A birth plan, sometimes referred to as birthing plan, is a blueprint of what choices you and your partner have made for the arrival of your child. It also helps your birth attendants support you during your labor and delivery in the best possible way. But where to even start? We want to make the task as easy and stress-free as possible, so we’ve created a great visual birth plan template for you to follow.
visual birth plan template by Mama Natural
Build your own visual birth plan, FREE!
Share your name and email and we’ll send you our easy-to-customize birth plan template right now.
- It’s simple, visual, and pretty.
- Totally customizable.
- A plan people will actually read!
On this page…
The Only Birth Plan Template You Need
A birth plan is a very important step to having the natural birth you want. A birth plan is about putting down your preferences, in black and white, before labor begins so that you are prepared for whatever events may arise and can make informed choices about your and baby’s care and safety. It also enables your birth team to access those choices without disrupting you during labor. (Be sure you’ve discussed your desires in detail with your birth team, so that there are no surprises in labor!)
“I just went to the hospital to put this in my chart, and my midwife absolutely loves it— she said it’s the best and clearest way to keep everyone on the same page. I can’t say thank you enough!”
-Stephanie
How to Personalize This Visual Birth Plan Template
When you click on the link to download your free customizable birth plan template, you’ll get two choices: download an editable template via a zip file or download a PDF (not editable). To create the most personalized birth plan, we recommended downloading the zip file.
To edit the file, you’ll need access to Microsoft Word (Pages on Macs works, too) on a laptop or desktop computer.
Once you’ve downloaded the file, open it with your word processor. You’ll see on the second page of the document there are over a dozen additional icons to choose from. Just click and drag those icons to the first page and arrange them however you like.
Simply delete any icons that don’t apply to you. Once you’ve deleted the icons that do not apply to your birth plan, you’ll be left with the perfect visual plan—something nice, clean, and concise for nurses and doctors to refer to during your labor and delivery.
Learn to have an amazing birth – Birth Course Promo [In-article]
(without leaving your couch)
See HowWhat Icons Are Included in This Visual Birth Plan Template?
This customizable birth plan template includes visual birth plan icons for:
During labor
- No medication: Use this icon if you don’t want pain medication or any kind of antibiotics for conditions like group B strep.
- Free movement: Studies show that women who are allowed to move freely during labor have shorter, less painful labors.
- Natural water rupture: Prematurely rupturing the bag of waters does not guarantee labor and can also lead to increased pain, more intense contractions, and increased risk of infection.
- Intermittent monitoring: Continuous monitoring can affect mama’s ability to relax and focus on labor, plus there’s evidence that constant fetal monitoring is not good for baby.
- Lights dim: A dim room can help mama feel more relaxed and less exposed during childbirth.
- Water birth: Studies show that women who have water births have shorter labors—by 90 minutes!—and are significantly less likely to have an epidural or any other type of anesthesia or opiod pain relief.
- No episiotomy: Recovery from an episiotomy is longer and more painful than a natural tear. What’s more? A study by the University of Michigan found that women who had episiotomies reported decreased sexual satisfaction and a poor body image following the procedure.
- Limited cervical exams: Cervical exams can be uncomfortable and painful. Furthermore, studies don’t suggest frequent cervical exams during labor have any benefit.
- No membrane sweep: In one study, 70 percent of women said membrane stripping was painful. Plus, it can lead to prolonged labors and more interventions.
- Food and drink for mama: Many hospitals don’t allow mama to eat or drink once labor has begun, but adequate nutrition is important for mama to maintain strength and stamina during labor.
- No students please: This is particularly important if you’re giving birth at a teaching hospital. In these cases, you may have students performing medical procedures or groups of students present in the room to observe your baby’s birth.
- Pitocin only if necessary: If pitocin isn’t medically necessary, it’s usage can lead to a host of other interventions, including C-section. It can also have adverse side effects, like greater risk of hemorrhaging.
- Gentle cesarean: The purpose of a gentle cesarean is to invoke a peaceful, calm atmosphere that closely mimics what happens during and immediately after a natural childbirth.
- VBAC: ACOG recommends that repeat cesareans be limited, and encourages women to a try for labor after cesarean–even after two previous C-sections.
- No IV: An IV greatly limits mama’s ability to move freely during labor.
- Nitrous oxide: Nitrous oxide is a relatively safe way to help women cope with pain during labor and can be used during all stages of labor. (source)
- No forceps/vacuum extraction: Studies suggest new mothers experience more trauma and complications following these interventions. It can also cause bruising, bleeding, and even skull fractures in babies. (source)
- Lotus birth: Lotus birth, aka umbilical non-severance, is when you leave the baby attached to the placenta until the cord naturally dries and disconnects from the belly button, generally about three days later. Medical benefits are highly debated, but for many, lotus birth is a mostly spiritual practice that honors the birthing process.
After delivery
- Immediate skin-to-skin: Skin-to-skin, or kangaroo care, has so many benefits, not limited to improved breastfeeding, improved fetal health, improved mental health for mama, and improved bonding.
- Delayed cord clamping: This allows billions of red blood cells, stem cells, white blood cells and other necessary substances to pass from the cord to the newborn.
