Effect of birth plans on childbirth experience: A systematic review

Aim The birth plans were developed as an approach for pregnant women to present their expectations for labour and childbirth. The aim of this study was to assess whether birth plans (a written document in which pregnant women describe preferences about their care during labour and childbearing) compared with standard or routine approach (supine position, continuous fetal monitoring, enema, episiotomy) affect the birth experience (woman's perception of labour and childbirth as positive or negative experience) or satisfaction with birth. Methods This systematic review was performed by searching several databases, including Cochrane Library, Web of Science, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus, PsycINFO, ACP Journal Club, Google Scholar, and Persian databases (SID, Magiran, and Barakat) up to February 10, 2018. Results By searching the databases, 1006 published articles were found, of which 480 and 114 articles were excluded by review of the titles and the s, respectively. Finally, we included three clinical trials (1132 women) in the review. The results of two study showed that the mean score of birth experience in the birth plan group was significantly higher than the control group (P ≤ 0.01). However, the results of a study showed that there were no statistically significant differences between birth plan and control groups (P > 0.05). Quality of included studies was very low. Conclusions There is not enough evidence to support or refute that birth plan can improve the birth experience or satisfaction with birth. SUMMARY STATEMENT What is already known about this topic? Birth plans may affect the childbirth experience or satisfaction with labour. What this paper adds? There is not enough evidence to support or refute that implementation of birth plans can improve women's satisfaction with birth. The implications of this paper: Improving women's childbirth experience or satisfaction are important as quality markers of childbirth care. Further randomized controlled trials are needed to study the effect of birth plans on women's childbirth experience or satisfaction.