Research childbirth and determine what is important to you. There are many procedures, policies, and routines that you need to understand and determine if they are right for you and your baby.

Create your birth plan if you choose. Include your wishes, fears, cultural traditions/preferences, and anything else that is important to you.

Talk to your careprovider about your birth plan. If you didn’t create one, you still need to talk to him/her about your wishes to make sure he/she is on board. You do not have to compromise or go with anything because its his/her or hospital policy. If you discover that your careprovider isn’t on board with you, then find a new one.

Enlist a person you trust to support you during your labor and birth. Maybe for you this can be your partner, spouse, mom, sister, and/or a doula.

Find out about where you’ll be having your baby. Take a tour and ask questions. Sometimes what you find out may be a bit shocking and you’ll find that you really don’t want to have your baby there. Talk to your care provider about this; but you may need to find a new one.

Learn some exercise moves that can help prepare and strengthen your body for childbirth.

Practice some relaxation techniques to learn how to relieve pain or use breathing techniques. These are helpful before, during, and after childbirth.

Take childbirth classes if you’d like. I personally would avoid those offered by hospitals.

Read a variety of natural birth stories and talk to other women who are comfortable discussing their births. Try to avoid those exaggerated horror stories.

Stay strong and stick to what you believe. Don’t let anyone, including medical staff, bully or pressure you into anything. You have the right to know benefits and risks of every procedure and to decline if you deem it isn’t necessary.