Birth Plan Template for First-Time Moms

A birth plan is basically a written list of what you hope for and prefer during labor, delivery, and the early days with your newborn. For first-time moms, it’s a great way to sort out your thoughts and tell your medical team how you want things to go. Your birth plan can include things like pain relief, delivery room settings, and how you’d like your baby to be cared for right after birth. Don’t think of it as something that must be followed exactly, but rather as a helpful guide to make you feel ready and more in control as you approach this big moment in your life.

While not required, making a birth plan has many advantages-especially if this is your first child. It helps you learn about different options, think through decisions, and lowers your stress by making birth seem less scary. Writing things down in advance helps you feel better prepared and more confident as your due date approaches.

What Is a Birth Plan and Why Does It Matter for First-Time Moms?

A birth plan is simply a sheet of paper describing how you’d like your labor and delivery to go. It helps you think ahead and lets your medical team know your wishes. As Dr. Sherry Ross, an ob-gyn, says, it’s your “personal roadmap” for birth. With a birth plan, your doctor, nurses, midwife, and anyone else helping you will know what matters most to you.

For first-time moms, a birth plan is especially helpful. It teaches you about common situations in the delivery room that might be new or unexpected. Rebekah Mustaleski, a professional midwife, points out that creating your plan ahead of time means you won’t be caught off guard. Instead, you’ll have the knowledge to make choices you feel good about.

How Does a Birth Plan Help During Labor and Delivery?

During labor, it might be hard to talk or remember everything you wanted. A birth plan speaks for you when contractions make it tough to explain things. It tells any new nurses or staff about your choices-so you don’t have to. It’s much easier to show someone your plan than to try to explain it in the middle of intense labor.

Your birth plan also opens up conversations with your doctor or midwife before you even give birth. You’ll know what’s possible at your hospital and learn about any rules (like visitor limits or filming restrictions) in advance. This means fewer surprises and more time to adjust if needed.

Do First-Time Moms Need a Birth Plan?

Having a birth plan isn’t required, but it’s very useful. It makes planning for labor a step-by-step process instead of a big unknown. Many first-time moms find that putting their wishes on paper helps them feel more confident and reduces fear about giving birth.

Dr. Jennifer Wu, OB/GYN, says a birth plan lets you picture your ideal birth “scenario.” It also gets you thinking about details-like who will feed your pets or drive you home from the hospital. A recent poll even shows that about half of moms use a birth plan, which shows how helpful many families find them.

When Should First-Time Moms Make a Birth Plan?

It’s best to start working on your birth plan near the end of your second trimester or early in your third trimester. This timing gives you enough space to explore options, talk to your partner or support person, and make decisions without feeling rushed. Doula and childbirth educator Jessica Lagrone says creating a birth plan is a learning process, so give yourself time to discover what’s available and what you want.

After you write out your wishes, talk about them with your doctor or midwife before your baby is due. Some healthcare providers want you to bring your birth plan to visits to go over your choices and clear up any hospital rules you should know. Dr. Shannon Smith, an ob-gyn, even suggests reviewing your plan at every check-up if that feels helpful for you.

Can Your Birth Plan Change While in Labor?

Yes, your birth plan can always change-and often does. Birth rarely happens exactly as planned. Dr. Ross reminds parents that “unexpected detours or obstacles” can come up. It’s a good idea to see your birth plan as a flexible guide, knowing you might want or need to change things as labor progresses.

For example, you might start off wanting a medicine-free birth but later decide to get an epidural. If you change your mind, just let your support team or nurses know; they’re used to adjusting plans as things develop. The main goal is the health and safety of you and your baby-even if it means doing things differently from what you pictured.

What Should a Birth Plan Template for First-Time Moms Include?

A good birth plan template helps you cover all the basics for labor, delivery, and the time right after. Although each mom’s plan is unique, certain pieces of information are almost always helpful, making sure your wishes are clear to your whole care team. Below is a sample table of categories you might want to include, followed by more details about each one.

