There are so many birth plan options, templates, printables, and downloadable PDFs available for pregnant women to have to prepare for childbirth, but it can be overwhelming to know which birth plan template is right for you. Here you will find a comprehensive list of everything you need to make your birth plan so you are fully prepared for delivery day.

This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here.

I want to say that you are making such a wise decision! Having a birth plan written and ready to go in advance before the big day is so important for so many reasons. I explain why birth plans are so important and more in my other post, Birth Plan 101: everything you need to know.

If you need to understand what a birth plan is, the actual definition, who it’s for, when you should have it and where does it go, you can check out that post here. It explains the what, where, when and why.

In this post, I answer the question “How?” How do you make a birth plan?

Related: Birth Plan 101: Everything You Need To Know

It’s easy, you just take my template (at the bottom of the post) and plug in your answers!

Print it off and take it with you on delivery day. You can even keep a copy in your car (just in case you have an unexpected and quick delivery)

Everything You Need To Have In Your Birth Plan

There are multiple sections I have included for the one page birth plan. I list them in order of importance and in order of what occurs during childbirth. Feel free to include all or only some of the options that are listed in each section.

Make your birth plan custom to what you want and need.

Make it as detailed or as vague as you want. It’s completely up to you

1. Header

Name:

Birth Date:

Partner’s Name:

Other Visitors: (others you would like present during birth, include name and relationship

Doula/Midwife:

Doctor’s Name:

Due Date:

Location: (delivery is to take place at)

My Delivery is Planned:

• Vaginal
• C-section
• Water Birth
• VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean)

Related: Do You Know The 7 P’s For Successful Childbirth

Everything You Need To Have In Your Birth Plan

There are multiple sections I have included for the one page birth plan. I list them in order of importance and in order of what occurs during childbirth. Feel free to include all or only some of the options that are listed in each section.

Make your birth plan custom to what you want and need.

Make it as detailed or as vague as you want. It’s completely up to you

1. Header

Name:

Birth Date:

Partner’s Name:

Other Visitors: (others you would like present during birth, include name and relationship

Doula/Midwife:

Doctor’s Name:

Due Date:

Location: (delivery is to take place at)

My Delivery is Planned:

• Vaginal
• C-section
• Water Birth
• VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean)

Related: Do You Know The 7 P’s For Successful Childbirth

Women’s Travel Weekender Bag

2. For Labor

Dimmed lights

Limited guests

Wear my own clothes

Take pictures when allowed and able

Videotape when allowed and able

My partner to be present the entire time

I would like to be out of bed as much as possible and to walk when able

I would like to have music playing in the room throughout labor

Limit hospital staff to just my own doctors and nurses (no students)

Have minimal vaginal exams

I would prefer to have a saline lock instead of IV fluids

3. Pain Management:

I would like to have an epidural as soon as possible

I will ask for pain medication if I need it

I would like to be offered pain medication if uncomfortable

I am unsure what I want for pain relief I will decide when I am in labor, please explain my options to me

Please do not offer me pain medication

Related: How To Best Manage The Pain During Natural Childbirth

I plan to use the following measures for pain control and would like these options made available:

• Acupressure
• Acupuncture
• Breathing techniques
• Cold therapy
• Demerol
• Distraction
• Hot therapy
• Massage
• Meditation
• Reflexology
• Standard epidural
• TENS
• Walking epidural
• Birth ball
• Birthing tub
• Nothing
• Only what I request at that time
• Whatever is suggested at that time

3. Pain Management:

I would like to have an epidural as soon as possible

I will ask for pain medication if I need it

I would like to be offered pain medication if uncomfortable

I am unsure what I want for pain relief I will decide when I am in labor, please explain my options to me

Please do not offer me pain medication

Related: How To Best Manage The Pain During Natural Childbirth

I plan to use the following measures for pain control and would like these options made available:

• Acupressure
• Acupuncture
• Breathing techniques
• Cold therapy
• Demerol
• Distraction
• Hot therapy
• Massage
• Meditation
• Reflexology
• Standard epidural
• TENS
• Walking epidural
• Birth ball
• Birthing tub
• Nothing
• Only what I request at that time
• Whatever is suggested at that time

The Ultimate Labor & Delivery Kit

6. During Delivery:

I would like the option to deliver in other positions besides my back if possible:

• Squat
• Semi-reclined
• Lie on my side
• Be on hands and knees
• Stand
• Lean on my partner
• Use people for leg support
• Use foot pedals for support
• Use birth bar
• Use a birthing stool
• Be in a birthing tub
• Shower

I would like to be coached to push

Baby Bump Exercise Birth Ball

7. Immediately After Delivery:

I want my partner to announce the baby’s gender

My partner to cut the umbilical cord

I would like to delay cord clamping for 30-60 seconds

To bank the cord blood

To donate the cord blood

To deliver the placenta spontaneously and without assistance

To see the placenta before it is discarded

Not to be give pitocin/oxytocin

8. In case Of An Emergency C-Section

If I am having a C-section, I would like:

To make sure all options have been exhausted

To stay conscious

To view the birth (if able)

My arms free and skin-to-skin immediately in the operating room

To breastfeeding the recovery room

9. Postpartum & Newborn Care:

I’d like skin-to-skin contact immediately after delivery

I would like to be asked before a pacifier or formula is give to my baby

If my baby is a boy, I would like him circumcised (or I would not like to him to be circumcised)

I would like to delay all procedures until after an hour of skin-to-skin contact so I can feed and bond with my baby

I would like to breastfeed as soon as possible

I would like all medical procedures and exams of the baby done in my presence

As needed post delivery, please give me:

• Extra-strength acetaminophen
• Percocet
• Stool softener
• Laxative

10. Feeding Baby Plans

I plan to

• Exclusively breastfeed
• Combination feed
• Exclusively formula feed
• I would like to meet with a lactation specialist

Breastfeeding Maternity Bra

11. In Case Of An Emergency Transfer to NICU

If my baby should need to be separated and be transfered to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for medical treatment I would like _______________ to accompany him/her.

I would like to breastfeed/pump milk

I would like the baby to be formula fed

12. Conclusion

I would like to be discharged as soon as possible.

I would like to remain in the hospital for as long as recommended

Other Requests:

Related: 15 Mom Bloggers Give Their Best Advice For New Moms

Now that you have the comprehensive list of everything possible that could be put into one’s birth plan, it’s time to create your own custom birth plan!

Use this FREE one page printable that is super easy to fill out. All you have to do is include the the information that is most important to you. Take ideas from this list and summarize what you want to be included.

I hope you found this article and printable helpful. What from this list is something that you had never thought to include in your birth plan? Do you feel more prepared now after understanding what is all included in a birth plan? Comment below! I would love to hear your thoughts.

Also, if you ever have any questions about childbirth, you may enjoy reading this next: “Do You Know The 7 P’s For Successful Childbirth?” This will answer a lot of your childbirth questions. But I want you to know I’m always here to answer your questions directly (either below in the comments section or in a private message on my contacts page).

Keep Smiling,

Dr. Jena Bradley, DPT

This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here.

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