Your goody bag!

Making labour comfortable There are many simple things you can do to ease the pain, follow your instincts and respond to your feelings during birth. Talking about the pain Exploring the many options and possibilities for labour and birth is important. Comfortable positions Suggestions for positions you may find useful during labour.

Taking things from home is a way of making the labour ward seem more familiar, as well as enabling you to be more comfortable during the birth.

You can assemble these items during the last weeks of the pregnancy - all of these have proven useful for women in labour. It pays to take them all - you never know what you will need!

• An old T shirt or loose top to wear. A shirt with buttons will make it easier to breastfeed straight after the baby's birth.

• Several pairs of panties and some sanitary pads - to catch leaking fluid. Some women use disposable paper panties.

• Dressing gown and slippers - for walking around the labour ward.

• Your own pillow(s). Hospitals rarely have enough pillows, and your own will be much nicer than the plastic covered ones you'll be offered. Choose a favourite pillowslip too, so they won't get mixed up with the hospital's equipment.

• The duvet from your bed - snuggling up under the duvet is a great way to labour!

• Aromatherapy oil burner (electric) - for creating a relaxing environment. Candles or open flame burners will not be allowed due to the oxygen equipment in labour wards.

• Shower hat - to keep hair dry under the shower. Take two - one for your partner as well in case he wants to join you!

• Fruit juice - to drink every hour during labour. Choose non acidic varieties, such as apple or pear juice.

• Vegetable oil - for massage (aromatherapy oils such as lavender are a nice addition).

• Face cloth - for wiping sweaty foreheads.

• Warm socks - feet get very cold in labour!

• Lip chapstick - for dry lips.

• 4 hand towels, rubber gloves and bucket - to make hot towels for relief of pain anywhere. The gloves should be large enough for the support person to wear. Use the bucket to carry everything on your 'goody bag' list.

• 2 tennis balls tied into an old sock. These can be used to provide firm local pressure on the lower back.

• Food and drinks - for your support people to keep their energy up. Choose foods that don't have strong flavours or linger on the breath.

• Swim suit for your support person - for use in the shower or bath. A change of clothes can be handy in case they get wet.

• Tape recorder, earphones and music tapes - to help you relax into your own private space in early labour.

• Camera - to record the event. Use 1000 ASA film and you won't need a flash.

• A copy of "Preparing for Birth: Mothers" and "Preparing For Birth: Fathers" - to remind you of positions for labour and helpful ideas for solving any problems that occur.