- Save placenta: Some mamas want to save their placenta so they can eat it.
- Partner to cut cord: This is a great way to give your partner an active role in labor and delivery.
- Breastfeeding ASAP: Immediate breastfeeding will help jumpstart your supply and improve the bond between baby and mama.
- No vitamin K: Some mamas choose to skip this newborn procedure, because the synthetic vitamin K shot is a class C drug—this means it is unknown whether it is safe during pregnancy. It also contains 5,000 times the recommended daily allowance.
- Oral vitamin K: In place of the vitamin K shot, some parents prefer their child receives an oral dose of vitamin K, because infants get this in three much smaller doses.
- No circumcision: In 1999, the American Academy of Pediatrics concluded that baby circumcision is not recommended as a routine procedure. The American Medical Association and the American Academy of Family Physicians agree.
- No eye ointment/delay eye ointment: Some mamas skip this, because the use of antibiotics can harm a baby’s gut health, leading to increased risk of illness later. Eye ointment can also cause blurred vision, which may interfere with bonding and establishing breastfeeding.
- No bath for baby: Bathing washes away all that protective vernix and good bacteria from vaginal delivery.
- Delay exams for bonding: Hospital exams can be frequent and invasive, disrupting important bonding activities, like breastfeeding and skin-to-skin time.
- No formula: Moms who wish to breastfeed should include this on their birth plan for obvious reasons, not limited to nipple confusion.
- No hepatitis B: Unless the mother is infected, it is very rare for a newborn to contract hepatitis B.
- Limited visitors: A constant stream of visitors can disrupt important bonding activities, like breastfeeding and skin-to-skin time.
- No pacifiers: Pacifiers can lead to nipple confusion, which can complicate breastfeeding.
- Donating cord blood: Some parents choose to bank or donate the cord blood, since it’s considered to have very important health benefits. (It can be used to treat more than 70 diseases!)
Build your own visual birth plan, FREE!
Share your name and email and we’ll send you our easy-to-customize birth plan template right now.
- It’s simple, visual, and pretty.
- Totally customizable.
- A plan people will actually read!
New icons for 2023
Based on feedback from mamas just like you, we added a handful of new icons to our editable visual birth plan template, including these.
Mama Natural birth plan template – new iconsPlus, we’ve added a new section of icons to help guide a Gentle Cesarean.
Mama Natural visual birth plan template – new gentle cesarean iconsFAQ: Is there a difference between the red and blue icons?
Blue icons skew positive—they represent things that you want your birthing team to do. I.e. Do allow for free movement during labor or do proceed with delayed cord clamping.
Red icons, on the other hand, skew negative—they represent things you do not want your birthing team to do. I.e. Do not do an episiotomy or do not bathe baby after birth.
Do I Really Need a Birth Plan?
If you choose your birth space and attendants with care, you may not need to write down many of the things found in most birth plans.
For example, a good midwife won’t routinely break your water, do unnecessary vaginal exams, or insist on continuous fetal monitoring. Furthermore, you may discover that many of your choices, like doulas in the birthing room or no mention of epidurals, are standard care with your chosen attendants.
But if you’re delivering at a hospital and want to have a natural childbirth, creating a birth plan is probably a good idea. It really depends on what hospital you are delivering at, because standards of care differ from hospital to hospital. Some hospitals have policies that are more compatible with natural childbirth. Other hospitals will assume you are okay with various labor interventions that run counter to your wishes. If the latter is the case, a birth plan can be very important tool for you.
Birth plans can also be a good way for mamas-to-be to exercise their right to respectful, high-quality care. For women of color, this Black Birthing Bill of Rights might empower you as you work on your birthing plan.
Will Anyone Care About My Birth Plan?
It’s sad, but I’ve heard many stories of nurses laughing at birth plans or the women who write them; sometimes referring to these laboring moms as “high maintenance.”
Nurses especially hate birth plans that are perceived to be:
- Overly detailed
- Condescending or rude
- Demanding, especially if without regard to extenuating circumstances and safety
To those nurses, women who write birth plans are inflexible, don’t understand the unpredictable nature of birth, and want a natural birth even if it costs her or her baby their safety or health. They believe that a birth plan just sets moms up for disappointment.
Mama Natural Week By Week Guide to Pregnancy book natural childbirth planSo What’s a Natural Mama to Do?
Three words: Keep it simple. With a straightforward, to-the-point birth plan template, healthcare providers are more likely to understand your preferences and take them seriously. This is a win-win for everyone, since a clear visual birth plan will also help you feel more comfortable in their hands.
Build your own visual birth plan, FREE!
Share your name and email and we’ll send you our easy-to-customize birth plan template right now.
- It’s simple, visual, and pretty.
- Totally customizable.
- A plan people will actually read!
Did You Use a Birth Plan?
Did it help you? Do you feel like the hospital or birthing center staff paid attention to your birth plan? Share your experience with us in the comments below!
100 Comments
Alecia Nelson
I didn’t receive my birth plan – can you please send? Thanks!
