Article
Birth Plans: The Good, the Bad, and the Future
Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing
(2006)
Abstract
A written birth plan encourages women to clarify desires and expectations and communicate with their providers to make a realistic plan for care during labor. Tension between health professionals and patients caused by birth plans reflects the larger problems with contemporary maternity care: conflicting beliefs about birth, what constitutes safe, effective care, and ethical issues related to informed consent and informed refusal. The focus of birth plans should be to answer three patient‐focused questions: What will I do to stay confident and feel safe? What will I do to find comfort in response to my contractions? Who will support me through labor, and what will I need from them? In this article, the history and purposes of birth plans and approaches to resolving tensions will be discussed.
Keywords
- Birth Plan,
- Evidence‐Based Maternity Care,
- Informed Decision Making
Disciplines
Publication Date
March 1, 2006
DOI
10.1111/J.1552-6909.2006.00042.X
Citation Information
Judith Lothian. "Birth Plans: The Good, the Bad, and the Future" Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing Vol. 35 Iss. 2 (2006) p. 295 - 303 ISSN: 1552-6909 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/judith-lothian/41/