How to Create a Caesarean Birth Plan (With Free C-Section Birth Plan Template)

Creating a Caesarean Birth Plan: Key

Things to Know

If you’re preparing for a caesarean birth, creating a birth plan can help you understand your options and feel more involved in your baby’s birth. Here are some important things to know:

• There are three types of caesarean birth: elective (planned), emergency, and urgent or planned emergency.

• Many parents can personalise their experience with options like maternal assisted caesarean birth, gentle or natural caesarean birth, and delayed cord clamping.

• Techniques from hypnobirthing can still be used during a caesarean birth to help you feel calm and focused.

• You can often request skin-to-skin contact, music in theatre, and a calm environment where possible.

• Writing a caesarean birth plan helps you communicate your preferences clearly with your midwife and birth team.

You can also download our free Caesarean Birth Plan Template to help guide your discussions and prepare for your baby’s birth.

For many parents, the idea of writing a birth plan is often associated with vaginal birth. But the truth is every birth deserves preparation, thought and choice - including caesarean births.

Whether you already know you’ll be having a caesarean, your baby is breech, you’ve had a previous caesarean, or you simply want to feel prepared for every possibility, creating a caesarean birth plan can help you feel calmer, informed and more involved in your baby’s birth.

At Beyond the Bump, we often meet parents who are surprised to learn that many elements of a

caesarean birth options & you still have choices. Your baby’s birth can still feel calm, intentional and meaningful.

That’s why we created our free Caesarean Birth Plan Template, designed to help you explore your options and have confident conversations with your midwife and birth team.

Understanding the Three Types of Caesarean Birth

Before creating your caesarean birth plan, it helps to understand that not all caesareans happen in the same circumstances.

Knowing the differences can help you feel more prepared and reduce the fear around the unknown.

Elective (Planned) Caesarean

An elective caesarean is scheduled in advance.

This might be recommended for medical reasons such as:

• Breech presentation

• Placenta position

• Twins or multiples

• Previous caesareans

• Maternal health considerations

Or, it might be because you want a Caesarean. You don't have to have a reason, this is your birth and your choice. If you're trust is refusing for you to have a Caesarean birth then you can ask them to find you a consultant within the trust that will accept your decision.

Because the birth is scheduled, there is usually more opportunity to discuss your preferences in advance and create a birth plan that reflects what matters most to you.

Emergency Caesarean

An emergency caesarean typically happens when labour has already started and a concern develops about the health of either mum or baby.

This may be due to changes in your baby’s heart rate, complications during labour, or other urgent clinical concerns.

In these situations, the priority is ensuring your baby is born safely and quickly. In the most urgent cases, an emergency caesarean can deliver a baby in as little as 2–3 minutes once surgery begins.

While this can feel sudden, many parents still find that having thought about their birth preferences beforehand helps them feel more grounded and informed, even if the situation changes quickly.

Planned Emergency (Urgent) Caesarean

There is also a middle ground sometimes called a planned emergency or urgent caesarean.

This usually means the medical team recommends your baby is born today, but it does not need to happen immediately.

Examples can include situations such as:

• Pre-eclampsia

• Concerns about baby’s growth or wellbeing

• Changes in maternal health

Because there is still time to prepare, many aspects of your birth preferences can still be honoured, making a birth plan especially helpful - we will say, this can often depend on what the situation is, you can imagine if their are concerns around the health of baby then some of your preferences such as immediate skin-to-skin may not be possible but this is a conversation to have with your medical team.

A Caesarean Is Not the “Easy Way Out”

We think it’s important to say this clearly.

For years, harmful narratives like “too posh to push” have circulated, suggesting caesarean births are an easier option.

They aren’t.

A caesarean birth is major abdominal surgery, and recovery requires time, support and care.

But it is also the moment your baby is born, and that moment deserves the same respect, preparation and celebration as any other birth.

Your birth story matters - regardless of how your baby arrives.

Why Creating a Caesarean Birth Plan Matters

Creating a caesarean birth plan doesn’t mean everything will happen exactly as written.

Instead, it helps you:

• Understand your options

• Communicate your preferences clearly

• Feel more involved in the birth experience

• Reduce anxiety by knowing what may be possible

Even small choices can make a big difference to how you remember your baby’s birth.

Options You Can Include in Your Caesarean Birth Plan

Many parents are surprised by how many elements of a caesarean birth can still be personalised.

Here are some options you may wish to consider.

Maternal Assisted Caesarean Birth

A maternal assisted caesarean allows parents to be more actively involved in their baby’s birth.

During this type of birth, the surgeon delivers the baby’s head and shoulders, and you may be invited to help lift your baby onto your chest yourself.

It's certainly not for everyone but it can be an incredibly emotional and empowering moment.

Families in Warwickshire are fortunate that both Warwick Hospital and Coventry Hospital offer maternal assisted caesareans, although not all NHS trusts currently provide this option.

If this feels important to you, it’s absolutely worth discussing with your care team.

Natural or “Gentle” Caesarean Birth

Some hospitals also offer a natural or gentle caesarean approach.

Once the incision is made, your baby is allowed to slowly emerge from the womb, rather than being lifted out immediately.

This slower birth can create a calmer experience and allows parents to witness their baby being born more gradually.

