Birth Plan: How to Create Yours with Tips and Examples

As the big day approaches, it’s natural to start thinking about your preferences for labor and delivery. Creating a birth plan can be a helpful way to organize your thoughts and share them with your healthcare provider. While labor and delivery may sometimes take unexpected turns, having a plan in place may help you feel more prepared and confident.

This guide will walk you through how to make a birth plan, provide tips on what to include, and offer examples to help you get started.

What Is a Birth Plan?

You may be wondering, what is a birth plan? A birth plan is a tool that outlines your preferences for labor, delivery, and the immediate care of your newborn. It serves as a guideline for your healthcare team, helping them understand your wishes so you can focus on the moment when labor begins. While creating a birth plan may provide clarity and confidence, flexibility is key—labor and delivery often take unexpected turns. Discussing your preferences with your healthcare provider ensures everyone is prepared to adapt as needed.

Labor is a deeply personal experience, and no two journeys are the same, and a birth plan is simply a guide or checklist. You can change your mind at any time about your preferences, in consultation with your healthcare provider. It’s important to remain flexible and expect the unexpected.

Read the story of one mom who did not regret that her labor experience did not follow what was in her birth plan.

Interestingly, not everyone feels the need to create a birth plan. If you’ve built a strong partnership with your healthcare provider during pregnancy, you may feel confident in their ability to make the best decisions for you and your baby. In this case, skipping the detailed plan may feel like the right choice.

How to Make a Birth Plan

Creating a birth plan is a great way to clarify your preferences for labor, delivery, and postpartum care. While every labor experience is unique, a well-prepared plan may help guide your healthcare team and ensure your wishes are understood. Here’s a guide on how to write a birth plan that covers key aspects to consider.

What to Include in a Birth Plan

During Labor. Decide who you want to be present (e.g., partner, friend, or family), preferred labor positions, and comfort measures like dim lighting, massage, or music. Consider whether you’re open to labor induction or prefer to avoid it if progress is slow. Discuss pain management options, such as an epidural, and specify if you’re comfortable with medical students observing.

Giving Birth. Outline whether you’d like your birth partner in the delivery room, your preferences for episiotomy or natural tearing, and your wishes if a cesarean becomes necessary. Include details like where your partner should stand, and whether they may photograph or film the moment (if permitted).

After the Delivery. Indicate if you want immediate skin-to-skin contact or prefer your baby to be given to your partner first. Include preferences for breastfeeding support, newborn procedures, or cord blood banking. Specify whether you’d like your baby to stay with you or spend time in the nursery, and address cultural or traditional rituals you want to observe.

As a quick recap, here are some of the things you may consider adding to your birth plan at a glance:

If you’re planning a vaginal delivery, creating a natural birth plan may help you outline your preferences and feel more prepared for the big day. Before you start, consult with your healthcare provider to discuss your options and learn what your hospital or birthing center offers. Don’t hesitate to ask questions—your provider and care team want to ensure you have the best possible experience.

When making a birth plan, aim to keep it concise and easy to read. A one- or two-page document is often ideal for quick reference during labor. Below are some common details parents-to-be include in a natural childbirth plan template:

Background Details

• Your name

• Your baby’s due date

• The doctor, midwife, doula, and pediatrician’s contact details

• The preferred location for your delivery (e.g., hospital or birthing center)

• The hospital or birthing center’s address and contact details

• Contact information for your birth partner or support person, along with a note specifying if this person can make

• decisions on your behalf during labor

• Any important medical issues that healthcare providers should know about.

These details provide a solid foundation for your natural birth plan and may also apply to other delivery types, like a c-section or VBAC. Keeping your plan clear and flexible ensures you're prepared to adapt as your labor and delivery unfold.

Cesarean Section Birth Plan

If you’re preparing for a cesarean delivery, whether planned or unplanned, a c-section birth plan may help communicate your preferences. If you know a cesarean is likely, consider these key points to include in your plan

• Support. Decide who you want with you in the operating room.

• Documentation. Request that the type of abdominal and uterine incisions made be recorded for future reference.

• Breastfeeding. Indicate if you’d like to nurse as soon as possible after delivery, provided you and your baby are well.

• Pain Relief. Outline your preferences for post-surgery pain management. Who you would like to be with you in the operating room

Using a c-section birth plan template may simplify this process and help ensure your wishes are clearly communicated. For more support, check out our video featuring insights from a labor and delivery nurse.

