The NHS says things may have to change at the last minute, and that your midwife will help you make the best and safest decision for you and your baby.
Questions people ask
When should I write a birth plan?
The pages we read don’t set a week. The NHS suggests writing it as you talk through your options with your midwife, so start when you begin those conversations.
Can I change my birth plan?
Yes. The NHS says things may change, even at the last minute, and your midwife will help you decide.
Will my birth plan be followed?
It tells your team what you’d like, but birth doesn’t always go to plan. The NHS says your midwife will help you make the best and safest decision at the time.
References
Advice differs between countries, so follow your own care team’s plan. How we check this.
Third trimester, week by week
Third trimester Weeks 28–40
Weight gain, brain and lung maturation, and getting into position for birth.
