You'll need a copy for your records. You also need to give your spouse a copy of them, so make several extra copies just to be safe. You'll file in the county where you or your spouse lives. If you have children, then you should file in the county where the children currently live, even if you don't. Call ahead of time to find out acceptable methods of payment and the amount. If you can't afford the fee, ask the court clerk if you can have them waived or deferred. You'll need to fill out a form with information about your finances.  If the fees are waived, you never have to pay them. However, if they are deferred, you'll pay them at a later date.

Summary: Make copies of all forms. File your papers in the correct court. Pay your filing fee.


This information can help you find the right size hat.  Use a cloth tape measure (or a length of string that you can later measure with a ruler). Place the tape measure around your head in a circle about 1/8 inch (3 mm) above your ears, across the middle of your forehead. This is roughly where the hat will sit on your head. The tape should fit firmly but not tightly. Remove the tape and note the measurement. Hat sizing may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, so always try on your hat or consult their sizing chart for specifics. Don't be shy: ask to try on any style that strikes your fancy. You might also get suggestions from the sales staff, which may (or may not) be helpful and give you new ideas. Remember, the final decision is up to you. When you go hat shopping, wear an outfit that is typical for your style. Or, if you're buying a hat for a special occasion, bring the clothes you expect to wear along with you to compare. When you find a style you like, make sure the size feels good. It shouldn't squeeze your head or pop off. Remember, you want a hat you'll feel great in. If the size is wrong, even slightly, you're much less likely to wear it. If the hat is just a bit too large, you might try a hat sizer. These are inserted into the inside of the hat's sweatband for a more secure fit. Gentlemen, remember to remove your hat indoors. Ladies, you can usually flaunt your hat anywhere you please, but do take it off at audience events, where you might block someone's view (besides the obvious exceptions, such as at the race track).

Summary: Measure your head before you go shopping. Go shopping and try on lots of different hats. Make sure the hat feels comfortable. Buy your hat, wear it, and love it!


If you're experiencing extreme gas pain, trying to hold the gas inside your body for the sake of social decorum is only going to make the pain worse. Remember that the average person passes gas 10 times per day, and there's nothing abnormal about needing to do so, even if the timing seems inconvenient.  It might help to find a restroom and stay there until the bout of gas pain has subsided. If possible, stay at home and allow yourself to completely recover before going about your day. When you're in a comfortable place, relax your muscles and change your positioning so the gas can exit your body more easily. Gas leads to uncomfortable tightness in the abdominal region, and this pain can be eased by treating it with heat.  Fill a hot water bottle, lie down on your bed or on the couch, and place the bottle over your stomach. The heat will help relieve the tightness. A hot bath also helps ease the pain of gas and constipation. Mint, chamomile, and ginger have properties that settle the stomach and aid the digestion process. Boil a few leaves of mint, some fresh or dried chamomile flowers, or some chopped ginger, strain the hot tea into a mug, and sip it slowly. Garlic stimulates the gastric system and helps relieve gas quickly. Chop some cloves of fresh garlic and sauté them in a little olive oil. Add chicken or vegetable broth, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Eat the soup hot. Activated charcoal can ease your symptoms by absorbing excess gas in your digestive system. For best results, take the tablets between meals. Wait a few hours after taking any other medications or supplements, since the charcoal may make it harder for your body to absorb them.  Consult your doctor before taking activated charcoal if you are using other medications or supplements. This dietary supplement can help your body digest carbohydrates more efficiently, reducing symptoms of gas and flatulence. Beano and other supplements containing alpha-galactosidase are available in many pharmacies and health food stores. Beano can also help prevent the development of excess gas when taken with meals. Drugstores offer a lot of options for indigestion medication. Since you're already experiencing gas pains, choose one that is meant to be taken after eating, not before.

Summary: Let it out. Apply some heat. Drink mint, chamomile, or ginger tea. Eat garlic soup. Take activated charcoal tablets. Try Beano (alpha-galactosidase). Use over-the-counter gas relief medicine.


Learn the stages of labor, the importance of proper dilation, the type of physiological responses the mother will have to labor, the possible presentation positions of the baby, and what to expect during and immediately following delivery of the baby. Childbirth books and online resources are the best way to learn about this.  Stage 1: Stage 1 consists of early labor and active labor. Early labor can last from hours to days, and for most women, it’s not particularly uncomfortable. During active labor, however, contractions become stronger. On average, active labor lasts 4-8 hours or more. Stage 2: Stage 2 is the actual birth of the baby! It can last from a few minutes up to a few hours. Stage 3: Once the baby has been delivered, stage 3 is the delivery of the placenta. It usually lasts between 5 and 30 minutes. If you are going to effectively communicate with medical staff and serve as an intelligent representative and advocate for the mother, it is your job to understand when and why medication or medical intervention may be necessary. Some common labor and birth complications include:  Stalled labor: In some instances, labor stops progressing — contractions weaken, the infant does not proceed through the birth canal, or the cervix doesn’t fully dilate. In these instances, the woman may need medications to induce labor or a cesarean delivery. Perineal tears: Tears in the vaginal and surrounding tissues are common during childbirth. A health care provider can easily repair these tears with stitches. Abnormal heart rate of the baby: If the infant’s heart rate is abnormal during birth, the health care provider will typically ask the woman to shift positions to increase blood flow to the baby. Your role will vary considerably depending on where the baby will be delivered.  If you will be advocating for the mother in a formal hospital setting, your advocacy will primarily involve interacting with medical staff and supporting the mother’s decisions before, during, and after the birth. If you will be in a birthing center or midwifery clinic, your role may involve more advocacy for the mother’s comfort or explaining her preferences for medication and intervention should the occasion arise. If you will be a birth advocate at a home or private birth, your role may involve communication with a birth attendant or simply serving as a coach to offer support and encouragement. Research class offerings at local community centers or hospitals online. Attending classes on the Lamaze childbirth method, childbirth advocacy courses, prenatal yoga classes will, to varying degrees, help you learn about breathing techniques, the process of labor and delivery, what to pack for the labor and delivery process, how best to physically and emotionally support the mother and what type of birthing experience the mother wants. If you find a class that the mother is interested in taking, do research on the instructor to make sure that they’re qualified. Then, try to sign up for it as early as possible, because classes often fill up quickly.
Summary: Study the biology of childbirth. Learn about medical interventions and potential complications. Read about childbirth in the chosen setting. Attend a childbirth preparation class with the mother.