References:
Abstract 1:
Premise: Birth plans empower women by increasing their knowledge and understanding of birth practices. Birth plans also help women make informed choices.
Research Question: Does a birth plan enable women to express their needs and preferences, enhance their confidence, and improve communication between the woman and caregiver during labor?
Subjects: A total of 100 women from two different hospitals completed a prenatal birth plan. The sample was from a diverse background in ethnicity, age, and parity.
Study Design: Two to three days after delivery, a questionnaire was distributed to women who had completed their plans prenatally. There was a 98% response to the postpartum questionnaire.
Findings: Ninety-five percent of the women reported the birth plan was easy to understand, 87% stated it was easy to use, and 93% stated the birth plan improved their understanding about the choices available to them during labor, 89% during delivery, and 81% after birth. Ninety-two percent stated that they were able to express their needs and preferences during labor, 88% during delivery, and 90% after the baby was born. Most felt having a written plan made this easier. Ninety-five percent said they would encourage other women to use the birth plan. The plans served to improve communications between the women and hospital staff.
Research reviewed by Aimee Fraile, RN, while a student at Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Nursing, in Richmond, VA.
Abstract 2:
Premise: When used correctly and adhered to by the caregivers, birth plans allow the woman to have autonomy and control while in labor and provide continuity of care.
Research Question: What are the qualitative aspects of using a birth plan?
Subjects: Ten primiparous women.
Study Design: The birth plan was introduced to the expectant mother at her booking visit. Further discussions about the mother’s wishes during labor were held at antenatal visits after the 28th week. A birth plan was usually formulated in the third trimester. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were held at one to two weeks postpartum to evaluate the mother’s feeling of empowerment during labor.
Findings: Women whose birth plans were followed during labor reported feelings of empowerment and believed they were informed about the labor process due to effective communication with their midwife. Women whose birth plans were not followed believed they were not involved in the labor process and reported feelings of powerlessness, frustration, and distrust toward the midwife who was caring for them. Women who felt they were in control during labor exhibited high self-esteem and perceived giving birth as an accomplishment. Those women who felt they were not in control were less satisfied or fulfilled with their birth experience.
Research reviewed by Aimee Fraile, RN, while a student at Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Nursing, in Richmond, VA.
Abstract 3:
Premise: Primigravidae women describe how birth plans were used and how the plans affected the outcome of their birth experience.
Research Question: What are primigravidae women’s perceptions of birth plans during the antenatal period and labor?
Background: Birth plans evolved from women’s attempts to assert their rights to have some control over what happened to them in the hospital at the hands of obstetricians.
Subjects: A total of 101 primigravidae, 6 to 13 weeks postpartum.
Study Design: A retrospective questionnaire was formulated using items from previously validated tools. The questionnaire was sent to 143 primigravidae women, 6 to 13 weeks following delivery and two reminder letters were used to increase response rate.
Findings: The study findings were based on data from the 101 usable questionnaires, which represented a response rate of 71%. Among the participants, 73% reported having attended antenatal education classes and 63% had preferences before attending relative to their desired procedures during childbirth. Of the women surveyed, 82% believed their preferences would be followed during labor and 90% had completed a birth plan (86% before the start of labor). Seventy-two percent of the women felt comfortable asking questions pertaining to their labor and use of a birth plan. A total of 60% of the respondents reported a deviation from their written birth plans, but most respondents were happy or not bothered by the deviations. Half of the respondents felt that the birth plan had no effect on the control they had during their labor and delivery period, while 93% of the respondents felt their birth plans assisted in their understanding of the birth process. Many women reported that not enough attention was accorded their birth plans by the professionals caring for them, but most women still saw the birth plans as useful and reported they would complete another one in any future pregnancy.
Research reviewed by LaShontae Scott-Roberts, RNC, while a student at Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Nursing, in Richmond, VA.