Health Tip: Develop a Birth Plan

(HealthDay News) -- Creating a birth plan means being prepared for all of the questions and decisions you''ll face during delivery -- and knowing how you want to handle them when they come up.

The American Pregnancy Association lists some factors to consider before your delivery:

• Who do you want to be present during the delivery, and who do you want to help you through labor?
• Do you want to be able to walk around during labor, or do you want to remain in bed?
• Which activities and positions do you want to try during labor, such as walking around, sitting, squatting, etc?
• What type of pain relief do you want, such as massage, pain medication, heat, ice packs, etc?
• How do you want your baby to be cared for after delivery? Where do you want baby to sleep, and how do you want to feed?
• Do you want music in the room, and do you want to wear your own clothing or a hospital gown?

-- Diana Kohnle

Last Updated: Sept. 22, 2008

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