A birth plan is a way for you to communicate your wishes to the midwives, and any nurses and doctors who may provide
care for you in labour. It tells them about the type of labour and birth you'd like to have, what you want to happen, and
what you want to avoid.
You do not have to write a formal birth plan; it is completely optional. Regardless, your midwives will document your
preference for coping and pain relief methods and any other special requests that you may have, during your prenatal
appointments. If you're not sure about a certain procedure, or if you prefer to keep your options open, talk to your midwife.
A birth plan is not set in stone. It needs to be flexible and acknowledge that things may not go according to plan. It is
helpful if you can write a plan in such a way that your midwives don't feel their hands are tied if complications arise.
Your birth plan is personal to you and should reflect your wishes and preferences. You may want to add details about
your medical history, but your midwife will have your prenatal notes, so will be aware of your circumstances. It's worth
considering what's available at your local hospital and what hospital protocols are in place when you write your plan,
which your midwife can discuss with you.
Gather as much information as you can before you start:
● Talk to your midwife about your options for where to have your baby. Make an informed
decision about whether you want to have your baby at the hospital or at home.
● Talk to your partner or the person who will be your birth partner. Make sure they fully understand
the type of labour and birth you'd like to have. Ask them how they see their role?
● Write down your ideas and thoughts about the birth that you would like to have.
● Prenatal classes are recommended and will inform you as to what choices you will need to make
prior to and during your labour and birth
You may want to include the following items in your Birth Plan:
Your Birth Partner
Who do you want to have with you in labour? Do you want this person to stay with you all the time, or are there
certain procedures or stages when you'd prefer them to leave the room? Would you like to talk to your birth partner
in private about any interventions that are suggested? Would you like your birth partner to stay with you if you need
an assisted birth or a caesarean? The hospital may limit the number of support people present at your labour and
delivery, please speak to your midwife to find out current restrictions, if any.
Positions for Labour and Birth
Mention which positions you would like to use during labour and for your baby's birth. Also say how active you would
like to be. Would you like to remain upright and mobile for as long as possible? Or perhaps you'd prefer to be upright
in bed with your back propped up with pillows? Or you could specify that you want to lie on your side, be kneeling on
all fours or standing or squatting.
We recognize that you may have no idea what you will want if this is your first delivery, and your midwife can make
suggestions if you have no specific preferences.
Pain Relief
Pain relief can include things such as breathing, relaxation, water, massage or a TENS machine as well as medical
pain relief such as nitrous oxide or epidural. If there are any types of pain relief you wish to avoid using, make sure
you write them down. You may want to avoid an epidural if possible or may want to get an epidural when available.
It is helpful for your support team to know this.
Third Stage (Delivery of the Placenta)
Your midwives will have an informed choice discussion with you about your options for managing the third stage
of labour. Research has shown that “actively” managing the third stage, which means giving the delivering person
an injection of oxytocin shortly after giving birth, may decrease the risk of having a severe postpartum hemorrhage.
Active management also decreases the time needed to deliver the placenta.
While active management is a routine part of care, there is an option of having “active management” or
“physiological management”. Physiological management means not receiving the oxytocin injection routinely
and instead being given it only if needed due to significant bleeding. There are circumstances where your midwives
will recommend you have active management of third stage.
If you have a strong preference for someone to cut the umbilical cord, maybe your birth partner, say so. Delayed cord
clamping is a routine part of care, unless the baby needs significant help to start breathing.
Skin-to-Skin Contact
You may wish for your baby to be placed directly onto your tummy straight after birth, or you may prefer for your baby
to be cleaned up before she is handed to you.
Feeding Your Baby
Be clear about whether you want to breast/chest feed, bottle feed or both.
Discussing your plan with your midwife will give you the chance to ask questions and find out more about what will
happen when you go into labour. Though a birth plan is helpful, labour and birth are unpredictable. Your midwife may
need to recommend a course of action at any time which is not what you had originally hoped for. But this will always
be in the best interests of you and your baby.
care for you in labour. It tells them about the type of labour and birth you'd like to have, what you want to happen, and
what you want to avoid.
