When the act of giving birth was named "labor," they really meant it. It is painful and it is a lot of work, but the baby is worth all the effort. One way to make the delivery a lot smoother is to know what is likely to happen and have contingency plans for each possible problem.

The list of plans is not long, but there are a few things to consider so that you are ready should they come up. C-sections and other difficulties are possible, though not all that likely. Still, luck favors the prepared.

A good birth plan will include at least these basics: who will be in the room, what type of medication if any you would like to have, what sort of activity you would like to engage in during the labor, and what sort of ambience you want for the room. You can also add all kinds of details relating to the process of birth itself.

You should plan for who will be present with you at what stages of labor and birth. Maybe you prefer the support of friends during preliminary stages, but not in the final stage. There will need to be some important information about you, as the mother. Do you have allergies, special dietary needs or religious preferences that you will want honored? Your medical care staff needs to know about these before you are in labor.

What should you want to be done during an emergency situation? Here you need to talk to your doctor about possible causes of complications. If there are few or none, you can opt not to focus very much on this issue as it may cause you unnecessary and unwanted anxiety.

As tough luck would have it, you got lost. And you couldn't find your way back because you did not think to bring your compass. The night is too cloudy so that you can't even use the stars for direction or the moon for light. On top of that, you had already consumed all of your food.

Because you got weak from roaming around, you bumped your foot on a sharp rock but couldn't stop the bleeding because you did not bring a medical kit with you!

Your spouse will soon be approaching her due date. The actual event of birth can always spring some surprises when you least expect them. Drawing up a birth plan that clearly lists your preferences and expectations will help you handle emergencies better.

Also believe your life will never be the same from this day on. Your new job as a mommy will be the most rewarding, most exhausting, and most challenging career of your life. Nothing in the universe can begin to compete with the passion, love, and wonder you'll experience as you watch this tiny person grow and you feel like he's really your own heart and soul with little arms and legs.

Read About baby care Also About how to tell if you are in labor and how to lose weight after pregnancy

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