what is the life saver item every woman delivering needs to have?

Question

I am just curious on your opinions! What do you wish you brought while in labor and what are you thankful you had?

Answer 1

No doubt, the epidural.
And some chapstick. I found my lips got chapped.

Answer 2

EPIDURAL!! That was really truly the only thing I needed. You are in such a blur that items like lotion, pictures, CD's will mean absolutely nothing! For me, anyway! I just had to kind of go inside myself and chill. I didn't even put on the TV in the room. I just needed to be quiet and not think, not look around, etc. EPIDURAL all the way. I enjoyed the labor due to it. I felt mentally "there" instead of crazy with pain.

Answer 3

A gallon jug of spring water. That way I was not ALWAYS at the mercy of the nurses. They were so busy. Also: magazines; peppermint or lavender oil for under my nose(scents really upset my tummy late in my pregnancies); DVDs or videos(find out if hospital has machine in room); baby book; my own robe and my own pillow(with colored case). Also, bring a bright folder for all the paperwork you will have to deal with. That way you can keep everything together and know where it is when your room gets kind of crazy.

I also started a hard-bound notebook for my daughters the night before I had each of them, telling how their impending birth and the anticipation was affecting me. My husband wrote in it, as well as grandparents and visitors after baby arrived. We still write in these books at holidays and birthdays each year, relaying the festivities, gifts, guests and special times we all have had as a family. It is more intimate than their baby books, which hold stats and firsts.
Good luck to you and yours.
PS. Epidurals are also THE BEST.

Answer 4

I dont remember my feet being cold because once I got the epidural, I couldnt even feel them. HAHA.

Um...I wear contacts, and I really wish I'd taken my saline solution/contact case, and my glasses. But everything happened so quickly that I didn't take a damn thing, not even the car seat for my daughter. I had my family bring me the stuff I needed once she was born. Thank god for family!

Answer 5

I agree with the sock thing...my feet definitely got cold. It's also good to have a good support group. I had my hubby, my mom, my mother in law, and a good friend who had already birthed 5 kids of her own! The only other thing I can think of that would've been helpful was a scrunchy.

Answer 6

i have a very low pain tolerence, and i wouldn't of been able to do it without the epideral i dont think and i was only in labor for 12 hrs. so i think the epideral is the life saver but if you dont believe in that, im not sure.

Answer 7

I've been through 4 births - warm socks. Your feet will be up in the air for a long time and they will be freezing

Answer 8

My own pillows. They only give you one (or at least they did at my hospital). Make sure you bring a colored pillow case too or it will get mixed up as a hospital pillow. Pillows are good for comfort and positioning when in labor.

Answer 9

I really wish I'd had a doula. When you're in that kind of pain it's nice to have someone voicing your needs and supporting you. Luckily, I had my baby's father there, so that helped a bit. lol

Answer 10

A supporting loving person standing by ur side to encourage u to go through labor.
All the best

Answer 11

Something peaceful to focus on..like a photo of your favorite vacation spot, a photo of one of your other children, some peaceful music, just something that relaxes you. If you focus on something wonderful, it helps with the pain.