Your choices matter — this plan is yours to own, share, and revise at any time
Birth Plan Builder

Your birth,
your story.

A thoughtful, evidence-informed guide to communicating your preferences with your care team. Complete each section, then print a beautiful one-page birth preferences sheet to share.

"A birth plan is not a contract — it is a conversation. Use it to open dialogue with your care team."

— ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists)
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Section 01

The Basics

Who you are, who will be with you, and how you'd like to be known by your care team.

Birthing Person

Name / Preferred Name
Pronouns
Due Date & Provider / Midwife

Support Team

Birthing Partner
Doula (if applicable)
Other People I'd Like Present
Our birth goal or intention — in your own words

This statement will appear prominently on your printed birth preferences sheet. Keep it warm and personal.

How would you like your care team to communicate with you?

Some people want every detail; others prefer quiet reassurance. There are no wrong preferences here.

Keep me fully informed Reassure & encourage Give me space & quiet Check in briefly & often
Language or word preferences

Some people prefer "pressure" to "pain," "surges" to "contractions," or want phrases like "almost there" avoided. Note anything that matters to you.

Cultural, spiritual, or personal practices
Concerns or anxieties to share with the team

Sharing your fears helps your team support you more intentionally.

Section 02

During Labor

Preferences for the environment and management of early and active labor.

Freedom of movement
Research

Research supports freedom of movement for comfort and labor progress. Walking, rocking, swaying, and using a birth ball are all evidence-supported.

Free movement throughout Prefer bed Open to guidance
Fetal monitoring
Research

For low-risk pregnancies, intermittent auscultation is an evidence-supported alternative to continuous electronic fetal monitoring and allows more freedom to move.

Intermittent (if low-risk) Continuous Whatever is indicated
Eating & drinking during labor
Research

For low-risk labors, light eating and free access to water is generally supported by evidence and helps maintain energy.

Free food & water Clear liquids only Follow hospital policy
IV / hep-lock preference
Hep-lock only Only if necessary IV fluids fine
Cervical / vaginal examinations
Limited — essential only Ask before each exam Standard protocol
Room atmosphere (select all that apply)
Dim lighting / candles Music / playlist Aromatherapy Quiet room Birth photos / affirmations Bright & active energy
Rupture of membranes
Research
Prefer natural rupture AROM fine if helpful Discuss first
Pitocin / oxytocin augmentation
Research
No active management Fine at discretion Discuss before using
How do you want your support person(s) involved during labor?
Section 03

Pain Management & Discomfort

Pain in labor is deeply personal. You may know exactly what you want, or you may want to keep options open. Both are completely valid.

Overall approach to pain relief
Prefer unmedicated Open if I ask Planning an epidural Undecided
Offering pain medication
Do not offer — I'll ask You may offer periodically Offer epidural before Pitocin
Non-pharmacological comfort measures (select all desired)
Research

Hydrotherapy, heat, massage, and movement all have evidence supporting their effectiveness for labor pain management.

Tub / shower Warm shower Heat packs Massage / counter-pressure Birthing / peanut ball TENS machine Breathing / hypnobirthing Sterile water injections Remind me to relax jaw
Epidural preferences (if applicable)
Research
Walking epidural if available Patient-controlled dosing Standard dosing fine Offer after 6cm N/A
Anything else about pain management?
Section 04

During Delivery

The moments of birth. These choices help your team create the experience you're hoping for.

Pushing style
Research

Spontaneous pushing (following your body's urge) is associated with fewer lacerations. "Purple pushing" with directed counting is common but not always necessary.

Quiet / spontaneous — no counting Coached / directed Remind me to slow at crowning I want to guide baby out Touch head as it crowns
Birth position preference
Research
Upright / squatting Hands and knees Side-lying Semi-reclined Move intuitively
Instrumental delivery (forceps / vacuum)
No forceps or vacuum if possible Vacuum over forceps Provider's judgment Explain before proceeding
Episiotomy
Research

Routine episiotomy is not supported by evidence. Current guidelines recommend restricted use — only when clinically indicated.

Allow natural tearing Last resort only Provider's judgment
Perineal support during pushing
Research

Warm compresses and perineal massage during pushing are associated with reduced severe tearing.

Yes please Prefer not Provider's call
Water birth
Research
Yes, if possible Labor only Not for me
Photography & documentation
Support person documents Birth photographer No photos please
Section 05

After Delivery

The golden hour and beyond — preferences for the third stage and the first moments with your baby.

Delayed cord clamping
Research

WHO recommends delayed cord clamping for all births. Waiting until the cord stops pulsing (2–5 minutes) is associated with improved iron stores and neurological outcomes.

Wait until cord stops pulsing At least 1–2 minutes Immediate (cord banking)
Who cuts the cord?
Partner / support person I cut it Provider cuts
Skin-to-skin after birth
Research

Immediate skin-to-skin in the first hour is strongly associated with improved breastfeeding success, temperature regulation, and bonding.

Immediate — on chest right away After quick wipe-down Partner if I'm unable
Third stage / placenta
Physiological / unmanaged Managed is fine I'd like to see the placenta Keep the placenta
Feeding — breastfeeding attempt
Research
Breastfeed right away Combination feeding Formula feeding Expressed milk
Other after-delivery preferences or notes
Section 06

Newborn Care

The first hours with your baby are precious. These preferences help your team honor that time.

First bath
Research

Delaying the first bath at least 24 hours supports better temperature regulation, blood sugar stability, and breastfeeding outcomes.

No bath Delay 24+ hours We'll give it ourselves Standard timing fine
Vitamin K shot
Research

The Vitamin K injection prevents a rare but serious bleeding disorder in newborns. Evidence strongly supports the injection over oral drops.

Yes — shot (held by partner) Oral drops Declining Need more info
Eye ointment (erythromycin)
Research
Yes — standard Delay for bonding Declining
Hepatitis B vaccine
Yes Delay — at pediatrician Declining
Newborn examinations & procedures
All exams in our room Exams on our chest Weight after golden hour Do not separate us
Pacifier & supplemental feeding in hospital
Nothing without permission No formula / sugar water No pacifiers Supplement if indicated
Other newborn care notes
Section 07

In Case of C-Section & If Plans Change

Birth is unpredictable. These preferences help your team understand your values if circumstances shift.

If a cesarean birth is needed (select all that apply)
Research
Clear drape at birth Partner present throughout Partner can photograph Skin-to-skin in OR Partner skin-to-skin if needed Delayed cord clamping Bikini incision preferred
If baby needs NICU or special care
Partner accompanies baby Keep us fully informed Bring baby to me ASAP We'll provide colostrum
Emergency decision-making

Even in urgent situations, informed consent matters. Let your team know your preference.

Always explain first Trust judgment in emergencies Partner can consent for me
Postpartum & recovery — anything to know?
Anything else you'd like your care team to know?
Your Plan

Birth Preferences Sheet

Your one-page printable birth preferences document, ready to share with your care team. Use your browser's Print or Save as PDF function to save it.