How to write a birth plan in Ireland (free template)
A little more prepared
There’s plenty to think about before your baby arrives. Writing a birth plan doesn’t need to become another big job on the list.
Think of it as a short guide to what matters to you: who you’d like beside you, what might help you feel comfortable, which pain relief options you want to discuss, and your wishes for those first moments with your baby.
It isn’t about predicting every part of labour. It’s about starting a conversation with your maternity team so they understand your preferences.
What should I put in a birth plan, and does Ireland have a standard template?
A birth plan should cover your birth partner, labour preferences, pain relief, monitoring, wishes around assisted or caesarean birth, and your baby’s care afterwards. Include any communication, cultural, religious or other support needs that matter to you.
The HSE provides guidance on these topics rather than a prescribed template on its national birth-plan guidance page. Ask your maternity unit whether it has its own form.
Our free Ulluv worksheet follows the topics in that guidance. It is an independent resource, not an official HSE form.
Download your free birth plan template
What is a birth plan?
A birth plan is a written record of your wishes for labour, birth and the care of your baby afterwards. You share it with your midwife or obstetrician and use it to talk through your options.
The most useful word to keep in mind is preferences. Your plan can say what you would like, what you want explained and what would help you feel supported. It can also leave space for decisions you haven’t made yet.
The HSE advises keeping an open mind: your wishes may need to change because of your health, your baby’s needs or the facilities available. That doesn’t make writing them down pointless. It gives your team a starting point for understanding what matters to you.
When should you write a birth plan?
If you’re around 28 weeks and beginning to think about birth, you can start by jotting down questions rather than trying to finish the whole plan.
The HSE recommends writing your birth plan after completing your antenatal classes, when you’ve had a chance to learn about labour and birth. It advises discussing it with your midwife or obstetrician a few weeks before your due date.
- Start a note of things you want to understand.
- Draft your preferences after your antenatal classes.
- Bring the draft to an appointment and talk through what is suitable and available for you.
You don’t have to fill every space. “I’d like to discuss this” is a useful answer, too.
What to include in your birth plan
The HSE’s guidance covers the following areas. Use them as prompts, rather than a list of decisions you must make on your own.
1. Where you plan to give birth and who will support you
Write down your planned place of birth and the name of your birth partner or support person.
Include when you would like them with you: during labour, at the birth and, if relevant, during a caesarean birth. The HSE notes that a birth partner will be asked to wait outside if you have a general anaesthetic.
“I would like my partner with me during labour and birth, including in theatre if possible. Please involve them in discussions while continuing to speak directly to me.”
Talk through the plan with your birth partner, too, so they understand your wishes.
2. Communication and anything that helps you feel supported
Include anything you want your team to know about how you communicate or the support you need.
The HSE specifically suggests recording interpreter or sign-language interpreter needs, religious requirements, dietary preferences and additional needs you or your birth partner may have.
“Clear, calm explanations help me. Please explain what you recommend and give me an opportunity to ask questions.”
Only include personal information you feel comfortable sharing.
3. Movement, positions and comfort during labour
You can note positions you would like to try, such as standing, kneeling, sitting or squatting, and equipment you would like to use, such as a birthing ball or mat.
Check with your maternity unit about what it provides and what you would need to bring yourself.
“I would like to try different positions and use a birthing ball if suitable and available.”
4. Pain relief preferences
You don’t have to choose between a rigid “pain relief” or “no pain relief” plan.
The HSE lists options including breathing and other self-help techniques, TENS, water immersion, gas and air, pethidine and an epidural. It also notes that you may need more or less pain relief than you expected.
“I would like to begin with breathing, movement and comfort measures. Please explain the pain relief options available if I ask for more support.”
Or you might write:
“I am interested in an epidural and would like to discuss how this works at my maternity unit.”
Your plan should leave room for you to change your mind.
5. Monitoring and procedures you want to understand
Your birth plan can include questions about how your baby’s heartbeat will be monitored. The HSE advises discussing the options with your midwife or obstetrician and notes that continuous monitoring may be recommended for some births.
It also suggests including anything you want to discuss about assisted birth, caesarean birth or an episiotomy.
“Please explain the monitoring recommended for me. If you recommend a procedure, I would like to understand why, the options available and what will happen next.”
