If you are pregnant midwives suggest you have a birthing plan. This details your preferences during delivery. Here are suggestions on what to include:

1) With or without a personal coach.

2) With or without pain killers.

3) Positioning in prelabour — walking, squatting, sitting on a ball, sleeping etc.

4) Position in labour — all fours, lying down, sitting up.

5) Pushing method — Bradley, Lamaze or midwife directed.

6) Immediate post delivery care — baby on the chest uncleaned, wiped off. You can request that the baby not be taken out of the room.

7) Bottle of breast fed.