Birth Plan

The two books I've been reading both talk about creating a Birth Plan.

And expectant mother outlines the birth scenario; how she'd ideally like labor and delivery to play out. It's between the parents and Doctor/hospital or birthing center.
It can be very basic or extremely detailed.

Some things that a Birth Plan can cover are:
- When you'll go to hospital or birthing center
- Walking around or sitting up during labor
- Eating and drinking during labor
- Personalizing the room with music, lighting, etc.
- Using mirrors if you want to see the birth
- Use of IV
- Use of pain medications
- Fetal monitoring
- Inducing labor
- Massage
- Vacuum or forceps use
- Father aiding in deliver/cutting the cord
And so on and so on

Geez, I just thought you go into the room, push and yell at the top of your lungs and then you hear the baby cry hours later.

I didn't create a 'Birth Plan' to hand out to all parties involved in the room. I really don't care about music and lighting. And my doctor will guide me if things (emergency measures) need to happen. The two things that are important to me (being as upright as possible and nursing critter right away), my doctor and the hospital encourage anyway.

My ideal Birth Plan would go something like this.
- A mild contraction happens at home. I say "Hubby, we should go to the hospital."
- We drive to hospital, stopping before to have a delicious lunch and a pedicure.
- We're admitted. Nurse checks me out and says "You're ready to deliver."
- We're in the birthing room laughing, joking around. I'm not in any pain. My doctor comes in and says "Push", I gently push and Critter is in my hands.
The entire process takes 10 minutes

NOW THAT'S A BIRTH PLAN!