What Is a Birth Plan and How Do I Write One?
A practical guide for expectant parents in Bexley, Erith, Dartford and surrounding areas
"Birth plan" is one of those phrases that can provoke very different reactions. Some expectant parents find the idea empowering — a chance to think through their preferences and communicate them clearly. Others feel overwhelmed by it, or have been told by well-meaning friends that birth plans are pointless because "birth never goes to plan anyway."
Both reactions are understandable. And both, in different ways, miss the point of what a birth plan actually is.
This guide explains what a birth plan really is, why it matters, what to include, and how to use it effectively — so that whatever happens on the day, you feel heard, respected, and as in control as possible.
What Is a Birth Plan?
A birth plan is a written document that outlines your preferences for labour, birth, and the immediate postnatal period. It's a communication tool — a way of letting your midwife and care team know who you are, what matters to you, and what you'd like to happen if circumstances allow.
The key word there is preferences. A birth plan is not a contract. It is not a guarantee of a particular birth experience. It is not something that will be rigidly followed regardless of what happens medically. And here's the thing — that's absolutely fine. Because the purpose of a birth plan isn't to control your birth. It's to start a conversation, to ensure your values and wishes are known, and to make sure that if decisions need to be made quickly, your care team understands what matters to you.
A good birth plan also shows your midwife that you've done your preparation. It helps them understand you as a person rather than just a patient. And in a busy maternity unit where midwives may be meeting you for the first time during labour, that really matters.
Does a Birth Plan Actually Make a Difference?
Yes — when used correctly. Research consistently shows that women who feel informed and in control during labour have better birth experiences, even when the birth doesn't go exactly as hoped. A birth plan is one part of that sense of agency.
What doesn't work is treating a birth plan as a rigid script that you're devastated to deviate from. Birth is unpredictable. Complications arise. Babies have their own ideas. The parents who tend to feel best about their birth experiences — regardless of how the birth actually unfolded — are those who understood their options, communicated their preferences, and felt genuinely listened to by their care team.
A birth plan helps create that environment.
When Should I Write My Birth Plan?
Ideally, you'll write your birth plan during your third trimester — somewhere around 32 to 36 weeks. Writing it earlier means you have time to discuss it with your midwife at an antenatal appointment, make any adjustments, and feel settled about it before labour begins.
Your birth preferences should feel like yours — not a template you've copied from the internet without much thought. The process of writing it, discussing it with your partner or birth partner, and talking it through with your midwife is part of its value.
What to Include in Your Birth Plan
Here's a comprehensive guide to the sections most birth plans cover. You don't need to include everything — focus on the things that genuinely matter to you.
Your Birth Partner
Who will be with you during labour? Will they be with you throughout, including for any procedures? If you're having a caesarean, do you want them in the operating theatre?
Your Birth Environment
Where are you planning to give birth — hospital labour ward, midwife-led unit, or at home? What kind of environment helps you feel calm? Some things to consider:
Lighting — do you want low lighting if possible?
Music — would you like to play your own?
Who is in the room — do you want to keep the number of people present to a minimum?
Visitors — do you want it noted that you'd prefer not to have medical students present, or that you're happy with them?
Monitoring
During labour your baby's heartbeat may be monitored. The two main methods are intermittent auscultation (a handheld device used at intervals) and continuous electronic fetal monitoring (CTG). In a straightforward low-risk labour, intermittent monitoring is standard. In higher-risk situations, continuous monitoring may be recommended.
If you have a preference, note it — and if your midwife recommends something different, ask them to explain why so you can make an informed decision together.
Mobility and Positions
Would you like to be as mobile as possible during labour? Are there specific positions you'd like to try? Do you want to use a birthing pool if one is available?
Remaining upright and mobile during labour has good evidence behind it for both comfort and progress, so many parents include a note that they'd like to move freely.
Pain Relief
This is one of the most personal sections of a birth plan. Options include:
Breathing and relaxation techniques
Movement and position changes
TENS machine
Water — birthing pool or shower
Entonox (gas and air)
Pethidine or diamorphine
Epidural
You might have a clear sense of what you'd like to try and what you'd prefer to avoid. You might want to keep an open mind and see how labour unfolds. Whatever your position, note it — and remember that changing your mind on the day is completely fine. A birth plan is not a commitment.
