I just drafted out a birthing plan using a customizable form on at justmommies.com. It helped in getting my brain storming and asking questions. I have more to learn about all the options and what they mean and what alternatives there are. Then, I have to find out if the doctors will allow my wishes to be carried out. I had interviewed one of the two nurse-midwifes at my OB/GYN’s office last month but I believe that while I am still considered in a “high risk pregnancy” that one of the three doctors at my OB/GYN’s office (whoever is on call that day) will attend the delivery.

I am considering having a doula (labor assistant) present but I have much to learn about that as well. It was suggested to me by Jane Austin, a well respected yoga teacher and child birth educator as well as an ex-doula and ex-midwife, that I hire a doula (labor assistant) if I could not hire my number one preference: a home birth midwife. There has been research that shows having a doula present increases the chances of a healthy birth that has less complications and invasive techniques used like cesarean section, forceps delivery, or episiotomy.