Just my opinion but I thought the birth plan was primarily a fantastic tool for ME. I sat down and mused over it for hours, before giving it to my DH & sister to read who were to be in the delivery room (and certainly were). It really forced me to think of all possibilities and how I wanted them dealt with.

I made copies for the hospital and gave it to my OB on my 2nd to last visit before having Maddy. Her eyes fair popped out of her head. She was actually impressed that I had taken the time to think it all out, and I think it really set the mood because she could tell I knew what I wanted for the birth. She read it all (and it was LONG *L*) and then put it in my file. From the moment I was admitted the morning after my waters broke, the hospital staff treated me as a mature independant woman who could make her own decisions. When they wanted to do something, they asked. Basically it empowered not only me, but my husband and sister.