How to Write a Birth Plan: A Gentle Birth Preferences Checklist for Australian Mums
“Birth is not only about making babies. Birth is about making mothers — strong, competent, capable mothers who trust themselves and know their inner strength.”
—Barbara Katz Rothman
Birth Preferences Checklist: Gentle Questions to Help You Write Your Birth Plan
Preparing for birth can feel exciting, emotional, and sometimes overwhelming. One of the most empowering things you can do during pregnancy is think through your birth preferences ahead of time.
Whether you’re planning a hospital birth, birth centre birth, home birth, vaginal birth or caesarean birth, having a clear birth preferences list helps you feel informed and prepared.
This birth preferences checklist is designed as a gentle guide, not a rigid template. They are preferences, to fit with the flexibility needed for the unpredictability of birth, instead of strict plan where you may feel flustered or upset if things don’t happen exactly how you thought. There are no “right” answers. These questions simply help you reflect on what feels aligned for you and your baby and the experience you’d like.
They’re also wonderful questions to talk through with your partner, support person, doula, midwife, or care provider if you’re unsure about any options.
One of the easiest ways to write your own birth preferences is to go through the questions below and jot down your answers in simple dot points on paper or in a notes document on your phone. Keep it clear and brief, so it can be quickly read and understood when the time comes.
Personal Details
What is your name?
Who will be your support person, and what is their relationship to you?
Will a student midwife or additional support person be present?
What is your estimated due date?
Before Labour Begins
Are there any medical considerations, health factors, or personal choices you would like your care team to be aware of?
What type of birth are you planning?
Vaginal birth
Planned caesarean birth
Open depending on circumstances
Your Ideal Labour Environment
Would you like to eat and drink during labour?
Yes
Light fluids only
Guided by care provider
How would you like to move during labour?
Free movement and upright positions
Mostly on the bed
A mix of both
What kind of atmosphere feels calming to you?
Dim lights
Music
Quiet room
No strong preference
Would you like photos taken during labour or birth?
Yes
No
Only certain moments
Are you interested in using water for comfort?
Shower
Bath
Birthing pool
Not planning to use water
If available, where would you prefer to birth?
On a bed
In a birthing pool
On a mat or floor
Open to what feels right at the time
Birth Positions & Pushing
Do you have any preferred birth positions?
Upright (standing, squatting)
Hands and knees
Side-lying
Semi-reclined
Open to guidance
How would you like to approach pushing?
Body-led / following natural urges
Coached pushing
Flexible depending on circumstances
How would you like your care provider to support the birth of your baby?
Minimal hands-on unless needed
Gentle guidance throughout
Follow provider’s recommendation
Monitoring & Examinations
What type of fetal monitoring are you comfortable with?
Intermittent monitoring
Continuous monitoring
Wireless monitoring if available
As recommended
Are you open to vaginal examinations?
Yes, as recommended
Only if necessary
Prefer to limit
Prefer to decline unless medically required
How do you feel about breaking the waters (artificial rupture of membranes)?
Open if recommended
Only if medically necessary
Prefer to avoid if possible
Are you comfortable with a cannula or IV during labour?
Yes
Only if needed
Prefer not unless required
If labour slows or complications arise, how do you feel about:
Oxytocin for induction or augmentation
Episiotomy
Assisted birth (vacuum or forceps)
(Open / Only if medically necessary / Prefer to avoid)
Pain Relief Options
Which birth pain relief options are you open to?
Movement and position changes
Water immersion
TENS machine
Sterile water injections
Gas and air (nitrous oxide)
Epidural
Other medical pain relief
Undecided and will see how labour unfolds
Cord & Placenta Preferences
When would you prefer the cord to be clamped and cut?
Immediately
Delayed cord clamping
After placenta is delivered
No preference
How would you prefer the placenta to be delivered?
Physiological (without medication)
Active management (with medication)
Open to recommendation
Are you comfortable with cord traction or uterine massage if needed?
Yes
Only if medically necessary
Prefer to avoid if possible
Immediately After Birth
Who would you like to hold your baby first?
Mother
Support person
Shared
Would you like immediate skin-to-skin contact?
Yes
After initial checks
No preference
How are you planning to feed your baby?
Breastfeeding
Bottle feeding
Mixed feeding
Undecided
Would you like to begin feeding as soon as baby shows readiness cues?
Yes
No preference
Open to guidance
If a Caesarean Birth Is Needed
Would you prefer to remain awake (spinal/epidural) if possible?
Yes
No preference
Follow medical advice
Would you like clear drapes if available?
Yes
No
No preference
Would you like one arm free to hold your baby if possible?
Yes
No preference
Would you prefer delayed cord clamping if appropriate?
Yes
No preference
Follow recommendation
If you are unable to do skin-to-skin immediately, who should?
Support person
No preference
Newborn Care Preferences
Where would you like your baby to stay after birth?
In my room (rooming-in)
Nursery as needed
No preference
If baby needs to leave the room, who should accompany them?
Support person
No preference
When would you prefer baby’s first bath?
Immediately
Delayed
No preference
What are your preferences regarding newborn medications and vaccinations?
Vitamin K
Hepatitis B vaccine
Other newborn procedures
(Consent in advance / Discuss at the time / Decline / Undecided)
Postnatal Care
Do you have any dietary requirements?
Do you have any allergies?
How would you like medications or injections handled during recovery?
As recommended
Discuss before administration
Only with explicit consent
Writing Your Birth Preferences
Once you’ve worked through these questions, write your answers in clear dot points. Keep your birth plan simple and easy to scan. A one-page document is often ideal.
Bring a copy in your hospital bag and keep a digital version on your phone. Share it with your support person so they feel confident advocating for you if needed.
Remember, birth is beautifully unpredictable. Your preferences are not about controlling every outcome, they’re about helping you feel informed, supported, and heard.
If you’re unsure about any of these options, use this list as a starting point for conversations with your partner, doula, midwife, or care provider.
Informed, supported mothers make confident decisions and that calm clarity is something you’ll carry with you long after your baby is in your arms 🤍
About the Author
Sarah Iskandar is a Brisbane newborn, baby, and family photographer specialising in natural, heartfelt photography for growing families. As a mother of four, she understands how quickly the newborn and motherhood seasons pass, and is passionate about capturing genuine connection in a calm, relaxed environment. Based in Raceview, Ipswich, Sarah offers maternity, newborn, and family photography sessions designed to preserve the beauty of early motherhood and the tiny details you never want to forget. If you’re looking for a trusted Brisbane newborn photographer who values warmth, authenticity, and timeless imagery, Luminous Family Photography would love to document your story.
FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER BRISBANE | NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHER BRISBANE