Easy Birth Plan Checklist for Expecting Moms

Easy Birth Plan Checklist for Expecting Moms

Planning Checklists
100 Items
Comprehensive birth plan checklist covering personal preferences, medical information, support team, and delivery options for expectant mothers.

Comprehensive Birth Planning Guide

This comprehensive birth plan checklist provides a systematic approach to preparing for childbirth and creating a personalized birth experience. The planning process covers personal and medical information, support team roles, birth environment preferences, labor and mobility options, pain management choices, delivery preferences, emergency interventions, immediate newborn care, postpartum planning, and contingency planning. Use this checklist to communicate your birth preferences to healthcare providers, prepare your support team, ensure your needs are met during labor and delivery, and create a positive birth experience that aligns with your values and medical requirements.

1. Personal & Medical Information

1Full name, birth date, and due date
2Primary care provider / obstetrician / midwife name and contact
3Hospital or birth center preference / address
4Emergency contact person(s) and phone numbers
5Any known allergies (medications, food, latex, etc.)
6Current medications, supplements, and past medical conditions
7Obstetric history (past pregnancies, births, C-sections, miscarriages)
8Blood type / Rh factor and any relevant lab results
9Any conditions or risks (e.g. gestational diabetes, hypertension, placenta previa)
10Consent preferences or legal / advance directive notes (if applicable)

2. Support People & Roles

1Who you want present during labor (partner, family, friend, doula)
2Who you want present during delivery (same or fewer people)
3Who you want to cut the umbilical cord
4Role of partner/support person (e.g. encouraging, massage, advocating)
5Whether you allow medical students, midwife trainees, or observers
6Agreement on who speaks to medical staff / makes decisions if you can't
7Communication preferences (e.g. quiet, fewer people in the room)
8Whether siblings or other children may be present
9Religious or cultural support people (e.g. clergy)
10Any people you prefer not present (or periods when you'd like privacy)

3. Birth Environment & Atmosphere

1Lighting preferences (dim, natural, bright)
2Music — yes/no, playlist, who controls it
3Aromatherapy or scents (if allowed)
4Room temperature (cool / warm)
5Decorations / personal items allowed (photos, pillows, blanket)
6Dress: your own clothing vs hospital gown
7Visual environment (curtains closed, windows open)
8Noise level / chatter / who can enter
9Video or photography (permission, by whom)
10Where you want to labor (room, tub, shower, walking halls)

4. Labor Preferences & Mobility

1Freedom to move, walk, change positions
2Use of birthing ball, stool, squat bar, rope, etc.
3Ability to labor in water (tub, shower, birthing pool)
4Use of a birthing stool, hands-and-knees position, side-lying
5Ability to eat / drink during labor (ice chips, clear fluids, light food)
6Encouraging natural onset of labor (vs induction)
7Vaginal examinations: frequency, who performs, limit invasiveness
8Monitoring: continuous, intermittent, external, internal
9Use of a gown vs. staying clothed / modesty preferences
10Use of methods like massage, counterpressure, heat/cold packs

5. Pain Management & Comfort Measures

1Preference for non-medicated methods first (breathing, hypnosis, massage)
2Use of nitrous oxide / gas (if available)
3IV or systemic analgesics (which ones you're open to)
4Epidural / spinal anesthesia: yes or no, or only if needed
5Requesting to wait before offering pain meds (ask you first)
6Use of TENS, acupuncture or acupressure
7Use of hydrotherapy (water) for pain relief
8Use of heat/cold packs, warm compresses
9Use of counterpressure, peanut balls, birthing aids
10If pain relief is denied or delayed, how you want that communicated

6. Delivery / Pushing Preferences

1Preferred pushing technique (spontaneous pushing, coached pushing, delayed pushing)
2Positions for pushing (semi-sitting, squatting, hands-and-knees, side-lying)
3Use of mirror / visualization during birth
4Watching baby being born (if you want to see)
5Use of episiotomy — yes / no / only if necessary
6Use of forceps or vacuum (only if medically required)
7Controlled cord traction vs natural delivery of placenta
8When to clamp & cut umbilical cord (immediate / delayed)
9Who cuts the cord (partner, you, provider)
10Gentle / low-intervention birth if possible (avoid unnecessary trauma)

7. Cesarean / Emergency Interventions

1Under what conditions you'd accept a C-section
2Who you want present in the operating / surgical room
3Desire for a "gentle / family-centered" C-section (lowered screen, immediate skin-to-skin)
4Delayed cord clamping (even in C-section)
5Who cuts the cord (even in C-section)
6Keeping lights low, quiet environment (if possible)
7Preference for partner to be allowed in the operating room
8Immediate placement of baby on you (if safe)
9Baby's first checks while on your chest (if possible)
10When you'd like the surgery explained / consent asked (if possible)

8. Immediately After Birth & Newborn Care

1Immediate skin-to-skin contact (as soon as possible)
2Who holds the baby first (you, partner, provider)
3Delay newborn cleaning / weighing until after bonding
4Vitamin K, eye ointment — your preference (accept, delay, alternative)
5Cord blood banking or donation (if desired)
6Newborn assessments / Apgar on your chest (if possible)
7Baby's first feed (breast or bottle) and timing
8Rooming-in (baby stays with you) vs nursery care
9Vaccinations / shots — timing, consent
10Circumcision (if male) — yes / no / delay

9. Postpartum / Hospital Stay

1Who you want in the room / visiting hours limits
2Timing for first bath for the baby
3When to do first diaper change / measurements / footprint
4When / whether you want help with breastfeeding support
5Use of pacifiers, supplemental bottles, formula — your preference
6Timing of newborn weigh, bath, exam (after bonding)
7When you want to begin ambulation / movement / walking
8Pain management preferences postpartum (meds, natural methods)
9Wound care / incision care (for C-section or perineal repair)
10Discharge timing — earlier / standard / later

10. Contingencies, Special Wishes & Communication

1Acknowledgement that plans may change (flexibility clause)
2How you want changes explained / discussed (communication style)
3What you strongly do not want (e.g. episiotomy, general anesthesia)
4Special requests (cultural, religious, privacy)
5Interpreter / language preference (if needed)
6Photography / video policy for staff (permission, restrictions)
7Handling of birth surprises (multiple babies, NICU, etc.)
8If transfer from home to hospital, what to prioritize
9Postpartum emotional support / mental health (what support you want)
10Contact person to deliver your birth plan copy to (nurse, doctor, support person)
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