Birth Plan Template
Set out your preferences for labour, birth and the first days, in a form your care team can read.
Record your preferences for labor, delivery and newborn care.
- Personal / Legal document
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$50.00
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- The document as a file you download
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- A standard version you complete yourself
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- You describe what you need, in your own words
- The lawyer prepares the document for you
Key features
Who you want with you
Who should be present, who you would rather not be, and who may be updated.
The room, movement and eating
Lighting, sound, what you are bringing, freedom to move, positions and eating and drinking in labour.
Monitoring, examinations and pain relief
Your preferences about each, with pain relief listed in order and a note of what you would rather not be offered unless you ask.
If labour needs help or a caesarean is needed
Preferences on help along and on a caesarean, including who you would want with you.
Right after birth, feeding and going home
Skin to skin, the cord, feeding, baby checks, special care, your health details and arrangements at home.
About this document
A birth plan records your preferences for labour and birth so the team caring for you knows them without having to ask: who you want with you, the setting, movement and positions, monitoring, pain relief, what you would want if help or a caesarean becomes necessary, and care of you and the baby afterwards.
It is a statement of preferences, not a legal document, and says plainly that things may have to be decided differently as they happen. It makes no decision on anyone's behalf. Talk it through with your midwife or doctor, who can tell you what is available where you are giving birth.
Is this document right for you?
Useful when
- You are pregnant and want your preferences recorded
- You want your birth partner to know what you want
- You want to talk through options with your care team
Commonly used by
- Expectant parents
- Birth partners
- Midwives and doulas helping parents plan
Not sure? about your situation first.
Alternatives
These are separate documents, for different jobs.
- Healthcare directiveSet out your healthcare wishes and who can speak for you.View document
- Personal care profileShare your routines and care preferences with those caring for you.View document
- Child medical consentLet another adult agree to medical care for your child.View document
- Medical power of attorneyName someone to make medical decisions if you can't.View document
When to use this
- In the weeks before your due date
- When planning a birth away from home
- When you want to have thought through what to do if plans change
What happens next
Ready to use
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More in Children & Parenting
- Child medical consentLet another adult agree to medical care for your child.View document
- Child Travel ConsentAuthorize a child to travel without a parent.View document
- Child Visitation LetterConfirm visitation arrangements for a child in writing.View document
- Childcare agreementsSet the terms of care with a nanny or childcare provider.View document
Ready when you are.
Questions
About the birth plan template
No. It is a statement of preferences. Medical decisions are made with you as things happen.
Still have a question? .