Alan
Making a delivery plan is an important step in preparing for the birth of your baby. This allows you to communicate your preferences and make informed decisions about how you will deliver a baby. Using resources such as visual birth plan templates can simplify the process and ensure that obstetricians understand your preferences. For more information on how to make a birth plan and ensure a positive experience, check Essiac Tea for cancer ( https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/hp/essiac-tea-pdq ). I also want to advise you to use this promo code 5offnow to get a discount. Taking care of your health and well-being during childbirth requires careful planning and communication with your attending physicians.
Molly
The birth plan is not sending
jinky
I just signed up but not able to receive the birthplan template.
Cindy
I’ve signed up to receive the birth plan but have not received anything in my inbox or junk/spam. Please advice, thank you!
Jordan syrigos
I signed up for the birth plan but I have not received anything. I do not see it in my spam or junk email either. I’ve tried it a few times but still do not receive it.
Any help is appreciated. Thank you!
Courtney Cox (i wish)
The needs to be an icon for “don’t show me my baby.” Terrifying to see them. Perhaps a blindfold?
Sammi
Can you add a “Need Music” icon?
Rebecca
Yes! This!
Becky paul
Needed this for mine before I passed out my lips turned blue and it was so cold I actually passed out with after delivery
and when I woke up we were in labor and delivery
My baby was born July 21 2022
I was in shock and I didn’t piece my thoughts together until a week later I wish someone would have told me that would’ve happened it was a nightmare my water only half broke so they had to break it was the worst pain of my life and I had to stop pushing because it hurt so bad then when I did he slid backwards it was really bad I tore and had to have 4 stitches
Daph
The link to make the birthplan says access denied. Is there another link?
Lindsey
Hi there! I have not gotten the birth plan via email. I have checked spam and all other options. tinkers15@hotmail.com
Thanks a lot!
Julie C
I have tried twice to sign up to receive the template and I am not seeing anything in my inbox or junk mail!! Please can you help or send it to me manually? Jczes84@gmail.com
Lauren
Hello, I have not received my birth plan either. Not sure if it is supposed to take this long or not. Thanks!
Kelly
not sure if I am supposed to receive the template right away, but I provided my info and haven’t received anything
Melissa Demers
I keep getting to the add your due date to send the form to my email and it won’t let me enter anything in the due date column, so I can’t press send or continue.
Chloe
Hi, the emailing is not working. I filled out the form to get my birth plan a few times and I never receive the template. I have checked my spam and tried with different emails, but I still didn’t get the template.
Shana
Mine was in my spam/junk folder. Make sure to check there!
Xavier (But the x sounds like a z)
This is SUPER helpful for doctors who cant read!!
Ann
This is amazing! Thanks for creating this
I would like to add the suggestion of adding a “Labor Down” icon
Morgan Bennett
I absolutely love the idea of having a visual birth plan! I am planning a home birth, but in case of a hospital transfer, I want to be prepared to communicate my preferences with the hospital caretakers.
A few other icons that I would really love to have for my birth plan are: limited interruptions and/or permission to check vitals (without consent each time), unassisted placenta delivery (or “physiological third stage”), and partner catch. In the event that a cesarean is needed, I would also love to let them know in advance that I do not want to be strapped down, I’d like my music of choice playing, and (hopefully this goes without saying, but) no general anesthesia! Thanks for considering adding these to this awesome tool you’ve created!
Oddball03
Also I saw on your YouTube video on how you can treat DIABETES naturally. And of course you have the comments turned off because you can’t handle people telling you how utterly insane and dangerous that is.
Caroline
If you don’t think diabetes can be cured through diet then I’m afraid you don’t understand diabetes.
Kataryna
If you believe in the germ theory model of dis-ease which it seems you do, then you won’t innerstand that any diagnosis and dis-ease received can be cured. All it takes is a bit of change and determination on your part. No one can tell you something isn’t possible, unless of course you yourself believe they are right. Then good luck with believing anything that goes against that initial belief.
Oddball03
And yo those of you who might say “but me and my baby turned out great” remember the ones that didn’t aren’t here to talk about it.
Oddball03
“And to those”
Oddball03
So much of this is incredibly harmful. Vitamin K is literally used to stop brain bleeds, baby’s often don’t have enough of it in their systems, and overdoses are so incredibly rare you can’t even find a proper percentage. Some women absolutely need IV, and it’s not always good to follow your natural instincts when delivering. There are stories of women continuing to push even when their doctor tell them to stop and that they need a c section, this often leads to the baby’s death. And for the commenters saying that the reason we have the the highest infant mortality because doctor are incompetent and baby’s are getting to many procedures, you are also wrong. It’s because our health care system is privatized and not universal, its not that baby’s are getting procedures, its that many poor familiescant afford necessary procedures fir their baby’s. Doctors and nurses are overworked to the point of absolute exhaustion. This means they unfortunately make more mistakes. Ladies I’d your doctor tell you to do something (or stop doing something) because otherwise your baby will die or be injured, please do what they say! And remember before modern medicine a significant portion of women died in childbirth, that is why their is so much monitoring and procedures, it’s to keep you and your baby alive. Yes some of the procedures have drawbacks like and upset gut, but that is infidelity better then having your child pass away.
