A birth plan can be one page. It does not need to look fancy. It does need to say what matters when you are in labour and everyone else suddenly has opinions.

In the UK, most women are asked about a birth plan at some point in pregnancy. Sometimes this is useful. Sometimes it becomes a rushed tick-box chat while someone is trying to find the blood pressure cuff.

Your birth plan is a chance to think before labour begins.

You can download our free birth plan template and use this guide alongside it.

What is a birth plan for?

A birth plan tells your midwives, doctors and birth partner what you want, what you do not want, and what they need to know about you.

It should make your wishes easier to understand at a time when you may not want to explain everything from scratch.

A good birth plan can cover:

  • where you would like to give birth
  • who you want with you
  • how you feel about vaginal examinations
  • pain relief preferences
  • fetal monitoring
  • induction and augmentation
  • birth positions
  • the third stage
  • cord clamping
  • skin-to-skin
  • feeding preferences
  • what should happen if plans change

You do not need to write an essay. Staff are more likely to read something clear and short.

Start with what matters most

Before you fill in any birth plan template, ask yourself one simple question.

What would help me feel safe and respected in labour?

Your answer might be practical. You may want dim lights, few interruptions and freedom to move.

Your answer might be about consent. You may want every procedure explained before anyone touches you.

Your answer might be about your partner. You may want them to be spoken to directly if you are concentrating through contractions.

Write those things first.

Include your preferences around consent

Consent is central in birth.

You can include a line such as:

“Please explain the reason, benefit, risk and alternatives before offering any procedure or intervention. I would like time to ask questions before making a decision.”

That sentence is useful because it tells staff how you want information given.

You can also say:

“I do not consent to vaginal examinations without a full explanation and my clear agreement at the time.”

Or:

“If I decline something, please record my decision without repeated pressure.”

Plain language is enough.

Think about your birth environment

Your body responds to the room you are in. Bright lights, lots of people, repeated questions and constant interruption can make labour harder.

If you want a low-intervention birth, your environment matters.

You may want to include:

  • low lighting where possible
  • limited staff in the room
  • minimal conversation during contractions
  • freedom to move
  • access to water
  • use of your own music or headphones
  • your partner or doula staying with you

If you want to understand more about the body’s natural birth process, this post may help: What Is Physiological Birth?.

Include what you want if plans change

Birth plans are often dismissed because “birth is unpredictable”.

Birth can change. That is exactly why your wishes should be written down.

If induction, continuous monitoring, assisted birth or caesarean birth is suggested, you can still ask questions. You can still request time. You can still say what matters to you.

Helpful lines include:

“Please speak to me before speaking over me.”

“If urgent action is recommended, please explain what is happening in plain English.”

“If a caesarean becomes necessary, I would like my partner with me, delayed cord clamping if possible, and skin-to-skin as soon as it is safe.”

This is not about pretending everything will go to plan. It is about keeping you involved in your own care.

Where should you give birth?

Your birth plan may look different depending on whether you are planning home birth, birth centre birth or hospital birth.

If you are still deciding, read this: Home or Hospital Birth? The Real Truth About Your Choice.

You can have preferences in any setting. You do not lose your rights because you are in hospital. You do not lose your right to support because you are at home.

Keep your birth plan easy to use

The best birth plan is clear enough for someone to scan quickly.

Use headings. Use short sentences. Put the most important requests at the top.

Print more than one copy. Give one to your partner. Keep one in your hospital bag. If you have a doula, send it to her before labour so she can support you properly.

A birth plan that lives only in an app at the bottom of your phone may not help much when you are 7cm and someone is asking where the charger is.

Get the free template

You can download the WPCTS birth plan template here.

Use it as a thinking tool, then make it sound like you. Your birth plan should not feel like a legal document written by someone who has never met a pregnant woman.

If you want deeper support with your rights, choices and preparation, have a look at Calm & Confident Birthing.

Final thought

Your birth plan does not need to be perfect.

It needs to be clear.

It needs to remind everyone in the room that you are the person giving birth, and your voice matters.