Why Birth Plan Templates Don’t Always Work

I am all for making birth plans. Making birth plans is trendy, but also very classic. The idea and practice of making birth plans has been around for a long time, but the process of how to make one and how to use it has evolved over time. So many care providers have gotten on board with the idea of birth plans and even ask for them sometimes! The trend that I’m NOT a big fan of is using a template to make birth plans.

I have worked with dozens of students helping them make their birth plans. Over the years, I’ve been able to see what works and what doesn’t. A birth plan does need to be a useful document, but the process of making the birth plan is just as important as the final product.

What doesn’t work

The idea of a birth plan template sounds fantastic. I imagine a fun game of Mad Libs. Just plug in your words and you’re done! Or easier still are the ones where you just check a box. Easy is good, but it doesn’t always produce the best results. Here’s why I don’t think using a template is the way to go:

1. First and most importantly, it doesn’t allow you to engage in one of the most important benefits of making a birth plan. You don’t get to learn as much about yourself. A really important part of making a birth plan is to go deep to think through and feel the birth experience you most want. I think it’s best to do that BEFORE you look at someone else’s plan or template. I think it’s best when it comes from you directly.
2. A template doesn’t know your history. There may be some pieces missing from a template that should be very important to include for you. For example, you might have a medical condition that needs special attention. A template may not have a space for that. You may have had a traumatic experience in your past and want to request some very specific things. That’s not likely to be on most birth plan templates. Creating your own birth plan with the help of your care provider who knows your history is a much more powerful way to do it.
3. A template doesn’t have your personality. I recommend including a little bit of personal information on a birth plan and using your own language so your care team can get to know you better.
4. A template is not comprehensive enough. There are so many things to consider related to your birth. I haven’t seen a template yet that covers all of the things that I would want to cover on my birth plan. When I go through birth planning with folks, we talk about the importance of education. That’s the first step in making a birth plan. If you haven’t learned about birth, it can be really hard to know what you might or might not want to put on your birth plan.

What works

This might sound very overwhelming! If you can’t use a template, where are you supposed to start? You can definitely learn some tips from my previous article about making birth plans. You can sign up for our individual birth planning sessions, OR you can purchase our SELF-PACED online course to help you make your birth plan! Make your birth plan at your own pace, and it’s a super affordable way to go through the birth planning process in a way that will be thorough and empowering.