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Is it safe? · Pregnancy Smart

What should you put in a birth plan?

Assigned clinical reviewerMichael Yuzefovich· MD, FACOGDraft · pending clinical reviewUpdated

What does the evidence say about birth plan preferences?

  1. Discuss the plan with the clinician and birth facility before delivery. Ask which options are available and which depend on your health or the baby's condition. You can change your preferences later. A concise list of what matters most helps the team understand you even when the original approach needs to change. 1
  2. Pain-relief preferences can include questions about both medication and nonmedication approaches. Ask how an epidural or another offered option works, what limits may apply, and when to request it. Leaving room to change your mind avoids making a prenatal preference feel like a promise you must keep during labor. 2
  3. Keep the medical information separate and easy to identify: allergies, regular medicines, supplements, and relevant conditions. Make sure the maternity team has the actual products and doses. A birth-plan document should not instruct you to stop a prescription or bring an unapproved product to use during labor. 3
  4. Extend the conversation beyond delivery by agreeing on your own follow-up and recovery support. Ask who to contact about maternal symptoms after discharge and when the first postpartum contact will happen. Planning for the first days home helps keep your health visible while attention shifts to the newborn. 4
  5. Preferences should never delay urgent assessment. Severe headache, chest pain, trouble breathing, significant bleeding, or reduced fetal movement require prompt medical attention. If a concern develops before your planned admission, contact the maternity team using its urgent instructions instead of waiting to arrive with a finished document. 5

A short birth-preferences worksheet

PromptYour note to complete
My main prioritiesThe two or three things I most want the team to understand.
Communication and supportWho I want involved and what helps me understand a decision.
Comfort and pain reliefWhat I want to discuss first, and questions I still have.
If circumstances changeWhat I would like explained and who should be updated.
After birthMy questions about feeding help, maternal recovery, and follow-up.

Frequently asked questions

Does a birth plan have to fit a particular hospital form?

Ask whether the facility has a preferred form. You can also bring a short personal list, especially for a preference the form does not cover. Review it beforehand so the team can explain what is available and note any issues that need another conversation.

Can I change my mind about something written in the plan?

Yes. Preferences can change during labor, and the clinical situation may change too. Tell the team what you want now. The document should help communication, not make you feel committed to a choice that no longer feels right.

Can I plan to try labor without an epidural but request one later?

Discuss this with your maternity team. Ask when and how to request pain relief, what options are available, and whether your medical history affects those choices. An early preference does not mean you must decline medication throughout labor.

What if I am unsure which pain-relief option I want?

Write the questions you need answered rather than choosing an option to fill a box. You might want to compare how quickly an option works, whether you can move around, and what monitoring it needs. The clinician can explain these differences for the options your facility offers.

Should I list herbs or supplements I hope to use during labor?

Tell the care team about every proposed product and your regular medicines. Natural labeling does not establish safety during labor or compatibility with other medicines. Do not begin a product or change a prescription based only on a birth-plan template or another person's experience.

Can my plan include concerns about the days after discharge?

Yes. Arrange your own follow-up and identify feeding support, recovery needs, and help at home. Ask who will contact you and when. A delivery preference document can link to a separate postpartum plan without trying to fit all follow-up instructions onto the same sheet.

Should I finish the plan before calling about a worrying symptom?

No. Obtain medical advice promptly for concerning symptoms and immediate care for urgent warning signs. Paperwork, packing, or an unfinished preference list should not delay that contact. Tell the team your pregnancy stage and describe what changed.

Can I discuss an unexpected birth at my postpartum appointment?

Yes. Write down what you want explained about your care and how you are feeling about it. Your postpartum visit can include physical recovery, emotional health, and help arranging further support. Ask for a separate conversation if there is more to discuss than the appointment allows.

Related in the library

References

  1. What to include in your birth plan

    MedlinePlus · https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000567.htm

  2. Medications for Pain Relief During Labor and Delivery

    ACOG · https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/medications-for-pain-relief-during-labor-and-delivery

  3. Medicine and Pregnancy: An Overview

    CDC · https://www.cdc.gov/medicine-and-pregnancy/about/index.html

  4. Optimizing Postpartum Care

    ACOG · https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2018/05/optimizing-postpartum-care

  5. Urgent Maternal Warning Signs and Symptoms

    CDC · https://www.cdc.gov/hearher/maternal-warning-signs/index.html

  6. What to Expect at a Postpartum Checkup and Why the Visit Matters

    ACOG · https://www.acog.org/womens-health/experts-and-stories/the-latest/what-to-expect-at-a-postpartum-checkup-and-why-the-visit-matters

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.