here's hoping the birth is less traumatic than the birthing plan

At 30 weeks, it seemed time to start working on the birthing plan.

When will we go to the hospital?
I'll have to talk to someone about how much time I have after my water breaks. I've also been wondering about what happens if I go into labor at work -- do I drive my car home from work while having contractions? Do I have someone else drive my car to my house? My husband picks me up at work, and I leave my car at work until I don't know when?

What can eat or drink during labor?
Don't they only give you ice chips?

Do you want to walk around during labor?
We'll have to see how my legs feel. I have enough trouble walking around NOT during labor.

Do you want to personalize the atmosphere with special music or lighting?
I'll have my ipod, and my droid phone with Pandora and the "Look Away" play list.

Will there be cameras?
Yes, and I made a list of the photos I want to make sure we get.

Do you want to use a mirror to see the birth?
HELL NO!

We're only about 1/6 of the way through, here, but pretty easy...

Do you want to use and IV (see page 372, which says you probably won't have a choice)?
No, but I probably won't have a choice.

Do you want to use pain medication, and what kind? (see page 301 for more information about Epidurals, etc.)
Haven't made up my mind about this, but can I just say that page 302 is the scariest thing I have read ... EVER. Stephen King has NOTHING on a description of an Epidural. That's a lot of needles and prep and potential catheterization. I suggested just not having pain meds at all because as I read further, I didn't like the other options either. When my husband said, "it'll be ok," I told him that I was scared, and then I totally lost it and cried hysterically.

He comforted me for a few minutes, and then he took away the book.

Birth plan is going to have to wait.