How to get it right
A birth plan is a written record of what you would like to happen when you are in labour and just after your baby's birth.
- Your maternity unit may have a special form you can use, or you may find space to write it in your maternity notes
- Talk to your partner and think through all your options carefully
- Discuss your ideas with your midwife – this will give you a chance to ask any questions.
- Remember that what goes into your birth plan is also dependent on your medical history and what is available at your maternity unit
What to include
- Where you would like to have your baby
- Who will be your birth partner(s)
- How you would like your baby to be monitored (with a belt or with a hand-held device)
- Whether or not you would like to stay mobile
- What equipment you may like to use, such as beanbags or a birthing mat
- What pain relief you would like to have
- Whether you want to labour and/or deliver your baby in water
- How you feel about having an episiotomy (a cut to the skin between your vagina and anus)
- What positions you would like to use for labour and birth
- Whether you have any special needs, such as a special diet
- Whether you would like to hold your baby as soon as they are born or let them be cleaned up first
- Who will cut the cord
- Whether you want a Syntometrine injection after the birth (this helps to prevent bleeding from the womb)
- Whether you want your baby to have vitamin K after the birth (to help with blood clotting)
- How you want to feed your baby
Remember that labour and birth are unpredictable and don't always go to plan. It's important to be flexible and not to be too disappointed if you aren't able to follow your birth plan to the letter.
You can write a birth plan online at www.nhs.uk.