Mel - I didn't have a birth plan as such. DH knew I didn't want pain relief, and was a great support throughout. He even went and told the midwife to stop suggesting I try something. She kept on saying there's nothing wrong with needing something to help you through. Bah. What I needed was her support! hehe. Actually that's not true.. DH provided all the support I needed

I told DH that even if I was asking for pain relief (which I didn't btw) that he was to remind me that we didn't want drugs because we wanted a bright alert baby with no complications at the end of it. I also asked him to remind me of the stages of the labour to help visualise where the baby was at and what my body was doing.

The only pain relief I used was a heatpack, which did help a bit, just under my belly. And I was up on my feet for most of the 1st stage until I got a bit too wobbly during transition.

Other details in the birth plan we found weren't necessary, as we learnt at our classes that our hospital pretty much did things the way we wanted already.. like the baby never leaving, can breastfeed straight away.. DH could catch the baby if he wanted (which he didn't want to do), DH cut the cord.

Definitely have your partner ready to be your spokesman and things should work out in a way that you'll be happy with