Your Birth, Your Voice

Birth is a deeply personal experience. This free birth plan helps you reflect on what matters to you, communicate your preferences, and prepare for the support you want during labor, birth, and postpartum.

Choose the options that feel right for you, leave anything undecided, and add notes where you need to. When finished, select Download My Birth Plan to save a personalized PDF.

A gentle reminder: This is a communication and planning tool, not a medical directive or a guarantee that every preference will be possible. Discuss your choices, risks, benefits, and alternatives with your maternity care team. You can change your mind at any time. Some options may not be appropriate in every situation.

1. Your Information

Full name *

Email address *

Phone number

Estimated due date

Home address (optional)

Your pronouns (optional)

Partner or support person's name

Support person's phone

Doctor or midwife

Planned birth location

Planned birth setting

Birth history (optional)

Relevant health information, allergies, or accessibility needs (optional)

2. My Birth Team & Environment

Who and what would help you feel safe, supported, and respected?

Birth team

Partner or chosen support person Doula Midwife Doctor Interpreter Other chosen support person Primary support person present at all times Students allowed Students not allowed

Atmosphere and privacy

Dim lighting Quiet voices and minimal distractions Music or playlist Affirmations or prayer Minimal interruptions when safe Clear explanations before procedures Ask permission before touching me Limit people entering the room Keep the door closed when possible No one speaking during actual delivery if safe Aromatherapy if permitted Wear my own clothes if permitted Wear hospital clothing Television available Wear headphones during labor Birth photographed if permitted Keep glasses or contacts on unless medically necessary to remove

Preferred birthing environment

Birthing room Room with shower or bath Delivery room Home birth setting Birthing bed Birthing ball Birthing tub, pool, or shower Birthing stool Squatting bar

Other people, cultural practices, privacy needs, or environment preferences

3. Stage One: Early & Active Labor

Labor onset, due date, and induction

If baby and I are healthy, discuss waiting until 41 weeks before induction Discuss whether there are any time restrictions on the length of pregnancy Discuss laboring at home as long as possible Discuss induction before my due date If baby and I are well after my due date, prefer spontaneous labor rather than induction Discuss nonstress testing if I go past my due date Seek my input before changing the plan when circumstances allow If less than four centimeters dilated, discuss whether going home is appropriate

Vaginal exams and membrane procedures

Request permission before membrane sweeping Prefer no vaginal exams before labor unless indicated Prefer one vaginal exam around my due date if appropriate Prefer minimal vaginal exams Discuss artificial rupture of membranes before the procedure when possible

Movement, comfort, and coping

Freedom to walk and move as appropriate Change positions freely when safe Birth ball or peanut ball Shower or bath if available and appropriate Massage Counterpressure Warm or cool packs Breathing techniques Visual imagery Distraction techniques Acupressure Deep or guided meditation and relaxation Hypnobirthing Freedom to vocalize through moaning, grunting, or yelling Continuous emotional support

Pain relief preferences

Breathing, visualization, and relaxation Movement and position changes Hydrotherapy, tub, or shower Hot or cold packs Massage or counterpressure Nitrous oxide if available and appropriate IV opioid or other IV pain medication discussion Sterile water injections discussion Epidural Discuss medication options as soon as possible Offer pain relief options if I appear extremely uncomfortable Offer pain relief options throughout labor Only offer medication when I ask Give me and my support person privacy to discuss pain relief after clinical guidance Keep pain relief options open and decide during labor

Fetal monitoring and clinical interventions

Handheld Doppler Intermittent monitoring Continuous external monitoring Wireless monitoring if available Internal fetal scalp monitoring only if recommended and discussed when possible Explain monitoring recommendations and alternatives Artificial rupture of membranes (AROM) Foley or Cook balloon catheter Misoprostol (Cytotec): discuss suitability, including uterine scar history Dinoprostone (Cervidil) Prostaglandin medication discussion Pitocin or oxytocin Forceps-assisted birth discussion Vacuum-assisted birth discussion Episiotomy discussion Oxygen if clinically indicated IV fluids Saline lock or hep lock Antibiotics if indicated Discuss blood transfusion if relevant Discuss all recommended interventions, risks, benefits, and alternatives

Food, drink, and hydration

Discuss drinking fluids as appropriate Discuss eating or light snacks if permitted Ice chips IV fluids if needed Sucker, honey stick, popsicle, or similar if permitted

Labor progress preferences

Other early or active labor preferences

4. Stage Two: Pushing & Birth

Pushing and labor positions

Discuss individualized pushing rather than arbitrary time limits when safe Spontaneous pushing with my body's urge Directed pushing if needed or requested Counting during pushing Open-glottis pushing or breathing baby down Discuss closed-glottis or breath-holding pushing if clinically recommended Toilet position, forward or backward Ball: rocking, rolling, or hip circles Lunging Standing Side-lying Lying on back if needed or preferred Dancing or swaying Squatting Hands and knees Birth stool Supported sitting position Tug of war or pulling on a support Pushing in water if appropriate and available Choose whichever position feels right in my body Labor down if appropriate

