The Complete Guide to Creating a Birth Plan 2025

By pregnancy week × anxiety relief × feasible

Ideal birth plan

[20 weeks pregnant and up] When should you start making a birth plan? Eliminate worries that it's too early

Start with confidence with a week-by-week preparation schedule

"Isn't it too early to start thinking about a birth plan at 20 weeks pregnant?"

There are actually a lot of pregnant women who have this question.

But don't worry.

Early preparation is the key to achieving your ideal birth .

Why early preparation is the key to success

In fact, there is a ``golden timing'' for creating a birth plan.

Starting to think about it gradually from around 20 weeks pregnant can have the following benefits:

📝 Prepare with peace of mind

In the later stages of pregnancy, you may find yourself losing the ability to think calmly due to changes in your physical condition and anxiety about childbirth.

🏥Can be considered together with choosing a maternity hospital

The contents of your birth plan may affect the hospital you choose.

👫Be able to have in-depth discussions with your family

It takes time to reconcile opinions with your partner and family.

📚You can secure time to gather information

You have time to research and compare different options.

Birth plan preparation schedule by pregnancy week

"I don't know what to do or when..."

For those of you who are in this situation, we have a preparation schedule broken down by week.

[20-24 weeks pregnant: information gathering period]

📖 Learn the basics of birth planning

🔍 Explore different birth methods

🏥 Check the birth plan of the hospital you are currently attending

💬 First discussion with your partner

[25-28 weeks pregnant: evaluation period]

📝 Make a wish list

👥 Listen to the experiences of other moms

🏥 Ask about birth plans when visiting a maternity hospital

📋 Create a preliminary birth plan

[29th to 32nd week of pregnancy: Adjustment period]

👨⚕️ Start consulting with doctors and midwives

📝 Adjust to what is realistically feasible

👪 Final discussion with family

📄 Create a second birth plan

[For beginners only] 3 easy steps to solve "I can't think of anything"

Don't be shy, start with a small hope

"When I hear about birth plans, I honestly can't think of anything..."

"How does everyone else write? Is it just me?"

"I'm too embarrassed to even ask the midwife..."

it's okay.

You are not alone.

In fact, about 70% of pregnant women creating a birth plan for the first time worry that they "can't think of anything."

The obvious reason is that "I can't think of anything"

First, let's understand why it doesn't come to mind.

The reason is very simple:

🤱I've never given birth

It's natural that you can't imagine what it's like or what it requires.

📚Too much information and confusion

Even when I search online or in books, there is so much information that I don't know what is right for me.

😟 You're looking for the "right answer" too much

I worry too much about what I might write wrong and can't get my pen moving.

👥Comparing yourself to others

Compared to the "ideal birth plans" you see on social media and in magazines, you may feel like you can't have one.

But don't worry.

By following these three steps , anyone can easily come up with ideas for a birth plan.

[Regional Strategies] Choosing a maternity hospital and adjusting your plan in Tokyo, Osaka, and other regions

Strategies that utilize the characteristics of the area where you live

"There are fewer options in rural areas..."

"There are so many maternity hospitals in Tokyo, I don't know how to choose."

"I'm looking for a hospital in Osaka that offers painless childbirth."

The circumstances surrounding maternity hospitals vary greatly depending on the region.

Learn about the characteristics of your area and create the best birth plan strategy .

The reality of regional maternity hospitals

First, make sure you understand the exact situation of maternity hospitals in your area.

🏙️ Features of Tokyo

✅Benefits

・A wide range of options ( approximately 200 facilities )

・Fully equipped with the latest equipment and technology

・High rate of painless childbirth ( approximately 60% )

・Medical treatment by renowned doctors

・High rate of birth plan compliance

❌ Disadvantages

・High delivery costs ( average 800,000-1.2 million yen )

・It is difficult to make a reservation

・Long waiting times

・Relationship with doctors tends to be weak

🌸 Characteristics of the Osaka/Kansai area

✅Benefits

・Good balance between cost and quality ( average 600,000-900,000 yen )

・Homey atmosphere

・Genuine care with the kindness of the Kansai people

・Many maternity hospitals have delicious meals

🌾 Characteristics of rural areas

✅Benefits

・Low cost ( average 400,000-600,000 yen )

Close proximity to doctors and staff

Relaxed environment

・Community-based care

❌Constraints

・Limited options ( only 1-2 facilities )

・The rate of painless childbirth is low

・Emergency transport distance

・Differences in birth plan support

[By financial situation] How to create a smart birth plan that fits your budget

Tips for achieving your dreams without spending a lot of money

"I have an ideal, but I'm worried about money..."

"I want to have a painless birth, but there are additional costs..."

"I'd love to have a private room, but should I just settle for a shared room?"

Worrying about the cost of childbirth is a real concern for many pregnant women .

But don't worry.

There are smart ways to achieve your dream that fit your budget .

Find out the reality of childbirth costs

First, find out exactly what the actual costs are .

