A birth plan is a way for you to communicate what kind of labour and birth you would like, as well as what you would like to happen after childbirth. Creating a birth plan isn't essential, but it can help you think about what you want, what you are comfortable with and what you would like to avoid. This can make you feel more confident and ensure the healthcare staff looking after you know your feelings and preferences.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original article at https://patient.info/news-and-features/how-to-create-a-birth-plan