Availability varies between hospitals, but it’s another option worth exploring in your birth plan.

Delayed Cord Clamping & “Waiting for White”

Where it is safe to do so, you may be able to request delayed cord clamping.

Some parents also ask to wait for the cord to turn white before it is cut, allowing extra blood from the placenta to flow to your baby.

If you're unsure what the difference is between Delayed Cord Clamping & Waiting for White then checkout our blog where we go through this in detail.

Skin-to-Skin Contact After Your C Section

Immediate skin-to-skin contact can often still happen during a caesarean birth.

This supports:

• Baby’s temperature regulation

• Heart rate and breathing stability

• Early bonding and feeding

If skin-to-skin isn’t possible immediately, your birth partner may be able to provide this until you are ready.

Using Hypnobirthing for a Caesarean Birth

Hypnobirthing techniques can be incredibly helpful during a caesarean birth.

Many parents use:

• Calm breathing techniques

• Visualisations

• Relaxation methods while waiting in theatre

• Positive language and affirmations

These tools can help you feel more relaxed, present and in control during your baby’s birth.

Download Our Free Caesarean Birth Plan Template

To help you explore your preferences, we’ve created a free Caesarean Birth Preferences Guide.

The template guides you through:

• Your theatre environment preferences

• Birth partner involvement

• Cord clamping wishes

• Skin-to-skin plans

• Gentle or maternal assisted birth options

And much much more! It’s designed to help you feel prepared and confident when discussing your choices with your midwife and consultant.

Planning for your Elective C-Section?

If you’d like deeper guidance our Online Caesarean Birth Mini Course is dedicated to supporting your caesarean birth.

Our course the Empowered Birth by C-Section is designed to give you everything you need to feel confident and prepared for your planned caesarean birth, recovery, and life with your newborn.

With expert-led guidance covering your c-section options, the surgery itself, postnatal healing, baby care, and feeding, this course empowers you with knowledge and practical skills - so you can welcome your baby with confidence, calm, and reassurance.

If you want to feel prepared for all birth options

Then the ultimate online Antenatal Class is the only course you need, The Birth & Baby Academy is for you which includes a dedicated section on caesarean births.

The course supports every type of birth, helping parents feel informed and confident no matter how their baby arrives.

Caesarean Birth Preparation Support in Warwickshire

If you’re preparing for a caesarean birth and would like more personalised support, Beyond the Bump supports families across Warwick, Leamington Spa, Kenilworth, Stratford-upon-Avon and across Warwickshire.

Our antenatal courses are designed to prepare parents for every type of birth, including vaginal birth, assisted birth and caesarean birth. We explore your options in a balanced, evidence-based way so you can feel informed and confident when making decisions about your baby’s birth.

Families join our Warwick antenatal classes to learn about birth choices, hypnobirthing techniques, caesarean birth options, postnatal recovery and practical newborn care.

If you're looking for antenatal classes in Warwickshire, you can explore our courses and online resources designed to support you every step of the way.

Your Birth Still Deserves to Feel Special

At Beyond the Bump, something we believe deeply is this:

Your birth is the moment you meet your baby.

It deserves care. It deserves preparation. And it deserves to feel meaningful.

A caesarean birth plan isn’t about controlling every moment - it’s about being part of your baby’s birth in a way that feels right for you.

Do you have questions about creating a caesarean birth plan or preparing for a C-section? Leave a comment below and we’ll happily help.

Caesarean Birth Plan FAQs

Do I need a birth plan for a caesarean?

Yes, many parents choose to create a caesarean birth plan so they can communicate their preferences with their midwife and birth team.

Even though a C-section is a surgical birth, there are still many choices you can discuss, such as delayed cord clamping, skin-to-skin contact, maternal assisted birth and theatre environment preferences.

A birth plan simply helps your team understand what matters most to you.

Can I still have a gentle or natural caesarean birth?

In some hospitals it may be possible to request a gentle or natural caesarean birth, where the baby slowly emerges from the womb after the incision is made rather than being lifted out immediately.

This approach can create a calmer experience and may allow parents to witness their baby being born.

Availability varies by hospital, so it’s always worth discussing your options with your care team.

What is a maternal assisted caesarean birth?

A maternal assisted caesarean allows the parent to help lift their baby onto their chest during birth, with support from the surgical team.

This option is available in some NHS trusts. Families in Warwickshire are fortunate that Warwick Hospital and Coventry Hospital offer maternal assisted caesareans, although not all hospitals currently provide this option.

Can hypnobirthing help during a caesarean birth?

Yes. Many parents use hypnobirthing techniques during a caesarean birth to help them stay calm and relaxed.

Breathing techniques, visualisation and positive language can all support a calmer mindset before and during surgery.

Can I have delayed cord clamping during a caesarean?

Where it is safe to do so, many parents can request delayed cord clamping during a caesarean birth.

Some families also ask to wait for the cord to turn white, allowing additional blood from the placenta to transfer to the baby.

Your care team can advise whether this is possible in your situation.

Where can I learn more about preparing for a caesarean birth?

If you’d like more support preparing for birth, our online antenatal course – The Birth & Baby Academy – includes detailed guidance on caesarean births, recovery and newborn care.

You can also download our free Caesarean Birth Plan Template to help guide conversations with your midwife and birth team.