A couple writing their birth plan

Birth Plan: What to Include, Example & PDF Template to Download

You are pregnant, you have been told about the "birth plan" being prepared, and you find yourself facing a blank sheet of paper without knowing where to start. A birth plan is simply a document where you write down your wishes for the birth.This allows the medical team to get to know you a little before they even meet. It's not a contract, not a list of demands, just a communication tool that prevents you from having to improvise important decisions in the middle of a contraction.

Here you'll find everything you need to know to write your birth plan without forgetting a thing. What to include, what not to include, a complete example section by section, and even an alternative scenario if the birth doesn't go as planned (because it happens, and it's important to have thought of it beforehand). At the end, you'll also find a simple, free printable template, so you don't have to start from scratch.

💡 Before You Start, Remember This

A birth plan ≠ a contract. This is a starting point for discussion, not a list of fixed requirements.
When to write it: between the 7th and 8th month, to talk to your midwife about it before the big day.
Maximum 1 page. A team in the middle of work doesn't have time to read 4 pages. Get to the point.
Always have a plan B. Epidural, cesarean section, complications: thinking about it beforehand avoids panicking.
Even in a planned cesarean section, You can have a birth plan tailored to your needs.
Brings 2-3 copies : one for the file, one for the on-call team, one for you.

What exactly is a Birth Project?

A birth plan is a written document in which you express your preferences regarding the course of labor, delivery, and the first moments with your baby. It serves as a basis for discussion between you and the medical team that will be supporting you, often people you meet for the first time on the day of delivery.

The French National Authority for Health recommends its drafting as part of childbirth preparation, precisely because it allows questions to be anticipated rather than being decided in an emergency, during contractions, under the influence of fatigue or pain.

⚠️ What a birth plan is NOT

This isn't a legal contract, nor a list of requirements the team must strictly adhere to. It's a basis for discussion. Depending on how the birth progresses (baby's position, health status, emergency), some wishes may not be feasible. The goal isn't to control everything, but to have considered your priorities beforehand to facilitate communication on the big day.

Why do it, even if you don't have any particular requirements?

Imagine the scene. You're in the delivery room, the contractions are coming thick and fast, and the midwife asks you: "Would you like an epidural now?", "Are you okay with us breaking your water?", "Do you prefer this position or another for pushing?". Without having thought it through beforehand, you might end up answering "I don't know, do whatever you want" to questions that, in reality, are very important to you.

A birth plan isn't just for mothers who want a "100% natural" birth without any intervention. It's relevant to all pregnant women, including those who know they'll have a scheduled C-section, or those who simply want an epidural as soon as possible. Thinking about your wishes, whatever they may be, makes you more of an active participant in your birth than a passive observer.

The Right Time to Get Started (And How Not to Miss It)

The Right Time

The ideal time is between the 7th and 8th month of pregnancy. Not earlier, as you won't yet have enough information about the typical course of labor, and your desires may still change after the prenatal classes. Not later either, as you need time to discuss it with your midwife or gynecologist during a consultation, ideally the one in your 8th month.

📅 Concrete steps

  • 7th month First draft: discussion as a couple about each other's priorities
  • 8th month consultation Bring your draft to your midwife or gynecologist to discuss it and check what is possible at your maternity ward.
  • Final version Adjusts based on feedback, prints 2-3 copies
  • Day of delivery Hand a copy to the on-duty team upon arrival

The Golden Rule: One Page, No More

This is probably the most important and most often ignored piece of advice. A midwife in the middle of labor doesn't have time to read four detailed pages. If your birth plan is too long, there's a real risk it will never be read in its entirety, or will only be skimmed. Use short sentences, key points, and checkboxes rather than long, explanatory paragraphs.

If you need to explain certain choices in detail (for example, a past traumatic experience, a particular medical reason), save that for the oral discussion with your midwife, not for the written document.

8 Things You Mustn't Forget in Your Birth Plan

Here is the complete list of topics to cover. You don't have to cover everything.tailler: pick out what concerns you and leave aside what doesn't speak to you.

1. Who Will Be Present

  • Your main partner or companion
  • A doula or birth companion if you have one
  • The presence of a second accompanying person is desired (or not), if permitted by the maternity ward.
  • Presence of a support person in case of cesarean section (to be checked beforehand with the maternity ward)

2. The Atmosphere in the Delivery Room

  • Light : dim, natural light, no harsh fluorescent lights
  • Music : your personal playlist, silence, or whatever (check if you need to bring your own equipment)
  • Noise and discussions : preference for calm, or need for verbal reassurance
  • Number of people in the room Limit it to essential caregivers if you are modest.

