A birth plan is a document suggesting the mother’s preferences during labor and what follows immediately. It may include options for pain relief, presence of a companion in the delivery room, as well as her preferences regarding medical interventions and type of care she would like during labor.
The purpose of a birth plan is to help the mother communicate her medical preferences before delivery and thus feel more reassured and prepared. She can ask questions about what is appropriate for her and her baby. However, these plans may change according to some emergency medical situations that require urgent intervention.