Sage Aurora
It appears based on your comment you are a little uneducated. I would suggest researching a little before offering your advice on what woman should be doing for their babies and their births. What do you tell the women whose babies dies due to medical interventions? Oh well at least you listened to the doctor. Oh, your doctor made a mistake because their over worked too bad you weren’t educated enough to manage your own birth. See the issue today is to many women say my doctor knows best but yet doctors are literally paid by companies to use their products. Did you know Pitocin has a warning on it not to use it to induce labor and yet doctors do it anyway and they don’t even tell women that they are using it off label. Vitamin K isn’t even a vitamin because its synthetic. It also has a black box warning meaning it can kill your baby and can also cause all sorts of problems on its own. If you want to give Vit k then give the real stuff not the shot from the doctors. Then there is Hep B they give newborns for sexually transmitted virus that unless the mother has the baby definitely won’t. It’s important as humans that we are informed and can make our own decisions. To many people just take the word of some doctor who takes their advice from the very same people profiting off its sale. I would suggest you learn more before running off at the mouth.
ATP
Lol I think you need to do more research before running off at the mouth.
ATP
The previous post was meant for SAGE.
Mareike
I love the concept and the visualness of it.
However, I cannot use it as is, because the choices are too limited. Feel free to ignore my feedback, because it is not entirely in the spirit of a natural birth, but it should offer to put which interventions you are happy with especially if medically necessary (and you know in advance). I am having twins and know that some interventions are a matter of policy (e.g epidural at some point) and so I have to plan for these outcomes.
Also, in general, could we have positive/negative alternatives for each? E.g. actively say that you’re happy with Vitamin K, v__, or students.
Courtney
Wondering if you may be able to add some icon about baby in room with me vs nursery welcome? Maybe not that wording, but I remember my nurses taking my firstborn to the nursery “so I could sleep” – but it was so much harder having my newborn being taken from me. Would love to state a preference of baby staying in my room overnight!
Lucinda More
This is so helpful! Thank you for putting it together. I have done a lot of research about ensuring the hospital follows your birthing plan and overall wishes pertaining to you and your baby. I found that if you submit a legal affidavit to the hospital at least 15 days prior to delivery, and they don’t respond to it, then they legally have to follow your wishes. They have 15 days to respond to make any changes, yet if they do not then they are legally bound to your affidavit. You should always confirm this with a legal advisor as I have done, but it’s a very important step to ensure your wishes are followed. Make sure it’s signed by you, your doctor and the person who receives it at the hospital.
Samantha
I wish there was a natural elivery of placenta icon! So many providers tug on the umbilical cord to hurry it along!
Jennifer
Thank you for this. Doctors love to fear-monger about all the things that “can go wrong” when in reality pregnancy is a natural, normal process old as time… and for most, average (read: low risk, healthy) women, most modern interventions are unnecessary & invasive and not the norm in other countries.
Mark Meadows MD
As a board-certified OB/GYN, I can tell you that doctors and nurses do not “like this.” Birth plans are absolutely ridiculous. We are highly trained professionals and we want a birth which is free from issues. The ridiculous requests such as “no eye ointment” or “no vitamin K” place your baby at INCREASED RISK of poor outcomes. I can assure you my four years of medical school, four years of residency, and sixteen years of practice beat out your Facebook groups. Google is not a research medium. Peer-reviewed medical texts are. There is a reason for education. Here’s my deal – have your plan. If it goes wrong, you don’t get to sue me.
Ann
Wow Mark Meadows MD! This is why there is such a divide in the healthcare community. There is nothing wrong with parents choosing what and how they want THEIR child and THEMselves to be treated medically or socially. I hope you don’t speak this way to your patients. If you do, I’m surprised you have been in practice for 16 years. You either really keep your narrow minded opinions under wraps, or your patients enjoy being subservient to a very proud, conceited, judgmental public health “servant”. I hope you soften up some day and really look at what it means to be a servant to others and utilize your knowledge and experience to help guide them in making their own healthcare decisions instead of telling them how ridiculous they are for wanting to be educated and have a say in what happens to their own body.
Lucinda More
Doctors just like you are the reason I’m actually anxious giving birth in a hospital. You may have many years of education, yet it seems you’re only willing to look at the sources of your education that suit you and your career. I’m aware that many OB/GYN doctors just like you have shamed or tried to scare new moms away from their preferred birth plans. Due to you and your colleagues we have to submit legal affidavits, not just birth plans to the hospitals weeks prior to delivery. We have the law on our side and we just need to be reminded of it and make sure to use it. I’d enjoy taking you to court and suing you if you went against my wishes.
AnitaT
Ah yes. I can tell you are TOTALLY up to date by the fact that you don’t even know or acknowledge that Google — i.e. Google Scholar — is one of the biggest collections of peer-reviewed medical texts on the globe. There is a reason for continuing education. It is absolutely fascinating to me that the United States with all its highly educated OB/GYNs has one of the highest infant and maternal death rates in the world; of the 11 most developed nations, the US has THE highest rate of infant and maternal deaths. The number of deaths have been increasing yearly. Quite ironically, in areas of the US with higher percentages of midwives, the rate of infant and maternal death DECREASES. And yes, there is plenty of research that backs this up. But then, I’ve never hesitated to say “If you insist on this unnecessary and dangerous or inappropriate procedure, please sign this notification that you have been warned that in the event of adverse outcome, you WILL be sued.”
