Creating a Birth Plan

What you will be able to do

• explain what a birth plan is, when to write it and how it is used in US prenatal and hospital care.
• compare hospital labor and delivery units, birth centers and home birth, and know what each setting offers.
• describe the main comfort and pain relief options, and write flexible preferences.
• explain monitoring, induction, assisted birth and cesarean birth, and write a Plan B.
• make informed choices about skin-to-skin, cord clamping, the third stage, newborn procedures and feeding.
• write a clear, positive, one-page birth plan and talk it through with your OB-GYN or midwife.
• brief your birth partner and know the warning signs that mean calling your provider, the hospital or 911.

1. 1What a birth plan is, and why it helps

   Understand what a birth plan is for, when to write it, and your right to information and informed consent in US maternity care.

   • A birth plan is a conversation, not a contract
   • Your right to information and informed consent
   • Starting with what matters to you

   Decision question cardsBirth options checklist

2. 2Where to give birth

   Compare hospital labor and delivery units, birth centers and home birth, and find out what each setting offers and how to choose.

   • Your choices of birth setting
   • Transfers and practical questions
   • Choosing, and changing your mind

   Questions for your OB-GYN or midwifeFillable birth plan

3. 3Comfort and pain relief in labor

   Learn the options for coping with labor, from movement and water to nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and epidurals, so you can write clear, flexible preferences.

   • Coping without medicines
   • Medical pain relief options
   • Writing flexible pain relief wishes

   Fillable birth planBirth options checklist

4. 4Monitoring, and when labor needs help

   Understand monitoring, induction, assisted birth and cesarean birth, so you can write a 'Plan B' that keeps what matters to you.

   • Monitoring your baby and examinations
   • Induction and assisted birth
   • Cesarean birth, planned or unplanned

   Fillable birth planQuestions for your OB-GYN or midwifeDecision question cards

5. 5Your baby's first hours

   Learn about skin-to-skin, cord clamping, delivering the placenta, newborn procedures such as the vitamin K shot, and the first feed, so you can include your wishes.

   • Skin-to-skin and cord clamping
   • Delivering the placenta and newborn procedures
   • The first feed and the first day

   Fillable birth planBirth options checklist

6. 6Writing your birth plan

   Turn your choices into a clear, one-page plan that your team can read quickly, including any personal needs.

   • What makes a plan easy to use
   • Including your personal needs
   • Putting it all together

   Fillable birth planBirth options checklist

7. 7Talking it through and preparing your birth partner

   Discuss your plan with your OB-GYN or midwife, brief your birth partner, and know when to call your provider, the hospital or 911.

   • Talking your plan through with your OB-GYN or midwife
   • Preparing your birth partner
   • When to call, and when to call 911

   Questions for your OB-GYN or midwifeBirth partner briefing sheetDecision question cards

• TemplateFillable birth planWrite a clear, one-page birth plan covering where you hope to give birth, who will be with you, comfort and pain relief, what you would like if things change, and your baby's first hours.
• ListBirth options checklistA checklist of the main choices available in US maternity care, to help you see your options and decide which preferences to include in your plan.
• ListQuestions for your OB-GYN or midwifeReady-made questions to take to your prenatal visits, especially in the third trimester, so you understand your options and your hospital or birth center before writing your plan.
• TemplateBirth partner briefing sheetA one-page sheet for your birth partner with the key contacts, your main wishes, how to comfort you and what to do when, so they can support you with confidence.
• CardsDecision question cardsPocket cards with simple questions you and your birth partner can ask when an option is suggested, so you understand it and can make an informed choice.