Your little one will come into the world in a few months, and with that, the question of childbirth becomes more real. To prepare as well as possible, you can create a birth plan. What is it for? Simply put, it helps you clarify your thoughts and write down your wishes for the birth and for welcoming your baby. Of course, it isn’t mandatory, but it has many advantages—especially because it can help you approach this special moment with more confidence. In this article, you’ll learn more about why it’s useful and how to write one.

What is a birth plan and why create one?

The birth plan (also called a birth plan) is a document that gathers all your preferences for labor, childbirth, your baby’s care, and breastfeeding .

Don’t worry—if you’re at the beginning of pregnancy, it’s completely normal not to know yet what your preferences might be. Once you’ve attended a childbirth preparation course, everything will become much clearer. With a plan, you can express what you hope for and what you would prefer to avoid.

Every detail can be discussed: the position you’d like to give birth in, an epidural, an episiotomy, background music, whether your partner is present, skin-to-skin contact, and more. Of course, not everything will be possible. Once you’re in the delivery room, you’ll be focused on meeting your little one, and some details may feel less important. In other cases, doctors and midwives may need to make decisions for you. So, where do you start?!

Good information about the birth plan

Before creating a birth plan, it helps to understand in detail how delivery may unfold. This research phase allows you to better understand the options available to you, as well as possible medical procedures and their consequences. Being well informed helps you anticipate the big day and take an active role in your birth by expressing your choices—while keeping in mind that childbirth is always full of surprises that can change the original plan. Trust will therefore be essential!

How do you want to experience birth with your partner?

Birth is a crucial moment for the couple, not only for the mother—even though, unfortunately, most of the effort will be on you!

The birth plan is a process of reflection on labor and the postpartum period; it’s also a great opportunity to open a dialogue as a couple and share your concerns and wishes. Going through this process together helps you both feel involved in preparing for childbirth and gives you space to talk through this experience. Once you arrive in the delivery room, your partner will know what you prefer and will be able to support you through the challenges of bringing your baby into the world.

Birth plan: talk to the experts!

The birth of your little one naturally raises many questions, especially if this is your first child. A birth plan helps you gather them in one place so you can discuss them with a midwife, gynecologist, or another doctor. It also helps you compare your wishes with what is realistically achievable. The goal is to find the best possible balance between the two, for a birth that’s as close as possible to what you want.

When to start?

There are no strict rules—you can start when you feel ready and have gathered enough information. For example, you can bring it up early in a prenatal appointment with your midwife. This type of meeting gives you space to discuss your questions about pregnancy follow-up, childbirth, and postpartum. It’s also a good opportunity to collect the first information you need to write or expand your birth plan. It isn’t a mandatory document: you can also share the most important points verbally when you arrive in the delivery room, relying on the midwife or doctor who has been caring for you.

How to write a birth plan?

To prepare, don’t hesitate to ask for advice from your midwife, doula, or other moms around you—for example, friends who have already given birth. Also, learn about the hospital where you plan to give birth. Depending on its policies and equipment, you’ll quickly understand what is possible and what may not be available.

In terms of format, it’s best to keep it relatively short (from 1 to 2 pages at most). It should be clear and easy to read so that midwives, nurses, and other medical professionals can quickly find the essential information.

Before listing your wishes, you can write a short paragraph explaining the reason(s) you decided to create a birth plan. This helps the team get to know you better and understand your story (a difficult previous birth, fears…).

You can then write your birth plan as a checklist, adding a bit more detail to the points you consider most important:

• I want my partner to be present at every stage of the birth.
  

• I want to be informed about every intervention before it is carried out.
  

• If possible, I want to be able to touch my child’s head to better sense their progress.
  

• Do I want to breastfeed or not?
  
  

An example of a birth plan

There are many templates online that you can use for inspiration. However, try not to copy them exactly: your birth is unique and deeply personal, so it’s important that your plan reflects your personality. Here is a basic outline with examples of topics to cover. You can choose the most important ones and complete the list according to your needs:

TRAVAGLIO

• Would you like someone to be by your side during labor and delivery? (Partner, parent, friend...).
  

• Do you have preferences for the environment? Music, dim lighting...?
  

• Do you prefer continuous or intermittent monitoring so you can stay active?
  

• Do you agree to speeding up labor if necessary (induction, oxytocin injection...)?
  

• Which methods do you prefer to better manage pain (massage, acupuncture, the possibility to walk, take a shower or bath...)?
  

• Do you want an epidural? Some hospitals offer an outpatient epidural, which allows the mother to remain mobile.
  

• Do you have any instructions regarding vaginal exams and how often they are performed?
  

DELIVERY

• In which position do you want to give birth?
  

• Do you agree to an episiotomy if necessary, or would you prefer to avoid it despite the risk of a perineal injury?
  

• Do you accept the presence of resident doctors if the hospital allows it?
  

• Do you have any specific requests regarding the delivery of the placenta? Would you like to see it?
  

WELCOME THE NEWBORN

• When would you like the umbilical cord to be cut (after 1 minute, when the heartbeat has stopped)?
  

• Does your partner want to cut the cord?
  

• Would you like skin-to-skin contact with your baby immediately after birth? For how long?
  

• Do you want to share any information about your child’s care?
  

• What are your preferences for the first bath?
  

• Do you want to breastfeed the baby, opt for mixed feeding, or bottle-feed?
  

Can we create a birth plan for a cesarean?

A birth plan isn’t only for mothers who want a natural birth. It can be helpful for all pregnant women, regardless of the type of delivery planned—including a scheduled cesarean section. If you’re hoping for a vaginal birth, you can also add a section about a cesarean in case it becomes necessary during labor. Here are some examples of details to include in a birth plan for a cesarean section:

• Do you want your partner or someone you know to be in the operating room, if the hospital allows it?
  

• Do you want skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth?
  

• If that isn’t possible for you, would you like your partner to do it?
  

• Would you like your baby to be breastfed, if circumstances allow?
  

When should the birth plan be delivered?

While there’s no strict deadline, it’s generally best to submit it toward the end of pregnancy. That way, you still have time after submitting it to discuss it again with the medical team before the birth. Once it’s complete, you can send it to your midwife or doctor so it can be added to your medical record. Print multiple copies so you can hand them to the medical team when you arrive. Give a copy to your partner as well. Whatever happens, don’t worry—this document can be updated at any time, even during labor, if you feel the need.

Scarica qua sotto il tuo piano nascita, puoi compilarlo con tutti i tuoi desideri e consegnarlo prima del parto!

Will my wishes be respected?

The birth plan has no legal value ; rather, it’s a trust-based agreement between you and the medical team. Once your plan has been submitted, some of your requests may be reconsidered for the following reasons:

• If the hospital or facility where you want to give birth does not have the necessary equipment.
  

• If your requests put your health or your baby’s health at risk.
  

• Depending on emergencies and unforeseen events that may occur on the day of delivery.
  

The birth plan is not a guarantee of a perfect birth, but it is a valuable tool for preparing as well as possible.

We hope these tips help you approach this magical moment of birth with greater confidence and awareness. Finally, remember that while a birth plan is important, it’s just as important to trust the specialists who will be with you and your partner in the delivery room. Thanks to their professionalism and experience, they will know how to support you in bringing your baby into the world in the best possible way.

Welcome to your little one!