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Build my birth preferences

Build your birth preferences

These sections cover the decisions, conversations and preferences that may matter most. You can answer only what feels useful.

This should take around 15 minutes, but you can take as long as you need. Nothing you type here is saved, so remember to copy your preferences to your own device when you are finished.

Your preferences can help start conversations with your maternity team. They may need to change depending on what is safest for you and your baby.

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Essential preferences to consider

Essential means important to think about, not mandatory to answer. Skip anything that does not feel useful.

If things need to change quickly, these are the things I most want my maternity team to know.

Optional extras

Extra preferences you can add if they feel useful. Skip anything that does not apply.

Useful information before you decide

Optional extra

These trusted UK links may help you understand common terms that can come up when thinking about birth preferences. They are for general information only and do not replace advice from your own maternity team.

Fetal monitoring and CTG monitoring

Understand the different ways your baby may be monitored during labour, including intermittent monitoring and CTG.

Hormone drip during induction or labour

Understand how a hormone drip may be used during induction or labour, and why monitoring may be discussed.

Epidural

Understand what an epidural is and how it may be used for pain relief during labour.

Also see:NHS

Delayed or deferred cord clamping

Understand why the cord is not usually clamped immediately if your baby is well.

Read moreNewcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Also see:Tommy’s

Active or physiological third stage

Understand the choices around the birth of the placenta after your baby is born.

Also see:NICE

Forceps and ventouse

Understand assisted vaginal birth, including when forceps or ventouse may be discussed.

Also see:NHS

Caesarean birth

Understand caesarean birth, including planned caesarean birth and questions to discuss with your maternity team.

Also see:NHS
Formal guidance:NICE

Induction of labour

Understand when induction may be offered, what it can involve and what choices you can discuss with your maternity team.

Also see:NICE

These links are for general information only. Your own maternity team can explain what applies to you and your baby.

Nothing you type here is saved by this website. When you copy or download your summary, the file is created on your own device, and it is not sent anywhere.