Do Birth Plans Mean Bigger Caesarean Scars?

Abstract

In the UK birth plans are advocated as a tool for encouraging informed decision making, whilst also being ridiculed as pointless, accused of causing trauma and of irritating and undermining medical professionals. Motivated by experiences of these varying attitudes in practice, a literature review was conducted to establish the evidence. This article describes the process, the critique of the studies and the implications of the findings. It suggests that, whilst there are various factors influencing how women and midwives perceive the use and usefulness of birth plans, it is critical that we reflect on their role in woman-centred, human rights-based care.