💰 Average cost of childbirth in 2025

🏥 Basic Delivery Costs

・Tokyo: 800,000-1,200,000 yen

・Osaka/Nagoya: 600,000-900,000 yen

・Regional cities: 500,000-700,000 yen

・Rural areas/remote islands: 400,000-600,000 yen

💉 Additional option costs

・Painless childbirth: +100,000-200,000 yen

・Private room use: +50,000-150,000 yen

・Planned delivery: +30,000-80,000 yen

・Attending birth: Free - 30,000 yen

・Additional newborn screening: +20,000-50,000 yen

🎁 Lump-sum childbirth and childcare allowance

・As of 2025: 500,000 yen provided

・Direct payment system reduces the burden at the counter

・Only the shortfall is self-paid

Budget-based birth plan strategies

💡 Budget: 500,000 yen or less (within the lump sum payment range)

Sticking to the basics to increase satisfaction

Priorities

・Safe childbirth (most important)

・Relationship of trust with doctors and staff

・Basic attendance at birth

・Breastfeeding support

Saving tips

・Cost reduction by using large rooms

・Discounts apply for weekday births

・Utilizing public hospitals

Decline unnecessary options

[2025 Edition] Real experiences of 100 experienced moms who said, "I'm glad I did it" or "I regret it."

Practical techniques learned from the latest success and failure cases

"I want to hear from someone who has actually created a birth plan!"

"I want to know not only success stories, but also failure stories..."

What's the latest situation in 2025?

We conducted a survey of 100 experienced mothers .

Find inspiration for creating your birth plan from real-life experiences.

2025 Birth Plan Satisfaction Survey Results

📊 Survey Results Summary

✅ Birth plan creation rate

Created: 78% (+12% from the previous year)

Did not create: 22%

😊 Satisfaction

Very satisfied: 45%

Satisfied: 32%

・Normal: 15%

・Dissatisfied: 8%

🎯 Realization rate

・Achieved 80% or more: 52%

・50-80% achieved: 31%

Less than 50%: 17%

💡 New trends for 2025

- Significant increase in online use

・Establishing a response to COVID-19

・Increased interest in social media records

・Improve husband's participation rate

Top 5 success stories of "I'm glad I did it"

🌟 What experienced mothers actually enjoyed

1. Being present at birth (87% of mothers attended)

💬 "It was truly moving to be able to share that moment with my husband. We were able to take photos, and it's a memory that will last a lifetime." (Early 30s, Tokyo)

2. Kangaroo care (performed by 74%)

💬 "The moment I held my baby right after he was born, all my tiredness disappeared in an instant. The baby seemed relieved and stopped crying." (Late 20s, Osaka)

3. Painless childbirth (63% have undergone it)

💬 "Being pain-free allowed me to fully experience the birthing process. It was expensive, but I'm definitely glad I did it." (Late 30s, Nagoya)

4. Online Family Sharing (NEW!)

💬 "There were restrictions on visits due to COVID-19, but I was able to report to my parents and in-laws in real time via video call, and we were all able to share in the joy." (Late 20s, Fukuoka)

5. Detailed photographic records (82% implemented)

💬 "I took photos of not only footprints and handprints, but also the umbilical cord and placenta. Looking back at them, I think they are truly invaluable records." (Early 30s, Sapporo)

Learning from "regretful" failure stories

😔 "I should have done this more"

1. Insufficient prior consultation with the maternity hospital

"I made a birth plan, but submitted it without consulting the hospital. I was shocked when they told me on the day, 'That's not possible.'" (Late 20s, Yokohama)

📝 Lesson learned: Prior consultation is essential

2. Lack of husband involvement

💬 "I made the birth plan by myself, but my husband was confused on the day. I wish we had prepared more together." (Early 30s, Kobe)

📝 Lesson: Family understanding and cooperation are important

3. I pursued my ideals too much

💬 "I made too many perfect plans, and when things didn't go as planned, I got stressed. I should have been more flexible." (Late 30s, Sendai)

📝 Lesson Learned: Flexibility is Key

Practical advice from experienced moms

💝 For those of you who are about to create a birth plan

📝 Creation Tips

・" Don't strive for perfection " (87% of experienced moms)

" Start with a small hope "

・" Think together with your family "

・" Placing importance on consultation with the maternity hospital "

🤝 Preparation for the day

"It's okay if things don't go as planned"

- " Trust the medical staff "

・" Enjoy the moment "

・" Never forget to be grateful "

🌈 Postpartum Reflection

・"No matter what kind of birth you have, it's a unique experience that's unique to you ."

- " Keep the records safe and look back on them later."

・"If there is a next time, I will make use of this experience ."

- " Share your experience with other moms "

Finally: Your own special birth plan

What 100 experienced moms have in common

💕 " There's no single right answer . The best birth plan is one that's unique to you."

🌟 " Everything, including the preparation process, is a valuable experience ."

👶 "Trust your baby to tell you the best timing "

🎉 " May your birth be a wonderful memory ."