Questions to Ask About Your Birth Plan

When planning where and how you ideally want to give birth, you need to consider both what you would prefer and what the hospital or birthing centers can offer. The following questions may act as helpful prompts.

Questions to ask yourself

• Who would you like to have with you during the labor and birth?

• Do you want an active labor?

• What pain relief do you want?

• If you have an assisted birth, would you prefer vacuum or forceps?

• Do you want your partner to be present if you have a cesarean?

• Do you want the third stage of labor to be managed naturally or assisted with drugs?

• How do you want to feed your baby?

Questions to ask the hospital

• What is the policy on induction? Will the hospital monitor your baby before labor if you don't want to be induced?

• Will the choice of pain relief and the place of birth change if you're induced?

• Are there tubs or birthing pool facilities?

• Will you be able to bring in aids such as massage oils or music?

• How much privacy will you have?

• How many people will you be allowed to invite into your labor and delivery room?

• Will your baby remain with you throughout your stay in the hospital?

• Does the hospital have facilities for sick babies, or are babies transferred?

• Can you go home when you feel ready, or is there a set discharge time?