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Make your own birth plan – Feel prepared, heard & calm on the big day

Namaste, beautiful mothers-to-be.
Pregnancy is a journey full of excitement, expectations, and—let’s be honest—a little nervousness about the big day. One person says, “Bas sab natural ho jaata hai,” another advises, “Write everything down,” and somewhere in between, you’re trying to make sense of what you actually want.

In all this well-meaning advice, one simple tool can bring clarity and confidence: a birth plan.

The good news? A birth plan helps you communicate your wishes clearly and feel emotionally prepared.
The reality check? Not every preference can always be followed—and that’s okay. Birth is dynamic, and flexibility is part of strength.

Let’s walk through what a birth plan really is, what it can include, and how you can create one that supports you.

What Is a birth plan?

A birth plan is a thoughtful way to share your preferences and wishes for labor and delivery with your medical team. Think of it as a gentle guide, not a strict rulebook.

It helps your doctors, nurses, and caregivers understand what matters to you—how you’d like to be supported, communicated with, and cared for during childbirth. While it’s possible that not all preferences may be fulfilled due to medical or practical reasons, having a birth plan ensures that your voice is heard as far as possible during this special time.

This guide is designed to help you create a birth plan under the most common headings. To keep things simple and focused, we’ll use one or two examples for each point—without going deep into medical details.

What should your birth plan contain?

A well-thought-out birth plan usually covers a few key areas that shape your hospital experience. These help your care team understand your comfort, communication, and support needs.

Common sections include:

Diet preferences
Language preference
Pain relief
Labor preferences
Delivery preferences

Let’s explore these step by step.

Key Elements of a Birth Plan

1. Diet Preferences

Your dietary needs during your hospital stay are important.

If you have any special dietary requirements or restrictions, make sure to note them in your birth plan. This helps the hospital staff support you better during labor and recovery, without last-minute confusion.

2. Language Preferences

Clear communication makes a big difference during labor.

If English is not your first language, mention your preferred language for communication with the medical team. Feeling understood can significantly improve comfort and confidence during childbirth.

3. Pain Relief Preferences

Pain management is a deeply personal choice.

Your birth plan can mention whether you prefer:

Medical options like epidurals, or
Non-medical methods such as breathing techniques

There’s no universal “best” option here—only what makes you feel most supported and comfortable.

4. Labor Preferences

Labor is not just physical; it’s emotional too.

You may want to include preferences such as:

Being able to move around during the first stage of labor
Creating a calming environment with specific lighting or music

These choices can help you feel more relaxed, in control, and at ease.

5. Delivery Preferences

It’s completely okay to have thoughts about how you’d like your delivery to proceed.

Your birth plan can outline preferences related to:

Normal delivery or C-section
Interventions like forceps or vacuum extraction
Episiotomy preferences

Writing these down ensures that your wishes are known and considered whenever medically possible.

Additional Preferences to Consider

A birth plan doesn’t stop at delivery. Many parents find it helpful to include details about the moments before and after birth as well.

6. Cord Cutting Preferences

You can specify who you would like to cut the umbilical cord—your partner or your gynecologist. For many families, this is a meaningful and memorable moment.

7. Post-Delivery Care Preferences

The first moments after birth are precious.

You can mention your wishes regarding:

Immediate skin-to-skin contact
Initiation of breastfeeding
Whether you’d like your baby to stay in the room with you
Any specific support you may need

These preferences help set the tone for early bonding and recovery.

8. Support Person Preferences

Having the right people by your side can make labor feel less overwhelming.

Your birth plan can clearly mention:

Who you want present during labor
Whether it’s your partner, family members, or a doula

Their presence can offer comfort, reassurance, and emotional strength.

9. Special Needs, Cultural, or Religious Practices

If there are any religious or cultural practices that are important to you, you can include them in your birth plan so they’re respected.

At the same time, it’s important to consult your doctor to ensure that any such practice is safe for you and your baby.

10. Visitor Preferences

Visitors bring joy—but also fatigue.

You can specify:

Who you are comfortable having as visitors
Any visiting hours you’d like to set

This helps protect your rest, privacy, and bonding time with your newborn.

Keep Your Birth Plan Flexible

This part matters more than most people realise.

Your birth plan is not set in stone. Medical situations, hospital policies, or availability of certain options may require changes—and that’s completely okay.

The real purpose of a birth plan is not control, but preparation and empowerment. When you stay flexible, you’re better able to adapt calmly if plans need to change.

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Final Reassurance for Mothers-to-Be

Pregnancy often comes with advice from every direction—family, friends, and even strangers. You don’t have to follow every opinion.

Creating a birth plan helps you:

Clarify your wishes
Communicate confidently with your care team
Feel emotionally prepared for childbirth

If you’d like more guidance, explore the childbirth preparation videos available on the Everheal app. They’re designed to help you understand your options, feel confident in your decisions, and choose what’s best for your unique childbirth experience.

Create your birth plan today.

Trust yourself, trust your medical team, and remember—you and your baby deserve the very best

Last medically reviewed on September 18, 2025 by Dr Tanvi Modi, MBBS, MD, DNB (Paediatrics)

Dr Tanvi Modi,
MBBS,
MD, DNB (Paediatrics)