You don’t need to become an expert in every procedure before writing your plan. Identifying your questions is part of its purpose.
6. Preferences if you have a caesarean birth
A caesarean birth can be planned or become necessary during labour. You can still record wishes about your birth partner, communication, skin-to-skin contact and feeding support, then discuss what may be possible with your team.
“If I need a caesarean birth, please keep me informed about what is happening. I would like skin-to-skin contact as soon as it is safe and practical.”
7. The placenta and umbilical cord
The HSE recommends including your preferences or questions about delivering the placenta and cord clamping. You can also note whether you would like your birth partner to cut the cord or whether you wish to keep the placenta.
“I would like to discuss the options for delivering the placenta and the timing of cord clamping.”
8. Your baby’s care after birth
Include your wishes about:
- Skin-to-skin contact.
- Whether your birth partner could provide skin-to-skin contact if you cannot.
- How you hope to feed your baby.
- Vitamin K, including any questions you want answered before making a decision.
These are all topics included in the HSE’s birth-plan guidance. Recording them can be especially useful if you are unwell after birth or have had a general anaesthetic.
“I would like skin-to-skin contact after birth if possible. I hope to breastfeed and would appreciate support getting started.”
How to keep your birth plan simple
Our suggestion is to begin with your three most important wishes, then add short notes under the relevant headings.
“My main priorities are calm explanations, having my birth partner beside me and skin-to-skin contact when possible.”
Use short sentences and leave out anything that doesn’t matter to you. You can write “undecided” beside topics you want to discuss.
A flexible closing line might be:
“These are my current preferences. If circumstances change, please explain the recommendations and keep me involved in decisions.”
That reflects the HSE’s emphasis on flexibility and on keeping you informed and involved during labour and birth.
Your free birth plan template for Ireland
A little structure can make a blank page feel much less daunting. Our free printable birth plan template gives you space for:
- Your three main priorities.
- Your birth partner and communication needs.
- Labour, comfort and pain relief preferences.
- Questions about monitoring and procedures.
- Wishes for a caesarean birth.
- Preferences for the placenta, cord and your baby’s care.
- Questions to bring to your next appointment.
Use it as a starting point, not a test you need to complete perfectly.
Get your free birth plan template
An independent Ulluv worksheet informed by HSE guidance. Not an official HSE form.
What should you do with your finished birth plan?
Bring it to your midwife or obstetrician a few weeks before your due date.
The HSE says they will discuss your wishes alongside your medical history, the circumstances of your pregnancy and what is available at your maternity unit. They will sign the plan and place a copy in your hospital file for the midwife caring for you during labour to read.
You may also find it helpful to:
- Keep a copy with your maternity paperwork.
- Save a photo or digital copy on your phone.
- Make sure your birth partner knows where it is.
- Update it if your wishes change after a discussion with your team.
A little more organised, one step at a time
Your birth plan and hospital bag are two different parts of getting ready: one helps you communicate your preferences; the other keeps your practical essentials together.
For the packing side, start with our Hospital Bag Checklist. Then browse our Compact, Organised and Ultimate hospital bag options to find what feels right for you.
Keep a copy of your plan somewhere easy for you or your birth partner to find.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to write a birth plan in Ireland?
No. The HSE says a birth plan is optional. Your midwife or obstetrician will still answer questions and explain your options during labour and birth if you don’t have one.
Does the HSE have a standard birth plan template?
The HSE’s national birth-plan webpage explains what to include but does not provide a prescribed downloadable form on that page. Ask your maternity unit whether it uses a local template. Our free worksheet is an independent alternative to help you prepare for that discussion.
Can I change my mind after writing my birth plan?
Yes. The HSE advises being flexible and notes that you may want more or less pain relief than originally planned. Discuss changes with your care team so they understand your current wishes.
Can I write a birth plan for a planned caesarean?
Yes. The HSE’s guidance includes preferences relating to caesarean birth, birth partners and your baby’s care afterwards. Use your plan to discuss what is possible in your circumstances.
Source: HSE: Birth plan — what to put in it.
This article provides general information, not individual medical advice. Discuss your preferences and questions with your midwife or obstetrician.
Written by Siobhan Stack
Siobhán founded Ulluv from her own experience of life’s big moments. Every product is chosen, road-tested and packed by her — with the care she’d want someone to show her.
