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Birth Plan Builder

Choose the preferences that matter to you for the environment, comfort and pain relief, the birth itself and the first hours afterwards, add notes such as allergies or cultural wishes, and print a clear one-page birth plan to share with your midwife or doctor. Nothing is uploaded; the plan exists only in your browser until you print it.

Your details

Environment
Comfort and pain relief I'd like to discuss
During the birth
After the birth

For example allergies, fears, cultural or religious wishes, or what helps you stay calm.

Birth plan: me

Births don't always go to plan. My care team will explain any changes and I'd like to be involved in decisions.

How to use the birth plan builder

  1. Enter your name, your birth partner, your due date and where you plan to give birth.
  2. Tick the preferences you want in each section: environment, comfort and pain relief, the birth, and after the birth.
  3. Add anything else your care team should know in the notes box.
  4. Check the preview, then Print it or save it as a PDF.
  5. Take it to an antenatal appointment and talk it through with your midwife or doctor.

How the plan is put together

Only the sections where you ticked something appear on the printed page, so the plan stays short. Each preference is written as a simple statement your care team can read at a glance. A closing line explains that you understand plans can change and that you’d like to be involved in decisions.

Worked examples

Calm, active labour. Dimmed lights, your own music, freedom to move and use of a pool if available, with breathing, massage and gas and air to discuss.

Planned epidural. Choose “Epidural” under comfort, add “I’d like the epidural as early as possible” in the notes, and pick skin-to-skin and help with the first feed afterwards.

Cultural wishes. Use the notes for prayers, who may be present or how you would like the placenta handled, so your team can prepare.

Tips and common mistakes

  • Keep it to one page. Busy staff read short plans.
  • Discuss it in advance so there are no surprises on the day.
  • Bring copies: one for your notes, one for your birth partner.
  • Stay flexible. Write what you’d prefer, and what you’d like if things change.
  • Include practical details such as allergies, hearing needs or a language preference.

Talking it through with your midwife

Your midwife can explain what is available where you plan to give birth, for example whether there is a birth pool, which pain relief options are offered, and what happens if you need to move to a labour ward. Take your printed plan to an appointment in the later weeks of pregnancy so there is time to ask questions and change it.

Limitations

The options are common preferences, not medical advice. What’s available depends on your hospital or birth centre and on how labour goes.

Frequently asked questions

What is a birth plan?

A way of letting your midwife, nurses and doctors know what you would like to happen during labour and birth, as the NHS describes it. It helps your care team understand your wishes.

What should a birth plan include?

Where you plan to give birth, who you want with you, the environment you’d like, the pain relief you want to discuss, positions, what happens after the birth (such as skin-to-skin and feeding) and anything else your team should know.

Does this tool recommend medical choices?

No. It lists common preferences so you can choose; it doesn’t recommend any option. Talk through the choices with your midwife or doctor.

What if things don’t go to plan?

Births don’t always go as planned. The printed plan includes a line saying you’d like to be involved in decisions if things change.

Is my plan saved?

No. Your plan isn’t stored or uploaded. Print it, or save it as a PDF from the print dialog.

How long should a birth plan be?

Short is best: one page that your care team can read quickly.

Sources