Now that you've talked to your health care provider and made some decisions about where you will deliver your baby and the type of delivery you hope for, you can start to put together your green birth plan.

A green birth plan is a written checklist of your preferences during labor, deliver, and, if applicable, your hospital stay. Basically, a green birth plan puts your wishes down on paper so that you can discuss them with your health care provider ahead of time. A green birth plan can also help guide you through the labor and delivery process and assist your green team in providing the care you want.

Use these tips as a starting point for developing your own comprehensive green birth plan.

My baby will be delivered:

• At home.
• In a freestanding birthing center.
• In a hospital birthing center.
• In a hospital delivery room.

My green team will consist of:

• My partner or other lay coach.
• A doula.
• A midwife.
• An OB/GYN.

I would like to use the following pain management techniques:

• Deep-breathing techniques.
• Visualization.
• Guided imagery.
• Abdominal stretches and exercises.
• Medication: narcotics or epidural.
• Medication only as a last resort.

I would like to bring the following items with me to use during my labor and delivery:

• Natural-fiber sheets and diapers.
• A natural-fiber birthing gown.
• Natural-fiber bedding and baby clothing.
• Nontoxic lotions and cleansers.
• A CD player or iPod.
• A birthing ball.

I would like my baby's first meal to be:

• Breast milk.
• Hospital-supplied baby formula.
• Organic formula that I will bring from home.
• Formula offered in BPA-free baby bottles.

After my baby is born:

• I would like to hold and feed her as soon as possible.
• I would like her to remain with me for as long as possible.
• I would like to meet with a lactation consultant as soon as possible.

Talk with your partner and your green team about your preferences ahead of time so that on the big day, you can focus your concentration on taking care of yourself and your new little bundle of joy.