Making a birth plan

Although it is impossible to know ahead what sort of a birth you will have, it is worth thinking about some of the options you might face in labour. You can make some decisions in advance about what you want to do during labour, and how you want to be cared for.

Making a plan will help you consider what factors will make this birth an enriching and positive experience for you and your partner. It can also help you think about other eventualities and what you would want if, for instance, your pregnancy went well beyond your due date, or you needed a Caesarean delivery.

• When should you make it?
• Who do you give it to?
• Can you have anything you want?
• What can you include in the plan?
• Birth plan examples