What is a birth plan and should you make one when giving birth in Israel?

When you’re expecting a baby, it can feel like there are a million decisions to make. One tool that can help bring clarity and confidence to your birth experience is a birth plan.

A birth plan isn’t a rigid script, it’s a guide that helps you think through your options, communicate your preferences, and feel more prepared for one of the most transformative days of your life.

So what exactly is a birth plan, what should it include, and when should you start creating one? Here’s everything you need to know.

So… What is a birth plan?

A birth plan is a simple document that outlines your preferences for labor, delivery, and postpartum care. It’s a way to communicate what matters to you, to your midwife, OB/GYN, doula, and hospital staff, so that everyone is on the same page.

It might include your thoughts on:

• Pain management

• Monitoring and movement

• Medical interventions

• Newborn procedures

• Breastfeeding and bonding

• And more
  

🧠 But here’s the real secret: the true power of a birth plan isn’t the paper itself, it’s in the education, intention, and confidence that come from preparing it.

When should you start working on it?

The best time to begin thinking about your birth plan (in Israel) is early in your third trimester (around 28–32 weeks). This gives you time to:

• Learn about your options

• Take a birth prep class

• Speak with your healthcare provider

• Adjust your preferences based on what feels right for you and your baby

What should you include in your birth plan in Israel?

Your birth plan should reflect your values and priorities, not cover every possible scenario. It’s okay to focus on what matters most to you and let go of the rest. Here are the main categories to think about (and not necessarily include in your birth plan in Israel!):

1. Your labor environment

This is about comfort, atmosphere, and how you'd like the space to feel while you give birth. Ask yourself:

• Do I want music playing?

• Would I like the lights dimmed?

• Do I prefer a quiet, intimate room (no trainees, minimal traffic)?

• Will I feel more at ease with minimal monitoring or wireless monitoring if available?

• Do I want to move freely, stand in the shower, walk around, sit on a birth ball?
  

These small choices can help you feel more in control and relaxed in labor.

2. Pain management options

You don’t need to commit to a single approach but it’s helpful to explore your options in advance:

• Would I like to try for an unmedicated birth?

• Would I be open to an epidural or laughing gas?

• Do I want tools like a TENS device, massage, or counter-pressure from a partner or doula?
  

3. Interventions and medical decisions

While no one can predict how labor will unfold, being informed about common interventions gives you more clarity in the moment. If a medical decision needs to be made, you can use the BRAIN acronym to guide your response:

• Benefits: What are the benefits of this intervention?

• Risks: What are the potential risks?

• Alternatives: Are there other options?

• Intuition: What does my gut say?

• Nothing: What happens if we wait or do nothing for now?
  

You can ask questions, take a pause, and make the decision that feels right for you.

4. Newborn care preferences

After your baby is born, a lot can happen quickly. Thinking through your preferences now can reduce stress in the moment. Consider:

• Do I want immediate skin-to-skin contact?

• Who will cut the umbilical cord?

• Do I want delayed cord clamping?

• Do I prefer zero separation, keeping the baby with me unless medically necessary?

• Do I want to delay the baby’s first bath?

• Will my baby receive standard treatments (Vitamin K, hepatitis B vaccine, eye ointment, hearing test, heel prick blood test)?

• Do I plan to breastfeed?

• Would I like to meet with a lactation consultant before discharge?
  

💡 In many Israeli hospitals, some of these procedures are automatic and others are optional. It’s always okay to ask questions and advocate for your preferences.

5. The most important part: staying flexible

You can have a vision and still stay open. The truth is, birth rarely goes exactly as planned. Your baby and your body might have their own timing and rhythm. That’s why the best birth plans are written with flexibility and trust, not fear or rigidity. Being informed helps you pivot with clarity and avoid panic.

Final thoughts

Creating a birth plan isn’t about scripting the perfect birth, it’s just about knowing your options, thinking about what matters, and feeling prepared for whatever unfolds.

Start small. Write down your preferences. Talk with your partner. Ask your provider. Bring your questions to your doula or childbirth educator.

Because the only plan is to give birth to a healthy baby and to do it with support, safety, and care.