How to Create a Birth Plan (Stress-Free and Simple)
If you’re expecting a baby—congratulations! Whether you’re counting down the days with excitement or feeling slightly overwhelmed (or both!), creating a birth plan can help you feel more confident and in control as the big day approaches. Don’t worry—it doesn’t have to be complicated. Let’s break it down into something straightforward, empowering, and genuinely helpful.
What Is a Birth Plan?
A birth plan is a brief document that outlines your preferences for labour and delivery. It communicates your wishes to your midwives, doctors, and birth partner, helping them understand what’s most important to you. While birth can be unpredictable, having a plan in place ensures your care team can support your ideal experience as closely as possible.
Why Bother with a Birth Plan?
Even though no one can predict exactly how labour will unfold, preparing a birth plan allows you to think ahead about your options and make informed choices. From pain relief methods to who’s by your side in the delivery room, a birth plan ensures everyone is aligned and aware of your priorities. It’s also a great way to involve your birth partner in the process.
How to Write Your Birth Plan Without the Stress
1. Start with Essential Information
Include your name, due date, where you plan to give birth, and the names of anyone you want with you. If you have any relevant medical conditions, allergies, or specific requests (like using a birthing pool), this is the place to note them.
2. Consider Your Birth Preferences
Think about the kind of birth experience you’d like. Ask yourself:
-
Do I want a natural birth, or am I open to medical pain relief?
-
Would I prefer intermittent or continuous monitoring of the baby?
-
How do I feel about interventions like induction or assisted delivery?
These answers form the core of your birth plan.
3. Set the Scene
Small details can help you feel more comfortable and relaxed:
-
Would you like dimmed lighting or calming music?
-
Do you want the freedom to move around or use equipment like a birthing ball?
-
Who do you want in the room? (Partner, doula, family member?)
4. Pain Relief Preferences
Be clear about your approach to managing pain—even if you’re aiming for a natural birth, it’s helpful to outline your backup options. You might include:
-
Techniques like hypnobirthing, massage, or a TENS machine.
-
Whether you’d like to be offered pain relief or prefer to request it.
-
Your views on gas and air, pethidine, or an epidural.
5. After-Birth Choices
Once your baby arrives, you’ll still have decisions to make:
-
Do you want immediate skin-to-skin contact?
-
Are you planning to breastfeed, bottle-feed, or do a mix of both?
-
Would you like delayed cord clamping?
-
If stitches are needed, would you like pain relief for the procedure?
Keep It Short and Flexible
Your birth plan should be easy to read at a glance—ideally one to two pages. Medical staff will appreciate a clear, concise layout. Most importantly, remember that flexibility is key. Birth doesn’t always go according to plan, so being open to adjustments can help you stay calm and confident no matter what.
Get Your Birth Plan Template Free
To make things even easier, we’ve created a birth plan template free for you to download and fill out at your own pace. It covers everything from pain relief to post-birth preferences in a simple, easy-to-follow format. Click the link below to get your copy and take the first step toward feeling more prepared for your birth journey.
Enter your email and get your Free Birth Plan template
Capture the Moments That Matter Most
Welcoming your baby into the world is one of the most unforgettable experiences of your life. If you’re thinking about documenting those first precious moments, take a look at our maternity and newborn photography packages.
Beautiful, natural, and timeless images—so you can relive the magic for years to come.