Table 3.

Subcategories, categories and theme regarding participants perspectives of birth plans

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