Birth plans: tickets to the OR?

Although some nurses and physicians might suggest that women who write birth plans are at greater risk of a cesarean birth, research has not supported this myth. The research studies on this topic have suggested, actually, that women who write birth plans do not have higher cesarean rates or worse obstetric outcomes. Birth plans have been shown to inform and empower women, and lead to more satisfaction with their birth experiences. The purpose of this article is to present the existing evidence on perinatal outcomes in women with birth plans and to explore the phenomenon of divergent perceptions among care givers.