My plan will be something like this - but I don't really expect they'll read it. I do however expect my husband to read it and memorise it and recite it ad nauseam to the midwives

I am an experienced birthing mother who trusts her body to labour efficiently.

I want to be allowed to labour freely without continuous monitoring, and without routine internal examinations. I do not wish to be offered pain relief - I will ask for it if I need it. As a sexual abuse survivor I am extremely distressed by internal examinations and do not wish to have these unless there is a significant clinical need.

If continuous monitoring is medically necessary, I will get my husband to hold the monitors while I continue to labour in an upright position.

I'm happy for a student to be present during my labour and delivery. I prefer midwife attended labours and delivery and for an obstetrician to be called only if medically necessary.

I am hypoglycaemic and wish to eat and drink as I need to during labour. I will pack light snacks and energy drinks that are suitable.

I want to be able to labour and deliver in a position that is comfortable for me - I prefer to deliver kneeling or on all fours so if I am not already in that position when I am ready to deliver, please remind me of this preference. I am happy to be encouraged to try different positions and equipment such as the physio balls if I have not suggested it myself.

I prefer to tear than to have an episiotomy.

When the baby is delivered, I want all routine checks done while baby is on my chest/belly or in my husband's arms if I am not able to hold him for medical reasons.

Please don't clamp and cut the cord until it has stopped pulsing, in the absence of complications. Please don't dress or wrap the baby at this point - cover the baby for warmth while his skin is touching mine.

I prefer no cord traction to deliver the placenta.

If I need stitches or other treatment, my husband will hold the baby if I am unable to do so.

Weighing and other checks can wait. We wish to be left quietly with the baby with the room as darkened as possible for as long as possible after the birth.

Our baby will be exclusively breastfed - if the baby's blood sugar is of clinical concern, we wish for glucose water to be given by spoon, and not artificial milk, and definitely no bottles.

We will not have our baby vaccinated for Hepatitis B until two months.


In the case of a caesarean: My husband will be present. I wish the baby to be placed near me while the procedure is completed, and I wish the baby to be brought to me in recovery to be put to the breast. My husband is to remain with the baby at all times.