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Is the childbirth experience improved by a birth plan?

Ingela Lundgren1, Marie Berg, Gunilla Lindmark

  • 1Borås College of Health Sciences, Borås, Sweden.

Journal of Midwifery & Women'S Health
|October 4, 2003
PubMed
Summary

A birth plan questionnaire before childbirth did not improve women's overall birth experiences. Some women reported lower satisfaction with their midwife's support and attentiveness in the birth plan group.

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Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Maternal-Fetal Medicine
  • Reproductive Health

Background:

  • Childbirth preparation is crucial for maternal well-being.
  • Birth plans aim to enhance communication and align care with maternal expectations.
  • Previous research on birth plan effectiveness has yielded mixed results.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of a structured birth plan on women's childbirth experiences.
  • To assess whether a pre-birth questionnaire and birth plan improve maternal satisfaction with intrapartum care.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective study involving 271 pregnant women recruited after 33 weeks gestation.
  • Participants completed a pre-birth questionnaire and formulated a birth plan.
  • Comparison group: women completing a postpartum questionnaire assessing birth experience.

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Main Results:

  • The birth plan intervention did not significantly improve overall childbirth experiences.
  • Women in the birth plan group reported lower satisfaction with midwife interactions (listening, support, respect).
  • Potential benefits for specific subgroups regarding fear, pain, and newborn concerns were noted.

Conclusions:

  • A pre-birth questionnaire and birth plan strategy was ineffective in enhancing overall childbirth experiences.
  • The intervention group experienced diminished satisfaction with midwife care during labor.
  • Further research is needed to identify subgroups who may benefit from birth plans for specific outcomes.