Mary
Hi, I’m an L&D nurse at a large metropolitan hospital, and I can say that everyone here seems to have some good points. First of all, I think we all agree that a healthy baby and mom are the highest of priorities. The struggle always comes we we discuss the ways to get there and what we are willing to do or give up if needed along the way. You are correct, birth is a beautiful, natural process that has occurred for millenia and it very (possibly most) often occurs without complication. But for millenia pregnancies didn’t occur for some due to genetic or medical histories, pregnancies were lost early on due to some of the same complications, and many, far too many, women and babies were lost along the way. We now have the opportunity to assist almost anyone who desires to become pregnant and carry a baby to a viable age. But this comes with consequenses in some cases, and often require additional interventions (medications or supplements for those with hypothyroidism, frequent assessment for the “elderly gravid” patient, and transfusions for some severely anemic patiens for example. I can tell you that I’ve had patients who lost way, way too much blood to be able to start an IV after the problem started, who would have bled to death if they didn’t have IV access. I’ve seen babies with trauma, infection, and respiratory complications because the patient and their provider were not in agreement about moving from a natural delivery to a c-section, or the administration of antibiotics, or delayed care due to the congestion of visitors in the delivery room.
When I receive a patient, I sit down and talk. We talk about what their goals are for the day, how they see things going, what they would rather not have or would not negotiate on at all. I then take the time to talk about the constraints that I am under as far as hospital policies go (which honestly aren’t that much… but I’ve had to tell families to stop smoking weed in the bathrooms and please don’t have sex with the patient !!!). Then I talk about anything that we haven’t covered yet. I explain that I will work towards making this the day they dreamed of while keeping everyone safe. I talk about things that MAY happen. I explain who MAY be in the room and I make sure we are all on the same page going forward.
In my experience, the vast majority of situations can be rectified by TALKING. Your nurse doesn’t give two iotas about how this baby comes out, but we DO care about making sure you and your baby are healthy, happy, and whole. We LOVE what we do, we want you to LOVE the experience you have.
I understand that the birthing center or home is a beautiful place to deliver and that’s great for so many people. But, when you or your baby are at higher risk for complications, I do hope you find a provider that has the same beliefs as you, practices in a way that you like, and can deliver in a hospital with staff who will work with you and reinforce the thought that we are all here because we love it.
LT
“We want a birth free from issues”
Let me help you out on that….
That Should read–
“Most nurses today are not trained well enough to do anything more give an epidural and monitor an unnatural/medicated birth. Because we’ve scared a whole generation into not believing they can birth a baby.
I Dr. Mark BOARD certified OB, want to be able to be called by the nurse at the last moment to catch the baby.
IE: do less work/care.
Mostly, we (OB and nurses)prefer as many invasive procedures so that Healthcare is a money making machine for hospitals, doctors and insurance companies.”
I’ve seen it all- given natural delivery to 4 babies in the hospital. And had to fight for my birth plan each time.
Mary
I understand your frustration with Dr. Mark, but please, please do not group nurses in with this. You said that “most nurses today are not trained well enough to do anyting more [than] give an epidural and monitor an unnatural/medicated birth…”
Um, as an L&D nurse I can tell you that this is wrong. We are highly trained individuals who care deeply for our patients. I can tell you without a doubt that every single nurse I work with (about 80 on my unit) would run on two broken legs to save you or your baby. No Matter What.
Also, we (nurses) don’t “prefer as many invasive procedures”. Every single time something needs to be done, it is your nurse who has to do it. We start the IV, start your pitocin, increase your pitocin, adjust the monitors, take your vital signs, monitor your baby and contractions, give you medications, support you while the anesthesia team gives you an epidural, place your foley catheter, clean up your blood and amniotic fluid, take your baby’s vital signs, massage your uterus after deliver, clean up more blood, assist you to the bathroom, and call the doctor if we ever need them, which we rarely do because we KNOW what we are doing.
If you go natural, we rarely have to do anything.
I don’t care if you have a birth plan and you don’t want to talk to me at all, that’s fine.
But, I WILL explain the pros and cons of each choice that you have. I will make sure that you have all the information available BEFORE we need to do emergency anything.
I don’t care how much money the hospital makes, as long as they can pay my measly salary.
I skip lunch, bathroom breaks, my kids soccer games, and friends funerals so that I can be there for you.
Please don’t put words in our mouths.
Caroline
Horrifying comment, Mark. So glad I’m giving birth in the UK rather than the good old USA, but I feel terribly about all the women in your care. Wonder if you will now have seen the August 2022 Journal of Clinical Epidemiology? “Most healthcare interventions tested in Cochrane Reviews are not effective according to high quality evidence: a systematic review and meta-analysis”. Wonder about the rest of the stuff you think is absolutely true. Good luck to all your patients.
Whitney
Love this! It takes all the hassle and stress out of making a birth plan. So grateful for this. Maybe add an icon for no heel prick?