Category	What to Include
Basic Info	Name, pronouns, partner/support person, due date, provider and hospital contacts, medical history, allergies, fears, or past trauma
Support People	Who you want in the room for labor and after birth; any visitor restrictions
Pain Relief	Which medications or non-drug methods you’re interested in
Labor Preferences	Positions, mobility, hydration, mobility aids, monitoring, interventions
Delivery Room Setting	Lighting, sound/music, clothing, photography, interruptions, room environment
Newborn Care	Skin-to-skin contact, cord cutting, feeding choices, bath timing, rooming-in, circumcision, procedures
Special Needs	Religious or cultural needs, special requests

Key Personal and Medical Details

• Full name, pronouns, partner/support name and pronouns, due or induction date
• Provider, doula, and pediatrician contact details
• Medical history to consider: Group B strep, gestational diabetes, Rh type, allergies, trauma, or other special concerns

Who Should Help Build the Birth Plan?

• Talk to your partner, doula, or main support people so everyone knows your preferences
• Share your plan and make sure your support team understands it, so they can help you advocate for your choices if you can’t speak up during labor
• Having backup plans (Plan A, B, and C) can be helpful for unexpected situations

Your Labor and Delivery Preferences

• How much you want to move around (walking, using a birthing ball, shower, etc.)
• What, when, and if you want to eat or drink during labor
• How you feel about IVs, fetal monitoring, and labor progress interventions (like Pitocin)
• How often you want vaginal exams
• Preferred birthing positions and pushing preferences
• What kind of atmosphere you want (lighting, music, quiet, limited disturbances)

Pain Relief and Anesthesia Choices

• Non-medication options: breathing exercises, massage, warm or cold packs, TENS, acupressure, movement
• Medications: epidural, Demerol, or other drugs
• Let staff know if you want to be offered pain relief, only if you ask, or want to talk options over at the time

Delivery Room Atmosphere

• Lights dim or bright
• Music or silence; who is in charge of playing music
• Keeping the room quiet; limiting people coming in and out (no students if not comfortable)
• If you want to wear your own clothing, have photos or videos taken (check hospital policies), wear contacts
• Having your partner/support person in the room as much as possible

Support People and Visitors

• List who should be present during labor/delivery and who should visit afterwards
• Ask about hospital rules on number of visitors and children allowed
• Let family and friends know your rules in advance so everyone is aware

Newborn Care Choices

• When you want skin-to-skin with your baby right after birth
• Who will cut the cord, and if you want delayed cord clamping
• If you’re donating, banking, or keeping the cord blood or placenta
• What newborn procedures you want done and when (vitamin K shot, eye ointment, hearing test, etc.)
• Type of feeding planned (breast/chest, formula, combo); if you want to see a lactation consultant
• Whether baby can have sugar water, a pacifier, or formula supplements
• Who gives the first bath and when
• If you want your baby to “room in” with you full-time, during the day, or just for feedings
• Circumcision decisions (if you have a boy)
• Your preferences for pain relief and postpartum medicine, and how long you’d like to stay in the hospital

Religious, Cultural, or Other Special Requests

• Cultural rituals, clothes, food preferences, prayers, or special handling for the placenta or newborn
• Share these early so staff can help you honor what matters to your family

Things to Think About When Choosing Your Birth Preferences

When making your birth plan, also look at the small choices-they can make a big difference during labor. Deciding on these details ahead of time lets you talk them through with your team, so everyone understands what you want and don’t want.

Movement and Labor Positions

• Walking (many find movement relieves contractions)
• Standing, squatting, or being on hands and knees
• Using a birthing ball, shower, or tub for comfort
• Check with your hospital about what’s allowed-they may have wireless monitors so you can move around while being checked

Views on Medical Procedures

• Whether you want a constant IV, a saline lock, or no IV unless needed
• What kind of fetal monitoring you prefer-continuous, intermittent, internal, or external
• If you’re open to labor speed-up methods like Pitocin or breaking your water
• How you feel about episiotomies or assisted deliveries (forceps, vacuum extraction)

After Birth: Bonding and First Moments

• If you want your baby put directly on your chest
• Delaying procedures to focus on bonding and feeding in the first hour
• If you want to wait to cut the cord until it stops pulsing, and who will do it
• If you want to see or keep your placenta

Birth Plan Template for First-Time Moms: Step-by-Step Guide

Making a birth plan may feel big at first, but breaking it down makes it much simpler. Here’s a step-by-step way to fill out your plan:

1. Learn About Birth: Read about the stages of labor, pain relief, common hospital routines, and newborn care. Trusted sites like BabyCenter or ACOG are a good place to start.
2. Talk It Over: Discuss your wishes with your partner or anyone else helping during birth. Make sure they know your top priorities.
3. Pick What Matters Most: Decide which parts of your birth experience matter most-environment, pain relief, skin-to-skin, breastfeeding, etc.
4. Use a Template: Download or print a template (Word doc, PDF, or online form) that includes common options and space for notes.
5. Make It Personal: Add any personal details, cultural practices, or specific requests. Don’t just check boxes-explain your choices if needed.
6. Review with Your Doctor: Go over your plan with your OB or midwife ahead of time. Ask about hospital rules and what’s possible for you.
7. Keep Copies: Print out your plan and give one to your partner, your doctor, and pack others with your hospital bag for nurses and staff.

