Making your birth plan

Page last updated: 12 May 2022
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Mother and baby

Many women aren't aware of their rights to choose maternity care. If you're pregnant, you can use our resources to help choose the right birth plan for you.

40% of women who recently gave birth either weren’t aware or didn’t feel they had a choice about their birth hospital, according to our research.

If you’re pregnant and choosing where to have a baby, use our resources to help you make an informed decision.

Your experiences

Hear women who have recently accessed maternity care services talk about their experiences.

Photo of Molly

Molly's story

Photo of Gabrielle

Gabrielle's story

Photo of Tamsin

Tamsin's story

Join the conversation

We want to hear from you about your experiences of care. Use the the #YourBirthPlan hashtag on Instagram and Twitter, or tell us about your care through our website.

Compare your local maternity services

Wherever you choose to give birth, your experience should be a positive one.

To help you make an informed choice, use our reports to compare services near you.

Find reports about your local maternity services
Service name Service type Reports
Abbey Field Medical Centre, CO2 7UW Maternity Read the report
Addenbrooke's and the Rosie Hospitals, CB2 0QQ Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Airedale General Hospital, BD20 6TD Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Alder Hey Children's Hospital, L12 2AP Neonatal services Read the report
Alexandra Hospital, B98 7UB Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Alnwick Infirmary, NE66 2NS Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Amersham Hospital, HP7 0JD Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Andover War Memorial Hospital, SP10 3LB Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Arrowe Park Hospital, CH49 5PE Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Barking Birth Centre, IG11 9LX Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Barnet General Hospital, EN5 3DJ Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Barnsley Hospital, S75 2EP Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Basildon University Hospital, SS16 5NL Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, RG24 9NA Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Bassetlaw District General Hospital, S81 0BD Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Bedford Hospital, MK42 9DJ Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Berwick Infirmary, TD15 1LT Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Bidston and St James Children's Centre, CH41 7AL Maternity Read the report
Birmingham Children's Hospital, B4 6NH Neonatal services Read the report
Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, B9 5SS Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Blackburn Birthing Centre, BB2 3NX Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Blackpool Victoria Hospital, FY3 8NR Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
BMI Coombe Wing, KT2 7QB Maternity Read the report
BMI Mount Alvernia Hospital, GU1 3LX Maternity Read the report
Bradford Royal Infirmary, BD9 6RJ Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Bridgnorth Community Hospital, WV16 4EU Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Broadgreen Hospital Site, L14 3LB Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Broomfield Hospital, CM1 7ET Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Burnley General Hospital, BB10 2PQ Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Calderdale Royal Hospital, HX3 0PW Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Castle Hill Hospital, HU16 5JQ Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Central Health Clinic, BS2 0JD Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Chapel Allerton Hospital, LS7 4SA Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, SW10 9NH Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Cheltenham General Hospital, GL53 7AN Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Chesterfield Royal Hospital, S44 5BL Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Chorley and South Ribble Hospital, PR7 1PP Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
City Hospital, B18 7QH Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Clifton Hospital, FY8 1PB Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Colchester General Hospital, CO4 5JL Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Conquest Hospital, TN37 7RD Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Corbett Hospital, DY8 4HZ Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Cossham Hospital, BS15 1LF Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
County Hospital Louth, LN11 0UE Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Crawley Hospital, RH11 7DH Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Croydon University Hospital, CR7 7YE Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Cumberland Infirmary, CA2 7HY Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Darent Valley Hospital, DA2 8DA Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Darlington Memorial Hospital, DL3 6HX Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Derriford Hospital, PL6 8DH Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Dewsbury and District Hospital, WF13 4HS Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Diana Princess of Wales Hospital, DN33 2BA Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Doncaster Royal Infirmary, DN2 5LT Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Dorset County Hospital, DT1 2JY Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
East Surrey Hospital, RH1 5RH Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Eastbourne District General Hospital, BN21 2UD Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Epsom General Hospital, KT18 7EG Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Essex County Hospital, CO3 3NB Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Evesham Community Hospital, WR11 1JT Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Evesham Community Hospital, WR11 1JT Neonatal services Read the report
Fleetwood Hospital, FY7 6BE Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Frenchay Hospital, BS16 1ND Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Friarage Hospital, DL6 1JG Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Frimley Park Hospital, GU16 7UJ Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Furness General Hospital, LA14 4LF Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
George Eliot NHS Hospital, CV10 7RF Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, GL1 3NN Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Good Hope Hospital, B75 7RR Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Goole & District Hospital, DN14 6RX Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Grantham and District Hospital, NG31 8DG Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Great Ormond Street Hospital, WC1N 3JH Neonatal services Read the report
