Do I Have to Write a Birth Plan?

No.A birth plan is optional.Some parents prefer a written document, while others discuss their preferences directly with their maternity team.

Can I Change My Birth Plan?

Yes.Your preferences can change during pregnancy or labour.You can update your plan whenever you need to.

Does My Midwife Have to Follow My Birth Plan?

Your preferences should be considered and discussed, but clinical circumstances may affect which options are appropriate or available.Your maternity team can explain recommendations and help you understand your choices.

Should I Give My Birth Plan to My Midwife?

It can be helpful to discuss it during pregnancy and keep a copy with your maternity notes or hospital bag.Sharing it in advance also gives you the opportunity to ask questions before labour begins.

Is a Birth Plan Useful for First-Time Parents?

It can be particularly helpful because it encourages you to learn about labour, birth and newborn care before your baby arrives.You may also find The Informed Birth Programme useful if you would like structured antenatal education.

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How to Create a Birth Plan: Questions & Choices to Consider

Creating a birth plan can help you feel more informed, organised and confident as you prepare for labour and birth.

A birth plan is not a fixed set of instructions. It is a way to communicate your preferences, priorities and questions with your maternity team.

It can include choices around:

Where you would like to give birth
Who you want with you
Pain relief preferences
Movement and birth positions
Monitoring and interventions
Skin-to-skin contact
Feeding your baby
Communication and consent

The NHS recommends thinking about these areas when preparing a birth plan, while also recognising that circumstances can change during labour.

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What Is a Birth Plan?

A birth plan is a written record of your preferences for labour, birth and the period immediately afterwards.

It can help you explain what matters to you to the midwives, doctors and other professionals supporting you.

A birth plan may include your preferences around:

Birth environment
Birth partners
Pain relief
Communication
Vaginal examinations
Monitoring
Induction
Assisted birth
Caesarean birth
Skin-to-skin contact
Cord clamping
Feeding
Newborn care

Think of it as a communication tool rather than a contract.

Your birth may develop differently from how you expected, but your priorities and preferences can still guide conversations with your maternity team.

A good birth plan explains:

What matters most to you
How you would like people to communicate with you
Your preferences for labour and birth
Your preferences for your baby after birth
Areas where you would like more information before making a decision

When Should You Start Creating a Birth Plan?

You can begin thinking about your birth preferences at any point during pregnancy.

Many parents find it useful to start during the second or third trimester, then refine their plan as they learn more about their pregnancy and birth options.

You do not need to complete everything at once.

You might begin by making a list of:

Questions you want to ask your midwife
Things that help you feel safe and supported
Choices you want to understand better
Preferences that feel particularly important to you

Your antenatal appointments are a useful time to discuss these questions.

If you would like extra time to explore pregnancy and birth choices, you can learn more about Antenatal Care with Her Village Maternity.

Start With This Question: What Matters Most to You?

Before deciding on individual procedures or preferences, think about the overall experience you would like.

Ask yourself:

What helps me feel calm?
How do I like information to be explained?
Who helps me feel supported?
Are there cultural or religious needs I want respected?
Are there accessibility or communication needs my maternity team should know about?
Are there previous experiences I want staff to understand?

Try This Simple Prompt

Complete the sentence:

“During labour and birth, it is particularly important to me that…”

Your answer can become the foundation of your birth plan.

Where Would You Prefer to Give Birth?

Depending on your pregnancy and the services available locally, you may be considering:

Home birth
A midwifery unit or birth centre
A hospital labour ward

You do not only need to write where you would prefer to give birth.

It can also help to think about why.

Questions to Consider

Do I want a quieter environment?
Is access to particular equipment important to me?
Would I feel more reassured in hospital?
Am I interested in using a birthing pool?
What facilities are available at my planned place of birth?

Your maternity team can help you understand which options may be suitable for your individual pregnancy.

Who Would You Like With You During Labour and Birth?

Think about who you would like to support you.

This could include:

Your partner
Co-parent
Family member
Friend
Doula
Another trusted person

You may also want to think about what role you would like them to play.

Your Birth Partner Could Help By

Offering reassurance
Helping you move or change position
Providing massage or comfort
Reminding you of your preferences
Asking questions on your behalf
Helping you understand information
Updating family members where appropriate

You may also want to record who you would like with you if an assisted birth or caesarean birth becomes necessary.

How Would You Like Your Maternity Team to Communicate With You?

Communication preferences are an important part of a birth plan.

You may want your plan to say that you would like:

Procedures explained before they happen
Clear and straightforward language
Time to ask questions
Your partner included in discussions
Consent requested before examinations
Privacy during sensitive conversations

Useful Questions to Ask

When a decision is being discussed, you can ask:

What are the benefits?
What are the possible risks?
Are there alternatives?
What happens if we wait, where waiting is clinically appropriate?
Why is this being recommended for me?

These questions can help you take an active role in decisions about your care.

What Kind of Labour Environment Would Help You Feel Comfortable?

Your surroundings may affect how relaxed and supported you feel.

You might want to think about:

Lighting
Noise
Music
Privacy
Movement
Birth positions
Who is in the room

You Could Include Preferences Such As

Dimmed lighting where possible
Music or a playlist
Keeping voices calm
Freedom to move around
Using upright positions
Using a birth ball
Using a birthing pool where available

You do not need to decide on one position before labour starts.

Your plan can simply say that you would like to move freely and try different positions where possible.

What Are Your Pain Relief Preferences?

Pain relief is another area where flexibility can be helpful.

You may wish to explore options such as:

Breathing techniques
Massage
Movement
Water
TENS
Gas and air
Opioid pain relief
Epidural

You do not need to make a final decision before labour.

Flexible Wording Can Help

Instead of writing:

“I do not want an epidural.”

You might write:

“I would prefer to begin with other pain-relief options but would like an epidural discussed with me if I request additional pain relief.”

This keeps your preferences clear while allowing you to change your mind.

What Should You Consider About Monitoring & Interventions?

You do not need to learn every possible intervention in detail.

However, it can help to understand some of the situations that may arise.

These could include:

Vaginal examinations
Fetal monitoring
Induction of labour
Assisted birth
Caesarean birth

Questions You May Want to Include

How will consent be sought?
What is being recommended and why?
What are the benefits?
What are the possible risks?
Are there other options?
What happens if I decide to wait, where appropriate?

For more personalised support around decision-making, you can explore Birth Planning Sessions.

What If Your Birth Does Not Follow the Plan?

Birth can be unpredictable.

Your plan may need to change because of:

How labour progresses
Your baby's wellbeing
Your health
Clinical recommendations
Availability of certain facilities

That does not mean your plan has failed.

A flexible birth plan can still help staff understand what matters to you.

For Example

Even if your planned place or mode of birth changes, you may still want:

Clear explanations
Your birth partner involved
Consent requested before procedures
Skin-to-skin contact where appropriate
Support with feeding
Privacy and calm communication

Think of your birth plan as a guide to your priorities rather than a script for exactly what must happen.

What Should You Include About the First Moments After Birth?

Your birth plan can also cover what happens after your baby is born.

You may want to think about:

Skin-to-skin contact
Cord clamping
Feeding
Vitamin K
Who announces your baby's sex
What happens if your baby needs additional care

Questions to Consider

Would I like skin-to-skin contact straight away where possible?
What are my preferences around cord clamping?
How would I like to feed my baby?
Would I like feeding support soon after birth?
If my baby needs additional care, who would I like to stay with them where possible?