How to Create a Birth Plan That’s Right for You

Bringing a baby into the world is so exciting! And yet, it can feel completely overwhelming. A birth plan helps you communicate your wishes clearly so your care team understands what matters most to you.

Lorena Tinoco, MD, and Madelyn Gonzalez, MD, provide personalized obstetrics care at Novel OBGYN. Our office in Coral Gables, Florida is an ideal place to talk through your preferences and create a birth plan that feels right for you.

Start with your setting

When writing your plan, consider where you want to give birth and who you want there to support you. One of the benefits of our practice is continuity; it’s our policy that you alternate seeing both doctors throughout your pregnancy, which builds trust with both providers and ensures that the doctor who’s on call to attend your birth knows you and understands your needs.

Our practice also offers in-house ultrasounds, including 3D/4D imaging, so you can enjoy a more connected prenatal experience. If language or cultural comfort is important, our bilingual team can help you feel even more at ease.

Identify your priorities, but stay flexible

A good plan outlines what’s most important to you while leaving room for adjustments. Some common areas to think about include:

Pain management preferences (natural birth, epidural, or other options)
Who you want present during labor and delivery
Immediate postpartum wishes, like skin-to-skin contact or delayed cord clamping

Write down and tell your doctor and anyone coming to the birth with you your main desires. However, because labor can be unpredictable, you need to stay flexible. Including backup preferences in your plan — such as how you’d like a C-section to go if it becomes necessary — gives you peace of mind while prioritizing safety for you and your baby.

Focus on details that matter

Sometimes, it’s the small touches that shape your overall experience. Think about your ideal labor environment:

Would dim lighting and music make you feel calm?
Do you want freedom to move around during labor?
Do you want your partner or a family member to cut the cord?
Who do you want in the room?
Who’s going to take photos?
Do you want to breastfeed right away or have a quiet bonding time first?

Our team knows how special the birth experience is and works to honor your birth plan to the best of their abilities.

Review and share your plan

Once you’ve written your plan, bring it to your prenatal visits so our doctors can review it with you. We can let you know what aligns with hospital policies and what may need to be adjusted.

Be sure your partner or doula also has a copy so they can advocate for you during labor. Don’t hesitate to revisit your plan as your pregnancy progresses; your priorities may shift, and you’ll want to update your plan if they do.

For help designing your birth plan, reach out to our team at Novel OBGYN now to set up a consultation with our board-certified OB/GYNs.