A birth plan is a plan you can write and share with your midwife or obstetrician. You can use this plan to talk to them about your wishes. Have this conversation a few weeks before your due date.
Your midwife or obstetrician will put your birth plan into your hospital file after you have talked to them about it. The midwife looking after you during labour will read it then.
You do not need to have a birth plan. Your midwife or obstetrician will answer questions and explain your options during labour and birth.
How to write a birth plan
Keep an open mind and when you are writing a birth plan. It can be hard to predict how your labour and birth will go.
Be flexible as plans may need to change. Complications can arise for you or your baby, or facilities may not be available. Your midwife or obstetrician will give their advice when this happens.
When to write a birth plan
It's a good idea to write the birth plan after you have finished your antenatal classes. These classes are an opportunity to learn more about labour and birth.
What to put in your birth plan
There are lots of things you can have in your birth plan. Decide on things that are important to you.
Things to mention in your birth plan can include:
Where you will give birth
Decide if you want to give birth in the hospital or at home. Your GP or midwife will discuss your options.
Antenatal and maternity care options
Your birth partner or support person
Write down the name of your birth partner or support person.
Say if you want them with you:
- during labour
- at the birth.
- in the operating theatre if you have a caesarean birth
If you have a general anaesthetic, your birth partner will be asked to wait outside. A general anaesthetic is when you are asleep during the operation.
Talk to your birth partner about your birth plan. You can also think about what they can do to support you during labour.
Birth aids and equipment
Write down if you plan to use birthing equipment such as birthing balls and birthing mats.
Check what is available in the hospital and what you need to bring.
Birthing balls and other equipment for labour
Positions during labour
Write down the positions you may prefer to try during labour.
These include:
- sitting
- standing
- kneeling
- squatting
Pain relief options
There are many pain relief options. Sometimes you may have more than one type of pain relief during labour.
Which pain relief options would you prefer to use?
These might include:
- self-help techniques, including breathing, taking a bath or shower, aromatherapy or hypnobirthing
- TENS machine
- water immersion
- gas and air (Entonox)
- pethidine
- epidural
You can also write down if you would prefer to try not using any pain relief.
You may need more or less pain relief than you had planned.
How your baby is monitored during labour
Your baby's heartbeat is monitored to make sure they are not in distress. Talk to your midwife or obstetrician about the types of monitoring available.
You can write down that you would like your midwife to explain this when labour begins.
Constant monitoring may be recommended for some births.
Assisted births - forceps and ventouse (vacuum)
Some babies need extra help at birth. For example, if your baby needs to be born quickly for their safety. An assisted birth is when forceps or a ventouse suction cup are used to help deliver the baby.
Write down if this is something you want to discuss with your midwife or obstetrician.
Caesarean section (C-section)
In a caesarean birth your baby is born through a cut in your abdomen (tummy). This happens in an operating theatre. Some caesarean births are planned. Others are done as emergency operations when complications arise during labour.
Episiotomy
An episiotomy is a cut in the area between the vagina and anus (the perineum). You may need to have this if your baby needs to be born quickly.
Put in your birth plan if you would like to discuss this with your doctor or midwife.
Birth of the placenta
Write down your preferences about the birth of your placenta (afterbirth). You can do this naturally or with medicine.
The placenta will be discarded after birth unless you say you wish to keep it.
Cutting the umbilical cord (cord clamping)
The umbilical cord is clamped and cut after your body has pushed out the placenta. This is usually done after 2 minutes or after the umbilical cord has stopped pulsating.
This might happen sooner if your baby is ill.
Write down if you have any wishes. For example, having your birth partner cut the cord.
Your baby's care after the birth
You can write down your wishes for your baby after the birth. This can be useful if you are unwell after the birth or have had a general anaesthetic. It can also help your birth partner or support person.
This section can include:
- if you would like to have skin-to-skin contact after the birth - your birth partner can do this if you are unable to
- how you would like to feed your baby - breastfeeding or bottle feeding
- if you consent to your baby having vitamin K after birth
Any special requirements you may have
There are other things that you may like to include.
For example, if:
- you have dietary preferences
- you have religious needs
- English is not your first language and you need someone there to help you communicate or an interpreter
- you need a sign language interpreter
- you or your birth partner have special needs
Sharing your birth plan
Discuss your birth plan with your midwife or obstetrician a few weeks before your due date.
They will be able to talk to you about:
- your wishes
- your medical history
- your circumstances in this pregnancy
- what is available at your maternity unit or hospital
You can ask questions you had when writing the plan. For example, what birthing equipment is available. Or how your baby will be monitored during labour.
If your midwife or obstetrician do not agree to a request, they can explain why.
What may be safe and practical for one person may not be a good idea for another.
Your midwife or obstetrician will sign your birth plan and put a copy in your hospital file. This is sometimes called your healthcare record.
Hospital staff will aim to keep you informed and involved in your care during labour and birth.
