Creating Your Birth Plan

There are many good reasons to create a birth plan. Besides communicating your desires about your baby's birth to your health care provider, writing a birth plan helps you (and your partner) to mentally prepare for the birth. It also may help facilitate discussions with your health care providers about details that you may have overlooked. Think through each and every choice you list on your birth plan.

First Stage (Labor)
Whom will you invite to attend/witness the birth?

What are your environmental preferences (lighting, noise level, music, etc.)?

What are your film/video preferences (check one)?

Yes, I want to record the event with video
No just cameras
No recording devices of any kind

What are your clothing preferences (check one)?

A hospital gown
My own clothing

What are your fetal monitoring preferences (check one)?

Internal fetal monitor
External fetal monitor

What labor position do you plan to use?

What other labor preferences do you have (check all that apply)?

I prefer to keep my contact lenses in unless I undergo anesthesia.
Please keep pelvic exams to a minimum.
I want to be able to walk around and change positions as desired.
I want to be able to drink when I'm thirsty.
I plan to use breathing, hypnosis, massage, or other pain management techniques.
I want a room with a tub.
I want an enema upon being admitted.
I want to use a birthing ball.

What are your preferences for medications and anesthesia (check one)?

I'm planning an epidural, sedatives, tranquilizers, or narcotics.
I want to be offered pain medications if I am obviously uncomfortable.
I prefer to ask for them.

What are your preferences for induction and labor augmentation (check one)?

I prefer that Pitocin be used if necessary.
I want to use natural methods, like nipple stimulation, exercise, sexual intercourse, or herbs. (Consult your physician before using any method to augment labor.)
I want my membranes to rupture naturally.
I would like them ruptured artificially to speed up labor.

Second Stage (Birth)
Which birthing position do you plan to use?

Which birthing accessories do you plan to use for comfort (check all that apply)?

Squat bar
Birthing stool
Birthing chair
Beanbag chair

If labor is taking a long time, but progress is being made, what action would you prefer (check one)?

To let things be
Some sort of augmentation

During delivery, which would you prefer (check one)?

To tear naturally
To have an episiotomy

To avoid tearing and/or episiotomy, do you want compresses, massage, or position changes?

What other delivery preferences do you have (check all that apply)?

Forceps and/or vacuum extraction should only be used if absolutely necessary
I want to view the birth with a mirror
I prefer to exclude medical residents or students from the birth
I want assistance delivering the placenta

During delivery, what is your preference regarding pushing (check one)?

I want to be told when and for how long to push
I want to push when my body tells me to

In the event of a Cesarean birth, what are your preferences (check all that apply)?

I want my partner present
I want to be conscious
I want video and/or pictures taken
I want the screen lowered (or a mirror) so I can view the birth
I want someone to explain the surgery as it's happening
I want one hand free to touch the baby
I want my partner (or a specific person) to cut the cord
I want to begin breastfeeding immediately
Other (list)

Postpartum Baby Care
Please check all that apply.

My partner wants to catch the baby
My partner wants to cut the cord
Delay cord cutting until pulsation stops
I want my baby to be placed on my stomach immediately for ____ minutes of uninterrupted contact
I want to postpone newborn procedures until we've had a chance to bond
I want either myself or my partner to be with the baby at all times
I want to delay eye mediation, Vitamin K injection, or vaccines for a certain length of time
Pacifiers, bottles, or sugar water may be offered to my baby
I want to begin breastfeeding within the first hour
If my baby is a boy, I want him circumcised
If my baby is a boy, I do NOT want him circumcised

In the event of a medical problem with the baby, what are your preferences (check all that apply)?

I want to begin breastfeeding as soon as possible
I want unlimited visitation for parents
I want to be moved with the baby, if necessary, to another hospital

After you've made all of these important decisions, discuss your birth plan with your partner (if applicable) and your health care provider, and modify it if necessary. Make copies of the final draft to take with you on delivery day, and make sure your health care provider receives a copy.

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Member Comments About this Article

	"I think the suggested list is fine. I am a RN in a Hospital; and have never myself, nor come across a college that didn't read a patient's plan of care because it was too long. If you're concerned about the list being too long, or overlooked; highlight the most important elements of it and , or prioritize; placing the most critical to you on top of the list. Although I plan to have a natural childbirth; one never knows how the delivery is going to go; it is an excellent idea to have a ..." -- MARNIE0330

	"I think that this is too long, if you are planning on using a birth plan it is best to keep it short having a huge list of preferences like this makes it more likely that your medical providers will not read all of it, they are after all very busy people. Use bullet points, list a few things, saying that you want a natural birth as possible eliminates about 1/3 of this birth plan, Most nurses and Doctors are aware about what most consider natural birth. If you want to be totally sure that you w..." -- PARTLYSBABE

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About The Author

Liza Barnes
Liza received her bachelor's degree in health promotion and education from the University of Cincinnati and is pursuing a master's degree in nurse midwifery. She is the proud mother of one daughter.