I read a great article in “you & your family” on what to include in a birth plan.

1. Keep it simple, no more than 1 page. Covering the following: labor, delivery, and directly after delivery.

2. Labor: Visit the site where you are going to deliver, decide who will be present during labor and delivery, such as a doula, who provide support. Discuss decisions such as induction of labor and pain medication with your health provider. Talk to your doctor about external and internal fetal monitoring. The plan should remain flexible so that everyone can make the best choices for mom and baby.

3. Delivery: Review your options such as: Would you want a mirror position so you can watch the birth? Do you want your partner to cut the cord? Do you want the screen lowered if you are having a cesarean? So you can view the delivery. Discuss your thoughts on episiotomy ( an incision made in the perineum to avoid tears while pushing) with your doctor and decide. Discuss if you want to save cord blood.

4. Following delivery: Do you want to hold the baby and breast feed immediately? How do you feel about using pacifiers or bottles? If you are having a boy do you want the boy circumcised? Do you want the baby to room with you?

Even though you make all the decisions ahead of time always remember that things will change so be flexible. Most importantly trust your delivery team so that everyone can be safe and happy.

I found a great list of items that you should bring with you to the hospital when you are about to deliver.

1. Snacks, labor can take a while and you will want to have something that you like to eat not just something that your hubbie or partner can pick up around the corner.

2. Water, if you are used to your filtered water at home, then you better bring some of it with you. Otherwise you’ll be left drinking stuff that looks like water but doesn’t taste like water.

3. Lollipops or sucking candy, to keep your mouth moist.

4. Lip Balm, to keep your lips moist.

5. Your labor coaches favorite snack, reward the one that is helping you out.

6. Your pillow, there’s nothing like putting your head down on your own pillow.

7. Slippers and warm socks, in all likelihood the hospital is going to be cold and feet are hard to warm up once they get cold. Make sure to keep your feet warm…

8. Camera, or video camera, even if you aren’t going to get pictures of the pop itself, you’ll want to get a shot of your husband passed out on the floor.

9. Ipod/MP3 player, tunes- you gotta have the tunes.

10. Infant car seat to bring your baby home safely.