Women's Health Information

Pregnancy

Birth Plan

How to write a birth plan

A birth plan should be simple and short—less than one page long. Try to be realistic and keep in mind that your childbirth experience will include your health-care team, yourself, your partner, the baby, and your family. Your birth plan works best if you write down what you want to happen, and your preferences if things don’t go exactly according to your plans. For example, you may write, “I would prefer not to have an IV in place throughout labour. But if staff think I need one for a clear medical reason, then I would agree to have one, but only if and when it is needed.”

Try not to be too detailed or complicated. No one can predict how your labour and birth will progress, so it is important that your birth plan be flexible.

When to write a birth plan

Usually, you write a birth plan after you talk over your childbirth plans with your health-care provider and once you know what your hospital offers in terms of routines and care. It is also a good idea to talk it over with your partner and your family if they are going to be involved in some way. However, it is your body, and your family needs to understand that you are the only one who can make some of the more personal decisions (pain control, for example).

Make two copies of your birth plan and give one to your health-care provider and one to the hospital staff before the end of your eighth month, or as you enter the hospital in early labour.

Many hospitals now have a draft birth plan for you to use as a template. You can also use this example.

 

Last Updated November 29, 2007