Preparing for your baby’s arrival can feel overwhelming, but learning how to write a birth plan will help you feel confident and in control. Whether you want a natural birth, plan to use pain relief, or have specific requests for your baby’s first moments, your plan ensures your voice is heard.
As a mom of 3 who has given vaginal birth to twins and a singleton, in this post I am walking you through creating a birth plan by using a simple checklist. The checklist reflects your needs and helps create the positive birth experience you envision.
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Why It’s a Good Idea to Have a Birth Plan
Creating a birth plan is a great way to feel prepared for one of life’s biggest moments. A birth plan helps you communicate your preferences clearly to your healthcare team. It doesn’t have to be rigid or complicated. Think of it as a guide that reflects your values and wishes while staying flexible for the unexpected.
Writing a birth plan encourages you to learn about your options, ask questions, and make informed decisions ahead of time. Most importantly, it empowers you and your partner to feel calm, supported, and in control (as much as possible) when the big day arrives.
How To Write a Simple Birth Plan (Birth Plan Checklist & Template)
Personally, I had a written paragraph of what my birth plan was for my twins. It was short and simple. But, I spent a very long time stressing over what it should say.
To avoid my situation of not really knowing what to do, I recommend using a birth plan checklist. I wish I had known about these when I was pregnant (I’m not 100% sure they existed yet though).
When you work your way through a checklist, you will find things you already know the answer to and that you can easily fill out. However, you might find a couple sections that you have not decided or even thought about yet.
For those items you can take time to research and talk to your doctor before checking off your preferences. Once you have filled out the checklist, voila you are done! Print at least 3 copies to bring to the hospital with you.
On the other hand, if you do better with a written form, you can also take what you checked off on your list and write everything out in 1-2 paragraphs. Again, make sure you print 3 copies of your paragraphs for the hospital.
Things That Should Be Included in a Birth Plan
You will find the following sections on the birth plan checklist. These are all items you will want to include as part of your birth plan.
- Personal information (name, support people, due date, etc.)
- Health info (allergies, etc.)
- Atmosphere preferences
- Pain management preferences
- Pain medication preferences
- Delivery preferences (vaginal, C-section, etc.)
- Birth positions preferences
- After delivery preferences
I will reiterate that I think the best and easiest way to communicate your preferences is with this simple checklist, so definitely check it out.
When Do You Need to Complete Your Birth Plan By?
I recommend completing your birth plan by around 32 weeks of pregnancy. At this point, you’ve likely discussed your preferences with your healthcare provider and have a good idea of your birth options. Finishing it by 32 weeks gives you time to review and adjust it as needed before you go into labor.
Other Ways To Prepare for Labor and Delivery
Besides understanding how to write a birth plan, there are other things I recommend doing to prepare for labor and delivery. The first thing is taking a birthing class. You can either take an in-person class at your local hospital or do an online class from the comfort of home.
Whichever option you choose, just ensure you do take one. You will want to aim to start taking a class at 28-32 weeks of pregnancy.
The other thing you will want to do is pack your hospital bag. I recommend having it packed by 34 weeks of pregnancy. You can get a hospital bag checklist for free by filling out the form below. As a bonus you will also receive baby registry and trimester checklists too.
Writing a birth plan is a powerful way to prepare for your baby’s arrival and ensure your wishes are respected.
By clearly outlining your preferences for labor, delivery, and after care, you can approach birth feeling calm, confident, and informed. Don’t forget though that flexibility is key. Sometimes plans can change, and that’s okay.
What matters most is that you feel supported and empowered throughout your experience. Take the time to discuss your plan with your partner and care team. Keep it simple and trust yourself. You’ve got this!