Interventions
If labour needs support, your care team may discuss the following options. Having thought about them in advance means you won't be encountering them for the first time under pressure:
Induction of labour — if your labour is being induced, note any preferences about how you'd like this to be managed.
Augmentation — if labour slows, your team may suggest breaking your waters (ARM) or using a hormone drip (syntocinon) to help things progress. You can ask questions, request time to consider, and give or withhold consent.
Assisted birth — if your baby needs help being born, forceps or a ventouse may be used. You may want to note whether you'd prefer one over the other if possible.
Episiotomy — a cut to the perineum to assist birth. You can note your preference to avoid one unless medically necessary.
Caesarean birth — both planned and unplanned caesareans should be covered in your birth preferences. If you need a caesarean, what matters to you? Skin-to-skin in theatre if possible? Your birth partner present throughout? Calm, family-centred atmosphere.
Delayed Cord Clamping
Current NHS guidance supports waiting at least one minute before clamping the umbilical cord after birth, as this allows more blood to transfer from the placenta to your baby. Many parents choose to wait longer — up to two or three minutes, or until the cord has stopped pulsating. Note your preference if you have one.
Third Stage — Delivering the Placenta
After your baby is born, the placenta needs to be delivered. This can happen in one of two ways:
Physiological (natural) third stage — the placenta delivers naturally, without medication, which can take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour.
Active management — an injection of syntocinon is given to speed up delivery of the placenta and reduce the risk of heavy bleeding. Active management is recommended in most hospital settings as it reduces the risk of postpartum haemorrhage.
Your midwife will discuss the options with you, and your preference can be noted in your birth plan.
Skin-to-Skin Contact
Do you want immediate skin-to-skin contact with your baby after birth? If you're not immediately able to, do you want your partner to do skin-to-skin instead? This is one of the simplest and most important things to include — the evidence for the benefits of early skin-to-skin is strong, and noting your preference ensures it happens unless there's a clinical reason why it can't.
Vitamin K
Newborn babies are routinely offered vitamin K after birth to prevent a rare but serious bleeding condition. It can be given by injection (one dose, highly effective) or orally (several doses over several weeks). Note which you'd prefer, or if you'd like more information before deciding.
Infant Feeding
Would you like to breastfeed? Bottle feed? Are you undecided and would like support to try breastfeeding? Note your intentions so that your care team can support you appropriately from the very first feed.
If Things Don't Go to Plan
It's worth including a short section that reflects your values for unexpected situations. Something like: "If decisions need to be made quickly, please explain what is happening and why, keep us informed throughout, and involve us in any decisions where possible." This communicates that you want to be a partner in your care — not just a recipient of it.
Practical Tips for Writing Your Birth Plan
Keep it concise. A midwife caring for multiple women in a busy labour ward doesn't have time to read five pages. Aim for one side of A4 if possible — cover the essentials clearly.
Use bullet points. Easy to scan, easy to act on.
Write it with your birth partner. Make sure the person supporting you knows what's in it and why — so they can advocate for you if needed.
Discuss it with your midwife. Bring it to an antenatal appointment and go through it together. Your midwife may flag things that aren't available at your unit, or suggest alternatives you hadn't considered.
Make copies. Keep one in your hospital bag, give one to your birth partner, and bring one to any planned appointments in late pregnancy.
Hold it lightly. Know your preferences, communicate them clearly — and then be ready to adapt. The best birth experiences come from feeling heard and supported, not from sticking rigidly to a plan.
We Cover This in Our Antenatal Courses
Our courses are small, warm, and comprehensive, running from our base in Erith and serving families across Bexley, Dartford, Sidcup, Belvedere, and the wider Southeast London and Kent area. Partners are fully included throughout. We're FEDANT registered (National Register Entry Number: 13969).
View our upcoming course dates and book your place here.
Because the more you know, the calmer you'll be, and the calmer you are, the better labour tends to go.
This blog is for informational purposes only and does not replace the advice of your midwife or maternity team. If you are ever unsure whether you are in labour, or if you have any concerns at all about your health or your baby's wellbeing, always contact your maternity unit or midwife. In an emergency, call 999.