Birth Plan Template: Printable & Customizable for Your Preferences

Pregnancy

Birth Plan Template: What to Include (and What to Skip)

A birth plan is a document that outlines your preferences for labor, delivery, and immediate postpartum care. It’s a way to communicate your values to your care team — so nobody has to guess what matters to you.

Why do birth plans matter? Because labor can feel chaotic, and having your preferences documented gives your partner and your medical team a guide for decision-making if you’re unable to communicate. But they also can set unrealistic expectations.

What to Include in Your Birth Plan

1. Pain Management Preferences

Do you want an epidural, or would you prefer to try laboring without one? Do you want options explained before they’re offered? This is where your values matter most. There’s no “right” choice — only your choice.

2. Who You Want Present

Partner, doula, family members, or a quiet environment with minimal people? Be specific. Hospitals often have restrictions on support people, so check before your due date.

3. Movement and Position

Do you want freedom to walk, use a birthing ball, shower, or change positions? Some hospitals restrict movement after epidural or continuous fetal monitoring. Know your hospital’s policies.

4. Immediate Postpartum Preferences

Skin-to-skin contact, delayed cord clamping, breastfeeding initiation, vitamin K eye drops, newborn screening — these things happen in the first hour. Have preferences documented so staff can respect them unless medical necessity requires otherwise.

5. What Happens If Things Change

Labor doesn’t always go as planned. If you need augmentation (Pitocin), continuous monitoring, or transfer to C-section, what matters to you then? Flexibility here prevents disappointment and guilt later.

What to SKIP in Your Birth Plan

Don’t include demands. Don’t write ultimatums. Don’t list 47 preferences. Your care team will be more likely to honor your wishes if your birth plan reads like a conversation, not a contract.

Skip specific drug names you won’t allow. Instead, discuss options with your provider in advance.

Skip lengthy explanations of your philosophy. One sentence about why you chose what you chose is enough.

Birth Plan Template (Printable)

Here’s a simple, one-page template you can customize:

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MY BIRTH PREFERENCES

Name: _________________ Due Date: _________________

My Labor Support Team: (List partner, doula, family, etc.)

• I’d like my partner/support person to ___________________________________
• I’d prefer minimal visitors during labor

Pain Management:

• ☐ I’d like to try laboring without medication and want encouragement to continue
• ☐ I’d like an epidural placed early in labor / as labor progresses / if I request it
• ☐ I’m open to options explained during labor

During Labor:

• ☐ I’d like freedom to move, walk, use shower/tub, and change positions
• ☐ I’d prefer continuous fetal monitoring / intermittent monitoring if possible
• ☐ I’d prefer lights dimmed and minimal interruptions

If Labor Needs Help (Induction/Augmentation):

• ☐ I understand labor might not progress as expected. If my provider recommends Pitocin or other interventions, I want them explained so I can decide.

If C-Section Becomes Necessary:

• ☐ I’d like my partner in the operating room
• ☐ I’d like skin-to-skin contact as soon as possible after surgery

Immediately After Birth:

• ☐ Delayed cord clamping (wait 30-60 seconds / until cord stops pulsing)
• ☐ Skin-to-skin contact right away
• ☐ I’d like to try breastfeeding in the first hour if possible
• ☐ My baby can receive vitamin K, eye ointment, and newborn screening as standard

Additional Notes:

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

This is my preference, but I understand that the health and safety of my baby and I are the priority. I’m open to my provider’s recommendation if the situation changes.

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Tips for Using Your Birth Plan

1. Keep it short. One page. Seriously. Hospital staff are busy. They won’t read 10 pages.

2. Discuss it in advance. Bring your plan to a prenatal appointment. Your provider might tell you which preferences are realistic at your hospital.

3. Bring multiple copies. Print 5-10 copies. Give them to your partner, your doula, and your medical team. Tape one to your hospital chart.

4. Make it conversational. Use phrases like “I’d prefer” and “If possible” instead of “I will” and “I will not.” You’re asking for partnership, not giving orders.

5. Have a backup plan. Labor is unpredictable. If your original preferences aren’t possible, what matters next? Discuss this beforehand with your partner so they can advocate for you if you’re in active labor.

6. Remember: flexibility is strength. The best birth plans are those held loosely. You can have strong preferences AND be open to change. Both are true.

Common Birth Plan Mistakes

Mistake 1: Making demands instead of preferences. “I will NOT have an episiotomy” sounds adversarial. “I prefer to avoid episiotomy if possible” opens dialogue.

Mistake 2: Not discussing it with your provider beforehand. If your provider tells you your preferences conflict with hospital policy, you want to know NOW, not during labor.

Mistake 3: Feeling guilty if things change. Labor doesn’t follow plans. If you end up with an epidural despite planning otherwise, or you need a C-section, your birth plan didn’t “fail.” You adapted to reality. That’s good medicine.

Mistake 4: Not including your partner in the conversation. Your partner needs to understand your preferences so they can advocate for you if you’re not able to communicate during active labor.

The Bottom Line

A birth plan is a tool for communication, not a guarantee. The best plans are short, specific to what truly matters to you, and flexible. Discuss your preferences with your provider in advance, bring multiple copies, and remember that the goal is a safe delivery for you and your baby — however that looks.

Last Updated: March 26, 2026 | Author: iPrego Editorial Team

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Medical Disclaimer: This article provides general information about birth planning but is not medical advice. Every pregnancy and labor is unique. Always follow your provider’s recommendations and discuss your birth plan preferences during prenatal care. If you have specific medical concerns, contact your healthcare provider.