Clearly a 1st timer...

So I know every situation is very different. ANd I know that when you deliver, you can end up in the hospital for anywhere between 15 minutes to 20+ hours before the baby actually makes his/her arrival, but uh... what exactly do you DO the whole time? Besides sleep, if that is even an option, what else do you do the whole time while stuck in a bed (assuming there is an epidural)? Should I pack books and magazines? Netbook? Playing cards? Are there tv's in there? Do I sound like a complete dope yet??

Re: Clearly a 1st timer...

I was in labor from 130am until the birth at 12:55pm. I slept when I could but I was in a lot of pain from the contractions. There was a TV in the delivery room but honestly I couldn't tell you what was even on it. The time is all a blur and went much faster than I thought it was.

Re: Clearly a 1st timer...

People said to bring a book, magazine or laptop and before I went into labor all I kept thinking was that I would be so preoccupied with being in labor that I wouldn't use these things. I wish I had brought my laptop. We were soooo bored until about 3 hours before I gave birth. I was admitted at around noon, contractions started at 3:15pm but weren't painful until about 1:00am. I gave birth at 4:18am. We had the TV on for a good part of the time which helped. I pictured my labor so different. When I did the tour I kept thinking who is going to be watching TV when they are in labor? Um, us!

Re: Clearly a 1st timer...

We watched a little TV, but I don't think I really paid much attention to it until I got a Epidural. My contractions where about 3-5 minutes apart when I got to hospital, so I was in a lot of pain. I texted to family and friends alot and talked to DH of course. By the time I was admitted, placed in a bed, hooked up to monitors to the time I started pushing was about 8 hours. I pushed for 2 hours. The day is a big blur, I was not for one minute bored. Oh and I didn't sleep at all. I only had an epidural for about an hour and 1/2 before I started pushing. I had so much adrenline in me, that I had a hard time sleeping after I gave birth. Though, I'm sure it would of been different if I was in labor for say 32 hours like my sister was with her first.

Re: Clearly a 1st timer...

My progress was slow in the beginning & we got there at 2am. After I was all hooked up, etc dh & I chatted for a while & tried to sleep a bit. Then we spent maybe 2 or 3 solid hours watching TV. After that it was at the point where I couldn't focus on anything for too long so I was on & off my iPhone making calls & messing around/reading. I don't think I opened my book or magazines...I was too tired & distracted to read.

Re: Clearly a 1st timer...

you have no way of knowing if you'll be up to using these things, but bring them just in case!!!

laptop
books
magazines
cell phone w charger!!! (to text, etc)
anything else you like to pass time..

I found the best thing to look at was mindless stuff, such as a gossip mag etc.

Re: Clearly a 1st timer...

I was in labor for 14 hours honestly the whole time is a blur LOL. I do remember the contractions HURT but after my epi i watched some tv

Re: Clearly a 1st timer...

I was induced so I knew we'd be waiting for things to get started. I brought a laptop and movies. We watched wedding crashers and forest gump. I remember laughing at a scene in forest gump when I started feeling the contractions. We then played music with the laptop during the delivery- DS was born to Coldplay!!

Re: Clearly a 1st timer...

I went to the hosptital at 3AM and didnt deliver until 3PM

After I got my epidural, I slept - I had like a full nights sleep before I had to push it was great!

DH slept and watched TV. I remember when I started to push I said "TURN OFF THE TV! I AM NOT GIVING BIRTH TO THE WENDY WILLIAMS SHOW!"

Re: Clearly a 1st timer...

I prayed to all the saints!

Re: Clearly a 1st timer...

Posted by GioiaMia

I went to the hosptital at 3AM and didnt deliver until 3PM

After I got my epidural, I slept - I had like a full nights sleep before I had to push it was great!

DH slept and watched TV. I remember when I started to push I said "TURN OFF THE TV! I AM NOT GIVING BIRTH TO THE WENDY WILLIAMS SHOW!"

Re: Clearly a 1st timer...

I was in labor for 22 hrs. My contractions were 2 mins apart the whole time. I put on tv but I don't think I even watched it. I basically complained and moaned until I got my epidural after 16 hrs of labor. Once I got the epidural I tried sleeping.

Re: Clearly a 1st timer...

was in labor from 4a to 10a with DS and 8p to 10p with DD

WIth DS I tried to sleep since it was middle of night
and DD watched almost a full episode of family guy...lol