Birth Plans Beyond Documentation: Improving Maternal Satisfaction
Advisor(s)
Sarah Bassitt
Confirmation
1
Document Type
Poster
Location
ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room
Start Date
24-4-2026 11:00 AM
End Date
24-4-2026 11:50 AM
Abstract
Problem: Birth plans are commonly used by laboring women to make their preferences clear throughout labor, delivery, and newborn care. Often, they are documented in the medical record without a structured discussion between the patient and their care team. This lack of clear communication limits shared decision-making and negatively affects maternal satisfaction following the birth experience. Inconsistent participation in a birth plan discussion during labor admission represents a gap in patient-centered maternity care.
Purpose: The purpose of this project is to examine whether a structured admission birth plan huddle between the patient and care team improves laboring women’s perceptions of shared decision-making and overall satisfaction compared with routine birth plan documentation alone.
Methods: This study will utilize a randomized controlled trial design. The population will consist of primiparous and multiparous laboring women admitted to a labor and delivery unit who have a pre-written birth plan. Using several different hospitals within the same hospital system, three intervention hospitals and three control hospitals will be utilized. The intervention involves a "birth plan huddle," a face-to-face structured discussion between the patient, nurse, and provider at the time of admission. Perceptions of shared decision-making (SDM) and satisfaction will be measured using the Childbirth Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) and a validated SDM scale following delivery and prior to discharge.
Conclusion: Implementing a structured birth plan huddle will enhance communication, promote shared decision-making, and improve maternal satisfaction throughout the childbirth experience. This project will demonstrate the value of a nursing-led intervention that supports patient-centered care in labor and delivery settings. Findings from this study could improve patient satisfaction and guide institutional policies that would improve communication in maternity care.
Recommended Citation
Anderson, Riley E., "Birth Plans Beyond Documentation: Improving Maternal Satisfaction" (2026). ONU Student Research Colloquium. 25.
https://digitalcommons.onu.edu/student_research_colloquium/2026/Posters/25
Restricted
Available to ONU community via local IP address and ONU login.
Birth Plans Beyond Documentation: Improving Maternal Satisfaction
ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room
Problem: Birth plans are commonly used by laboring women to make their preferences clear throughout labor, delivery, and newborn care. Often, they are documented in the medical record without a structured discussion between the patient and their care team. This lack of clear communication limits shared decision-making and negatively affects maternal satisfaction following the birth experience. Inconsistent participation in a birth plan discussion during labor admission represents a gap in patient-centered maternity care.
Purpose: The purpose of this project is to examine whether a structured admission birth plan huddle between the patient and care team improves laboring women’s perceptions of shared decision-making and overall satisfaction compared with routine birth plan documentation alone.
Methods: This study will utilize a randomized controlled trial design. The population will consist of primiparous and multiparous laboring women admitted to a labor and delivery unit who have a pre-written birth plan. Using several different hospitals within the same hospital system, three intervention hospitals and three control hospitals will be utilized. The intervention involves a "birth plan huddle," a face-to-face structured discussion between the patient, nurse, and provider at the time of admission. Perceptions of shared decision-making (SDM) and satisfaction will be measured using the Childbirth Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) and a validated SDM scale following delivery and prior to discharge.
Conclusion: Implementing a structured birth plan huddle will enhance communication, promote shared decision-making, and improve maternal satisfaction throughout the childbirth experience. This project will demonstrate the value of a nursing-led intervention that supports patient-centered care in labor and delivery settings. Findings from this study could improve patient satisfaction and guide institutional policies that would improve communication in maternity care.