The Best Birth Plan Templates (Reviewed By A Labor Nurse)

Writing a birth plan can be very overwhelming…how are you supposed to plan for something you know little about?

I totally get this – as a labor nurse and mom myself, I have written and received all sorts of birth plans! Writing your birth plan doesn’t need to be difficult, and it’s an excellent communication tool to have between your care team (doctors, midwives, nurses, etc.) and yourself.

Here’s the thing about birth plans – sometimes labor doesn’t go according to plan! I encourage you to think of it more as a birth preferences list. It’s a way to communicate how you would like things to go!

For the sake of this post, I am going to use “birth plan” and “birth preferences list” interchangeably throughout.

If you are looking to purchase a birth plan template, scroll down to see my recommendations! Also, not every option available is on my list. These are just suggestions and ways to get the conversation going!

How to write a birth plan

Your birth plan can be typed up, organized, and laminated, or it can be written down on a piece of scrap paper. Heck, some people just communicate it to their team on admission to the hospital, and we write it down for you! Others just want to take the day as it comes and make real-time decisions.

No way is right or wrong. Do whatever makes you feel comfortable! I do recommend that you go through my list of suggestions below just to get the wheels turning about some decisions you may have to make.

At the bottom of this post, I have my recommendation for birth plan templates that you can purchase online. Please know that these are my personal recommendations, and that if a purchase is made using links from this post I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Some of these links are affiliate links. You have no obligation to purchase these and you can create your own, too! Do what feels right for you.

Want to write your birth plan together? Click here to write your birth plan with a labor nurse! Use code THESEHUNGRYKIDS for $10 off!

What to put on a birth plan/birth preferences list

The birth preference list is a communication tool. When deciding what is important to you, have a discussion with your support person as well. They can help be your advocate when the big day arrives!

I also recommend you review the birth plan with your obstetrician or midwife at a prenatal visit. They can talk to you about other options you may have as well.

I like to organize birth plans into three categories: labor, postpartum, and baby. Below are some examples of things you can include.

Labor Preferences List

Pain Control

What’s your plan for pain control? Options include an unmedicated birth, epidural, pain medications, or all of the above. Some people like to specify that they do not want to be offered pain medication and will ask for it if they want it. If you decide do to that, I recommend you ask about all available options before labor starts – your mind may feel too distracted to hear your options later!

You can also specify that you are open to alternative methods of pain control, such as the use of heat/ice, a TENS unit (if available), massage, hydrotherapy, free movement, etc.

Monitoring/Assessments

During a hospital birth, there will be frequent checks of baby’s heart beat. We want to know how baby is tolerating labor and contractions.

If it is a low risk labor, we can often do what is called intermittent monitoring. Each facility has a different protocol for intermittent fetal monitoring, but it usually involves listening to the baby’s heart rate during a contraction or at least for 1-2 minutes of each hour.

intermittent fetal monitoring in tub — An example of intermittent fetal monitoring with a patient using the tub for pain management.

Other parents would rather the baby be continuously monitored. Some people find that comforting and reassuring. If this is something you have a presence about, you can include it on your birth plan.

Cervical exams are another way that your care team may assess your labor progress. Some people like frequent exams to ensure they are dilating, while others only want exams when necessary or not at all. If this is something you would like noted on a birth plan, feel free to put it on!

Ambiance

Do you have a vision for what you labor room will feel like? You can note it on your birth plan!

Noting that you’d like dim lights, soft music playing, minimal interruptions, aromatherapy, and minimal staff is a great way to make your labor room feel like a safe space. You can also designate if you’d like to wear your own clothes, or the gown the hospital provides.

Interventions

Different interventions may be offered to you throughout your labor. It’s always a good idea to discuss the possibility of these interventions as well as the benefits, risks and alternatives with your doctor prior to birth.

For example, do you want your water to break on its own, or are you OK with the doctor breaking your water? Are you OK with the use of internal monitors, or only if absolutely necessary? What about episiotomy? Medications to augment labor? Induction?

One thing I would recommend is making it known that you would like each intervention discussed thoroughly with you, with time to think about it, in non-urgent situations. Reviewing some of these things before labor at your prenatal visits is a great way to start the conversation.

Movement

Are there any specific positions you’d like to try or avoid? Are you open to suggestions, or do you wish to move intuitively?

You can also specify if you’d like a birthing ball, peanut ball, rocking chair, stool, squat bar, or other labor tools.

Pushing preferences

During pushing, there are a few things you can make note of.

First, is there a position you’d like to use or avoid during pushing?

Second, do you want to be coached on pushing? Some people find this helpful, while others find it stressful and would rather follow their intuition.

You can also make note that you’d like to avoid an episiotomy, forceps or vacuum, and would like a mirror to watch when pushing.

Cesarean birth plan suggestions

Some of these suggestions may not be available where you deliver, but it never hurts to ask!

You can request a gentle cesarean or family centered cesarean birth. I personally thing “gentle” is misleading – the cesarean surgery is the same, but more focused on what the parent’s experience is. It usually involves things like delayed cord clamping, a clear drape, music playing, and skin to skin in the OR.

You can also request that the support person stay with the newborn while the patient finishes surgery. In many facilities, the baby stays right in the OR with the patient, but in some facilities the baby is brought to the nursery. Ask your provider what is done at the facility you are delivering at.

You can also specify if you’d like anything through your IV for pain or anxiety after the baby is born. Sometimes these medications can make you groggy and you may wish to avoid them. For some, the treatment for the anxiety or pain is worthwhile to the patient.

Newborn Preferences

For baby, these are the most common things I see on a birth plan:

Circumcision vs. no circumcision
Feeding plans (breastfeeding, formula feeding, pumped breast milk, or a combination)
Newborn assessments – do you want them in the room, or if baby has to leave your room, who would you like to go with them?
Delayed cord clamping
When would you like baby to be bathed/who would you like to bathe them
Do you want immediate skin-to-skin?
Do you want pacifiers to be given?
Do you want the baby to receive the hepatitis B vaccine? Vitamin K shot? Erythromycin ointment? (in some states, vitamin K and erythromycin are mandated by law.)

Postpartum Preferences

Here are some common things I see on birth plans for postpartum care:

Do you want to be seen by lactation consultants?
Are you OK with the use of Pitocin (oxytocin) to control postpartum bleeding?
Are you OK with receiving pain medications (like ibuprofen and acetaminophen) for pain relief? What about a stool softener? What about numbing spray for your perineum?
Do you want to be discharged as soon as possible, or would you like to stay as long as possible?
Do you want the baby to stay in your room, or go to the nursery at night (if available)?
Who is allowed to visit after birth?
Do you wish to use an abdominal binder after birth?

Recommendations for Birth Plan Templates

These templates are very affordable and ideal for those that have a solid idea of what they want and don’t want during labor. If you are unsure of all of your options or want more guidance creating your birth plan, schedule a birth planning session with me. As a labor nurse, I’ll discuss all your options with you and make you a custom birth plan. Use code THESEHUNGRYKIDS for $10 off a birth planning session.