Mark Meadows MD
Why wouldn’t you want your newborn tested for inborn errors of metabolism? What if something went wrong and your baby suffered needlessly because you did your research via Facebook?
Courtney Hearn
Hi, I’ve been attempting to access the birth plan – however, the website isn’t allowing me to get passed the insert due date to proceed. Is there another way to access this?! It just freezes.
Kirsten
Just check your email! I exited out of that screen and didn’t sign up, and birth plan went to my inbox anyways
Rebecca
Thank you so much for this amazing resource! One thing some clients have been asking for is a Birth Pause icon, if you think that would be appropriate. Thank you again for all you do <3
Alexis
Hello! I just downloaded your template and I am unable to edit it. I do not see where I can change the color of the icons/ the text below them. I’m hoping you can help. Thank you!
Emily B
I absolutely love the look of this template, HOWEVER I am unable to make it fully customizable. I can delete icons I don’t want, but I can’t add any or change a red icon to a blue (and visa versa). If there’s a way to customize this, please please let me know! I really want to use this template, but it’s not working for me.
Raquel Baires
I’m about to have my second baby and using this template for the first time. It’s almost perfect.. just wish you all had an icon for “no coached pushing” like Haley said and “delivery in my preferred position” (I’m due March 28th)
Anitat
Download the word version.
Put the cursor in the icon you want to change.
Right click. “format picture” with a little paintbrush and can icon should pop up. Click it.
A “Format Picture” panel should pop up.
You should see an icon that looks like mountains and a moon. Click “picture color” which will be one of the selections.
Go down to “recolor” and click it.
A color panel will pop up. Click the one you want and watch the magic.
OKAY — there are loads of things you can do to change these icons, but you are going to have to play. I’ve given you the very basic method. If you print out this paragraph or take a picture with your phone, you won’t have to keep coming back to look at the directions (been there, done that).
Haley
I would love a “no coached pushing” icon.
Sarah Hashim
I agree!
nicole
YES! I was hoping for the same!!
Megan
I absolutely love this birth plan and am getting ready to use it for the second time. I wish there were a few more icons, specifically for wanting a mirror during birth and circumcision preferences for post delivery. Thank you for creating such a beautiful and visually appealing birth plan that I feel confident in using.
Heidi
This is my 1st time using this … how do I select the things I would like? I just printed the whole thing out.
Melissa
Are the icons you have listed the only ones offered??
Genevieve Howland
Please try again. Sometimes you have to give it just a moment for the pop up to launch.
Lindsay
I have this ready to go for my second birth in about a month or so. I’ve shown it to my midwife and she said most of it won’t be a problem. I also added a second page for if a c-section becomes necessary, and have put notes at the top to say to please save mom and baby’s life no matter what, even if it goes against the birth plan. I am hoping that this will help the nurses and midwives to be accepting of my wishes, but know that I understand that things do happen. Love that you have this available!!
Brittany Carmona-Holt
I am so grateful for this!
I was planning a home birth with a midwife, so when I compiled our choices, printed this out, and threw it in our otherwise unpacked diaper bag, it was with the assumption that it was a last resort precaution, not a necessity. I ended up having HELLP Syndrome and was sent to the hospital by my midwife one day after my EDD, and I was SO GLAD I had this birth plan printed out, because I went from having my home all ready to birth in to being in a hospital I had never toured with staff I’d never met with zero going according to my vision. It would’ve been impossible to remember and voice all of our decisions off the top of my head while in labor especially with things sweeping into a whirlwind of scary. But for us, this birth plan did exactly what she said it would – our nurses thought it was cute, and I was able to pass it off to my midwife and ask what on it would/wouldn’t be possible now with the unexpected turn my labor had taken, and most of it was still doable, especially all the postpartum preferences.
It is also so helpful to hand off to your partner, who will likely turn into protective, gatekeeper mode when you go into labor, and my hubby was happy to frequently refer to and point to our birth plan the moment that the staff had suggestions otherwise.
I’m now training to be a doula and this is what I’ll use with future clients, I’ve also sent it to all of my pregnant friends in the last two years. It truly was a lifesaver, and I recommend putting one together and having it ready as a back up even if you are planning a home birth!
Jill Heredia
If a nurse scoffs at you during labor/delivery, that nurse needs to be removed immediately.
Nicole
I just wanted to say thank you for this!!! It’s perfect
haleigh
Why are we concerned with nurses not scoffing at us? Its our bodies, why are we so afraid to be unapologetic? I was with my first, had my second at home, third is a undecided but likely in a hospital. Why should I worry my language is offensive? I’m a human being and I should be treated with respect and consent. My birth plan is a simple yes-, no- list.
its my body and I don’t/do consent to certain things and I don’t care if a nurse scoffs. its my body. if you have an issue with respecting peoples wishes in regards to their vagina maybe you shouldn’t be a nurse.
Mackenzie
Thank you so much for all you do Genevieve! I’ve learned SO much from you and I’m excited to have a truly natural childbirth with our 3rd baby. I’m due any day now.
Elizabeth Aeschbacher
Great birth plan – thank you so much! I’m editing mine now. Suggestion for a “vaginal swab” in the case of a C-section.
