The purpose of a birth plan is to communicate your wishes for labor and birth to those who are caring for you. Writing a plan will help you to address different aspects of the labor, such as methods of pain relief and who you'd like to attend the birth. It also gives you a chance to ask questions about procedures such as induction and other types of medical intervention. Filling in a plan is also a useful way for your birth partner to be made aware of your wishes so that he or she can communicate these to the doctor while you're in labor.

Bear in mind that circumstances may dictate that not all of your preferences are met, but there's more chance of you getting the labor and birth you want if you've thought it through and written down your views. Being as informed as possible about labor and your choices (see Planning for your Birth) will help you to prepare in advance.

Scented candles, womb music, and beanbags... or serious pain relief from the first contraction? Writing a birth plan is an opportunity for you to think about how you'd like your labor and delivery to go. Discuss your birth plan with your doctor and birth partner as early as this week, so you're all clear about your objectives (see Planning for your Birth).

• Write everything down: your birth partner(s), pain-relief preferences, whether you'd like an active labor, and the environment you'd prefer to give birth in. You might know you want to give birth in the hospital or at home, or in a birth center, which offers a home-style setting with the backup of medical technology.
• Be specific: for example, you might want to use a birthing pool to labor in or want to give birth in an upright position. You might want minimal medical intervention.
• Be flexible: labor doesn't always go according to plan and your baby's safe delivery is the most important thing.