Birth Plans

So you're getting ready to have your baby and you need to give some thought what your ideal birth would look like and what preferences you do have.

Getting to the hospital too soon can cause you to be subjected to additional interventions and risk. But how do you decide to stay at home or go to the hospital? Or even when to leave the hospital?

A breastfeeding plan is an extension of a birth plan to help you get breastfeeding off on the right foot.

Writing a birth plan to help you express your wishes and concerns for your labor and birth is a great idea. This helps you let your doctors, nurses and midwives know how best to help you in labor and the immediate postpartum. It can include information on pain management in labor including epidural anesthesia, the immediate postpartum as well as baby care.

Information on how to convey your ideas and beliefs about birth in a non-threatening way, from your About.com Guide.

You've planned for the birth, now let's see what comes next. Information on hospital procedures and testing for newborns. From APGARs on...

While a birth plan includes how you want to comfort yourself in labor and information on proposals, including breastfeeding might save you some headaches in the hospital. Have you thought that far ahead?

Some questions to ask yourself before making a birth plan.

Design your birth plan with a point and click method. Many hospitals use this form.

Have you considered a bikini wax for birth? Or will you just trim at home or leave well enough alone?

What were the rules of photographing your birth, either from your end or your hospital or birth center?

After your baby is born you'll want to hold her and love on baby and bond with your baby. What's the best way to bond with your baby? Skin to skin with mom? Talking to your baby? Breastfeeding? What about after a c-section?

A look at the myths and facts surrounding Scientology's Silent Birth.

Rooming in has many benefits for baby and mom. Here is a look at some of the benefits of rooming in.

Labor is a time of emotion and physical exertion. You'll be called upon to make decision, here's a guide to making the right choice for you.

A birth plan is a communications tool to use with your birth team. You can use a birth plan to tell everyone what your preferences are for your birth.

Breastfeeding can get a bad reputation as something that is hard to do. My argument is that a lot of it is the lack of knowledge, support and preparation. Here's how to help breastfeeding go smoothly from the start.

The number of people that you invite to your birth is important to you. You may want to have a quiet, intimate affair, or a party.

Does what you do during birth affect your breastfeeding?

Having a cesarean section might be a great reason to have a birth plan. This can help you mold the experience to be the birth you want it to be.