Reading To Prepare
In our mind we carry a map of the world we know. This map has been growing and changing since the day we were born. As we were exposed to new ideas, we incorporate them into our map. Occasionally, new experiences cause us to reevaluate old beliefs and, perhaps, discard them.
Will your map get you where you want to go? For a more detailed map, read a book!
Childbirth is an area of the map that most people do not think about, consciously, until they are pregnant. But there is much information already in your map. TV shows with episodes where a birth is a crisis or movies with "the Machine that goes PING!" all have seeped into your subconscious map about birth.
It is very important that you examine and update your map on birth. Reading is the best way to do this. This page I will link to many books that I think are an important addition to your map-building exercise.
RCOG Guidelines Can Help You Decide
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has better guidelines than ACOG in my opinion. If you have a decision to make regarding your care options, read the corresponding document in their guidelines to get another medical opinion.
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Guidelines