hey am 36 weeks pregnant and have a few Q's about when labour starts!! help plz xxx?

Question

right i have a few Questions lol... am soo anxious now like getting onto the point of being sooo scared eeekk!! but... 1st one is.. when should i pack my bag for hospital and what do i need to take??... Once i have had the baby in hospital do they alow you to get washed.. i know i have just had a baby and i should b thinkin of other things but i dont wanna feel unclean and uncomfortable... How bad is labour realy... am gonna feel so embarrest if i scream my head off :S i have quite a high pain thresh hole lol.. thanks xx

Answer 1

Pack your bags now. Take a couple nightgowns (nursing gowns if you're going to nurse) slippers, robe, toiletries that you like to use, toothbrush, magazines, gum or candy, your favorite pillow. Also, have an outfit, underwear, etc. ready at home so your hubby can bring it in for you for the day you're discharged, along with an outfit, blanket for the baby.

Unless you have a C-section, you'll be able to take a shower the day after the birth. They will also give you a squirt bottle for peri-care after you have the baby.

You will not feel embarassed if you scream your head off. Women do it all the time. however, they will offer you medications, epidural, etc. to help you tolerate the discomfort, so don't be afraid to ask for it.
Btw, I think you mean threshholD, not thresh hole . heheh

Answer 2

Pack now! you will need sleepers , diapers, wipes, vaseline, a reicieving blanket and a little hat for the baby, comfy pajamas, a housecoat or bathrobe, warm socks, really good pads and a decent pillow for yourself. I'm not sure why, but your feet always seem to get cold. Make sure your pj's button down the front if you plan on nursing. A nursing bra would be a good idea too. Make sure you have clothes to wear home. At most hospitals, you need to have a car seat to take the baby home, some do have "loaners" but best to have your own. You also need a warm blanket or bunting bag suitable for the weather. A good rule of thumb is to dress the baby as you would dress yourself and add a blanket. A good thick one in winter or a reicieving blanket in warm weather.
When you have given birth, they will clean you up. You will also be given a bottle to put warm water in to clean yourself when you use the washroom. This is because of the stitches. Do not panic! there will be a point in the delivery when they have to cut you a little to make room for the baby to come out. They stitch you up and it doesn't permanently affect you except a small fine scar.
Labour can be really really bad, but believe me, if you scream, embarassment will be the last thing on your mind. The best thing to do is to take slow, deep breaths and do not panic. The pain will end and you will have a beautiful little baby in your arms at the end of it all. It is sooooooo worth it! I had my second child all natural, no pain management at all and I wouldn't do it any other way now. It isn't for everyone, but that is my opinion. If you get scared during the delivery, ask questions, tell the nurse you are scared. They are there to reassure as well as assist you in giving birth. Most delivery room nurses have had children and know exactly what you are going through and are truly wonderful. If you are an energetic person, you might want to have a book in your bag for after you have the baby. I had to have something to do while my baby slept, and they do sleep alot at first.
Good luck!

Answer 3

Pack your bag now. I would just bring a change of cloths, pj's if you don't want to wear the hospital gowns after the delivery, a hair brush(when you done delivering your hair will be scary lol), a toothbrush, maxi pads for the after bleeding, a camera for pic's. I think thats all i brought.
After your baby is born you can shower the next day. But i think its up to the hospital when you can. They wouldn't let me the same day.
Labor varies with each child. My daughter was very slow and I was induced. My son was fast but I think i just pushed harder with him. The contraction pain is just like a menstrual camp but 10 times worse. You will know when the contractions start.
You wont feel embarrassed about screaming and who is in the delivery room. I had training people in the room so there was a crowed in there. But I didn't care. They could have started pulling people off the street and i wouldn't have cared. lol
Congratulations and Good luck to you!!

Answer 4

Since you could really go into labor at any time, you should pack your bag and put it someplace that's easy to find/remember - like by the front door. Here is a pretty good checklist: http://www.babyconnection.com/checklists/packingforthehospital/?print=Y

I showered right before I went into the hospital, and I believe I took a shower the morning after I delivered. You will do a lot of bleeding, so you won't feel particularly "clean" for a couple of weeks.

I planned to have pain medication all along, but I have to say, the breathing methods worked very well for me for the first 4 hours of labor (about 12 hours of labor in all). Once the breathing techniques stopped working, I asked for the epidural. I highly recommend them...no need to be a martyr! :)

Answer 5

Welcome to the world's longest month!

My advice? Relax. Take deep slow breaths when you start feeling anxious, and let go. You can't be worried when your muscles are relaxed.

Learn everything you can - about natural childbirth, about not-natural childbirth (i.e., the drugs you might or might not need), and then just remember that women have been doing this forever, that we're built for it, most of us. I found it helps a lot to have a good friend around during labor - your husband, say, and/or your sister or best friend - who can sympathize and get you to laugh and who will understand if you get a little, um, bitchy during transition.

