What is a birth plan?
A birth plan is a simple document that outlines your preferences for labour, birth, and after the birth of your baby.
It helps your midwives, doctors, and birth partner understand how you would like your delivery to go.
Whether you write it in detail or just note key points, a birth plan is a great way to feel prepared and informed before labour begins.
At Ultrascan, we encourage expecting parents to think about their birth preferences early on, especially after attending antenatal classes.
Your birth plan is personal to you and can be updated anytime as you approach your due date.
Preparing for birth
Whether you have a clear idea of the birth you want or are only starting to think about it, preparing ahead is always helpful. A birth plan allows you to focus on what matters most during labour — bringing your baby safely into the world.
Things to Consider Before Labour:
- – Where you plan to give birth (hospital, home, or birthing centre)
- – Your birth partner’s role and involvement
- – Pain relief preferences
- – Positions and equipment for labour
- – Monitoring options for your baby
- – Assisted birth options (forceps or ventouse)
- – Preferences for a C-section, if needed
- – Cord clamping and placenta delivery options
- – Care for your baby immediately after birth
How to Make a Birth Plan
Writing a birth plan doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s how you can start:
1. Gather Information: Speak to your midwife, obstetrician, and healthcare professionals.
2. Attend Antenatal Classes: Learn more about labour, pain relief, and delivery methods.
3. Discuss with Your Birth Partner: Make sure they know your preferences.
4. Keep an Open Mind: Labour can be unpredictable, so flexibility is key.
5. Put it in Writing: Clearly list your preferences.
6. Share and Review: Discuss your plan with your healthcare team and ensure a copy is added to your hospital file.
What Should I Include in My Birth Plan?
Personal information
- Your name
- Your birth partner’s name and relationship to you
Place of birth
- Hospital, home, or birthing centre
Pain relief option
- Self-help techniques (breathing, hypnobirthing, aromatherapy)
- TENS machine
- Water immersion or birthing pool
- Gas and air (Entonox)
- Pethidine
- Epidural
- Preference for no pain relief
Labour Positions & Equipment:
- Sitting, standing, kneeling, squatting
- Use of birthing ball or mat
Assisted Birth Options:
- Your thoughts on forceps or ventouse delivery
Caesarean Section (C-Section):
- Preferences if an emergency or planned C-section is required
Episiotomy:
- Whether you’d like to discuss this in advance
Birth of the Placenta:
- Naturally or with medicine
- Whether you’d like to keep the placent
Cutting the Umbilical Cord:
- Who will cut the cord
- Preferences for delayed cord clamping
Baby Care After Birth:
- Skin-to-skin contact
- Breastfeeding or bottle feeding
- Consent for Vitamin K injection
Baby Care After Birth:
- Skin-to-skin contact
- Breastfeeding or bottle feeding
- Consent for Vitamin K injection
Special Requirements:
- Dietary preferences
- Religious or cultural needs
- Language assistance or sign language interpreter
- Special needs for you or your birth partner
FAQ: Birth Plan Template in Ireland
Do I need a birth plan to give birth in Ireland?
When should I create my birth plan?
Can I change my birth plan later?
Is there a standard birth plan template available in Ireland?
Planning your birth journey starts with understanding your pregnancy. We offer high-quality antenatal scans to give you peace of mind as you prepare to welcome your baby.
Contact us today to schedule your scan and take the next step in your pregnancy journey.
At Ultrascan, we perform our Early Pregnancy Scan abdominally between 8 and 14 weeks.
The earlier this pregnancy scan is done, the more accurate it is at estimating your baby’s due date.
Due Date Estimations made during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy are generally within 3 – 5 days of accuracy.
Things to consider
Remember, your birth plan is a guide, not a fixed rule. Labour and birth can bring unexpected changes, and your healthcare team may need to adjust the plan to ensure you and your baby stay safe.
Discuss your birth plan with your midwife or obstetrician well in advance, so they can answer any questions and explain any limitations based on your medical history or hospital facilities.
At Ultrascan, we support every parent in making informed, confident decisions throughout their pregnancy journey.
