There are a number of factors women are encouraged to consider when compiling a birth plan. These include:

Atmosphere during labor and delivery

• Where does the expectant mother prefer to give birth (e.g., hospital, birthing center, own home)?
  
  
• Who would she like to have present at the birth (e.g., partner, friends, relatives, doula [birth assistant])?
  
  
• Would she prefer music to be played?
  
  
• Would she like the lights dimmed?
  
  
• Does she prefer to wear certain clothes during labor and delivery?
  
  
• Does she want to have the birth photographed or filmed?
  
  
• Are there certain amenities she would like to have in her room (e.g., DVD player, stereo)?

Preparation

• Does she prefer not to have the routine enema?
  
  
• If possible, would she like to wear her contact lenses during labor and delivery?
  
  
• Would she like to remain home until she reaches a certain point in labor?

First stage labor

• Who does she prefer to have assisting at the birth (obstetrician [OB], family practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, doula)?
  
  
• Does she prefer not to be separated from her partner at any point during labor or delivery?
  
  
• Does she want to be sent home if she is less than five centimeters dilated?
  
  
• Does she prefer to wait before inducing labor if her water breaks at the onset of labor or if she goes past her due date (if approved)?
  
  
• Does she have a preferred technique for inducing labor (e.g., oxytocin, stripping or breaking membranes, castor oil, enema)?
  
  
• Would she rather not undergo internal exams during labor (unless medically necessary)?
  
  
• Does she prefer to eat and drink during labor?
  
  
• How does she want to stay hydrated (e.g., drinking clear fluids, eating ice chips, IV)?
  
  
• If an IV is required, does she prefer to use a heparin or saline lock?
  
  
• Is she interested in using pain medication? If so, should it be offered to her or should it be given only when she asks for it? What drugs are preferred (e.g., epidural, sedatives, tranquilizers, narcotics)?
  
  
• Which alternatives to pain medication is she interested in using (e.g., acupressure, acupuncture, massage, hypnosis, breathing techniques, hot/cold therapy, bath/shower)?
  
  
• Does she prefer to walk and move around during labor?
  
  
• Does she want to have fetal monitoring? If so, does she have preferences as to how the baby is monitored (e.g., externally, Doppler, fetoscope)?
  
  
• Does she prefer to be free of time limits and not have her labor augmented (as long as it is not a health risk)?

Second stage labor

• Does she want to avoid an episiotomy (a surgical procedure that involves cutting a woman between her vagina and anus)? In what situation would she approve an episiotomy (e.g., risk of tearing, medical emergency)?
  
  
• If an episiotomy is performed, does she have a preference as to the type and degree of episiotomy (e.g., pressure episiotomy)?
  
  
• What positions are preferred for delivery (e.g., classic/semi-recline, side-lying position, squatting, hands and knees, standing upright, whatever feels right at the time)?
  
  
• Does she want to have certain birth equipment available to her (e.g., birthing bed, birthing stool, beanbag chair, squatting bar, birthing pool/tub)?
  
  
• Does she wish to view the birth using a mirror?
  
  
• Does she wish to touch the baby’s head as it crowns?
  
  
• Does she prefer not to have residents or students present at the birth?
  
  
• Does she want to push instinctively and not be told how or when to push?
  
  
• Would she prefer to be free of time limits on pushing (as long as there are no health risks)?
  
  
• If an assisted birth becomes medically necessary, does she prefer the use of forceps or vacuum extraction?
  
  
• How long does she wish to try vaginal delivery before having a C-section?

Caesarean sections

• Does she want to have her partner present during the entire operation?
  
  
• Does she wish to be conscious?
  
  
• Does she prefer to have the screen lowered so she can view the baby coming out?
  
  
• Does she wish to have one hand free so that she can touch the baby?
  
  
• Does she want to have the delivery photographed or filmed?
  
  
• Does she prefer to have immediate contact with the baby (if the infant’s health permits)?

Post-birth

• Does she prefer for her partner to catch the baby?
  
  
• Would she prefer for the baby to be cleaned off before it is handed to her?
  
  
• Does she want her partner to suction the baby?
  
  
• Does she prefer waiting for the umbilical cord to stop pulsating before it is clamped and cut?
  
  
• Does she want her partner to cut the umbilical cord?
  
  
• Does she wish to bank the baby’s umbilical cord blood?
  
  
• Does she prefer to deliver the placenta unassisted?
  
  
• Would she prefer not to have routine oxytocin after birth?
  
  
• Does she wish to postpone newborn procedures (e.g., vitamin K injection, heel prick for blood test, eye medication) until she has had a chance to bond with the baby?
  
  
• Does she prefer for all newborn procedures to take place in her presence? If she cannot be with her baby for newborn procedures, does she prefer that her partner stay with the baby at all times?
  
  
• Does she want to breastfeed? If so, does she prefer that no water or formula be fed to the baby?
  
  
• Does she prefer to feed the baby immediately after birth?
  
  
• Would she prefer that pacifiers not be provided to the baby?
  
  
• Does she want the baby to be fed on demand instead of on a schedule?
  
  
• Does she prefer 24-hour rooming-in with the baby?
  
  
• Would she want her male baby to be circumcised?
  
  
• Does she prefer to stay in a private room?
  
  
• Does she want her partner to spend the night in her room with her?
  
  
• Does she prefer to stay in the hospital for as long as possible?
  
  
• Does she wish for her older children to visit her and her baby?
  
  
• Does she want any special diet after the delivery?