Guide
How to Write a Birth Plan
A birth plan is a simple way to tell your care team what matters to you for labor, delivery, and right after birth. It is a starting point for conversation, not a script, since birth can change. This guide covers what to include and how to keep it useful. It is educational, not medical advice.
What to include
Think about who you want with you, comfort and pain options (from movement and water to an epidural), positions for labor, and preferences for monitoring. Add your wishes for after birth: skin-to-skin, delayed cord clamping, feeding plans, and newborn care. Note your language preference so you get an interpreter if needed.
Keep it short and flexible
One page is plenty. Use simple bullet points and your top priorities, and mark what matters most. Talk it over with your clinician ahead of time. Stay open: if your team recommends a change for safety, your plan can flex while still honoring what you value.
How Materna helps
Materna offers a guided, bilingual birth-plan builder, keeps it where your whole team can see it, and helps you request an interpreter and the support you want. Spanish-first and Medicaid-friendly.
This guide is educational and not medical advice. Your clinician will help tailor your plan to your health and your baby's safety.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I really need a birth plan?
- It is optional, but writing down your preferences helps your team support you and starts good conversations. Even a short list of your top priorities helps.
- What if my birth does not go to plan?
- Births often change, and that is okay. A birth plan is a guide, not a guarantee. Your team will keep you informed and honor your values while keeping you and your baby safe.
- Can I have a birth plan in Spanish?
- Yes. Materna builds your plan in Spanish or English and helps you request an interpreter, so your preferences are clear to everyone on your team.