Genevieve Howland
Great suggestion! We’ve updated the plan accordingly. ?
Diana
I am so excited to use this visual birth strategy at the birth of our second child. I love the simplicity and style!
I was wondering if a spontaneous pushing, no perineal massage, and topical anesthetic for stitches icons could be added?
Thank you so much for your efforts! I really hope this helps my next birth go more as I intended.
Diana
Thank you so much! I realize that you get a ton of similar requests (the comments seem endless)! I would love to help if I could! If there was some way I could create custom icons that match your style within my personal file, or oblige all of the other other icon requests, I would feel it a privilege. I love this type of graphic design, especially when it has such an awesome purpose as a birth strategy!
AZ Baby
Several hospitals in the area are now offering Nitrous Oxide, which we’d like to have available. Can an icon be created for this?
Kelly
Thank you very much for sharing your inspiration and creative work with us. It is so very much appreciated. I love it when people are generous with their ideas and support of others. Like many of the others who have commented here, I have a wishlist for icons as well that you may consider adding. I had a lotus birth with my first child and would love to be able to express this in pictures as I prepare for the second. It means not cutting the cord at all, but waiting until it stops pulsating to wash the placenta, put in a bowl or pouch and either wrap it if using ice to keep it cold (usually cheesecloth) or cover with herbs and salt to ensure it dries safely. The bowl/pouch with the placenta is kept with the baby so that the baby can absorb all of the cord blood over the following three-four days as the cord dries naturally and falls off for a very gentle birth option. It’s a bit of a logistical feat carrying both the baby and the attached placenta (we kept it in a small bowl on ice so that it could be viable for turning into a supplement (encapsulation) after three days). Other people simply bury the placenta in a special spot. I’ve heard some parents put it in a pouch and sort of wrap it to the baby so it doesn’t risk being pulled when the baby is moved around (which is good if you don’t need to keep it cold!). In any case, it means no cord cutting at birth, no clamping, etc… whether it is a vaginal or c-section birth. So some icons describing the steps would be in order for birth attendants when a family chooses this approach. Thanks again for your wonderful initiative!
Johanna
As a NICU nurse I love this birth plan and how simple it can be. While I am pretty open to most things during the birth process, it is nice to have a way to express the few things I really care about. I would love to see a “vacuum/kiwi or forceps only if necessary” option.
Franchesca
The visual birth plan is brilliant! I can’t believe my graphic designer husband didn’t do this with our text heavy one last year…lol. Using this in the spring! Thank you!!
Team Mama Natural
Glad you like it!
Peter
I love easy Natural Things so much better that junk that is not natural pregnancy is not a medical condition it is a natural process
Jennifer
I’m all for giving birth as naturally as possible, but some of these items are simply unrealistic for me. While I did give birth in a hospital, unmedicated, it was without a written birth plan. Partly because my hospital strongly encourages much of what is on this general list as standard practice, at least the parts that are most important to me. (I was able to hold and nurse my baby immediately after birth, visitors were not allowed for a certain amount of time, etc.) But also partly because one of the main things on this list – pain management and epidurals – is irrelevant in my situation. It is physically impossible for me to have an epidural, so I have no choice but to go natural in this way, unless I need an emergency C-section. Which, fortunately, is not typical.
So istead of a birth plan, I carry a post-operative report from the back surgery I had as a teen, indicating the degree of my spinal fusion so that it’s clear to everyone that I can’t have an epidural. If I were to need a C-section, it would require general anesthesia, which was a scary thought the first time around. But my doctors do not take C-sections lightly and would only do it if it is absolutely necessary.
Haylee
Hey Jennifer!
I also had back surgery over 15 years ago and I’m currently have all my records sent to the hospital for the anesthesiologist.
I’m hoping for a natural birth, but since my fusion and artificial disc are L5-S1 and L4-L5, I’m hoping I can still have a natural vaginal delivery too! (Especially since the tailbone moves during birth, it makes me a little nervous)
Where was your back surgery and how did your natural birth go with your hardware?
Amber
This was so helpful! I made my birth plan a few days before making the decision to be induced early because of my high blood pressure. While I knew that the finalized version of my plan wouldn’t be entirely possible given the induction, it really helped my sense of preparedness to have it on paper.
My nurses were very impressed with the clarity of my wishes and thought the pictures were the coolest thing. I started with a statement to the effect that I understood birth is unpredictable and I that would appreciate best efforts to stick to my preferences barring medical emergency. I didn’t get any pushback or eye-rolling at all!
Jessica
I love this idea for a birth plan that can be read at a glance. My partner will also be keeping a more detailed log of things I want if things go “off track.” Would it be possible to add a blank customizeable square in each color? I have a few of my own that I’d love to add – such as “do not reveal gender” “quiet please” “mom will cut cord” “no bathing” etc.
Thank you for putting together this awesome template!
Carly Nemeth
Thank you!
ALLY MATHEWS
So happy about the easy to follow format! Hubby couldn’t remember what to allow and not allow as we learn more about labor and birth with each pregnancy. This is natural baby #3 for us with awesome experiences at our local birth center but you never know what might happen and its good to have a visual aid available when you might not be able to verbalize it yourself!
