How to Create Your Birth Preference Plan?

Consider different birthing scenarios

​Preparing for birth is an exciting and emotional journey. For many families, creating a birth plan is an integral part of that process. But what exactly is a birth plan—and how can you make sure yours truly works for you? At Doula Nathalie & Associates, we view birth plans not as rigid scripts, but as flexible and empowering tools. They help families clarify their wishes, communicate with their care team, and feel more confident as they step into the unknowns of labor and birth.

What to Cover in a Birth Preference Plan?
A birth plan is a document that describes your wishes for labor and delivery. It covers the topics that are essential for your birth experience, such as:

• Labor environment: wearing your gown, lighting, music, essential oils, and who’s present.
• Pain management: natural comfort measures — such as massage, visualization, breathing exercises, hot/cold packs, using a tub/shower, or a TENS unit — an epidural, or a “wait and see” approach.
• Interventions: preferences around induction, monitoring, or cesarean birth.
• Newborn care: skin-to-skin, feeding choices, delayed cord clamping.

It’s less about “controlling” birth and more about giving your team a clear sense of your values and priorities.
 
The Doula Approach to Birth Planning
At Doula Nathalie & Associates, we help clients approach their birth plans with balance and realism. Here’s how we support you in creating one that works:

1. Education Through Birthing Classes: During our childbirth education classes, we guide families through the many choices they may encounter. Rather than handing out a standard form, we empower you through dialogue, personalized guidance, and support in weighing what matters most to you.
2. Personalized Doula Support: Every family is unique. Your doula will work with you to explore what matters most to you. We listen deeply—whether your focus is minimizing interventions, planning for an epidural, or simply wanting a calm and respectful birth environment.
3. Preparing for Flexibility: One of the most important parts of our approach is preparing for “Plan B.” Birth can be unpredictable, and part of our job is to help you feel empowered even when things shift. Together, we discuss possible scenarios, so you feel ready to adapt while still honoring your values.

If your birth does not happen as you planned, it is okay to be disappointed. However, try to focus on the positive moments from your experience. We will do our best to help you! 
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“Nathalie helped us create a birth plan that felt like us—clear but flexible. When things didn’t go exactly as we’d envisioned, she was right there reminding us of what mattered most. I can’t imagine going through birth without that kind of support.”
 
What Specific Topics Should I Consider with My Care Team?
When you share your birth preference plan with your midwife, OB, or nursing staff, it’s helpful to be ready to discuss certain key areas. This ensures that your wishes are understood and helps you feel confident about the flexibility of your plan. Consider asking about:

• Labor preferences: How do they feel about movement in labor, eating or drinking, or the use of birth tools like birth balls and tubs?
• Pain relief options: What’s available in your chosen birth setting, and what are the hospital or birth center’s policies around epidurals, nitrous oxide, or other methods?
• Interventions: Under what circumstances would your care team recommend induction, continuous monitoring, or assisted delivery?
• Cesarean birth: If a cesarean becomes necessary, can you request things like skin-to-skin in the operating room or a clear drape?
• Newborn care: What are the standard routines for vitamin K, eye ointment, or newborn exams, and can they be delayed or done skin-to-skin?
• Visitors and support: What are the policies around who can be present during birth and recovery?

Having these conversations not only clarifies your options but also helps build trust with your care team. Your doula can support you by preparing questions, encouraging open dialogue, and ensuring that your priorities are communicated clearly in the moment.
 
Strategies for Developing an Effective Birth Preference Plan
When putting your birth plan together, a few simple strategies can make it more effective and easier for your care team to follow:

• Keep it concise: Aim for a single page, using bullet points to make it quick and easy to read.
• Highlight your top priorities: Choose the 3–5 things that matter most to you, so they stand out clearly.
• Use positive language: Ask yourself what you need to have a positive experience and try phrasing preferences positively as “I would like…” or “It’s important to me that…”
• Share it with your support team: Review your plan with your obstetrician or midwife before labor begins, not just when you arrive at the hospital or birth center.
• Review it with your doula: Together, we can refine the details and discuss how to remain flexible in case circumstances change.

A Birth Preference Plan as Part of Your Support System
At the heart of it, a birth preference plan is not just a document—it’s part of the preparation, reflection, and communication that helps you feel confident and supported. Whether your plan unfolds exactly as written or takes a few detours, the process of creating it can be just as empowering as the birth itself.
Our clients often tell us how much more prepared they felt going into labor after creating their plan with our guidance. With a trusted doula by your side, your birth plan becomes more than words on paper—it becomes a foundation for advocacy, reassurance, and compassionate care.
 
✨ Curious about birth planning? Join one of our birthing classes or connect with a doula from our team. We’d love to help you craft a birth plan that truly works for you and your growing family