I'm drafting my Birth Plan/Preferences at the moment and will post them when I'm more ready, but wanted to post something that a colleague of mine said to me yesterday, when I mentioned that I was writing my Birth Plan:

She: What's a Birth Plan going to do? Birth doesn't always go to plan.
Me: That's right, which is why a Birth Plan can be useful in articulating my preferences and intentions, so that if it doesn't go "to plan" then my wishes can be taken into account, and I can be more empowered to make informed decisions about any treatment that is offered.
She: But won't you just do what the doctors tell you to do? They're the experts.
Me: