Birth plans explained: What to include and how to stay flexible

June 24, 2026 / Birth Center / 5-minute read

Nursery painted? Check. Late-night Googling about labor? Also check. Somewhere along the way, you’ve probably heard about creating a “birth plan,” and maybe wondered if you actually need one.

The short answer: no, you don’t have to have one. But for many expectant parents, it’s a genuinely useful tool. It gives you a chance to think through your preferences, start conversations with your provider, and help your care team understand what matters most to you.

What is a birth plan, exactly?

Think of it as a simple, one-page guide to your preferences for labor, delivery, and those first few hours after your baby arrives.

It’s not a script or a set of rules. It’s more like a starting point for communication. When you arrive at the hospital, it gives your nurses, midwife, and OB a quick snapshot of what’s important to you.

What should you include?

Keep it clear and easy to scan. Your care team will appreciate it. Here are some common things to include:

Who’s in the room. Your partner, a doula, a photographer—write down who you want present, and who you’d prefer to step out.

The environment. Dim lights, a favorite playlist, minimal interruptions—small details that can make a real difference in how calm you feel.

Pain management preferences
Whether you’re planning for an epidural or hoping to go without medication, write down your starting point. Plans can change, and that’s okay.

Movement and comfort measures
Let your team know if you’d like to walk, use a birthing ball, or try the shower for comfort.

Delivery preferences
Include details like immediate skin-to-skin contact, delayed cord clamping, or whether you’d like to see the delivery.

After delivery and newborn care
You can share your thoughts on feeding, pacifier use, rooming-in, or any newborn procedures

If plans change (C-section preferences)
Even if you’re planning a vaginal birth, it can be helpful to note preferences in case a C-section is needed, like who you’d want with you.

“Creating a birth plan before delivery empowers families to share what matters most to them. This extra step helps to build trust, communication, and a more meaningful birth experience.”

Jamie Hendrix, RN, BA
Obstetrics Nurse Manager, Welia Health

Why flexibility matters

If there’s one thing to keep in mind, it’s this: birth doesn’t always follow a plan.

You might plan to go without medication and decide differently in the moment. Or your care team may recommend a change based on how things are progressing. That’s not a failure. It’s care that is adapting to what you and your baby need.

One small shift that can help: try writing preferences as open-ended. Instead of “I will not have an epidural,” try “I’d like to try without pain medication, but I’m open to discussing options.” This takes the pressure off and keeps the focus where it belongs: on a safe, healthy delivery.

Talking it through ahead of time

Bring your birth plan to a prenatal visit a few weeks before your due date. Your provider can walk through it with you to ensure it aligns with the Welia Center Birth Center’s standard practices.

When it’s time, bring a few printed copies to the hospital so your care team can keep them handy for reference.

Want more guidance?

Welia Health offers a Prenatal Education series that covers everything from labor and delivery to newborn care—and, of course, birth plans. The next session begins August 4, 2026. Pre-registration is strongly suggested, but not required.

The Welia Health Birth Center team is here to support you every step of the way. Bring your questions to your next prenatal visit, or schedule an appointment by calling 320.679.1313 or by logging on to MyChart.