Great Western Hospital, SN3 6BB Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Hammersmith Hospitals, W12 0AE Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Harrogate District Hospital, HG2 7SX Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Hereford Hospital, HR1 2ER Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Hexham General Hospital, NE46 1QJ Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Homerton University Hospital, E9 6SR Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Horton General Hospital, OX16 9AL Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, HD3 3EA Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Hull Royal Infirmary, HU3 2JZ Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Ipswich Hospital, IP4 5PD Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
James Paget Hospital, NR31 6LA Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
John Radcliffe Hospital, OX3 9DU Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Kent & Canterbury Hospital, CT1 3NG Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Kettering General Hospital, NN16 8UZ Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Kidderminster Hospital and Treatment Centre, DY11 6RJ Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
King George Hospital, IG3 8YB Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
King's College Hospital, SE5 9RS Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Kings Mill Hospital, NG17 4JL Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Kingston Hospital, KT2 7QB Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Leeds General Infirmary, LS1 3EX Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Leicester General Hospital, LE5 4PW Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Leicester Royal Infirmary, LE1 5WW Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Leigh Infirmary, WN7 1HS Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Leighton Hospital, CW1 4QJ Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Lincoln County Hospital, LN2 5QY Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Lister Hospital, SG1 4AB Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Liverpool Women's Hospital, L8 7SS Maternity (inpatient services) Read the report
Liverpool Women's Hospital, L8 7SS Maternity (community services) Read the report
Liverpool Women's Hospital, L8 7SS Surgery (gynaecology) Read the report
Liverpool Women's Hospital, L8 7SS Neonatal services Read the report
Ludlow Community Hospital, SY8 1QX Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Luton and Dunstable Hospital, LU4 0DZ Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Macclesfield District General Hospital, SK10 3JF Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Maidstone Hospital, ME16 9QQ Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Manchester Royal Infirmary, M13 9WL Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Manchester Royal Infirmary, M13 9WL Neonatal services Read the report
Manor Hospital, WS2 9PS Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Medway Maritime Hospital, ME7 5NY Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Mile End Hospital, E1 4DG Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Milton Keynes Hospital, MK6 5LD Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Musgrove Park Hospital, TA1 5DA Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Neighbourhood Midwives Limited, N1 9AB Maternity Read the report
New Cross Hospital, WV10 0QP Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Newark Hospital, NG24 4DE Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Newham University Hospital, E13 8SL Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, NR4 7UY Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
North Devon District Hospital, EX31 4JB Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
North Manchester General Hospital, M8 5RB Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
North Middlesex University Hospital, N18 1QX Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
North Tyneside General Hospital, NE29 8NH Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Northampton General Hospital, NN1 5BD Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital, NE23 6NZ Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Northwick Park Hospital, HA1 3UJ Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Nottingham City Hospital, NG5 1PB Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Nottingham City Hospital, NG5 1PB Neonatal services Read the report
Nuffield Health Tees Hospital, TS20 1PX Maternity Read the report
Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, OX3 7LD Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Ormskirk District General hospital, L39 2JW Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Oswestry Maternity Unit, SY10 7AG Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Penrith Hospital, CA11 8HX Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Peterborough City Hospital, PE3 9GZ Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Pilgrim Hospital, PE21 9QS Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Pinderfields Hospital, WF1 4DG Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Pontefract Hospital, WF8 1PL Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Poole Hospital, BH15 2JB Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Princess Ann Hospital, SO16 5YA Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Princess Royal Hospital, RH16 4EX Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Princess Royal University Hospital, BR6 8ND Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Queen Alexandra Hospital, PO6 3LY Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Queen Charlottes and Chelsea Hospital, W12 0AE Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Queen Charlottes and Chelsea Hospital, W12 0AE Neonatal services Read the report
Queen Elizabeth Hospital, SE18 4QH Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Queen Elizabeth Hospital, NE9 6SX Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital, CT9 4AN Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Queen's Hospital, RM7 0AG Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Queen's Hospital, Burton Upon Trent, DE13 0RB Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Queen's Medical Centre, NG7 2UH Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Rotherham General Hospital, S60 2UD Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, WN1 2NN Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Royal Berkshire Hospital, RG1 5AN Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Royal Bolton Hospital, BL4 0JR Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Royal Bournemouth Hospital, BH7 7DW Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Royal Cornwall Hospital, TR1 3LJ Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Royal Derby Hospital, DE22 3NE Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital (Wonford), EX2 5DW Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Royal Hallamshire Hospital, S10 2JF Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Royal Hampshire County Hospital, SO22 5DG Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Royal Lancaster Infirmary, LA1 5AZ Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (Bolsover Street), W1W 5AQ Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Royal Preston Hospital, PR2 9HT Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, SY3 8XQ Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Royal Surrey County Hospital, GU2 7XX Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Royal Sussex County Hospital, BN2 5BE Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Royal United Hospital Bath, BA1 3NG Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Royal Victoria Infirmary, NE1 4LP Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Russells Hall Hospital, DY1 2HQ Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Salisbury District Hospital, SP2 8BJ Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Samuel Johnson Community Hospital, WS13 6EF Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Scarborough Hospital, YO12 6QL Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Scunthorpe General Hospital, DN15 7BH Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Sheffield Children's Hospital, S10 2TH Neonatal services Read the report