Sample Editable and Printable Birth Plan Templates

You don’t have to create your plan from scratch. Many sites offer free printable or digital templates. For example, Earth Mama, The Bump, BabyCenter, and ACOG have templates you can fill in, save, and print. These usually cover all the basics and let you adjust or add details as you need. You can also find checklists from parent forums to inspire your plan.

Tips for Talking to Your Care Team About Your Birth Plan

Having a birth plan is important, but it’s just as important to talk openly about it with your medical team. Sharing your wishes early builds a good partnership and helps everyone work together to support you the way you want.

How to Share Your Birth Plan with Doctors and Nurses

1. Bring It Up Early: Start the conversation in your third trimester-don’t wait until the last minute.
2. Come Prepared: Have a draft of your plan ready to go over and ask questions.
3. Listen to Advice: Be open to medical opinions and learn about any hospital policies that might affect your options.
4. Ask Direct Questions: For example, “Can I use a birthing tub here?” or “How many support people can I have?”
5. Set Clear Expectations: Find out what happens if something you want isn’t possible. This can help you feel less frustrated if plans change.
6. Build Trust: Use these talks to create a strong, respectful relationship with your care team. Share your values and listen to theirs.
7. Update As Needed: Don’t be afraid to make changes or talk about new ideas as your pregnancy continues.

How and When to Share Your Birth Plan

• Give a copy to your doctor or midwife before your due date for your medical file
• Pack several copies in your hospital bag to give to nurses when you arrive
• As staff switch shifts, be ready to offer a short summary of your top priorities to each new nurse or doctor
• Some hospitals put your main goals on the room’s whiteboard for quick reference

Staying Flexible: Adjusting Your Plan If Needed

It’s wise to keep in mind that a birth plan is a plan-not a promise. Sometimes changes are needed for the safety and health of you and your baby. Being open and flexible helps you focus on what’s most important: a healthy outcome, even if the day doesn’t go exactly as you wanted.

What to Do If Labor Doesn’t Go as Planned

1. Focus on the Main Goal: Remember, the goal is a healthy baby and mother, even if it takes a different path to get there.
2. Trust Your Team: Rely on the people you picked to care for you. They want what’s best, even if things change.
3. Speak Up About Changes: If you decide to do something different than planned, let your nurse or support person know right away.
4. Take Care of Your Emotions: If you’re upset things didn’t go as expected, talk it out with someone you trust. It’s normal to have mixed feelings after birth.
5. Use What You’ve Learned: The time you spent learning and making your plan still helps, even if things change. You now know your options and can make better choices in the moment.
6. See Change as Part of the Process: Adapting is a strength, not a failure. Keeping you and your baby safe is always the top priority.

Get a Free Birth Plan Template for First-Time Moms

Starting with a free printable or digital birth plan template is a simple way to stay organized and cover all your bases. These templates help you focus on your choices and make sure you don’t miss anything important. They also make it easier to talk with your care team.

What to Look for in a Good Birth Plan Template

• All-In-One Coverage: The template should include sections for every part of birth: labor, delivery, and postpartum for both you and baby
• Simple and Clear Layout: Easy-to-read with checklists, headings, and space for detailed notes
• Customizable: Choose a format you can edit, like Word or PDF, so you can add or remove sections
• Brief Explanations: Some templates include tips to help you understand each choice
• Reviewed by Experts: Templates checked by doctors and midwives are more reliable
• Easy to Print or Share: Make sure you can print the plan and share it by email or text if needed

Good places to find these templates include Earth Mama, The Bump, BabyCenter, and ACOG. No matter which one you use, the most helpful thing is talking it over with your care provider to make sure your wishes fit with safe medical care and your hospital or birthing center’s guidelines.