The day you bring your baby from the womb to the world is momentous. As you near the end of your pregnancy, you may start thinking, planning, and learning about the different options available for your birth experience. Crafting a birth plan is a great way to organize your preferences and clearly communicate them to your care team. 

A birth plan is a short written document outlining your goals and desires for labor, birth, and the early postpartum period.^1,2,3,4 It helps your healthcare team understand your wishes so they can support you in the best way possible.^1,2,3,4 For clarity, a birth plan should be concise and easy to read. Long, paragraph-form documents may be difficult for caregivers to review quickly, so outlining key points ensures nothing important is overlooked.

The Process

Often the process of creating a birth plan is just as valuable as the plan itself! Start by educating yourself about the birth process through a birth class or by consulting with a birth professional.^1,2,3,4 Aeroflow offers a virtual two-part series, “Birth and Breastfeeding,” available through insurance. Gaining knowledge about labor, pain management, and birth options empowers you to make informed decisions.

Next, consider any personal factors that may influence your birth, such as health conditions, pregnancy-related diagnoses, or past birth experiences. Discuss these with your provider to understand how they may impact your upcoming birth.^1,2,3,4

Finally, review your options with your partner and decide what is most important for your support team to know.^1,2,3,4 Your support team may include family members, a doula, or friends who will assist you during labor and early postpartum. This process allows you to explore your options, discuss them with loved ones, and prepare questions for your healthcare provider.

Your Birthing Environment

When envisioning your birth space, consider the atmosphere you want.^1,2,3,4 Do you prefer dim lighting? Minimal interruptions? Music? Some parents create playlists to foster a calming environment. Think about who you want in the room—whether just your partner or additional support people like a doula, family, or friends. If you have specific visitors in mind, list their names in your birth plan so your healthcare team knows who is permitted in your space. Also, check your birthing facility’s visitor policies in advance.

Labor Preferences

Every woman has different preferences for labor, including movement, pain management, and medical interventions.^1,2,3,4

• Movement: staying active during labor can promote progression. If this is important to you, include it in your birth plan so your care team can support mobility-friendly options. 
• Pain Management: Options range from natural techniques like massage, breathing exercises, and meditation to medical pain relief such as epidurals and nitrous oxide. Discuss these choices with your provider.
• Labor Augmentation: Interventions like membrane sweeping, breaking the amniotic sac, or Pitocin administration may be offered to speed labor along. Research these options to determine your preferences.
• Medical Procedures: Consider your stance on IV use, fetal monitoring, and cervical checks. Understanding these procedures will help you make informed decisions and outline your preferences.

Birthing Your Baby

When the time comes to push, different positions may be more comfortable for you. Some parents prefer hands-and-knees, squatting, or other positions. You can note in your plan whether you’d like the freedom to choose your position in the moment.^1,2,3,4

Additional factors to consider include:

• Assisted delivery (vacuum or forceps)
• Episiotomy permissions
• Coached pushing vs. spontaneous pushing
• The option to use a mirror to see your baby being born

After Delivery

Once your baby is born, the Golden Hour is a crucial time for bonding. Your birth plan can specify your preference for immediate skin-to-skin contact and delayed cord clamping. If you have a specific person in mind to cut the umbilical cord, include this in your plan.^1,2,3,4

Cesarean Birth

If you have a planned cesarean, you can still personalize your experience. Some hospitals offer “gentle cesareans,” which may include:

• A clear drape to see your baby being born
• Immediate skin-to-skin contact in the operating room
• Personalized music
• Additional support persons, such as a doula (with prior approval)

Even if you’re planning a vaginal birth, it’s beneficial to familiarize yourself with cesarean procedures just in case. Having preferences in mind can make an unexpected cesarean feel more prepared and empowering.

Early Postpartum

The final section of your birth plan can address your hospital stay and recovery. Consider outlining:

• Your preferred visiting hours 
• Pain management options
• Rooming-in preferences  (keeping baby in your room vs. nursery care)

Feeding plans should also be included. If you plan to breastfeed, note this so your team can provide the necessary support. Many hospitals have lactation consultants available to assist you.

Your Unique Birth Experience

What If I Have Questions?

If you are interested in learning more, these Aeroflow classes expand on some of the topics discussed above:

• Birth and Breastfeeding
• Ultimate Breastfeeding Prep
• Lactation Q&A

Want More Info?

For a directory of Aeroflow’s other Care Guides offering information on pregnancy, baby care, and more, browse our comprehensive list of titles:

References