Do birth plans adversely affect the outcome of labour?

Abstract

More women are now presenting for antenatal with their own personal requirements and expectations regarding labour and delivery. This study assesses whetner women with birth plans are as likely to achieve spontaneous vaginal delivery as women without birth plans.

Birth Plans: The Good, the Bad, and the Future

“…Although women find written birth plans helpful (Brown & Lumley, 1998; Whitford & Hillan, 1998), most research suggests that there are no differences between women who have a written birth plan and those who do not in fear, pain, or overall experience (Brown & Lumley; Lundgren, Berg, & Lindmark, 2003) or sense of control (Brown & Lumely; Lundgren et al, 2003; Whitford & Hillan). While Brown & Lumley found fewer operative vaginal deliveries in a birth plan group, in a small sample of 42 women, Jones et al (1998) reported a 40% spontaneous vaginal birth rate in the birth plan group and a 60% rate in the control group. Far from improving relationships, according to Jones et al (1998), birth plans may irritate the staff, which adversely affects obstetric outcomes.…”

“…While Brown & Lumley found fewer operative vaginal deliveries in a birth plan group, in a small sample of 42 women, Jones et al (1998) reported a 40% spontaneous vaginal birth rate in the birth plan group and a 60% rate in the control group. Far from improving relationships, according to Jones et al (1998), birth plans may irritate the staff, which adversely affects obstetric outcomes.…”

Communication and decision‐making in labour: do birth plans make a difference?

“…21 However, a study by Jones et al, reporting on the use of birth plans at one UK hospital in 1997, indicates that less than 4% of women at low risk of complications made use of birth plans. 8 Variations between hospitals with regard to the degree to which birth plans are accepted and promoted make it dicult to generalize from the ®ndings of studies conducted in individual hospitals. A study conducted in Hudders®eld, 9 and another in New South Wales 10 reported generally positive feedback about birth plans implemented in these two settings, but both involved birth plans devised and implemented by hospital staff.…”

“…Three studies focusing on obstetric outcomes have been reported. 8,22,23 A study covering a 6month period at Heatherwood Hospital of women considered to be at low antenatal risk, found that women completing a written birth plan (42/ 1172) were more likely to experience a range of interventions in labour, including use of forceps for the birth. 8 The authors conjecture that the hostile attitudes of midwifery and obstetric staff to women presenting with a written birth plan adversely affects communication in labour, leading to worse birth outcomes.…”

Birth Plans and Childbirth Education: What Are Provider Attitudes, Beliefs, and Practices?

“…Despite society endorsements for CBE, there has been a documented negative perception of birth plans by obstetricians and nursing staff (Grant, Sueda, & Kaneshiro, 2010). While CBE classes and birth plans are meant to facilitate patient-provider communication in childbirth, there appear to be large disparities in viewpoints between health-care professionals and patients on the obstetric outcomes of women with birth plans (Aragon et al, 2013;Jones, Barik, Mangune, Jones, & Gregory, 1998;Lothian, 2006;Lundgren, Berg, & Lindmark, 2003;Perez & Capitulo, 2005;Whitford et al, 2014; Results from a Mindfulness-Based Childbirth program demonstrate an increase in mindfulness and positive affect and decrease in depression and anxiety after attending CBE classes. Hillan, 1998;Yam, Grossman, Goldman, & Garcia, 2007).…”