In a birth plan you write down all your wishes for the birth. It is meant first of all for yourself, but also for your partner, for us and for any other care providers. The plan shows what matters to you. Whoever supports you during the birth then knows exactly what your wishes are and can take them into account as far as possible.
Why write a birth plan?
- you are already thinking about the birth, so you will be well prepared when the time comes
- you let us and other care providers know what you find important, what your wishes and ideas are, and how you would like to be treated
- you and your partner can talk through in advance what you expect from one another during the birth
- a birth plan prepares you for the things that can happen during labour and the decisions that may have to be taken — including at moments when you cannot easily say what you want yourself
Nothing in the plan is fixed
- you may of course change your mind at any moment
- if the birth goes differently from what you had wanted or expected, it may not be possible to grant all your wishes
- certain interventions may turn out to be necessary
- we may have to refer you to the gynaecologist at the hospital
- your baby may need to be admitted to the paediatric ward
Would you rather fill it in on paper? Then download the birth plan as a PDF (in Dutch, 0.8 MB, opens in a new tab). For the questions about pain, first read about the options under Pain relief.