3. Mobility and Positions During Work

  • Desire to be able to move freely, walk, change position during labor
  • Use of the birthing ball, the stretching vine, and the bath if available
  • If you want an IV but want to remain mobile: ask for a catheter with a valve rather than a fixed IV line.
  • Preferred pushing position: on your back, on your side, squatting, on all fours, standing (let them know you're open to the midwife guiding you depending on the situation). Note: giving birth on your side is associated with fewer episiotomies and tears than the classic gynecological position (legs spread on your back).

4. Pain Management

  • Epidural : want it upon arrival, want to try it without first, don't want it at all (specifying that you can change your mind), or leave it to the team's discretion
  • Alternative methods breathing exercises, exercise ball, hot shower/bath, mobilization, acupuncture if available
  • If you don't want to be systematically offered an epidural (some women prefer that we wait until they ask for it themselves)
  • Note: if you have an epidural, more frequent vaginal examinations are likely because the natural signs of labor progress are masked by the absence of pain.

5. Medical Interventions During Labor

  • Vaginal touch : desired frequency, or wish to limit the number, need for a sheet for modesty
  • Artificial rupture of the amniotic sac Accept only if medically necessary, or leave to the team's discretion.
  • Initiation of labor : wish to wait for spontaneous induction unless there is a medical reason (artificial induction doubles the risk of needing a cesarean section according to a study by theAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology)
  • Episiotomy : a desire to avoid it as much as possible, except in cases of medical necessity, with authorization requested before any procedure
  • Laxative enema or suppository If you're worried about needing a bowel movement during pushing (it happens and it's normal; the team handles it discreetly), you can request an enema before labor begins.
  • Uterine expression This practice of applying strong pressure to the abdomen to help the baby emerge is discouraged by the French National Authority for Health (HAS). You can specify that you do not want it done.
  • Monitoring : continuous or discontinuous if your condition allows it (to maintain mobility)

6. If a Cesarean Section Becomes Necessary

Even if you don't plan it, an unplanned cesarean section is still possible. Thinking about it in advance prevents you from having to make important decisions on the spur of the moment under stress.

  • Presence of the accompanying person in the operating room (if the maternity ward allows it)
  • Wish to see the baby born: surgical drape lowered at the time of discharge if medically possible
  • Having a free arm to welcome the baby skin-to-skin directly onto the table
  • If immediate skin-to-skin contact with you is not possible: the other parent can do it in the meantime.
  • Playing your own music in the building if you find it soothing and it's allowed

7. The Very First Moments With Baby

This is often the most emotionally charged part of the birth plan. The World Health Organization recommends that immediate skin-to-skin contact be encouraged from birth, including after a cesarean section when medically possible, to support bonding and the start of breastfeeding.

  • Immediate skin-to-skin contact : placing the baby directly on you before even cutting the cord, and for what minimum amount of time you wish.
  • Umbilical cord clamping Delayed (waiting until the heartbeat stops, allowing the baby to reabsorb as much blood as possible from the placenta), immediate, or letting the other parent cut it
  • First aid : possibility of postponing weighing, measurements and bathing to prioritize skin-to-skin contact, or wishing for routine care to be done directly on your belly if needed
  • Vitamin K and eye care How and when do you want them administered?
  • First breastfeeding Immediate breastfeeding if you wish to breastfeed, or information on the chosen feeding method (breastfeeding, mixed feeding, bottle-feeding)

8. In Case of Complication or Unforeseen Event

This section is optional but valuable. It allows the team to know what really matters to you, even if the situation deviates from the initial plan.

  • If the baby needs to be cared for elsewhere: a wish to see the baby before leaving the room, and maximum maintenance of the co-parent's presence with the baby.
  • I would prefer not to give supplemental bottle feedings until you are available (if you are breastfeeding).
  • If you have a problem: ensure that close contact with the baby is maintained as much as possible through the co-parent.
  • Your specific fears or needs to be known (fear of blood, history of trauma, need for explanations before each procedure)

A Concrete Example to Inspire You

To help you visualize the final result, here is Camille's birth plan, written for her first birth. Adapt each line to your own priorities; the format matters more than the exact content.

🤍 Birth Project - Camille D.

Due Date: March 14, 2027 · Saint-Antoine Maternity Hospital

👤 ACCOMPANIST

Thomas, my partner, was present throughout the entire delivery.

🕯️ ATMOSPHERE

Dim lighting if possible. My playlist on a small speaker. As few people as possible in the room.

🤸 MOBILITY

I would like to be able to move freely and change position (using a ball, walking). Catheter with a valve if needed for infusion.

💊 PAIN

I want to try without an epidural first. I will ask for it myself if needed, please don't offer it to me automatically.

🩺 INTERVENTIONS

Vaginal examinations should be performed as infrequently as possible. Episiotomy should only be performed if absolutely necessary. Please ask for my consent before any non-urgent procedure.

🔪 IF CAESAREAN SECTION

Thomas will be in the operating room. I'd like to see the baby born if possible (with the drape down). Skin-to-skin contact with me as soon as possible, otherwise with Thomas.

