Birth Plan
Free birth plan template that actually works in the delivery room
Shelbi Kohler, certified birth doula, 500+ families supported
A birth plan template is a structured form that helps you write down your preferences for labor, pain management, delivery, and newborn care, so your medical team can read it at a glance.
This one is built by a certified doula, not a generic hospital form. Start with the free printable PDF, and when you want guided videos, live updates, and doula sharing, step up to the free app.
Prefer a printable PDF? Get it free — no email required.
Inside the template
See exactly what you'll fill in
Five short sections, each with plain-language choices. Here's a sample of what a filled-in section looks like.
Labor preferences
- ✓ I'd like to move and change positions freely during labor
- ✓ Intermittent monitoring unless medically necessary
- ✓ Partner and doula present in the room at all times
- ✓ Dim lights and quiet voices please
Pain management
- ✓ Start with breathing, tub/shower, and movement first
- ✓ Please offer an epidural when I ask — not before
- ✓ Open to nitrous oxide if labor is long
Delivery preferences
- ✓ Push in whatever position feels right to me
- ✓ Delayed cord clamping (at least 60 seconds)
- ✓ Partner announces the sex of the baby
Postpartum care
- ✓ Immediate skin-to-skin for the first hour
- ✓ Breastfeeding support from a lactation consultant before discharge
- ✓ Partner stays overnight with me and baby
Newborn care
- ✓ Baby rooms in with me at all times
- ✓ Vitamin K injection: yes
- ✓ Hepatitis B vaccine: yes, but at 2-month visit
- ✓ No formula or bottles without talking to us first
Start free, upgrade when you're ready
Start with the printable PDF, step up to the app when it fits
Step 1 · Free Printable PDF
Start hereDownload instantly — no email required. Fill it in on your computer or print it and write by hand. Covers all five sections your nurse needs.
Get the free PDF →Step 2 · Video Walkthrough
Not sure what to write? Watch Shelbi explain every section in 5 short videos, then fill in your PDF as you go. Just enter your email to watch.
Watch the walkthrough →Step 3 · True Joy Birthing App
The upgradeEverything the PDF does — plus guided videos inside every section, live updates after appointments, and one-tap sharing with your doula and partner. Still completely free.
Get the free appAll three cover the same five sections. Most families start with the PDF and move to the app as their due date gets closer.
Birth Plan Walkthrough
Walk through every section with a certified doula, free
Want to understand why each section matters before you fill it out? These 5 short videos walk through the entire Joyful Birth Plan, from labor preferences to backup plans, so you fill it out with confidence, not confusion.
About Me & Your Birth Plan
How to fill in the section that helps your care team see you as a person. What to include in your flexibility statement and how to note your preferences.
▶ ~5 min
Labor, Delivery & Pain Management
Monitoring, IV, movement, environment, and the full pain management ladder, what each choice looks like in the room and how to talk to your provider about it.
▶ ~8 min
Post-Delivery Preferences
Skin-to-skin, cord clamping, golden hour, feeding preferences, the decisions that happen fast after delivery, explained before you're in the moment.
▶ ~6 min
Newborn Care Preferences
Vitamin K, Hep B, eye ointment, circumcision, rooming-in, newborn screenings, what's standard, what's optional, and how to state your preference clearly.
▶ ~5 min
Advocacy, Backup Plans & More
What to say when something unexpected comes up, consent phrases, flexibility language for when plans change, and how to stay in the conversation.
▶ ~7 minFree with your email. 5 short videos, watch in one evening or one module at a time.
Free app
Build your birth plan step by step in the app
Nine guided sections. Hospital preferences, pain management, who's in the room — all walked through so nothing gets missed.
- Step-by-step guidance for every section
- Update your plan anytime — not a static PDF
- Share directly with your care team or doula
Coming soon Free · No account needed to start
What's inside
Five sections your nurse actually needs
Labor preferences
Who's in the room, movement during labor, monitoring, induction birth plan preferences, the decisions that come up first.
Pain management
Epidural timing, alternative comfort measures, your stance on being offered pain medication, written in language your team understands.
Delivery preferences
Positions, who cuts the cord, skin-to-skin, delayed cord clamping, what you want in the moment your baby arrives.
Postpartum care
Breastfeeding support, placenta delivery, who you want in recovery, the first hours after birth, documented.
Newborn care
Circumcision, vaccinations, feeding preferences, rooming-in, what you want for your baby from the start.
The best templates don't just list checkboxes. They help you think through why you prefer something, and give you the language to communicate it clearly.
How to use this template
Five steps from blank page to hospital bag
Download the fillable PDF.
It's free, no email required. Type directly into it, or print it and fill it in by hand. For live updates and doula sharing, use the free app.
