Birth Plans: Pros and Cons, Article Critique Example

The below article critique will review the pro and con sides of the argument: whether or not birth plans are necessary to provide the best possible service for pregnant women and their families.

Writing for the pro position, Perez (2005) argues that the question is not whether birth plans are needed, but how can the health care system make them more effective. She states that improving the working relationship and communication between women, families, and health care professionals would help women get what they want within the limitations of health care. The author is a Perinatal Nurse Consultant and nursing educator, speaking from the profession’s official position. She states that planning the birth can reduce the stress and pressure during the pregnancy, however, she speaks about the strategic, and not practice perspective.

The second (con) opinion, provided by Lepsch (2005) concludes that allowing women to choose unsafe interventions, diet plans increases the risk at childbirth. Speaking of a clinical practice perspective, the author (and collaborating nurses) highlight the fact that health care is designed to provide help for patients to make informed decisions and safe choices. Personally, I believe that Lepsch is closer to the truth, and she provides clinical examples to back up her argument. She, for example, states that while ASA recommends only a small amount of water during labor. Patients, however, are allowed to choose to drink fluids or eat, increasing the risk of vomiting, making their experience of childbirth a negative one. She calls for evidence-based approach to perinatal care, and I agree with her. In my practice, I would ensure that recommendations based on clinical trials and studies are implemented in my practice, and women are provided with adequate information to make safe choices.

References

Lepsch, S. (2005) Birth plans: are they really necessary?  The American Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing.  Volume 30, Number 5. pp. 289.

Perez, P. (2005)  Birth plans: are they really necessary?  The American Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing. Volume 30, Number 5. pp. 288.