A birth plan is a short document that tells your doctor, midwife and birth partner what you want during labor and birth and how. It covers who will be with you, your pain relief preferences, whether you want to move around during labor, and skin-to-skin contact and the first feed right after birth. Thinking it through ahead of time reduces the decisions you have to make on the day. It also helps you think clearly about what you want and why.
A good birth plan is short, clear and flexible. Birth does not always go as planned, and in an emergency the care team may need to make different decisions for the safety of mother and baby. That is why it matters to include what you would want if a cesarean is needed. It is best to see the plan as a communication tool rather than a contract. A flexible plan also reduces disappointment if things change.
It is a good idea to start your plan early in the third trimester and talk it through with your doctor at a checkup. That way you find out ahead of time if any preference does not fit the hospital's practices. Putting a copy in your hospital bag and sharing it with your partner means someone can speak for you on the day. While preparing your plan, asking about your hospital's practices, researching pain relief options and talking through your preferences with your partner helps everyone expect the same thing on the day.
What you can do
- Sections for hospital and team, setting, pain relief, labor, delivery, after birth, emergencies and the hospital bag.
- Answer 31 questions with ready-made options or in your own words.
- See what percentage of your preferences you have completed.
- Share your plan as a PDF with signature fields for you and your doctor.
- After at least 3 answers, use AI to draft sentences to share with your doctor.
How to use it
- Open each section in turn and mark the option that suits you for each question.
- Leave questions you are unsure about blank and come back later.
- If you like, use AI to turn your preferences into clear sentences.
- Export as a PDF, send it to your doctor and put a copy in your bag.
Frequently asked questions
What is a birth plan?
A birth plan is a short document where you write down your preferences for labor, birth and the time right after. It covers who will be with you, pain relief, moving during labor, birth position, cord cutting, skin-to-skin contact and the first feed. Its purpose is to make communication with the care team easier. It is not a binding contract.
When should I write my birth plan?
It is usually recommended to prepare your birth plan between 28 and 34 weeks. This gives you enough time to think about your preferences, do some research and talk with your doctor at a checkup. Learning your hospital's practices also makes the plan realistic. Having it in your hospital bag by 36 weeks is a good goal.
What should I include in a birth plan?
Include hospital and doctor details, who you want with you, setting preferences, pain relief options, moving and eating or drinking during labor, birth position, cord and placenta preferences, skin-to-skin contact, the first feed, procedures for your baby, keeping your baby with you, and what you would want if a cesarean is needed. Short bullet points make it easier to read.
Does the hospital have to follow my birth plan?
A birth plan is not a legally binding document, but the care team wants to know your preferences and takes them into account as much as possible. Some preferences may not fit the hospital's practices or your medical situation. In an emergency, the safety of mother and baby comes first. Talking your plan through with your doctor ahead of time tells you early on what is possible.