Perineal support and birth of baby

Encourage breathing for slower crowning when appropriate Perineal support Perineal stretching if appropriate Warm compresses Discuss mineral oil if used by care team Prefer to avoid episiotomy unless clinically indicated Prefer spontaneous tearing over routine episiotomy if clinically appropriate Mirror to watch crowning Touch baby's head when crowning if possible Local anesthetic for perineal repair if needed Avoid stirrups unless medically necessary Enema only if I request it

Who catches baby and birth moment

I would like to catch my baby if possible My partner or support person would like to catch baby if possible Doctor or midwife to catch baby Baby placed on my abdomen immediately if we are stable Room completely silent at birth for spiritual or religious reasons if safe Support person may announce baby's sex if desired Mirror available if desired Explain assisted birth recommendations and alternatives when time allows

Other pushing and birth preferences

5. Stage Three: Birth of the Placenta

Placenta delivery, cord management, and medications depend on your circumstances and clinical needs. Discuss the benefits, risks, and alternatives with your clinician.

Cord clamping and placenta delivery

Delayed cord clamping if appropriate Immediate cord clamping if medically indicated or recommended I or my support person would like to clamp or cut the cord if possible Discuss physiological or expectant placenta delivery if appropriate Discuss Pitocin or oxytocin by IV or injection to help deliver placenta or prevent heavy bleeding Discuss fundal massage and bleeding monitoring Discuss keeping placenta for personal reasons or encapsulation Discuss lotus birth and associated safety considerations Explain non-emergency interventions before proceeding when possible

Other placenta, cord, bleeding prevention, or recovery preferences

6. Stage Four: Immediate Postpartum & Newborn Care

First moments, bonding, and assessments

Golden hour for bonding if baby and I are stable Immediate skin-to-skin with me if stable Skin-to-skin with my partner or chosen parent if I cannot All newborn assessments at bedside if appropriate Newborn assessments at warmer if needed No separation unless medically necessary Transported with baby if possible if transfer is needed Support person accompanies baby if I cannot Discuss delayed weighing and measurements until after initial bonding Rooming-in with baby when medically appropriate Discuss nursery care and bringing baby to me for feeds Discuss delayed rooming-in if I need rest Offer a hospital room for the duration of baby's stay if available

Newborn medication, screening, and procedures

Discuss erythromycin eye ointment and timing Discuss hepatitis B vaccine and timing Discuss vitamin K injection and available alternatives Discuss routine immunizations and recommended timing Discuss newborn screening and PKU testing after 24 hours when appropriate Discuss timing of newborn screening before discharge Explain newborn medications and procedures before they are given when possible Discuss suction only when clinically indicated Discuss delaying or declining routine suction and related clinical considerations Discuss delaying baby's first bath Use my own baby bath products if permitted Discuss circumcision; I do not want circumcision Do not forcibly retract my son's foreskin Discuss local anesthetic and pain management for any procedure Discuss delaying any elective procedure as long as appropriate Discuss pacifier use Discuss artificial nipples and bottle use Discuss sugar water or other supplements before use

Feeding preferences

Breastfeed or chestfeed Express milk for baby Formula feeding Combination breast or chestfeeding and bottle feeding Bottle feeding Discuss donor milk if available and appropriate Provide guidance about formula and breastfeeding options Support with latch and feeding education Discuss pacifier use and feeding goals

My current feeding plan

Other newborn care, cultural, or bonding preferences

7. Cesarean Birth Preferences

If a cesarean birth becomes recommended, these preferences can help you discuss comfort, communication, and bonding options with your team.

Anesthesia, communication, and operating room

Explain reason, urgency, and alternatives when time allows Spinal anesthesia discussion Discuss general anesthesia if needed Primary support person present if possible Doula present if facility policy allows Photographer present if facility policy allows Photographs if permitted Minimal small talk Music in operating room if permitted Clear drape if available Lower or drop drape to view birth if safe and available Mirror to watch birth if available Bed angled for a better view if safe Discuss gentle or slow delivery techniques if appropriate One arm free if safe and permitted Discuss medication for nausea Discuss nausea management without medication if appropriate

Baby's first moments during cesarean

Delayed cord clamping if appropriate Discuss vaginal seeding and evidence and safety considerations Breastfeed or chestfeed in operating room if stable and feasible Breastfeed or chestfeed in recovery Skin-to-skin in operating room if stable and feasible Skin-to-skin in recovery Support person skin-to-skin with baby in operating room if I cannot Support person skin-to-skin with baby in recovery if I cannot Support person stays with baby if separation is needed Discuss blood transfusion if clinically relevant Discuss iron supplements or treatment if indicated

Other cesarean or surgical recovery preferences

8. Postpartum Care & Recovery

Support with feeding and latch if desired Discuss pain relief and comfort measures Discuss bleeding, recovery, and warning signs before discharge Discuss iron or other treatment if indicated Discuss blood transfusion benefits, risks, and alternatives if relevant Help planning postpartum follow-up appointments Discuss emotional wellbeing and mental health support Help with newborn care and rest Discuss pelvic floor or physical therapy resources if needed Discuss contraception and reproductive health options if desired

Who will support me at home, and what help might I need?

9. My Priorities & Advocacy

My top three birth priorities

How I want my team to communicate with me

Fears, concerns, or things that may help me feel safe

Anything else I want my birth team to know

I understand this plan records my preferences for discussion with my care team. I can ask questions, request changes, and revisit my choices.

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