I doubt if you'll feel embarrassed. Embarrassment just doesn't quite enter into the equation during childbirth. You'll see... You might be embarrassed afterward, remembering some things, but by that time, you'll have this other creature to love, and it just won't seem that important, or it might then seem funny.

Remember to enjoy every moment of you kid's childhood - it's over so fast! When you're going through it, it seems to last forever, but when your kids have all grown up, it will seem to have been in the twinkling of an eye.

And childbirth, which looms so large beforehand, becomes a tiny transition step into a wonderful new life.

M
E

Answer 6

Pack you & baby`s bags now! At 36 weeks you can go into labor anytime, at least this way you`ll have everything ready. It`s one less thing to worry about. Once you have the baby, you`ll be way too tired to even think about washing. Most likely you`ll nurse baby and go to sleep. After you wake up & eat a nurse will most likely check on you, & then you can ask them if you can take a shower. Don`t believe everything you see in the movies, labor isnt that bad! If you can handle period cramps, you can handle contractions. But I recommend that you get an epidural.

Answer 7

Hey mother of 4 here...You should pack your bag now just to be safe. People go into labor early all the time. As for what to bring...nightgown and bathrobe (unless you like the hospital gown look!), slippers, they do allow you to get washed so bring all personal care products that you would bring on vacation etc.

Labor does hurt but don't be too proud to ask for an epidural theres no sense in needless suffering. Let me tell you...the last thing I was thinking about was whether or not to be embarassed.

Answer 8

Along with the other suggestions above, make a list of the last minute things to throw in the bag. When you're getting ready to go to the hospital it is hard to think clearly. Also, don't forget to pack your camera and/or camcorder, and a list of phone numbers of the people you want to call after you've had the baby. Also, go ahead and put the car seat in your car now. Good luck and congratulations to you!

Answer 9

First of all - congrats to you and your family! Second, take it easy. You should know and understand that every woman's pregnancy and delivery is different. If this is your first baby - your labor can be long. A lot depends on how active you have been: walking, exercising, being emotional and spiritually involved in life's matters, keeping yourself abreast of things. I can only tell you generally and specifically from my own personal. First, I was an older 'mother'. I was 33 at the time of my first and only child's birth. I did not have to work the last 5 months -and I spent a lot of time reading, pampering myself, being pampered, walking and preparing for this birth. I wrote in journals and allowed my mind and body and spirit to be prepared. When it was time for labor - as the doctor has said - there was a "bloody show". You have to loose the "plug" which is tissue that in essence, 'holds' the baby inside. Afterwhich, your water should break - in my case - they had to break it. When your water breaks, that is real indication that labor has begun. Even then, it can be hours and hours before your baby is born. You will be uncomfortable. I would suggest that you monitor and limit eating 'large' meals, but mini meals. Yes, your bags should be packed. I took a shower prior to going to the hospital and they allowed me to take one when I got there. If you are feeling okay and your contractions are not coming too quickly, you can read, walk around, basically do what you want. It's when the contractions get closer they will want to "strap' you down - not literally, but hook you up to life fluids and baby monitors so they can register the hearbeat of the baby. This is the critical time that the baby's heartbeat is being timed and monitored and in conjunction with the contractions. It lets them know when you are ready to deliver. They will keep checking your vaginal area to see how it opens and spreads to prepare for the baby. Your doctor will check the baby's position. At one point - my daugher was 'sideways'. And they thought they would have to either 1) go up inside and turn her (that can hurt) or 2) prepare for C-section. Fortunately, as the labor progressed, she turned her self. Most babies do. The monitoring will determine if your baby is in distress. They work really hard with mother and baby to keep them on an even keel - afterall - they have a great work ahead of them. If you feel too uncomfortable with the contractions - ask them for the EPHIDURAL. It will basically numb you from waist down and you will have to depend on the nurses when to push because the contractions are 'masked'. You feel the pressure, but it's not hurting. I was fortunately blessed. I arrived at 6:30 and at 7:45 my daughter made her entrance. If they allow you - chew ice, or suck on an ice cold cloth. Now, after you give birth, you can't take a shower right away. They will be monitoring you and baby. But they WILL insist you get up and walk - the sooner the better. Builds strength. The sooner you get up, the more prepared you will be for breastfeeding, visitors, etc. They will also insist you have a bowel movement before you leave. All systems should be in good working order. They treat you like a queen - and then you're ready to go home and be a mom. Read books, talk to other mothers, and ask questions. Most important - PRAY. Pray for your strength, and love to rush immediately for the child and your husband. Some women have post partum and it can be devestating. It's only depression because of the jumpring around of your hormones. I pray for you and yours the best and most comfortable delivery. God bless.

Answer 10

First pack your bag now, even if labor is 4 weeks away you want to be prepared at any time. Pack soaps shampoo toothbrush deorderant (the usual stuff you use each day) a going home outfit for you and baby. Socks for your feet. Stuff to do during labor.

Most will let you shower

And labor is only as hard as you make it out to be.