👶 FIRST MOMENTS

Immediate skin-to-skin contact, before clamping if possible. Cord clamped late. Weighing and bath postponed if the baby's condition allows. I wish to breastfeed, feeding as soon as possible.

⚠️ IN CASE OF UNFORESEEN EVENTS

If the baby needs to be cared for elsewhere, Thomas will stay with them first. No supplemental bottle feeding without speaking to me first.

📋 Download My Birth Plan →

The Most Common Traps

📄 Making a document too long

Several detailed pages with explanations for each choice. No one's going to read this while working. One page, short sentences, checkboxes.

🚫 Don't have a plan B

Write only the ideal scenario, never mentioning an epidural, a cesarean section, or complications. If something happens without having thought it through, the shock is harder to cope with.

🔒 View it as a fixed contract

Expect that 100% of your wishes will be respected regardless of your medical situation. The birth plan will adapt to the reality of the day; this is normal and not a failure.

💬 Never talk about it before the big day

Write the document but never show it to your midwife before giving birth. The 8-month checkup is the ideal time to verify what is possible specifically at your maternity ward.

😶 Forgetting to involve the co-parent

Write the project alone without discussing it with your partner. He also has wishes (cutting the cord, being present in case of a cesarean section) and needs to know the content in order to relay your choices if you are unable to speak.

On D-Day, How to Really Use It

Practical checklist

  • Print 2 to 3 copies One for your medical file, one for the on-call team upon your arrival, and one for you/your companion in case of need.
  • Put it back on as soon as you arrive at the maternity ward, to the midwife who greets you
  • Check beforehand Some logistical points with your maternity ward: number of accompanying persons allowed, possible presence in the operating room in case of an emergency cesarean section, availability of a birthing ball or a bathtub
  • Your companion needs to know the content by heart, because he's often the one who will have to remind the team if you're no longer able to communicate clearly.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Birth Plan

Is a birth plan mandatory? +
No, it's not mandatory. It's an optional tool, but recommended by the French National Authority for Health (HAS) as part of childbirth preparation. Some women prefer not to participate and to follow the advice of their medical team, which is also perfectly legitimate.
What happens if the team cannot respect my wishes? +
Your safety and that of your baby remains the top priority. If a medical situation requires us to deviate from your birth plan, the team will explain and act accordingly. That's why it's important to have considered an alternative scenario beforehand: it makes these moments less unsettling should they arise.
Is a different birth plan required for a scheduled cesarean section? +
You can tailor your plan by focusing on the before and after of the procedure: your partner's presence in the operating room, desired atmosphere, the possibility of seeing the baby being born (with the surgical drape lowered), immediate skin-to-skin contact, post-operative pain management, and the baby's initial care. All the sections concerning labor (positions, epidural during contractions) simply do not apply in this case.
Can I change my mind during childbirth? +
Of course. Your birth plan reflects your wishes at the time you wrote it, but you remain completely free to change your mind on the day, for example, about an epidural, or any other decision. The important thing is that the team knows your choices may evolve and that they continue to ask for your agreement at each stage.
Should I talk to my midwife about this before the day of delivery? +
It's highly recommended. The 8-month prenatal appointment is the perfect opportunity to have your midwife or gynecologist review your birth plan, check that your wishes are compatible with the practices of your maternity ward, and adjust any points if necessary. This way, you avoid unpleasant surprises on the big day.

You Now Have All the Keys

A birth plan isn't a test you can pass or fail. It's a tool for reflection that helps you clarify what truly matters to you, and a communication tool for the team that will support you. Keep it concise, consider an alternative scenario, discuss it with your midwife before the big day, and don't forget to involve your partner in the process.

On the day of delivery, this document becomes secondary to the reality of the moment, and that's normal. What matters is having taken the time to think about it beforehand, to approach this moment with a little more serenity, regardless of how things ultimately unfold.

Sources & References

This article is based on official recommendations and recognized publications on birth support.

  1. French National Authority for Health (HAS). (2005, updated). Preparation for birth and parenthood (PNP). Professional recommendations. HAS.fr
  2. World Health Organization (WHO). (2018). WHO recommendations for intrapartum care promoting a positive birth experience. WHO.int
  3. Erickson EN, Carlson NS. (2020). Maternal Birth Plans: Care Provider Perspectives and Birth Outcomes. Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health. DOI: 10.1111/jmwh.13133
  4. Coates D, Goodfellow A, Sutton J. (2021). Women's experiences and satisfaction with having a birth plan: a systematic literature review. Midwifery. DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2021.103067
  5. WHO Reproductive Health Library. (2014). Effects of birth plans on women's birth experience. Cochrane systematic review reference. WHO RHL

Note: This article will be updated according to changes in official recommendations.

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The articles on the site contain general information which may contain errors. These articles should in no way be considered as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have any questions or doubts, always make an appointment with your doctor or gynecologist.

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