Let’s look at the birth plan first. Start thinking about your birth plan in your third trimester, so there is plenty of time to discuss it with your midwife and doctor. A birth plan helps you to prepare for your baby’s delivery. Birth is unpredictable, especially when it’s your first and completely unfamiliar. You don’t know how long it will take or what position your baby will be in. This plan helps you and your partner think about how you’d like the environment to be (lights on or off? Music?, etc.) and want things to progress medically (pain relief preferences? How do you feel about an episiotomy?, etc.).

You may not know everyone who will care for you at the hospital. Midwives, for example, usually work 12-hour shifts, so you might meet a new one or two. It’s great to have copies of a document that makes everyone aware of what you want and your partner aware of how to advocate for you.

Your healthcare team will usually encourage you to follow your plan unless or until the need for safer, more comfortable, or more time-efficient means becomes apparent, at which point you will be informed of your options. Your consent will always be required for any deviation.

You may be provided with a birth plan template or a list of questions. You can consider your responses using Unii’s suggestions:

Where do you want to give birth (a home birth should also have a plan)?
Who would you want your birth partners to be (most hospitals have a two-partner limit)?
If it’s a teaching hospital, would you prefer not to have students present?
Most hospitals assess your progress with a vaginal exam every four hours. Is this acceptable to you?
What are your pain relief preferences?
Which positions would you like to try during labour and birth?
Will you need a pool (it is worth checking your hospital’s policy on this if you’re planning an induction, as it may not be allowed)?
How would you prefer your baby’s heartbeat be monitored (continuous monitoring or by Sonicaid, as you had at your midwife appointments)?
Would you like cord clamping delayed?
Do you or a birth partner want to cut the cord?
Would you like your baby placed on your chest immediately or wiped first?
How would you like your placenta delivered?
Do you want your baby to have vitamin K? How would you like this administered?

What should I pack for my labour and birth?

Start thinking about what you’ll need for your birth and delivery as you approach term. You may like to have two bags—one for labour and birth, which should include things for you and your partner, and a second with baby essentials for your newborn and recovery and wellness things for you.

We recommend putting as many items as you can in individual clear sandwich bags to make them easier to find and grab. All postnatal wards will have formula, and we respect your choice not to breastfeed. Please note that we’ve made this list for an extra night’s stay after birth. A caesarean section or assisted delivery may require supplies for two nights or more.

Labour and birth bag

A nightdress.
Slippers that you won’t mind getting dirty
Flip-flops for the shower
Snacks—bananas are a popular recommendation for mums in labour, but the sort of thing you might add to a healthy lunchbox—chicken or cheese sandwiches on wholemeal bread, raisins, or hummus and carrot sticks are also nice ideas. Remember that your partner will need to eat too.
Drinks: Bring water, juice, and energy drinks that aren’t fizzy.
Water spray or face cloth
Lip balm and moisturiser (gas and air can be very drying)
Maternity pads (you need the real deal; period towels won’t have the absorbent crystals)
Scrunchies or clips (you’ll want your hair out of the way)
Music or hypnobirthing lessons
Book or iPad (You can watch Netflix while your epidural kicks in.)
Chargers and whatever device you’ll want for photos and videos
Pillows for you and your partner (put coloured cases on them so it’s clear they're not hospital property).

Baby essentials and mum’s recovery bag

For baby:

Baby clothes (pack two of everything—vests, cardigans, and baby clothes)
A baby blanket and a hat
Dummies (if you want to use these)
Hand-expressed colostrum, if you’ve been advised to bring it
Nappies and changing products for newborns
Aquaphor (this can help with meconium wiping, if necessary)

For you:

A long nightgown you can open in the front
A dressing gown
Nursing bras (X 2), breast pads, and nipple cream
Incontinence pads or disposable underwear
Personal care products
Sleep aids (earplugs and an eye mask)
A loose outfit and proper shoes to go home in (bear in mind that if you went up a shoe size in pregnancy, the shoes should be the size)

Top tip: It’s a good idea that you or your partner figure out how to fix a car seat in your car, as well as how to put a baby in it, before you go into labour. You’ll also want to work out your route to the hospital and how long it takes you at the busiest time of day.

Top tip two: Make sure you’ve booked someone to walk or care for any pets during your hospital stay and for the first few weeks after the birth. If you have a dog, sending a used baby gro for it to sniff can be a great way to familiarise it with your baby’s scent before they’re introduced.

We’ve thoroughly considered every item on the lists above, but if you don’t see something you feel is essential—your favourite perfume, for example—please add whatever you like.

What should be in my birth plan (birth preferences) and hospital bag?

Fortune favours the prepared, especially if they follow Unii's advice.