Michele
This looks great! I am 29 weeks pregnant & very nervous about giving birth in a hospital (can’t afford a home birth & did a free standing birthing center the first time). I will have a typed plan & this one as well. Thank you so much for offering this!!!
Roopa
This looks so much prettier than what my husband and I typed out! Wish I’d come across this when I was pregnant! We called our plan, “Birth Preferences” and my doctor mentioned he appreciated the nuance. For me, I found it most helpful in that I felt very informed and knew I wasn’t walking in blind. My son came VERY fast (42 min after we got to the hospital) so the birth preferences paper was accidentally left in the car, but I had it in my head and was able to advocate for myself because I had made that list.
Kerri Beland
Thank you for creating this! I just emailed mine to my doula and printed 3 copies! 38w yesterday! You seriously are my hero! I have shared multiple links among our Centering group and Crunchy due date group to your resources, especially this one! Much love and thanks!
Genevieve
Aw, my pleasure! Thanks for sharing
Carrie B
I love this! I have taught natural childbirth classes for several years and this is exactly what I always said! Thank you so much for taking the time to create this!!
Bryanna Clinker
i am actually super excited about this birth plan set up. we are planning on getting pregnant again in the next 2ish months and we totally wanna use this. with our first we didn’t have a birth plan written out. we knew what we wanted but never got it printed. though we had an amazing birth
Sheila
This is great! Thanks for sharing. It’s only missing a “breastfeeding only” icon
Meagan
Thank you for this! I’ve been looking for something simple and not bossy-sounding that the nurses could easily check. I’m hoping not to need a birth plan, but this is what I’ll use if I do.
scarred for life
I had a simple birth plan for my first birth that was completely ignored and resulted in severe physical and psychological scarring. My plan for my second child was as a result completely different- it was simply “unless we are about to die don’t touch me, don’t touch my baby” and he was born in the hospital car park. I did have a midwife so prenatal care and she followed us in the car to the hospital. But he was born the moment I got out of the vehicle. I only agreed to go to the hospital because husband passionately didn’t want an unassisted home birth. If i ever have another I’ll be doing it at home unobserved since it turned out I was in fact fully capable of handling my own labor start to finish. I just don’t trust any “professionals” enough to let them touch me ever again.
scarred for life
oh and just to include my first birth was considered “uneventful, normal vaginal delivery” because apparently a non-consensual stretch and sweep and ruptured membranes and handing my baby around to waiting family members instead of giving him to his mother so the student could shower the mother is “uneventful” and “normal”. there was never any indication that I needed any of the interventions the OB just thought he would speed things up “for” me. it was just a very long, normal labor.
Lindsey
I used this for my own birth plan and the nurses LOVED it (so did the docs, but it was mostly the nurses looking at it)! As I was walking around the labor unit, I had nurses stopping me and complimenting me on how cute and easy to use it was for them. Thanks for sharing!!
Genevieve
Hearing this makes my day. Thanks Lindsey!
hannah
Awesome I’m hoping to study midwifery and doulary ( is that a word ?) when I’m through with high school thx!
Rachel
Are the icons’ colors supposed to signify something in particular? Or are they just given the random colors they have?
Jenna
Blue is go and red is stop… Signifies what you do and don’t want.
Danielle
This is genius. I’m due in a little over a month, set to deliver in a hospital and was just thinking how I needed to make a birth plan, but was unsure how to approach it. This is so helpful, it has a nice visual appeal which is so easy to understand and I think would really go over well. Thank you!
Samantha Lee Wright
This is genius! I love this visual approach. So much easier for those busy nurses to understand your birth wishes and so unoffensive and condescending. I think this will be the start to a new chapter in the Natural Birth world. Thank you so much for providing this!
Love you’re site and all of the amazing resources you have for us Natural Mama’s.
I am a doula and childbirth educator and I used a birth plan for both of my deliveries. I find they are so helpful for starting conversations prenatally with your care provider. Make sure everyone is on the same page and you’re wishes are going to be respected. Don’t wait until your in the delivery room to start having these conversations.
Marleen
Yes I did use a birthplan and yes the nurses and midwife read it and stick to it.
I discussed the plan weeks before I gave birth so they know the contents and knew why I wanted some things.
I wrote a birth plan because of my experience by the birth of my first son.
(I got 2 boys and 1 girl an wrote 2 plans)
The first time every thing went according to “my” plan a real handsoff birth with my daughter the second time with my son I had medicine and the midwife want to check the heartbeat an contractions but I wrote in my plan I didn’t want to be monitored so she didn’t. They lissend to his heart twice but not the whole time.
In the Netherlands it is very common to give birth at home. Because of my medical history with my first son the doctors and midwife advised to go to the hospital. Thankfully in the hospital the midwife was the one who assist my during labour so it felt like I gave birth at home.
Malissa
Hi Marleen,
Just wanted to give you a shout out!
I am living in the Netherlands, married to a dutch man. I have two children and am very happy to have given birth here in the Netherlands!
My second birth was wonderful, in the hospital with a midwife, with my birth plan.
I felt so respected.
Groetjes!