The birth plan should detail all aspects of the individual patient's health
that influence decisions about the management of the pregnancy: maternal
diseases, habits such as smoking and drug use, medications that the woman must
continue taking during pregnancy, and any other factors that might influence
the course of the pregnancy. Discussing these factors with the patient will
help her understand that her pregnancy must be managed differently from those
of her friends. It will also help the physician remember that the patient has
special needs. This can help avoid giving a patient medications that she cannot
tolerate, or performing contraindicated procedures in the haste of an emergency
delivery.
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