Creating a birth plan made easy: Your checklist for a stress-free birth

Did you know that about 60% of births go differently than planned? That may sound unsettling at first. But here comes the good news: women* with a well-thought-out birth plan feel significantly more secure and self-determined during the birth – even if not everything goes according to plan.

A birth plan is your personal guide for the birth. It helps you to clearly communicate your wishes and needs and gives medical staff important information for your care. Making a birth plan doesn't have to be complicated.

With the right checklist for your birth plan, you can develop your individual plan step by step. From the atmosphere in the delivery room to medical preferences, we'll show you what really matters when making your birth plan.

Let's plan your path to a well-prepared and self-determined birth together!

Online templates

You can find various PDF templates and dynamic birth plan generators online. These digital templates offer you:

• flexible customization options
• immediate PDF creation for printing
• regular update options

Important tip: Use the templates early and don't wait until you go into labor. This will give you plenty of time to think through all the important aspects at your leisure.

Download our birth plan template here.

The most important building blocks

The basic building blocks of your birth plan are the foundation for a self-determined birth experience. A well-structured birth plan is primarily used to communicate with your birth team and helps to build openness and connection with the hospital staff.

Personal information and preferences

Your birth plan begins with your personal information and preferences. These help the birth team to get to know you and your wishes better. The following aspects are particularly important:

• Your ideas about the atmosphere of the birth
• Preferences for birthing positions
• Wishes for pain relief
• Ideas about your first bond with your baby

Important: The birth plan is not a strict guide, but rather a guide for you and your birth team.

Also consider the role of your companion during the birth. You can determine whether you want them to be present throughout or only at certain times.

Remember: a good birth plan strikes a balance between your wishes and the flexibility needed to deal with unexpected situations. Numerous studies show that rigid plans can make it more difficult to communicate with medical staff. Instead, your plan should serve as a basis for an open dialog.

Step by step to your personalized plan

Creating your personal birth plan is an important milestone in your pregnancy. With the right approach, this process will not only be manageable but also enriching for you and your birth team.

Research and gathering information

The first step to your individual birth plan is to gather a wealth of information. Use a variety of trusted sources for your research:

• antenatal classes
• conversations with your midwife
• Reports from friends
• Information events at hospitals
• Specialist books and medical guides

Important: Start planning as soon as you feel ready and have gathered enough information. You can already discuss with your doctor at a check-up that you would like to create a birth plan.

Prioritizing your wishes

After gathering information, it's time to structure your wishes. Follow this proven process:

1. Note down all the aspects that seem important to you
2. Distinguish between “must-haves” and “nice-to-haves”
3. Take into account possible medical restrictions
4. Plan alternatives for unexpected situations

Remember: a birth plan should ideally be one to two pages long and clearly structured. This makes it easier for the birth team to get a quick overview.

Coordinating with the birth team

The birth plan discussion is a crucial step. Here you discuss your wishes with the professionals and find out which of them are feasible.

Schedule this discussion a few weeks before the due date. This leaves enough time for:

• adjusting your plan
• clarifying open questions
• Coordination with all parties involved

Practical tip: Prepare several copies of your plan for the meeting – one for your file, one for your companion and one for yourself.

Remember: The birth plan is not a legally binding document, but rather a contract of trust between you and the medical staff. It serves as a basis for open communication and helps you to clearly articulate your wishes, especially if you may not be able to discuss all the details during the birth.

Plan for flexibility and alternatives

Childbirth is a dynamic process that cannot be fully planned. Your birth plan should therefore be flexible. Studies show that births often go differently than originally planned, which is completely normal.

Plan B for unexpected situations

Being mentally prepared for possible changes to your plan is an important part of your birth preparation. Consider in advance:

• How will you deal with an induction if it becomes necessary?
• What are your wishes for a possible cesarean section?
• What if you have to be transferred from a birthing center to the hospital?

Important: A well-prepared birth plan can serve as a guide, but should not put you under pressure. Remain open to change and do not get too hung up on your original ideas.

Communication with the hospital staff

The way you communicate with the hospital staff can be crucial to your birth experience. Keep these important aspects in mind:

1. Formulate your wishes in a friendly and constructive way.
2. Stay in close contact with your birth team.
3. Be open to professional advice.
4. Communicate clearly when you are unsure.

Practical tip: Formulate your birth plan in such a way that it does not categorically exclude or include treatments. This enables the birth team to respond flexibly to your needs.

Adjustments during childbirth

During the birth, your needs may change – this is completely normal and acceptable. Discuss the following with your companion in advance:

• How you would like to deal with spontaneous changes of plan.
• Which decisions your companion is allowed to make for you.
• How you want to communicate if you change your mind.

Especially important: Find out about the different options available to you at the hospital. This will give you peace of mind, even if the original plan has to be adjusted.

Remember: An ideal birth plan is like a compass – it points the way, but leaves room for detours. The birth of your child is a unique experience that cannot be fully predicted. Your flexibility and open mind will serve you well.

After the birth

The magical first moments after the birth are a special part of your birth plan. Let's go through the aspects you should include in your birth plan for this important phase.

First hours with the baby

The “magical first hour” after the birth is a precious moment. Your birth plan can include the following preferences:

• Immediate skin-to-skin contact: Do you want to have your baby placed directly on your chest or should it be examined first?
• First examinations: You can specify that all routine examinations should only be carried out after the first feed.
• Umbilical cord care: Decide who should cut the umbilical cord and whether you want to store the cord blood.

Important: It is completely normal for your baby to sleep a lot during this phase – the birth was also exhausting for your little one.

Documentation of the birth experience

Documenting your birth is important for several reasons:

The birth report contains:

• The timing of the birth
• Medication and how it was administered
• CTG recordings
• Decisions made by the birth team

Important to know: The birth report is documented directly in the delivery room and contains all important medical details. You have the right to view this documentation later.

Reasons for requesting the documentation:

1. Processing the birth experience
2. Clarifying open questions
3. Preparing for further pregnancies

Note: dealing with the birth report can be very emotional. Choose a time when you feel ready to do so. Sometimes it makes sense to go through the report with a specialist.

During the first few days after the birth, it is especially important that you concentrate on getting to know your baby. Your body and your feelings are undergoing major changes – this is completely normal. Between the second and fifth day, you may experience “baby blues”. So plan for plenty of rest and take all the time you need.

Practical tip: Make a separate list of your most important wishes for the time after the birth. This will help you keep track of things, even when you're exhausted.

Conclusion

A well-thought-out birth plan gives you security and orientation for one of the most important moments of your life. Careful preparation helps you to communicate your wishes clearly and at the same time to react flexibly to unexpected situations.

Remember: your birth plan is not a rigid blueprint, but a living document that adapts to your needs. With a clear structure and open communication with your birth team, you can create the best conditions for a self-determined birth experience.

The time after the birth deserves just as much attention as the birth itself. With your thorough preparation, you can concentrate fully on getting to know your baby and consciously enjoy the first moments together.