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

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PeasandCarrots

Member since 5/07

9579 total posts

Name:
L

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
 
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wingsofsong
My 3 little loves <3<3<3

Member since 1/09

7395 total posts

Name:
Maureen

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

Great and thorough advice- thank you so much for sharing!!

Posted 1/11/10 11:45 AM
 

kahlua716
3 Girls for Me!

Member since 8/07

12475 total posts

Name:
Keri

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

Notebooked!!


Thanks so much! Chat Icon

Posted 1/11/10 11:46 AM
 

skinny
3 boys and a princess!

Member since 11/08

8178 total posts

Name:
Momma

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

Thanks for the info.

Just a ?.....

I was told that u shouldn't eat bc there's always a chance of c-section???

Posted 1/11/10 11:48 AM
 

jennarose023
Jack's gonna be a big brother!

Member since 11/08

7769 total posts

Name:
Jenna

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

thanks for sharing! Chat Icon

Posted 1/11/10 11:49 AM
 

headoverheels
s'il vous plaît

Member since 6/07

42079 total posts

Name:
LB

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

Posted by skinny

Thanks for the info.

Just a ?.....

I was told that u shouldn't eat bc there's always a chance of c-section???



The worst thing that will happen if you have a C is that you with throw up what you have eaten. There is no danger in eating beforehand Chat Icon

Posted 1/11/10 11:53 AM
 

munchkinfacemama
LOVE

Member since 11/07

15800 total posts

Name:
Michelle

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

Posted by headoverheels

Posted by skinny

Thanks for the info.

Just a ?.....

I was told that u shouldn't eat bc there's always a chance of c-section???



The worst thing that will happen if you have a C is that you with throw up what you have eaten. There is no danger in eating beforehand Chat Icon



I was told the same thing. I am scheduled to have a C and I am not allowed to eat 8 hours prior. Most people I know who have the emergency C have it hours later so you are fine.

Thanks Lindi for this!

Posted 1/11/10 11:55 AM
 

BellaRock
I am all the Me I will ever Be

Member since 5/06

9746 total posts

Name:
She who shall remain nameless

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

Chat Icon Chat Icon Thanks so much for this. It's been 7 years since I did this, it's nice to have a reminder of that to expect.

Posted 1/11/10 12:04 PM
 

MrsScott
So in Love

Member since 1/09

3356 total posts

Name:
Shawna

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

Thank you so much for sharing

Posted 1/11/10 12:10 PM
 

gabbygirl855
Life is good!

Member since 11/09

1950 total posts

Name:

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

Great advice- thanks!

Posted 1/11/10 12:12 PM
 

Shop24-7
I love my little girl!

Member since 10/09

2026 total posts

Name:

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

Thanks for sharing!

Posted 1/11/10 12:26 PM
 

NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..

Member since 11/09

54921 total posts

Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!

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

This is awesome and much appreciated!

Here is a silly question I was thinking about this weekend after washing my hair.
So you shower after the delivery, wash your hair, etc- then what? I don't see anyone packing a blow dryer. I'm not crazy enough to think I'll do a full on blow out on my hair at the hospital Chat Icon but I can not STAND the feeling of a wet head. It skeeves me to no end.
Did anyone just blow dry their hair a little bit to get the wetness out?? Is that insane?

Posted 1/11/10 12:27 PM
 

GioiaMia
Let's Go Rangers!

Member since 1/07

14818 total posts

Name:

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

Posted by NervousNell

This is awesome and much appreciated!

Here is a silly question I was thinking about this weekend after washing my hair.
So you shower after the delivery, wash your hair, etc- then what? I don't see anyone packing a blow dryer. I'm not crazy enough to think I'll do a full on blow out on my hair at the hospital Chat Icon but I can not STAND the feeling of a wet head. It skeeves me to no end.
Did anyone just blow dry their hair a little bit to get the wetness out?? Is that insane?



i have to do that as well, its not insane

ok maybe its insane a little bit but i still have to do it - besides the fact that hospitals are usually so cold!

Chat Icon

Posted 1/11/10 12:29 PM
 

GioiaMia
Let's Go Rangers!

