In life, you plan all sorts of things: your workweek, your vacation, and certainly a birthday, a wedding, or an anniversary. So why not plan the birth of your little one, too? That’s exactly what a birth plan is for. Creating a birth plan is essentially about writing down your wishes for labor and delivery. This “script” helps ensure your birth unfolds as closely as possible to what you want. A birth plan not only gives you guidance, but it also helps the people around you understand what matters most to you before and during birth. What exactly is a birth plan, when should you create one, and what should it include? LILLYDOO is happy to help you get started.

What is a birth plan?

A birth plan includes everything you consider important about your childbirth. This way, you won’t lose sight of your wishes, and your partner, midwife, and other healthcare providers will know what matters to you, so they can better accommodate your preferences. Creating a birth plan, by the way, doesn’t guarantee a smooth delivery (your little explorer might have other plans), but the person guiding your birth can take your preferences into account as much as possible.

What is a birth plan? You can quickly find a birth plan example or a birth plan in PDF format online. But above all, it’s a personal document that you shape according to your own preferences.
What does a birth plan include? We’ll tell you more about that later in this article.

When to create a birth plan?

Create your final birth plan around week 32. Of course, you can start jotting things down much earlier (your mind may already be full of ideas after that reassuring ultrasound), but once your belly really starts to show, you’ll likely have a clearer sense of what will feel comfortable during labor.

Brainstorming

That doesn’t mean you should wait until the last minute to start your birth plan. Schedule a quiet evening early in your pregnancy—alone or with your partner—and let your thoughts flow freely. Write down what you expect in the weeks leading up to birth and during delivery. Do you already know what will be important to you when the time comes, or are you feeling anxious or worried about something? Go ahead and note it. Do you find it difficult to estimate what to expect? Then read a good pregnancy book, browse a few reliable articles online (for example, here at LILLYDOO), or take a pregnancy course.

Consult with your midwife

Have you filled a few A4 pages? Then it’s definitely wise to discuss your wishes and ideas with your midwife to see what’s realistic and achievable. This way, you can start looking forward to the birth early on while also preventing disappointment later.

From a rough draft to a birth plan

Once you’ve written down the main points and you know what is feasible and what isn’t, it’s time to finalize your birth plan. Keep it to one A4 sheet so the medical staff can see at a glance what matters most to you. The absolute maximum is two A4 sheets. A tip for keeping it concise: simply leave out anything you don’t have an opinion or preference about.

Also keep in mind: your birth plan will become part of your medical record, but it is not an official document. You can treat your birth plan as a guide and adjust it later—though it’s best not to completely rewrite the whole plan. And even if you clearly outline all your preferences, your little one may still have their own plan.

Want a bit more certainty during and after childbirth? Order your monthly box of diapers from LILLYDOO, and you can be sure you’ll always have the best diapers for your little explorer at home. That way, you’ll never run out.

What is included in a birth plan?

Now it gets interesting: what is included in a birth plan? Basically, everything you consider important. You can quickly find a birth plan example or a birth plan in PDF format online, but below we list what you can include in your birth plan.

Place and people

Childbirth can be an intense experience, but the right place and the right people can make a world of difference. That’s why it’s helpful to write down your wishes about the environment and caregivers:

• Where do you want to give birth?

• Who may be present at the birth?

• Do you have specific preferences regarding the space where you give birth, and if so, what are they?

• Do you want photos taken, and if so, who will be the photographer?

Labor

During labor, you may not have the opportunity to clearly express your wishes. That’s why it helps to write them down in your birth plan:

• During the pushing phase, you don’t necessarily have to lie on your back. Would you prefer to give birth on a birthing stool, in a squatting position, on hands and knees, or in a bath?

• Do you want pain relief, and if so, which option?

• What are your preferences regarding specific procedures? Think of a cesarean section, episiotomy (cut), an infusion, or heart monitoring.

• If a cesarean section is necessary, who is allowed to be present, and do you want the procedure under anesthesia or while conscious?

Immediately after childbirth

The birth itself may be the most beautiful moment of pregnancy. To help it go the way you envision, include your wishes in your birth plan:

• Do you want to handle the baby yourself shortly after birth (possibly with the help of the midwife), or would you like your partner to do this?

• Do you want to see the birth in a mirror and/or feel your baby’s head yourself during the pushing phase?

• Do you want to hold your baby on your chest immediately after birth?

• Without a medical indication, your baby does not need to be checked immediately. During the so-called golden hour, you and your partner can bond with your baby. If it’s important to you that medical checks (and, for example, cleaning the baby) are postponed for a while, write this down when creating your birth plan.

• When should the umbilical cord be cut, and who will do it?

• Do you choose breastfeeding or bottle-feeding? And what should happen if breastfeeding doesn’t work right away?

• What should happen to the placenta?

• Do family and friends want to visit immediately, or would you prefer some quiet time first?

Communication

It’s a good idea to write down what you consider important regarding information and communication before labor begins:

• It’s possible that the birth plan cannot be fully followed during labor. When and to what extent do you agree to deviate from the birth plan?

• A lot happens during childbirth. Do you want the medical staff to keep you informed about all procedures, or would you prefer to hear only what you need to do?

• Do you want to be involved in all decisions about you, your child, or your caregivers? And if so, which decisions exactly?

• If you are unable to make decisions yourself during childbirth, who is allowed to do so on your behalf?

How to create a birth plan: get started yourself

Based on our birth plan example above, you now have a general idea of how to create your own birth plan. Print it on brightly colored paper so it stands out in your medical file. It’s also smart to keep a copy with you—for example, in your hospital bag.

Many mothers who outline their wishes in advance say they feel satisfied with their birth experience, even when things turn out a bit differently than planned.

Another benefit of a birth plan is that it encourages you to take the time to thoroughly familiarize yourself with pregnancy and everything involved.

You might even discover things you didn’t know before. Talking with family and friends who have given birth can also provide valuable information and stories.

This is your body, your pregnancy, and your baby—and by creating a birth plan, you can maintain as much control as possible.