A few words of wisdom for labor, hospital bag, delivery, and after

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A few words of wisdom for labor, hospital bag, delivery, and after

Emmy is now 17 day sold and I have a few words of wisdom if you would like them...

LABOR-BEFORE YOU LEAVE

EAT something before you go into the hospital. I did not and it was almost 48hours before I could eat. I had dinner Wed. night and my water broke on Christmas Eve at noon before my lunch date so I was STARVING after I had her.

Try to relax and stay calm. I showered, changed into a track outfit and repacked my bag(more on that in a minute), and relaxed at home for about an hour before we left.

HOSPITAL BAG

This is what I took and used and wish I had taken..

coming home track outfit

2 tank tops

2pairs undies- HUGE sized granny panties
toiletries: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, body lotion

Slip on slippers

MP3 player

Phone list with ALL names and numbers

Cell phone and charger

Laptop and charger

1 pair nursing pj's

Pillow

WISH I HAD PACKED(keep in mind Emmy was in the NICU for 4 days and I had a nice vaginal delivery so I was mobile right away)

Coca-Cola- this is another story but if you have an epi I suggest 2-3 24oz cokes or another caffeinated beverage

2-3 more tanks that had a shelf bra or nursing tanks

2 pairs sweat pants or yoga pants

Sweatshirt

Heating Pad

LABOR-DURING and DELIVERY

Do WHATEVER they suggest even if you're exhausted...It is worth it to do different positions. I LOVED the birthing ball and being on all 4's.

Don't be a hero. After 13hrs on Pitocin and being up for 24 hours and 2 shots of Nubian I took the epi and it helped me dilate from a 4 to a 10 in under 3 hours! Chat Icon

If you have back labor the birthing ball along with firm pressure/back rubs over your lower back helped bring the pain/pressure from a 10 to a 2 for me, also with back labor the pressure is NOT relieved by the epi and it s*cks.

DO NOT push until they tell you, and TRUST me you will KNOW when you have to push. It is the most INTENSE urge you have EVER felt.

If they can numb you for the crowing and delivery "down there" DO IT! It was 2 quick pokes and I felt NOTHING when she came out!

LABOR-AFTER

Relax for a bit and then get up! You will bleed and feel crampy and so on, but the shower is a LIFESAVER!!!

EAT!!

Steal(accidentally place in bag) some fabric bed pads they put under you. These will help when you are leaking like a faucet at home and save you nightly/daily linen changes.
RECOVERY

Try to rest as much as you can, but understand this is hard to do.

EAT and DRINK as much as you can!

Hot showers, heating pads, Motrin and back rubs help with the aches and pains you will feel. Pushing is a hard thing and wears you out emotionally and physically.

Take the Motrin as prescribed for the first 2-3 days. I really helps

Use the squirt bottle, antiseptic pray and hospital pads...they work well and help.

Take the stool softener and do NOT fret about poop. It will not be to bad.

Try to be open minded about feeding. I was going to EBF but Emmy would not latch, would not eat and went to the NICU. I told them to give her formula and a pacifier to encourage sucking. At that point my ONLY concern was her eating, gaining weight, regulating her blood sugar, and getting her discharged.

Take ALL the help that is offered and when people call to come over and ask if you need anything TELL them what you need. I was very open about needing Pop, dinner, preemie diapers, preemie clothes, and anything else.

I was lucky Joe has been home for 2weeks and has taken night duty so I can sleep for 4-6hors at a time, but beware if you are pumping/EBF you WILL leak everywhere and be SORE SORE SORE when you wake up.

All in all my experience was not bad and I hope some of this can help you ladies...feel free to add other things you have found if you have BTDT!!!

Posted 1/11/10 11:41 AM