If you are pregnant, your due date is getting closer each day. You should begin thinking about your upcoming labor and delivery and hospital stay. If you are making an adoption plan, you still call the shots in how you want things to play out in the hospital.

1. Begin to think about who you’d like in the labor room with you and ask them. Discuss plans and your wishes for the experience. Also discuss how you will be able to find your support person should your labor start in the middle of the night or at time that your support person may not be reached easily. Choose a back up support person as well, just in case.
2. Pre-register at your hospital. This way, there is little paperwork to do when you check into the hospital as it will already be done. (I’m not sure if all hospitals do this or not, so make sure to ask.)
3. Compile a list of who needs to be called when you go into labor and put it in a secure place.
4. Pack a bag and keep it in the hall closet or somewhere out of the way.
Make sure it contains clothes, toiletries, socks or slippers, etc. For a complete list of what you should pack, go here.
5. Make sure you have your camera in a place that it’s easily findable or even put it in your packed bag so you are sure to have it once you have your baby.
6. If you are taking your baby home from the hospital, make sure you have some things (clothes, car seat, etc. for him/her too.

Having everything prepared and ready to go may help ease your nerves a bit. Now you’re ready and just waiting on baby!

--
More Information about your Upcoming Hospital Experience:
Leaving the Hospital: Things you Need to Know
Creating a Birth Plan
Making an Adoption Hospital Action Plan