When you’re expecting a baby, there’s a lot to think about—what to pack, how to prepare, and what on earth labour will actually feel like. Somewhere in the middle of all that, someone might ask, “Do you have a birth plan?” and suddenly, you’re wondering if you should have a 10-page document or just wing it on the day.
The truth is, a birth plan doesn’t have to be complicated. Think of it as a guide—a way to communicate your hopes and preferences to your medical team while staying flexible for whatever birth brings. The goal isn’t to control every detail (because babies have their own ideas!), but to feel prepared, confident, and supported in the process.
Below is an example birth plan for a natural hospital birth, followed by a printable template you can customize for your own birth journey!
Example Birth Plan: Sarah & Michael Jacobs
(Natural Hospital Birth Plan)
Personal Information
Name: Sarah Jacobs
Due Date: 15 March 2025
Hospital: Vincent Pallotti Hospital
Support Team: Husband (Michael), Photographer (Deidre)
Labour & Birth Preferences
✅ Environment & Comfort
- Dim lighting and calm atmosphere
- Soft worship music playing in the background
- Minimal medical staff entering unless necessary
- Freedom to move around and change positions
✅ Pain Management
- Preference for a natural, unmedicated birth
- Open to gas & air if needed but would like to avoid an epidural
- Birth ball, shower, and massage for pain relief
- Hypnobirthing breathing techniques and relaxation methods
✅ Monitoring & Interventions
- Intermittent fetal monitoring rather than continuous, if possible
- Minimal vaginal exams unless medically necessary
- No artificial rupture of membranes unless labour stalls
- No routine episiotomy (only if required for safety)
✅ Pushing & Delivery
- Preference for an upright or side-lying position
- Spontaneous pushing (no coached pushing unless needed)
- Delayed cord clamping for at least 2-3 minutes
- Michael to announce the baby’s gender
After Birth Preferences
✅ Immediate Care
- Immediate skin-to-skin contact before any weighing or procedures
- Delay newborn bath for at least 24 hours
- Michael to cut the umbilical cord
✅ Feeding Plan
- Exclusive breastfeeding – would like support if needed
- No formula or pacifiers unless medically necessary
✅ Newborn Procedures
- Eye ointment: No
- Newborn screening tests: Yes
✅ Visitors & Recovery
- Limited visitors on the first day, family only
- Husband to stay overnight if allowed
Unexpected Situations & Flexibility
💡 Induction: Prefer to avoid unless medically necessary
💡 C-Section: Only if an emergency arises, with Michael present
💡 Epidural: Only if labour becomes too long and exhausting
💡 NICU Stay: If needed, want to be involved in all care decisions
Here's a structured and printable-friendly birth plan template with space for ticking off completed tasks and adding notes. It’s designed to be customizable and easy to use, with checkboxes and blank spaces for personal preferences.
My Birth Plan
📅 Due Date: ____________________
🏥 Birthplace: ____________________
🧑🤝🧑 Support Team: ____________________________________________
✍ Personal Notes or Intentions for Birth:
📝 Labour & Birth Preferences
✅ Environment & Comfort
☐ Dim lighting
☐ Soft music (playlist: _______________________________________________________)
☐ Minimal staff interruptions
☐ Freedom to move and change positions
☐ Birth affirmations/scriptures nearby
☐ Other: ___________________________________________________________________
✅ Pain Management
☐ Breathing techniques
☐ Hypnobirthing
☐ Birth ball/movement
☐ Massage from partner/doula
☐ Water therapy (shower/tub)
☐ Gas & air (if available)
☐ Epidural only if necessary
☐ Other: __________________________________________________________________
✅ Monitoring & Interventions
☐ Intermittent fetal monitoring (if possible)
☐ Minimal vaginal exams
☐ No artificial rupture of membranes unless needed
☐ Avoid routine episiotomy unless medically required
☐ Other: __________________________________________________________________
✅ Pushing & Delivery
☐ Freedom in choosing birthing positions
☐ No coached pushing (unless needed)
☐ Delayed cord clamping (☐ 1 min ☐ 2-3 min ☐ Fully white)
☐ Partner to announce baby’s gender
☐ Other: ___________________________________________________________________
🍼 After Birth Preferences
✅ Immediate Care
☐ Immediate skin-to-skin contact
☐ First hour undisturbed (Golden Hour)
☐ Partner to cut the umbilical cord
☐ Delay newborn bath (☐ 24 hours ☐ Longer)
☐ Other: ___________________________________________________________________
✅ Feeding Plan
☐ Exclusive breastfeeding – support needed ☐ Yes ☐ No
☐ Formula feeding – preference: _______________________________________________
☐ Combination feeding
☐ No pacifiers or formula unless medically necessary
☐ Other: ___________________________________________________________________
✅ Newborn Procedures
☐ Eye ointment: ☐ Yes ☐ No
☐ Newborn screening tests: ☐ Yes ☐ No
☐ Other: ___________________________________________________________________
✅ Visitors & Recovery
☐ Limit visitors to ____________________
☐ Partner to stay overnight (if allowed)
☐ Other: ___________________________________________________________________
⚠️ Unexpected Situations & Flexibility
💡 Induction Preferences:
☐ Prefer to avoid unless medically necessary
☐ Open to membrane sweep
☐ Open to breaking waters if needed
☐ Open to medical induction (☐ Pitocin ☐ Gel ☐ Other)
💡 C-Section Plan (if needed):
☐ Partner present during surgery
☐ Skin-to-skin in theatre if possible
☐ Delay newborn procedures for bonding
☐ Other: ___________________________________________________________________
💡 Pain Management Backup Options:
☐ Open to epidural if needed
☐ Other: ___________________________________________________________________
💡 NICU or Medical Emergency Preferences:
☐ Stay with baby if possible
☐ Be fully informed of all procedures
☐ Partner to go with baby if I cannot
☐ Other: ___________________________________________________________________
📝 Additional Notes:
📌
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