Review each section with your partner.
Talk through labor preferences, pain management, delivery, postpartum care, and newborn care. Get aligned before the big day.
Fill in your preferences.
Mark what matters most to you. You don't need to answer every item, focus on what you actually want, not what you think you should want.
Bring it to your next appointment.
Share your draft with your OB or midwife. Ask them to flag anything that might not be possible at your specific hospital or birth center. If you're planning a hospital birth, our hospital birth plan guide walks through the preferences that matter most in a hospital setting.
Pack it in your hospital bag.
Print a few copies. Give one to your partner, one to your doula, and keep one in your hospital bag. When you're in labor, you won't be searching for it. If you're still figuring out what a doula does and how they use your birth plan, see our guide to what a doula is. And if you're budgeting for doula support, see our full doula cost breakdown with typical rates by city.
Why this template
Built for the delivery room, not a Pinterest board
Most free birth plan templates you find online are generic checklists, they ask if you want an epidural or not, if you want music or not, and leave it at that.
This template was built by Shelbi Kohler, a certified birth doula who has sat in delivery rooms across Texas. It's organized around the decisions that actually come up when you're in labor, the ones your care team needs to see at a glance, not the ones that look nice on a Pinterest board. For real-world inspiration, see our birth plan examples from families who've used it.
It's structured so a nurse can read it in 30 seconds. That matters. When you're 6 centimeters dilated and your nurse is covering for someone else's shift, your birth plan needs to speak for you immediately.
And if your birth plan needs to account for a specific situation, like being induced, the template still works, see our induction birth plan template for guidance. For surgical deliveries, see what to include if you end up needing a C-section.
Want personalized support?
Need someone to review your plan with you, line by line?
The free PDF and walkthrough give you the tools and the knowledge. But if you want a certified birth doula to look at your plan, your hospital, and your concerns, that's the Birth Plan Confidence Session.
A 60–75 minute live Zoom call with Shelbi. Real feedback on your specific plan. Advocacy role-play for the conversations you're most worried about. $250 per session. Limited spots.
Learn about the Confidence Session
Get Your Free Joyful Birth Plan
The free Joyful Birth Plan covers every decision: labor preferences, pain management, who's in the room, what happens after delivery.
Common questions
What should a birth plan template include?
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A good birth plan template covers labor preferences, pain management options, delivery positions, postpartum care preferences, and newborn care decisions. It should be organized, concise, and easy for your care team to scan quickly.
Is this birth plan template really free?
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Yes. The fillable PDF is completely free, no email, no upsell, no catch. The 5-video walkthrough is also free; we ask for your email so we can send you access and check in with tips as you fill out your plan.
Is the video walkthrough really free?
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Yes. The 5-video walkthrough is completely free. Just enter your name and email and youll get immediate access to every module. No payment, no trial, no upsell. We ask for your email so we can send you the link and check in with tips as you fill out your plan.
How is the walkthrough different from the PDF?
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The PDF is the template, the form you fill out. The walkthrough is a certified doula explaining what each section means, why each choice matters, and how to talk to your provider about it. They work together: download the PDF, then watch the videos as you fill it in.
Can I edit the birth plan template?
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The PDF is fillable, type directly into it or print it and fill it in by hand. For live updates, doula sharing, and a guided walkthrough, use the free True Joy Birthing app.
How is this different from a birth plan I find on Google?
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Most free templates online are generic checklists. This one was built by a certified birth doula and organized around the decisions that actually come up in the delivery room, not just wish-list items.
What's the difference between the PDF and the app?
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The PDF is free, fillable, and designed for print. Write in your preferences and bring hard copies to the hospital. The free app goes further: it walks you through each section with guided videos, lets you update your plan anytime (not just before printing), and shares your live plan with your doula or partner directly. Both cover the same five sections; the app is for families who want an interactive, always-current experience.
When should I fill out my birth plan?
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Most families start around 28-32 weeks. Earlier is fine too. The sooner you understand your options, the more confident you'll feel when the time comes.
Related Resources
Free instant download
Download the free birth plan PDF
Fillable on your computer, printable for your hospital bag. No email required — just click and it's yours.
Download Free PDF100% free · fillable & printable · no email required
Want a doula to walk you through it?
Enter your email below to unlock the free 5-video walkthrough of every section, plus tips as you fill out your plan.
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Get the Free Video Walkthrough
Enter your name and email and we'll send you immediate access to all 5 walkthrough videos — a certified doula guiding you through every section of your birth plan. Already have the PDF? The videos work alongside it. No spam, just the guidance you need.
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Download PDF directlyAlready have a plan? Book a Birth Plan Confidence Session
Want to understand every choice on it? Watch the free walkthrough