A birth plan is a short written summary of your preferences for labor, delivery, and the first hours with your baby. Most templates assume a vaginal birth, which omits patients with a scheduled cesarean section, those whose labor may end in an unplanned C-section, and those hoping for a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). In 2026, roughly one in three babies in the United States is born by cesarean, so a plan that covers only one path is incomplete.
Do I need a birth plan if I’m having a C-section?
Yes. A C-section is surgery, but it is still your birth, and you have more choices than most people expect. Your plan tells the operating room team what matters to you while there is still time to arrange it.
Keep it to one page. It is a conversation starter, not a contract. The team will follow it as long as you and your baby are stable.
What to include in a birth plan for a planned C-section
Most planned C-sections use a spinal or epidural so you are awake, and your plan can say whether you want the team to narrate each step or keep things quiet. You can ask about a clear or lowered drape so you see your baby lifted out, and about keeping your arms free to hold your baby.
Other common requests include:
- Who is in the room (usually one support person)
- Skin-to-skin contact in the operating room if your baby is doing well
- Delayed cord clamping, which is possible at many cesareans
- Who announces the sex if you do not know it yet
- Your feeding plan for the recovery room
Leave out anything the team cannot control, such as how long surgery takes.
What happens if labor turns into an unplanned C-section?
Flexibility is the most important part of any birth plan. Many C-sections happen after labor starts, often because labor stalls or the baby is not tolerating contractions. A short “if a cesarean becomes necessary” section means you are not deciding for the first time in a stressful moment.
Three or four lines is enough: who comes with you, whether you want skin-to-skin in the OR, and your feeding preference. In an urgent situation some requests may not be possible, and if general anesthesia is needed your support person may have to wait outside.
Can I plan for a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC)?
Often, yes. Many people with one prior cesarean are good candidates for a trial of labor, and most who attempt it deliver vaginally. Whether VBAC is safe for you depends on the type of incision on your uterus (a low transverse incision is the most favorable), how many cesareans you have had, why the first one happened, and how this pregnancy is going.
Your VBAC plan should state that you are planning a trial of labor, along with your pain relief preferences; an epidural is compatible with VBAC. It should also say what you want if a repeat C-section is recommended. Complete Care ObGyn supports VBAC, and labor takes place in a hospital where a C-section can be done quickly if needed. Candidacy guidance reflects current understanding, so discuss it early in pregnancy at a VBAC counseling visit.
What newborn care choices can go on a C-section birth plan?
The same ones as any birth plan. Skin-to-skin contact right after birth helps regulate your baby’s temperature and breathing and supports early feeding, and it can happen in the operating room or in recovery once you are both stable. You can also list preferences for the first bath, newborn eye ointment and vitamin K, and feeding (breast, formula, or both). If you want your support person to do skin-to-skin while your stitches are being closed, write that down too. Our guide to creating a birth plan covers these standard sections in more depth.
When should I make a birth plan and who do I give it to?
Start a draft around 28 to 32 weeks and bring it to a prenatal visit so your provider can review it with you. That leaves time to adjust anything the hospital does not offer and to settle VBAC eligibility or cesarean scheduling. Finish it by 36 weeks.
Give one copy to your provider for your chart, pack two for the nurses and anesthesia team, and have your support person read it so they can speak for you.
Bringing your cesarean or VBAC birth plan to Complete Care ObGyn
Our board-certified providers offer VBAC and will go through your preferences line by line. If you are preparing for a planned cesarean, hoping for a VBAC, or simply want a plan that covers every possibility, schedule an appointment at Complete Care ObGyn in Henderson.
