Interesting topic. We did not have a written birth plan, as I was at the family birth centre, so it was already known the type of birth I was after. Also the education we received did discuss transition etc we were shown videos and many photos of women during a contraction and in between contractions. Given all that though, I was not really prepared for the pain, every contraction was in my lower back and making me throw up. Not something I really expected.

The midwives in the birth center were great, they knew just when to change my position, get me in the shower, offer gas etc. Gas was offered once I started the "epidural chant". As discussed above, I really did not expect that much pain, DH, as supportive as he was of I wanted, was not the best support. His way of dealing with me was to say in a hard voice "no you bloody well don't!" which just made me clamp up. I needed a different type of support. Also I was mentally struggling with the concept of actually becoming a mother, so I believe that was not letting me work with the pain, oh and the worry about DH as he was falling asleep! Anyway I ended up with an emergency c-section.

So really in my situation a written birth plan would not have helped or more education on labour, but I believe a doula would have. I needed someone there who was there for me, who I did not have to worry
about and would know what to say and not yell.

ETA: forgot to put in the major bit, yes I did really want it, but I admit there was a small doubt. As has been said in other threads, people laugh when you state it is something that you want and comments like that over time do have an effect. Wanting a natural birth should be seen as being the norm, not something that you are mad for even trying.