You do not have to write a formal birth plan; it is completely optional. Regardless, your midwives will document your
preference for coping and pain relief methods and any other special requests that you may have, during your prenatal
appointments. If you're not sure about a certain procedure, or if you prefer to keep your options open, talk to your midwife.
A birth plan is not set in stone. It needs to be flexible and acknowledge that things may not go according to plan. It is
helpful if you can write a plan in such a way that your midwives don't feel their hands are tied if complications arise.
Your birth plan is personal to you and should reflect your wishes and preferences. You may want to add details about
your medical history, but your midwife will have your prenatal notes, so will be aware of your circumstances. It's worth
considering what's available at your local hospital and what hospital protocols are in place when you write your plan,
which your midwife can discuss with you.
Gather as much information as you can before you start:
● Talk to your midwife about your options for where to have your baby. Make an informed
decision about whether you want to have your baby at the hospital or at home.
● Talk to your partner or the person who will be your birth partner. Make sure they fully understand
the type of labour and birth you'd like to have. Ask them how they see their role?
● Write down your ideas and thoughts about the birth that you would like to have.
● Prenatal classes are recommended and will inform you as to what choices you will need to make
prior to and during your labour and birth
You may want to include the following items in your Birth Plan:
Your Birth Partner
Who do you want to have with you in labour? Do you want this person to stay with you all the time, or are there
certain procedures or stages when you'd prefer them to leave the room? Would you like to talk to your birth partner
in private about any interventions that are suggested? Would you like your birth partner to stay with you if you need
an assisted birth or a caesarean? The hospital may limit the number of support people present at your labour and
delivery, please speak to your midwife to find out current restrictions, if any.
Positions for Labour and Birth
Mention which positions you would like to use during labour and for your baby's birth. Also say how active you would
like to be. Would you like to remain upright and mobile for as long as possible? Or perhaps you'd prefer to be upright
in bed with your back propped up with pillows? Or you could specify that you want to lie on your side, be kneeling on
all fours or standing or squatting.
We recognize that you may have no idea what you will want if this is your first delivery, and your midwife can make
suggestions if you have no specific preferences.
Pain Relief
Pain relief can include things such as breathing, relaxation, water, massage or a TENS machine as well as medical
pain relief such as nitrous oxide or epidural. If there are any types of pain relief you wish to avoid using, make sure
you write them down. You may want to avoid an epidural if possible or may want to get an epidural when available.
It is helpful for your support team to know this.
Third Stage (Delivery of the Placenta)
Your midwives will have an informed choice discussion with you about your options for managing the third stage
of labour. Research has shown that “actively” managing the third stage, which means giving the delivering person
an injection of oxytocin shortly after giving birth, may decrease the risk of having a severe postpartum hemorrhage.
Active management also decreases the time needed to deliver the placenta.
While active management is a routine part of care, there is an option of having “active management” or
“physiological management”. Physiological management means not receiving the oxytocin injection routinely
and instead being given it only if needed due to significant bleeding. There are circumstances where your midwives
will recommend you have active management of third stage.
If you have a strong preference for someone to cut the umbilical cord, maybe your birth partner, say so. Delayed cord
clamping is a routine part of care, unless the baby needs significant help to start breathing.
Skin-to-Skin Contact
You may wish for your baby to be placed directly onto your tummy straight after birth, or you may prefer for your baby
to be cleaned up before she is handed to you.
Feeding Your Baby
Be clear about whether you want to breast/chest feed, bottle feed or both.
Discussing your plan with your midwife will give you the chance to ask questions and find out more about what will
happen when you go into labour. Though a birth plan is helpful, labour and birth are unpredictable. Your midwife may
need to recommend a course of action at any time which is not what you had originally hoped for. But this will always
be in the best interests of you and your baby.
