Louise 
Why It’s Not Too Early to Write Your Birth Preferences
How Early Planning Can Empower You for a Calm and Confident Birth
When you’re pregnant, there’s a lot to think about—baby names, antenatal appointments, nursery prep… but one thing that often gets pushed to the bottom of the list is writing your birth preferences (called a birth plan). You might be wondering, Isn’t it too early to do that? The answer is: not at all.
In fact, the earlier you start thinking about your birth preferences, the more time you’ll have to explore your options, ask questions, and feel prepared—emotionally and practically—for the birth experience you want.
What Are Birth Preferences?
A birth preferences document outlines your hopes and choices for labour and birth. It’s not about creating a rigid plan—birth can be unpredictable—but rather, it’s a way to communicate what matters most to you, so your midwife and birth team can support you in the best way possible.
Common areas to include:
- Environment: lights dimmed? music?
- Pain relief options: gas and air, epidural, or natural methods?
- Birth positions: upright, water birth, side-lying?
- Birth partner’s role
- Monitoring and interventions
- Skin-to-skin and feeding choices after birth
Why It’s Never Too Early
Here’s why starting early with your birth preferences is one of the most empowering steps you can take:
1. You’ll Feel More Informed
Early planning gives you time to learn about your options and understand what each choice means. That knowledge helps reduce anxiety and makes you feel more in control.
2. You Can Make Decisions With Confidence
Rather than rushing through options at the last minute, you’ll have time to talk things through with your midwife, attend antenatal classes (like The Honest Midwife Antenatal Classes!), and choose what feels right for you.
3. You’ll Be Ready for Conversations With Your Care Team
The earlier you know what you want, the sooner you can bring it into your appointments and get your questions answered. It also makes shared decision-making easier and more respectful.
4. Plans Can Change—But That’s Okay
Writing preferences early doesn’t mean you’re locked in. It simply means you’re prepared. You can always update your choices as your pregnancy progresses, your circumstances change, or you learn more.
How The Honest Midwife Can Help
At The Honest Midwife, we talk about birth preferences in our antenatal classes. We help you:
- Understand your options (including ones you might not have heard of!)
- Think through what really matters to you
- Learn how to express your wishes clearly and calmly
- Know how to adapt if things change on the day
Our goal? To help you feel heard, supported, and confident, no matter how your birth unfolds.
It’s never too early to think about your birth preferences. The sooner you start, the more empowered and calm you’ll feel when the big day arrives. Birth might not go exactly to plan—but your voice, values, and choices matter.
Join The Honest Midwife Antenatal Classes to learn how to write clear, confident birth preferences—and have the kind of birth support that truly honours you.
