Article: Kim Robinson from Your Pregnancy magazine

2.Have a magazine or two to read
Choose lighthearted matter and read the magazine together. This is a good time to get your gossip fix as you want something you don't need to concentrate on to read.

3. Pack a game or two
Okay, so this seems a little strange, but if you have a long labour and time in between contractions, playing backgammon or cards helps the time go by. (And if you are a little bit competitive, the concentration helps you "forget" the pain as well!)

4. Have snacks on hand
Pack some energy drinks (such as Energade); water; some dried fruit or some crackers to nibble on if you or your partner is hungry. Avoid rich and fizzy foods.

5. Play I Spy
This really does help, both for getting through the pain of the contractions (when they are mild), and for getting through the hours. You will be amazed at how many objects you can find in the delivery room!

6. Massage away the pain
Some women love touch and others hate it during their labour. Pack a little of your favourite lotion and have your partner rub your feet, shoulders or the base of your back.

7. Prepare you birth message
These days birth announcements are usually sent via sms. Prepare what you want to say and who you want to send it to. Then all you partner needs to do is add in the details and send when the time comes.

8. Catch up with each other
You are in a confined space, just the two of you and you are not going anywhere in a hurry, so use this time to catch up with each other and what is happening in your lives. This might sound strange, but with the hustle bustle of today's lifestyle, very rarely do you get this quality time with your partner (or mother for that matter if she is with you as well).

9. Walk the halls
With permission of course, and you partner's support, walk around for a bit.

10. Enjoy the process
Take along some soothing music (and something to play it on), and any other object that will make you feel comfortable. Yes, the delivery room is a stark, clinical place, but your birth needn't be. Just because you are in hospital doesn't mean that you can't have the birth that you want.