Creating Your Birth Plan
A birth plan is a simple way to communicate your preferences for labor, birth, and the first hours with your baby. It isn't a script for exactly how your birth should unfold. Instead, it helps you learn your options, decide what matters to you, and communicate those preferences with your care team. Before finalizing your birth plan, review it with your OB or midwife. You can also work through your options with your birth doula or while taking a childbirth education class.
Birth Plan Options to Consider
You don't need to include every option below. Choose the things that are important to you and leave out the rest.
Labor Environment
Who would you like present during labor?
Would you like the lights dimmed?
Would you like music or a quiet room?
Would you like to wear your own clothing?
Would you like photographs or video during labor or birth?
Would you prefer fewer interruptions when possible?
Movement & Comfort
Would you like freedom to walk and change positions?
Would you like access to a birth ball or peanut ball?
Would you like to use the shower or tub?
Would you like to eat or drink during labor when medically appropriate?
Would you like your doula or partner to use massage, counterpressure, heat, cold, or other comfort measures?
Fetal Monitoring & IVs
Would you prefer intermittent or continuous fetal monitoring when appropriate?
Would you like wireless monitoring if your hospital offers it?
Would you prefer a saline lock rather than continuous IV fluids when appropriate?
Would you like to remain mobile while being monitored?
Pain Management
Would you like to begin with non-medication comfort measures?
Are you interested in nitrous oxide if available?
Would you like IV pain medication offered or only discussed if you request it?
Are you planning or considering an epidural?
If you want an unmedicated birth, would you prefer that staff not routinely offer pain medication?
Labor Interventions
How do you feel about Pitocin?
Would you prefer your water to break on its own when medically appropriate?
Would you like to discuss the benefits, risks, and alternatives before interventions are performed?
Would you prefer to limit cervical exams when possible?
Would you like additional time to consider non-emergency decisions?
For evidence-based information about common labor and birth interventions, ACOG is a helpful outside resource.
Pushing & Birth
Would you like to choose your pushing position?
Would you prefer spontaneous/instinctive pushing or coached pushing?
Would you like to avoid pushing on your back when possible?
Would you like to use a mirror or touch your baby's head during birth?
Would you like your partner involved in receiving the baby if your provider allows it?
Would you prefer warm compresses and other measures intended to support the perineum?
Immediately After Birth
Would you like immediate skin-to-skin?
Would you prefer delayed cord clamping?
Who would you like to cut the cord?
Would you like routine newborn assessments performed while your baby remains skin-to-skin when possible?
Would you like uninterrupted bonding time during the first hour?
Would you prefer to delay your baby's first bath?
Feeding & Newborn Care
Are you planning to breastfeed, formula feed, pump, combination feed, or decide after birth?
Would you like lactation support after delivery?
Would you like your baby offered a pacifier?
What are your preferences regarding vitamin K?
What are your preferences regarding antibiotic eye ointment?
What are your preferences for the hepatitis B vaccine?
If you have a boy, what are your preferences regarding circumcision?
You can review current newborn-care recommendations through the American Academy of Pediatrics.
If You Have a Cesarean
Birth preferences can still be useful if you have a planned or unexpected cesarean.
Would you like your doula or partner with you when permitted?
Would you like a clear or lowered drape if available?
Would you like immediate or early skin-to-skin?
Would you like delayed cord clamping when possible?
Would you like your baby to remain with you in the operating and recovery rooms when medically appropriate?
Would you like help initiating feeding in recovery?
Your Birth Setting Matters
Your available options will vary depending on whether you're giving birth at a hospital, birth center, or home and may also vary between individual hospitals and providers.
Ask your provider which practices are routine at your birth location and which preferences should be discussed ahead of time. If you're delivering locally, Balanced Birth Support also has information about many DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland birthing locations.
Keep Your Birth Plan Simple
Your final birth plan should ideally be one page and easy to scan. Focus on the preferences that matter most to you rather than trying to document every possible scenario.
Review it with your provider during pregnancy, discuss it with your partner and doula, and bring copies with you when you give birth.
Most importantly, remember that changing your mind is always an option. A birth plan is there to help you prepare, communicate, and participate in decisions about your care—not lock you into one particular kind of birth.