What is birth planning and when is it done? Balanced information on birth preferences, choosing between vaginal birth and caesarean, and changing your mind
Birth planning is a process that helps you think in advance about what you want during and just after birth and share these preferences with your health team. It is recommended that you talk about your preferences as early in pregnancy as possible and that you know you can change your decisions even during birth. This is not an illness or procedure page; the aim is to support you and your health team in making decisions about birth together. There is no single "ideal" birth plan for everyone; an approach that suits your own situation and preferences is worked out together.
What is a birth plan and why is it prepared?
A birth plan is a tool that helps you think in advance about what you want during and just after birth and share it with your health team. You make decisions about the mode of birth and the practices during it together with your doctor: your doctor gives you enough, correct and understandable information, and you assess this information and shape the decision together.
Informed consent means the doctor giving you enough, correct and understandable information and you being free to decide with this information. Shared decision-making means weighing together the possible benefits and risks of the options according to your values and priorities; birth planning is one way of doing this.
When and with whom is the birth plan discussed?
It is recommended that you talk about your birth preferences as early in pregnancy as possible and have them recorded. You can have this conversation with your doctor or with the midwife or team following you; because your preferences may change over time, this conversation is not limited to a single occasion.
What can a birth plan include?
Subjects such as your preference for the place and mode of birth, the person you want with you during birth, your preferences for movement and position, your wishes about pain management and your preferences for first contact after birth can be discussed beforehand with your health team. Current guidelines on care in labour recommend a woman-centred approach and taking such preferences into account; the technical detail of methods is a subject to discuss with your doctor and your institution. Elements such as respectful care, protecting your privacy and, in a low-risk pregnancy, being allowed to stay mobile can also be part of your birth experience.
How is the decision made between vaginal birth and caesarean?
If you want to make a choice about the mode of birth, you go through the possible benefits and risks of vaginal birth and caesarean with your doctor and make an informed decision. Birth is generally safe whatever the method; for this reason there is no definite answer to "which is better". If a caesarean has been recommended for a particular medical reason, the decision process goes differently and falls outside the scope of this information. Your earlier birth experience or your worries can also be part of this conversation; sharing these experiences helps the decision process.
Does a birth plan guarantee everything?
No. A birth plan is a way of sharing your preferences; it is not a guarantee of exactly how the birth will go. If a medical situation changes, your health team will talk with you about what it means and how it may affect your preferences, and the plan is reassessed together.
What happens if a medical complication arises?
If an unexpected medical situation arises during birth, your health team explains to you what it means and how it may affect your preferences; the decision is updated together in the light of this information. This does not mean the preferences you stated beforehand are treated as unimportant; a new assessment suited to your situation is simply made.
Can I change my mind?
Yes. You can change your decision at any time, even during birth. Having prepared a birth plan does not require you to stick strictly to the preferences you stated beforehand.
How can you support yourself?
- Start thinking about your birth preferences early in pregnancy.
- Talk about your preferences with your doctor or midwife and have them recorded.
- Ask beforehand about the person you want to have with you.
- Remember that you can always change your mind.
- Share with your doctor your worries about your previous birth experience.
- Prepare questions and share your worries.
What can you ask your doctor when discussing your birth plan?
- Which birth options are suitable for my situation?
- What are the possible benefits and risks of each option?
- How can I have my preferences recorded?
- Who can be with me during birth?
- How is the plan updated if my situation changes?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it compulsory to prepare a birth plan?
No, a birth plan is an optional tool. Not having prepared one does not mean you are not well prepared; you can also share your preferences verbally whenever you wish.
What should I expect from my health team when preparing my birth plan?
You can expect your team to give you clear and understandable information, talk through the options with you, answer your questions, listen to your views and support your preferences. This is a two-way conversation, not a form filled in at one go.
If I want a caesarean without a medical reason, can this be discussed?
Yes. This can be discussed for people who, without a medical reason, want to make a choice about the mode of birth; health professionals follow a separate consent process for this situation. Talking about this preference with your doctor early allows the decision to be made together and on the basis of information.
Can someone be with me during birth?
Current guidelines recommend that a companion of your choice is with you throughout birth. Institutional practice on this should be asked of your doctor or your institution.
I had a difficult birth experience before; how can I state my preferences this time?
Your earlier experience is a subject that can be discussed in your preference for the mode of birth. Sharing this experience with your doctor helps your preferences this time to be assessed together.
Does a birth plan guarantee that birth will go exactly as I want?
No. The plan is a way of sharing your preferences. If the medical situation changes, your health team will explain to you and the plan is reassessed together.
Can I change my mind after labour has started?
Yes. You can change your decision during birth too. Having prepared a plan beforehand does not require you to keep to the same preferences.
Can I talk about my preferences early in pregnancy?
Yes. It is recommended that you talk about your preferences as early as possible and have them recorded. The conversation can be repeated as things change over time.
Is there a single ideal birth plan for everyone?
No. The suitable approach is determined together with your situation and preferences. You can talk through the benefits and risks of the options with your team.
Can my pain management and first contact preferences go into the birth plan?
Yes. You can talk beforehand about the place and mode of birth, the companion, movement and position, pain management and your preferences for first contact after birth. Technical details are discussed with your doctor and your institution.
Does a change in the plan mean my earlier preferences are treated as unimportant?
No. In an unexpected medical situation, a new assessment suited to you is made. The decision is updated together, with an explanation of how the situation affects your preferences.
Should I also ask about the risks of the options for an informed decision?
Yes. Your health team giving understandable information and the possible benefits and risks of the options being weighed with your values and priorities are part of shared decision-making.
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