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Table 3 Subcategories, categories and theme regarding participants perspectives of birth plans

From: Implementation of birth plans integrated into childbirth preparation classes for vaginal birth: a qualitative study of women, their husbands and clinicians’ perspectives in Iran

Sub-categories

Main categories

Theme

1- Identifying the goal and making informed decisions

2- Enhancing the power and creativity of the mind

3-Step-by-step guide to visualizing the vaginal birth process

Guide and pattern of preparing for childbirth pathway

Birth plan: The missing link in promotion of vaginal childbirth in Iran

1- Increasing the women’s skills in managing labor pain

2- Acquiring the required information from various sources

3- Increasing the mothers’ self-confidence, self-esteem, and self- efficacy.

4- Mothers’ positive attitude toward the vaginal birth

Women’s empowerment and sense of triumph

1-Building a relationship of woman- midwife mutual trust

2-Strengthening the intra-organizational relationship among the birth team

3-Facilitating and maintaining the tripartite mother-midwife-physician relationship

34-Facilitating the women’s communication with peers

Facilitating and enhancing communication

1-Successful transition from pregnancy to parenthood

2- Husbands’ participation in planning and implementation of the birth plan

3-Choosing a midwife as the best birth attendant

Successful transition to parenthood and women’s satisfaction

1-Inadequate attention to planning and policy- making to promote vaginal birth

2-Conflicts between midwives and obstetricians

Challenges associated with implementation of the birth plan