10 Must-Have Details to Include in Your Antenatal Birth Plan

Crafting an antenatal birth plan is one of the best ways to prepare for the incredible journey of childbirth. While you can’t predict every twist and turn of labour, having a plan ensures your preferences are clearly communicated, making the process less stressful for you and your healthcare team.

Think of your birth plan as a friendly guide—a way to share your hopes for the big day while keeping things flexible. Ready to dive in? Here are 10 must-have details every mum-to-be should include in her antenatal birth plan.

1. Your Preferred Birth Setting

The first thing to think about is where you’d like to give birth. Your chosen location will shape your overall experience, so it’s important to include this in your plan.

Options to Consider:

Hospital Birth: Ideal if you want access to advanced medical facilities.

Birthing Centre: A more relaxed, homely environment for low-risk pregnancies.

Home Birth: A familiar and comforting option for those with uncomplicated pregnancies.

Discuss these options with your midwife or obstetrician early in your antenatal appointments. For example, the NHS recommends planning home births only for low-risk pregnancies to ensure safety.

2. Pain Relief Preferences

Labour is unpredictable, and pain relief is one area where you’ll want to have clear options while staying open to changes.

Pain Relief Choices:

Natural Methods: Breathing exercises, antenatal yoga techniques, hypnobirthing, or water immersion.

Medical Options: Gas and air (Entonox), pethidine injections, or epidurals.

Combination Approaches: Using natural methods early on and opting for medication later if needed.

Including phrases like “I’d prefer to start with natural pain relief” or “I’m open to an epidural if necessary” shows flexibility while outlining your preferences.

3. Labour Positions

Gone are the days of lying flat on a bed being the only option during labour. Many mums-to-be find that movement and different positions help ease discomfort and speed up labour.

Popular Labour Positions:

Upright (e.g., standing, leaning, or squatting).

Using a birthing ball for support.

Kneeling or on all fours.

Side-lying for rest and comfort.

Mention whether you’d like the freedom to move around during labour, or if you’d prefer guidance from your midwife to try new positions.

4. Environment Preferences

The environment you labour in can have a big impact on your experience. Including your preferences in your birth plan helps create a calming space tailored to your needs.

Ideas for a Relaxing Atmosphere:

Dimmed lights or fairy lights.

Soft music or a playlist of your favourite songs.

Aromatherapy with essential oils like lavender or chamomile (check with your healthcare provider first).

Some birthing centres and hospitals in the UK are well-equipped to accommodate these preferences—be sure to ask during antenatal appointments.

5. Medical Interventions

While many mums-to-be hope for a natural birth, it’s essential to prepare for scenarios where medical interventions might be necessary. Including your preferences ensures you’re informed and ready for different possibilities.

Common Interventions to Address:

Inductions: Methods like membrane sweeps or oxytocin drips.

Assisted Delivery: Use of tools like forceps or vacuum extraction.

C-Sections: Preferences for skin-to-skin contact or the use of a clear drape to see the baby being born.

Being clear about your preferences—while remaining flexible—will help your care team make decisions that align with your wishes.

6. Delivery Preferences

How you envision the actual delivery stage is another key detail to include in your birth plan.

Questions to Consider:

Do you prefer to push in a specific position, like squatting or side-lying?

Would you like your midwife to guide you on when to push?

Are you open to an episiotomy, or would you prefer to avoid one unless absolutely necessary?

By addressing these questions, you can help shape a delivery experience that feels right for you.

7. Newborn Care Preferences

Those first moments with your baby are precious, and your birth plan should reflect how you’d like them to unfold.

Newborn Preferences to Include:

Skin-to-Skin Contact: Whether you’d like immediate contact to bond and regulate your baby’s temperature.

Delayed Cord Clamping: Allowing the umbilical cord to stop pulsing before it’s cut for extra blood flow to the baby.

Feeding Plans: Indicating whether you’d like to breastfeed, formula-feed, or a mix of both.

Be sure to mention if you’d like extra support for breastfeeding, as this can be arranged at many hospitals and birthing centres in the UK.

8. Partner’s Role

Your partner or support person plays a crucial role in your labour experience, and your birth plan should outline how they can help.

Tasks for Your Partner:

Advocating for your preferences with the healthcare team.

Offering comfort measures, like massages or cold compresses.

Participating in special moments, such as cutting the cord or holding the baby first.

Discussing these details in advance helps ensure your partner feels prepared and confident.

9. Special Needs or Requests

If you have specific needs or cultural practices, include them in your plan to ensure they’re respected.

Examples of Special Requests:

Language needs: Requesting an interpreter if necessary.

Religious or cultural rituals: Indicating practices you’d like incorporated during labour or postpartum.

Medical conditions or disabilities: Any accommodations you may require for a safe and comfortable experience.

Midwives and hospital staff in the UK are trained to handle diverse needs, so don’t hesitate to share your preferences.

10. Contingency Plans

Labour is unpredictable, so it’s smart to include “plan B” scenarios for emergencies or unexpected changes.

Examples of Contingency Plans:

C-Section Preferences: Skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding initiation in the operating room.

Pain Relief: Open to an epidural if labour becomes prolonged or more intense.

Assisted Delivery: Preferences for forceps or vacuum use, if required.

By preparing for different outcomes, you can stay flexible and focus on the ultimate goal: a safe and healthy delivery.

UK Resources to Help You Write Your Birth Plan

NHS Pregnancy Services: Free antenatal care and support for creating birth plans. Visit NHS Pregnancy Care

National Childbirth Trust (NCT): Antenatal classes and resources for planning your birth. Visit NCT

Tommy’s PregnancyHub: Expert advice and online tools for mums-to-be. Visit Tommy’s

Final Thoughts

Writing an antenatal birth plan is about more than just ticking boxes—it’s a chance to clarify your preferences, empower yourself with knowledge, and create a supportive framework for the big day.

By including these 10 must-have details, you’ll feel confident and prepared, knowing your care team understands your needs. Remember, flexibility is key, and your plan should act as a guide rather than a rigid script.

With a little preparation and an open mind, you’re well on your way to a positive and empowering birthing experience. Good luck, mum-to-be—you’ve got this!