What Is a VBAC Birth Plan?

A VBAC, or vaginal birth after cesarean, refers to delivering vaginally after a previous cesarean section. While it was once believed that VBACs posed significant risks, research now shows that 60 to 80 percent of parents-to-be may have a successful VBAC. However, every pregnancy is unique, and VBACs may still carry some risks. Be sure to consult your healthcare provider to determine if it’s the right option for you.

A VBAC birth plan generally follows a standard birth plan template for a vaginal delivery but may also include elements from a c-section birth plan, in case a vaginal birth isn’t possible. Here are some considerations to include:

• Labor Preferences. Specify your preferred pain management or relaxation techniques, such as breathing exercises or epidural options.

• Surgical Preferences. Outline your choices for anesthesia and other preferences if a cesarean becomes necessary.

Because a successful VBAC isn’t guaranteed, it’s important to discuss possible scenarios and options with your healthcare provider beforehand. This will help you create a clear, flexible plan tailored to your needs.

Twins Birth Plan

Welcoming twins comes with unique considerations and creating a twin birth plan may help you feel more prepared. Whether you’re planning a vaginal delivery, cesarean, or both, discussing your preferences with your healthcare provider is an important first step.

• Delivery Options. Indicate your preferred method—vaginal or cesarean—based on your babies’ positions and health.

• Support and Monitoring. Specify who will accompany you and ensure your plan includes preferences for fetal monitoring, which is typically advised for twins.

• Post-Delivery Care. Outline your wishes for skin-to-skin contact and feeding, whether breastfeeding, formula feeding, or both.

Flexibility is key with twins, so work closely with your provider to adapt your plan as needed.

Birth Plan Template and Examples

Preparing a birth plan may feel overwhelming, especially for first-time parents. A sample birth plan may simplify the process by helping you organize your thoughts and focus on what matters most to you. Consider downloading our printable birth plan template to guide you through the process and ensure you don’t miss important details.

As mentioned earlier on, below is an example of what a birth plan outline might include.

Birth Plan Outline

• During Labor. Who will be with you, preferred comfort measures (e.g., dim lighting, music), and pain management options.

• Giving Birth. Your stance on interventions (e.g., episiotomy or induction), who cuts the umbilical cord, and preferences for immediate skin-to-skin contact.

• After Delivery. Your choices for newborn care, such as feeding preferences, rooming in with your baby, or delayed bathing.

Whether or not you use a template when writing your birth plan, remember that your healthcare provider’s top priority is the health and safety of you and your baby. Focus on what you do want while keeping in mind that labor and delivery are unpredictable and that you can’t always control what happens.

Here are some examples of how you may phrase your birth plan preferences:

• “If possible, I’d like to…”

• “Unless there’s an emergency, I’d prefer…”

• “I’d prefer X, only if it’s necessary.”

• “Please offer me X when it becomes an option so that I can decide at the time.”

Using a birth preferences template ensures you cover all the details without feeling overwhelmed. Download our easy-to-use birth plan template today to get started and share it with your healthcare provider to align your expectations well before delivery day.

What to Do With Your Completed Birth Plan

Once you’ve made your birth plan, review it with your healthcare provider. Keep in mind that your preferences may need to adapt based on:

• Your healthcare provider’s recommendations. These are designed to minimize risks based on your medical situation. If you’re unsure about a recommendation, don’t hesitate to ask for more details so you feel comfortable.

• Hospital or birthing center policies. Facilities often have specific guidelines that could affect your preferences. What’s feasible and available. Certain options might not be practical depending on the equipment and resources at your chosen location.

• Emergencies during labor or delivery. In urgent situations, your medical team may need to adjust the plan to prioritize the health of you and your baby.

Once your birth plan is finalized, provide copies to your doctor, midwife, doula, and birth partner. Be sure to pack a few copies in your hospital bag so it’s easily accessible on delivery day.

Don’t forget to check out the Hospital Bag Checklist to ensure you’re packed and ready for the big moment!

Bottom Line

There’s a lot to consider when preparing for your birth plan, but having one in hand may help you feel more in control. On the big day, your healthcare team will focus on keeping you and your baby safe, ensuring the best care possible.

Above all, remember that even if things don’t go exactly as planned, this is a life-changing moment. Stay present and enjoy day one of your beautiful newborn’s life. You’ve got this!

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