
Trying for a baby	Pregnant	Birth & labour	Baby	Toddler

Birth choices

Towards the end of your pregnancy, if you haven’t done so already, you will need to start thinking about your choices for childbirth. Often a helpful tool for you is to create your own birth plan which lays out how you would like things to happen when you are in labour. You need to decide if you want to have your baby at home, at a birthing centre or in hospital, and whether you want pain relief or a natural birth.

You may have lots of questions that you need to find answers for, such as “How many birth partners am I able to have in hospital with me?” or “Is it possible to have a water birth?” Such questions should be written down so that you can find the answers you need to help you prepare for your ideal labour. Every woman is unique and you should make sure that your midwife is aware of your birth preferences.

Most women find it useful to write a birth plan before they go into labour to ensure they get the birth they want. If you're considering birth choices, you might find the following information on writing your birth plan helpful:

Do your research - Go to all your antenatal classes so you know exactly what is involved with each stage of birth, and pain relief options available. It might be a good idea to quiz other women you know, who have given birth, so you can make your mind up about the kind of birth you want. Here are some questions to ask yourself when writing your plan:

Support - Who do you want with you at the birth and who don’t you want. (sometimes relatives and friends can turn up unexpectedly thinking they can help – your midwife can send them away if you wish)

Induction – Are you prepared for the fact you might have to have an induction?

Where - Do you want a home birth or a hospital birth? If you want a home birth, discuss this with your midwife or GP first so they can asses your pregnancy to see if it is suitable. Do you want to give birth in a birthing suite, or have a water birth?
Equipment – do you want to try a birthing pool if one is available? Do you need a birthing stool, or birthing ball? Do you have your own TENS machine?

Positions you want to labour in – Would you prefer to have an active labour where you move from position to position, or do you want to lie down? (See our Positions for labour article and our positions for labour video.)

Pain relief – Do you want to avoid pain relief unless it becomes too much, or will you keep your options open. Do you have your own TENS machine or will you require one. It is up to you whether you want drugs or not, and you can change your mind if things become unbearable. If you want an epidural, make sure you tell your midwife when you are admitted so arrangements can be made.