"You Can’t Plan Birth—So Why Make a Birth Plan?"
One of the most common objections to creating a birth plan is the idea that birth is unpredictable, so why bother? Some moms worry that having a plan will only set them up for disappointment if things don’t go as expected. And it’s true—birth is full of unknowns! But the real purpose of a birth plan isn’t to script every detail of labor and delivery. Instead, it’s a tool to communicate your preferences, make informed decisions ahead of time, and prepare for different possibilities so you feel confident and empowered no matter how birth unfolds.
Birth Plans Help You Communicate Clearly with Your Provider
During labor, you won’t want to be deep-diving into medical research or trying to explain all your preferences between contractions. A birth plan condenses your key decisions into a clear, concise document that your provider, nurses, and support team can reference quickly. This helps ensure that your wishes are known and respected as much as possible.
A well-crafted birth plan:
Helps your provider understand your ideal birth experience
Reduces the need for on-the-spot decision-making under stress
Ensures your birth partner and support team know how to advocate for you
Sets the tone for a respectful and collaborative birth environment
A Birth Plan Is About Informed Flexibility, Not Rigidity
Instead of thinking of a birth plan as a rigid script, think of it as a roadmap. It’s about making informed choices ahead of time so that you’re not caught off guard by common interventions, policies, or unexpected situations. Researching your options before labor allows you to confidently say yes or no to different procedures based on what aligns with your goals and values.
For example, many first-time moms don’t realize they can request delaying cord clamping until the cord is white, opt for intermittent fetal monitoring instead of continuous, or decline routine IV fluids in a low-risk birth. Without prior research, they may assume every hospital policy is a must, rather than an option. Your birth plan helps you clarify these choices in advance.
Great Birth Plans Include a "Plan B" (and Even a "Plan C")
Birth plans aren’t just about the best case scenario. A truly great birth plan also prepares for alternative outcomes, including medical interventions and emergencies. This ensures that even if things take an unexpected turn, your voice is still heard and your preferences still guide your care as much as possible.
Examples of backup birth plan preferences:
Pain Management: Is there an order in which you want to try unmedicated and medicated pain relief options?
C-Section Preferences: If a cesarean becomes necessary, do you want a clear drape, immediate skin-to-skin, or delayed cord clamping?
Newborn Care: If your baby needs NICU care, do you want your partner to stay with them at all times?
Having these conversations and decisions made before labor helps reduce stress and confusion when things don’t go as planned.
The Bottom Line: Birth Plans Set You Up for an Empowered Experience
While birth can’t be controlled, preparation is powerful. A birth plan helps you:
✅ Make informed choices in advance
✅ Communicate clearly with your provider
✅ Feel more confident and less overwhelmed in the moment
✅ Set preferences for multiple possible outcomes
So don’t skip making a birth plan out of fear that things won’t go exactly as you hope. Instead, think of it as a valuable preparation tool—one that helps you step into birth feeling informed, empowered, and ready for whatever comes your way.
