It's Never Too Early to Start Your Birth Plan
- Tracy Awere
- May 24
- 2 min read
Pregnancy brings about so many things to think about and while your due date might feel far away, it’s never too soon to start thinking about your birth plan.
Many expectant mums wait until the final weeks to begin thinking about birth preferences, but giving yourself more time can make the process feel calmer and more empowering. You don’t need to have all the answers early on, but starting to explore your preferences can help you feel more prepared as the weeks go by.
A Birth Plan That Evolves With You
Your birth plan (also known as birth preferences) doesn't have to be written in one sitting or set in stone. In fact, the most useful birth plans are the ones that grow alongside your pregnancy. You might begin with a few initial thoughts, and then return to them later with more clarity or a deeper understanding.
Think of it as a space to gather your ideas, values and wishes, a flexible document that reflects where you are now and can adapt as things change.
What You Might Include
In the earlier weeks of pregnancy, you might begin by noticing:
What makes you feel safe and supported
How you typically respond to discomfort or stress
What kind of environment helps you relax
As you learn more or attend birth education classes, you might start shaping your plan with preferences around:
Who you want present at your birth
Comfort measures or pain relief options
Your ideal birth setting
Birth positions or tools you’d like to use (e.g. water, movement, Rebozo)
What matters most to you immediately after birth, like skin-to-skin or delayed cord clamping
A Gentle Way to Begin
You don’t have to draft your whole plan right away. It might begin as a few notes in your phone or in a journal or ideas that come to you after a class or conversation. What matters is that you begin tuning in, listening to your instincts and learning what’s possible.
Taking this step can help you:
Feel more confident as your birthing time approaches
Communicate clearly with your birth team
Involve your birth partner in a more meaningful way
Build trust in your ability to make informed decisions
A Thoughtful First Step
Starting early means giving yourself time to reflect and ask questions without pressure. It creates space for curiosity and helps avoid last-minute overwhelm. As your pregnancy progresses, you can return to your birth plan and continue shaping it in a way that feels right for you.
By the time birth draws near, your plan will be something familiar, something you’ve grown with. That familiarity can offer a sense of calm as you approach your birthing time.
Would you like a birth plan template to help you begin? I share one in my classes, and you can request a free version too - just send me a message.