Birth Preferences: What to Discuss with Your Maternity Team

You do not need to predict exactly how birth will happen to prepare for it. A short birth preferences note can help you tell your maternity team what matters to you, ask what your facility offers, and make decisions together if circumstances change.

At a glance

What is a birth preferences note?

It is a simple record of your questions and wishes for labour, birth and the first moments with your baby. You may hear it called a birth plan. It is useful as a conversation starter, especially when you meet staff who have not seen you before. It is not a contract or a prediction of how birth will unfold.

You can bring the note to an antenatal appointment and ask your doctor or midwife to talk it through with you. They can explain how your health, your baby's health and the services at your chosen facility may affect the options. WHO's guidance on childbirth care centres respectful communication and decisions made with the person giving birth.

Five things you may want to discuss

Choose the points that matter to you. A brief note is easier to use than a long checklist.

1. Communication. Do you want staff to explain examinations and suggested treatments before they happen? Is there a language you are most comfortable using? You can ask who to speak to when you have questions or concerns.
2. Support. Is there a partner, relative or friend you would like with you? A trusted companion can offer practical and emotional support. WHO supports a companion of choice, but facility arrangements differ. Ask in advance who may enter the labour room and whether the rules change in an operating theatre or emergency.
3. Comfort and pain relief. Ask whether you can move or change positions when it is safe to do so, and what pain relief is available. You do not have to decide everything before labour. Your team can explain the benefits and limits of the options for you.
4. Decisions if extra care is suggested. You might ask how staff will explain a proposed induction, assisted birth or caesarean, and who will help you understand your options. You can include a request to be kept informed if the plan changes.
5. After birth. If you wish, ask about holding your baby, feeding support and what happens if you or your baby need additional care. Your team's advice and the baby's condition will guide what is possible at the time.

These are questions to discuss, not promises of particular services. NICE's intrapartum guidance recommends reviewing preferences and explaining options when circumstances change; its service rules apply to the UK, so confirm the arrangements at your own facility.

A one-page note you can adapt

You can write something as simple as this:

My main priorities are: ___
Please explain examinations and suggested treatments to me in: ___ language.
The person I would like to support me, if the facility allows, is: ___
I would like to discuss these comfort or pain relief options: ___
If plans change, please tell me what is happening, why, and what choices I have.
After birth, I would like to ask about: ___
My questions for the maternity team are: ___

Share the note at an antenatal visit and bring a copy or phone photo when you go to the facility. Ask where it can be kept with your records. If a medical condition or earlier birth experience affects your wishes, raise it with your own clinician so your plan can reflect your needs.

If plans change during labour

Your preferences still matter if labour takes an unexpected turn. Ask staff to explain what has changed, what they recommend, and what the options mean for you and your baby. You can ask for a moment to think or to speak with your support person when time allows. Urgent care may need to happen quickly; a written note should never delay assessment or treatment.

It is also okay to change your mind about a preference. NICE guidance recognises that decisions can be revisited during labour and birth. A birth preferences note helps the conversation continue as your needs change.

Keep your contact plan close

Know which number to call and where to go if you think labour has started or something worries you. If your baby's movements are reduced or different, you have vaginal bleeding, or you think your waters have broken, contact your maternity team immediately. For more on those signs, read 37 to 40 Weeks Pregnant: Signs of Labour, When to Call and Your Due Date. If you cannot reach your team and you have an urgent concern, seek emergency care.

Sources

• WHO: Intrapartum care for a positive childbirth experience
• WHO: Every woman’s right to a companion of choice during childbirth
• NICE: Intrapartum care, NG235
• NHS: What to include in your birth plan
• Government of India / NHM: LaQshya

About this article

Prepared by the MomCare Haven Editorial Desk using the sources above. It has not been independently reviewed by a clinician.

This article is general information, not personal medical advice. Your maternity team's guidance should reflect your health, your baby's health and local services. Seek urgent care when you are worried about an immediate problem.