When preparing for the arrival of a baby through surrogacy, one of the most important steps is creating a clear, thoughtful birth plan. Whether you’re the surrogate or the intended parents eagerly anticipating your little one’s arrival, having a well-prepared birth plan ensures that everyone is on the same page—from medical staff to family support.
Unlike a traditional birth plan, a surrogacy birth plan includes the needs, expectations, and preferences of two families. Here’s what you should consider including and a few helpful tips for making the hospital experience as smooth and supportive as possible.
📝 What to Include in a Surrogacy Birth Plan
1. Hospital & Medical Preferences
- Preferred hospital for delivery
- Type of birth: vaginal, planned C-section, induction, unmedicated, etc.
- Pain management preferences: epidural, IV medications, natural methods
- Monitoring preferences: intermittent or continuous fetal monitoring
- Who makes medical decisions in case of an emergency (this should be clarified legally in advance)
- Any cultural or religious considerations that may affect care
2. Support People & Visitors
- Who the surrogate wants as her support person during labor (e.g., partner, doula, family member)
- Guidance on which parent should be in the room- if only one is permitted due to medical protocols.
- When the parents would like to be called once labor begins
- Preferences for who will cut the umbilical cord
3. Immediate Post-Birth Plans
- Who will hold the baby first
- Will there be skin-to-skin contact, and with whom
- Who will feed the baby first (surrogate, nurse, or NEW Parents with bottle/breastmilk)
- Delayed cord clamping preference
- Vitamin K shot, eye ointment, and other newborn procedures
4. Rooming & Bonding
- Will the baby stay in the room with the parents? Will there be a separate room for them?
- Will the surrogate rest in a private room or with visitors?
- Any preferences around time spent together (surrogate and baby or surrogate and parents)
5. Photography & Keepsakes
- Can photos/videos be taken during labor or delivery?
- Who is allowed to take pictures and of what moments?
- Will the surrogate or parents keep items like hospital bracelets, hats, or baby’s first blanket?
6. Legal & Administrative Details
- Confirm the hospital has a copy of the parentage or pre-birth order
- Instructions for how the baby should be registered (under the parents’ names)
- Insurance and billing instructions to avoid confusion
📌 Practical Tips
✔️ Bring Several Copies to the Hospital
Hospital staff rotates frequently, especially during labor and recovery. To make sure everyone is aware of your preferences:
- Bring at least 5–7 printed copies of the birth plan
- Keep one in the surrogate’s hospital bag
- Give copies to labor and delivery nurses, postpartum staff, and the charge nurse on each shift
- Leave an extra in the baby’s bassinet or with the chart if allowed
- You may also want to email a copy to the hospital’s social worker or nurse manager ahead of time.
✔️ Review It Together Ahead of Time
We recommend that the surrogate, her support person, and the intended parents go over the birth plan together—preferably well before the due date. That way, everyone feels aligned and confident walking into the hospital.
💛 A Shared Experience, A Shared Plan
The birth of a child through surrogacy is a deeply meaningful experience for everyone involved. While it may look a little different from a traditional birth, with communication, care, and a strong birth plan, it can be just as personal and powerful.
Having a solid plan in place should help ease your mind about expectations and prepare for things you may not necessarily have thought about before! But knowing that labor and delivery can be somewhat unpredictable and knowing that the plan may ebb and flow is also a good thing to keep in mind. Your coordinator will help to support you—whatever that may look like. 💗🩵
