Just a few months or weeks to go, and your baby will finally see the light of day. The excitement is building, and you may find yourself with more and more questions about the birth. Now is the perfect time to create a birth plan. It may sound paradoxical to plan something as unpredictable as birth, but having a plan can help you prepare and look forward to the day with greater confidence—when you can finally hold your little explorer in your arms. In this article, you’ll learn about the additional benefits of a birth plan and what to consider when creating one.

What is a birth plan?

The birth plan is a document in which you outline all your Preferences regarding Contractions , birth, care of your child, breastfeeding and Postpartum you can document in writing—of course, including things you would like to avoid. Since a birth cannot be planned completely, many midwives and clinics also refer to it as a "birth letter." Our LILLYDOO midwife Sissi likes to think of the birth plan as a kind of mood board: here you can express your wishes in detail, such as your Place of birth , the Birth position , whether you would like a peridural anesthesia (PDA), background music, whether your partner should be present, skin-to-skin contact after birth, and much more.

Advantages of a Birth Plan

You are prepared for the birth

The plan gives you the opportunity to thoroughly inform yourself about the options during and after birth and to reflect on your wishes. If you have a general idea of what to expect and actively shape your birth preparation in advance, it can help you look forward to the day with more ease. Sissi recommends discussing your questions with your midwife and your doctor/gynaecologist, and asking friends about their experiences. Find out about hospitals in your area beforehand as well. You can, for example, attend information sessions to see how hospitals operate and learn more about their approach. There you can clarify, for instance, what the options for Water births are, what the cesarean section rate is, and whether there is an intensive care unit for Preterm Births , and whether a pediatrician is available on-site. In this way, you become familiar with the Process of childbirth and learn which of your wishes are actually feasible . It’s also important to familiarize yourself with how possible complications are handled and to think about the option of a Cesarean section . Of course, you don’t have to anticipate every possibility— even with a plan, it’s important to approach childbirth with a certain Flexibility . As life goes, unforeseen events can occur that change the original plans.

Your partner will be involved

Birth is a special experience, and many partners want to be part of it and support you during labor. A birth plan is the perfect opportunity to develop a Shared idea of the birth and talk together about your wishes and concerns—so your partner becomes actively involved in preparing for childbirth. For example, think about what you want to pack in the Clinic bag , which relaxation methods work best for you as a family, and who will cut the umbilical cord . "It is a great advantage when a couple is on the same page at the time of birth. Often, the partner communicates with the hospital staff, and it is then very helpful if he or she also knows your wishes," says Sissi.

You improve communication with the delivery team

Only a few women are lucky enough to have 1-on-1 support from a midwife. When you give birth in a hospital, your birth plan helps the on-site midwife get a quick overview of your wishes and what is important to you. The plan is therefore an excellent basis for communication between you and the birth team—especially when you’re too excited to think clearly. Midwife Sissi also advises expectant mothers to place a lot of trust in the midwife as well as the doctors and physicians:

When should you start creating?

There are no fixed rules, because a birth plan is no mandatory document . Start planning when you feel ready and have gathered enough information. You can, for example, bring it up during a Preventive examination with your doctor to let them know you would like to create a birth plan. During this appointment, you can openly discuss any questions you have about pregnancy care, childbirth, and the postpartum period. This way, you can gather initial information and get inspiration about what to consider and what is possible. You can also start creating it once you have decided where you want to give birth. If you have chosen a hospital, you can find out directly which wishes can be accommodated there. If you have personal care from a midwife or doula, she will already be familiar with you and your wishes, so you may not need to put everything in writing.

How do you create a birth plan?

There is no strict format for a birth plan. There are numerous templates available online that you can use as a guide. Since every birth is unique, you shouldn’t copy one exactly; instead, make sure your plan reflects your personality. You can also ask your doctor or midwife whether they have a draft you can fill in with your wishes and comments. Ideally, the birth plan should be one to two pages long and clearly structured . This helps the attending midwife and the rest of the birth team quickly get an overview. Before listing your wishes, you can write a short paragraph about your reasons and any fears. This helps the team get to know you better and understand you. Of course, nothing in your birth plan is set in stone. You can—even if you are in labor—change your wishes at any time according to your current needs.

Template for a birth plan

We have a birth plan template for you, where you can check off your wishes and easily add further notes.

Do you feel like something is still missing? These questions can help you as a Checklist for Your Birth Plan :

Wehen

• Do you want someone from your circle of support to be by your side during labor and in the delivery room? For example, your partner or your mother/father?

• Do you have preferences regarding the atmosphere—music, dim lighting, etc.?

• Are you interested in moving around a lot during childbirth?

• How should monitoring in the hospital be carried out with the CTG ? Continuous monitoring or intermittent monitoring?

• What is your attitude towards labor support measures and pain relief methods ? For example, an IV, massages, an epidural, etc.?

• Which methods do you prefer to help you cope with the pain? Massages, acupuncture, using a balloon, the option to walk, shower, or bathe, etc.?

Entbindung

• In which position would you like to give birth?

• Do you agree to the possibility of an episiotomy being performed, or would you prefer to avoid it, even if there is a potential tear during childbirth?

• Do you agree to the presence of students if the hospital allows it?

Wünsche für die Plazentarperiode

• Do you want to see the placenta ? Do you want to take it home with you?

• When should the umbilical cord be clamped? Should it still be pulsating? Should the umbilical cord only be cut once the placenta has been delivered?

• Does your partner want to cut the umbilical cord?

Nach der Geburt

• Do you want to have skin-to-skin contact with your baby immediately after birth?

• Do you have specific preferences for caring for your baby?

• Do you want to breastfeed your baby?

Birth plan for a cesarean section

Even if you are planning a cesarean section, you can still create a birth plan. It can also be reassuring during a vaginal delivery to have considered a cesarean section in case it becomes necessary during labor. You can simply add a section to your birth plan for this.

When creating a birth plan for a cesarean section, you should consider the following:

• Do you want your partner or someone from your circle of support to be present in the operating room, if the hospital allows it?

• Should the privacy screen be lowered when your baby arrives?

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

• If this is not possible for you, should your partner take over the first skin-to-skin contact?

• Do you wish to breastfeed your baby immediately after birth, if circumstances permit?

When do you need to submit the birth plan?

Sissi recommends that mothers giving birth in a clinic keep a copy of their birth plan and submit it during the registration interview , when you also fill out the anamnesis form. Then it can be added to your file and will be readily available when you arrive. This can serve as a guide for the attending midwife, so she can quickly get an overview of your wishes. It’s best to print multiple copies so you can also give one to the birth team on-site and ensure your companion has a copy as well.

Are the wishes regarding the birth respected?

The birth plan is not legally binding, but rather a Trust Agreement between you and the medical staff. Your midwife and the doctors will certainly do their best to accommodate your wishes and make your birth as comfortable as possible. However, life often takes a different course, so it is completely normal if not all points from your plan can be fulfilled. One reason could be that the facility where you want to give birth does not have the necessary equipment or enough capacity—for example, the clinic might only have one birthing pool, which is currently occupied by another woman. Of course, complications or other unforeseen events can also occur, making it impossible to stick to your birth plan in order to protect your health and that of your little explorer.

A birth plan is not a guarantee of a perfect birth—every birth is individual and hardly predictable from start to finish. However, it is very valuable and helpful to inform yourself and prepare. This way, you can face this magical moment with more confidence. We wish your little explorer a smooth arrival!