Hey Gracie

congratulations on your pregnancy...and impending arrival of your beautiful baby

you will get some great responses to your post...but I can offer the following suggestions

surround yourself with empowered and positive people in labor and birth...nurturing as well...and a team that is willing to stand up for you...the lovely birthing woman...and what you really want

use pregnancy to prepare for labor and birth...reflexology, hypnobirthing, yoga, homeopathy, naturopathy...nurture yourself!

for thoughts in labor...
think about your pain relief options...even if you dont want anything...have a back up plan
light nibbles and drinks to keep energy levels up
set the scene...music, lighting, reduced noise
positions you find comfortable (yoga really helps with this, plus allowing optimal positioning of your baby in the pelvis)
waiting for uncontrollable urge to push...reduces length of 2nd stage and is better for you and baby
water/bath...what a fantastic medium...provides comfort, security, buoyancy, warmth, pain relief
requesting that no one talk as your baby is being born...so your baby hears your voice
perhaps asking for no vaginal examinations unless necessary...every time you are examined it interrupts the labor process, is uncomfortable for you and someone else is touching you baby before you do
and on from above...asking if you can touch your babies head as it is being delivered...or even if your DH is keen, asking if he can assist with the delivery of the body
a special bunny rug to wrap your baby in after birth...one you have been sleeping with so it smells exclusively of mummy
skin to skin contact after birth...which helps with bonding and that first breast feed
special time alone with your precious bundle after birth...weighing the baby etc can wait

and my tip...labor and birth involves the whole body...emotional and physical, and can be overwhelming...ride the waves of the contractions one at a time...breathe and oxygenate your baby and uterus...remain calm...and enjoy (yes it can be enjoyable)

phew! hope that helps...I could keep going

xx yogababy