Member since 1/07

14818 total posts

Name:

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

Thank you so much for this - bookmarking! Chat Icon

Posted 1/11/10 12:29 PM
 

Porrruss
Nya nya nya

Member since 5/05

11618 total posts

Name:
Amy

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

I totally packed a travel hairdryer.

Posted 1/11/10 12:36 PM
 

mishka
love my little emmy monster

Member since 8/09

1473 total posts

Name:

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

thanks for this! sounds like great advice Chat Icon

Posted 1/11/10 12:44 PM
 

babymakes3
Almost there!

Member since 7/06

7376 total posts

Name:

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

Good advice. I wish my nurses had suggested using some techniques like the birthing ball. They wouldn't let me out of bed even to use the bathroom and there was no medical reason why I couldn't get up and move around (no epi either). I was naive. That's a huge reason why I'm going with a midwife this time.

I want to add to bring a cheap pair of flip flops for the shower. I'm a bit of a germaphobe and there was no way I was letting my feet touch that floor.

And bring your Boppy!

ETA: I feel recovery is the dirty little secret no one tells you about before you deliver. It was awful. I never knew about the after-care package the hospital had until I saw a roommate had one and I said something to the nurse. I used that stuff several times a day for at least a week afterward. Steal lots of those supplies if you have a vag birth!!

Another thing, have a 89-cent bottle of witch hazel for at home in case you come home with those lovely hemmies. Chat Icon

Message edited 1/11/2010 1:05:46 PM.

Posted 1/11/10 12:59 PM
 

bluekat16
My boys :-)

Member since 3/09

6659 total posts

Name:
Kathy

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

Great advice..I've book marked Chat Icon

Posted 1/11/10 1:01 PM
 

Deeluvsvinny
DONE

Member since 10/08

4952 total posts

Name:
Whatever

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

such good advice, thanks soo much!!

Posted 1/11/10 1:07 PM
 

RandiG
Love my Boys!

Member since 7/09

4440 total posts

Name:
Randi

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

Thanks for all the info!

Posted 1/11/10 1:17 PM
 

MRShappy
LIF Infant

Member since 7/08

219 total posts

Name:
Kerri

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

Thank you Thank you !!!!!
This will help me alot!!!

Posted 1/11/10 1:38 PM
 

Kristin616

Member since 8/06

3595 total posts

Name:
Kris

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

Posted by Tilde

Posted by NervousNell

This is awesome and much appreciated!

Here is a silly question I was thinking about this weekend after washing my hair.
So you shower after the delivery, wash your hair, etc- then what? I don't see anyone packing a blow dryer. I'm not crazy enough to think I'll do a full on blow out on my hair at the hospital Chat Icon but I can not STAND the feeling of a wet head. It skeeves me to no end.
Did anyone just blow dry their hair a little bit to get the wetness out?? Is that insane?



i have to do that as well, its not insane

ok maybe its insane a little bit but i still have to do it - besides the fact that hospitals are usually so cold!

Chat Icon




NSUH has blow dryers on the wall like the hotels do. A shower after delivery is a MUST. I felt so disgusting about labor.

*Make sure you have nursing pads at home waiting for you and TONS of maxi pads. Take whatever the hospital gives you esp the squirt bottle and spray!!

Message edited 1/11/2010 2:43:44 PM.

Posted 1/11/10 2:41 PM
 

Momma2Be
Mommy of an angel

Member since 10/09

5911 total posts

Name:
Dina

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

Thank you so much for all the advice!!

Posted 1/11/10 2:48 PM
 

NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..

Member since 11/09

54921 total posts

Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!

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

Here is another dumb question:

What is this squirt bottle and spray that you all speak of?

Or do I not want to know? Chat Icon

Posted 1/11/10 3:12 PM
 

GioiaMia
Let's Go Rangers!

Member since 1/07

14818 total posts

Name:

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

Posted by NervousNell

Here is another dumb question:

What is this squirt bottle and spray that you all speak of?

Or do I not want to know? Chat Icon




nooooooooooooo dont ask
doooooooont do it

Chat Icon Chat Icon Chat Icon Chat Icon
Chat Icon

Message edited 1/11/2010 3:15:23 PM.

Posted 1/11/10 3:15 PM
 
Pages: [1] 2
 

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