How to write a birth plan your providers will actually read

Most folks have many preferences about how they want birth to go, and that’s okay! The keys to having an empowering birth are to hold your preferences loosely and to communicate your preferences in a way that is clear and easy to understand. Include your highest priorities and remember that it is possible your birth won’t follow every single one of your preferences! Keep your birth letter to one page and bring a copy with you or submit it to your providers ahead of time.

Here are some elements you may want to emphasize in a birth plan or birth preferences letter. 

Contact info: your name/pronouns, partner’s name/pronouns/phone number, doula’s name/pronouns/phone number, pediatrician’s name & location, names & relations of other support people who will be present

Birthing person’s medical info: include pertinent information such as pregnancy diagnoses (GD, GBS+, Rh incompatibility, etc) and other conditions (medications, allergies)

Preferred coping mechanisms such as movement, tub/shower, round or peanut balls, birth stool, squat bar, aromatherapy, music, dim lights

Pain management preferences such as tub/shower, nitrous oxide, IV pain meds, epidural

IV preferences: none, hep lock/saline lock placed, IV placed

Monitoring preferences: continuous vs intermittent monitoring, preference for/against cervical checks

Augmentation preferences such as nipple stimulation, prostaglandin gel, rupture of membranes, pitocin

Preferred pushing positions/positions to be avoided

Newborn care: delayed cord clamping, vitamin K shot, antibiotic eye ointment, Hep B vaccine, circumcision

**It’s best to include only the most important things on your birth plan/birth preferences letter. It is perfectly normal to have more preferences that you don’t list in the letter but that you communicate with your birth partner and your doula so that they can remind you and help advocate for these preferences when the time comes.