Sir Robert Peel Community Hospital, B78 3NG Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Solihull Hospital, B91 2JL Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
South Bristol NHS Community Hospital, BS14 0DE Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
South Tyneside District Hospital, NE34 0PL Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Southend University Hospital, SS0 0RY Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Southmead Hospital, BS10 5NB Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Spire Southampton Hospital, SO16 6UY Maternity Read the report
Spire Wellesley Hospital, SS2 4XH Maternity Read the report
St George's Hospital (Tooting), SW17 0QT Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
St Helier Hospital and Queen Mary's Hospital for Children, SM5 1AA Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
St James's University Hospital, LS9 7TF Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
St Mary's Birth Centre, LE13 1SJ Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
St Mary's Hospital, PO30 5TG Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
St Mary's Hospital, W2 1NY Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
St Michael's Hospital, TR27 4JA Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
St Peter's Hospital, KT16 0PZ Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
St Richard's Hospital, PO19 6SE Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
St Thomas' Hospital, SE1 7EH Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Stepping Hill Hospital, SK2 7JE Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Stoke Mandeville Hospital, HP21 8AL Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Stroud Maternity Hospital, GL5 2JB Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Sunderland Royal Hospital, SR4 7TP Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Tameside General Hospital, OL6 9RW Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
The Birth Sanctuary, BL1 4DH Maternity Read the report
The Countess of Chester Hospital, CH2 1UL Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
The County Hospital, ST16 3SA Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
The Hillingdon Hospital, UB8 3NN Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
The James Cook University Hospital, TS4 3BW Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
The London Welbeck Hospital, W1G 8EN Maternity Read the report
The Portland Hospital for Women and Children, W1W 5AH Maternity Read the report
The Princess Alexandra Hospital, CM20 1QX Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
The Princess Royal Hospital, TF1 6TF Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, PE30 4ET Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
The Royal Free Hospital, NW3 2QG Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
The Royal London Hospital, E1 1BB Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (Stanmore), HA7 4LP Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
The Royal Oldham Hospital, OL1 2JH Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, B31 2AP Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
The Royal Stoke University Hospital, ST4 6QG Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
The Tunbridge Wells Hospital at Pembury, TN2 4QJ Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
The Whittington Hospital, N19 5NF Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
The York Hospital, YO31 8HE Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Torbay Hospital, TQ2 7AA Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
University College Hospital & Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing, NW1 2BU Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
University Hospital, CV2 2DX Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
University Hospital Lewisham, SE13 6LH Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
University Hospital North Durham, DH1 5TW Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
University Hospital of Hartlepool, TS24 9AH Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
University Hospital of North Tees, TS19 8PE Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
University Hospitals Bristol Main Site, BS2 8HW Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Victoria Infirmary, CW8 1AW Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Wansbeck General Hospital, NE63 9JJ Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Warrington Hospital, WA5 1QG Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Warwick Hospital, CV34 5BW Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Watcombe Hall, TQ1 4SH Maternity Read the report
Watford General Hospital, WD18 0HB Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
West Cumberland Hospital, CA28 8JG Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
West Suffolk Hospital, IP33 2QZ Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Westmorland General Hospital, LA9 7RG Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Weston General Hospital, BS23 4TQ Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Wexham Park Hospital, SL2 4HL Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Wharfedale Hospital, LS21 2LY Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Whipps Cross University Hospital, E11 1NR Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Whiston Hospital, L35 5DR Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
William Harvey Hospital, TN24 0LZ Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Worcestershire Royal Hospital, WR5 1DD Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Worthing Hospital, BN11 2DH Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Wycombe Hospital, HP11 2TT Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Wythenshawe Hospital, M23 9LT Maternity and gynaecology Read the report
Yeovil District Hospital, BA21 4AT Maternity and gynaecology Read the report

Have your say

We want to hear about your experiences of care. The information you give us supports our monitoring, inspecting and rating of services.

If you have any concerns or worries about the care you receive during your pregnancy, tell the service and tell us.

Although we can't take individual complaints forward, the information and feedback you provide will help us to monitor services and plan our inspections. You can tell us about your experiences here.

What to do about poor care

If you or someone you look after experiences poor care, you should contact the service provider in the first instance. Our role as the regulator means that we do not settle individual complaints ourselves, but we still want to hear your experiences of care.

Your birth plan