33 weeks pregnant with first child......?/?

Question

This is my first pregnancy. I'm due March 12th. I do not know when to go into labor or what it feels like. Could someone give me advice?? Also, I read online that you should keep a bag packed for the hospital. What do you pack? Any advice is very much appreciated!! About contractions, labor, hospital stay, everything! Thanks

Answer 1

First the hospital bag. You will want a few pairs of socks that you don't care about. You will want baggy clothing that you also do not mind loosing if they become too soiled to clean (bleeding after a baby is very heavy and you can not wear a tampon. They will give you panties that look like fishnets, lol, but are comfortable for the first day or so after a vaginal delivery.) You will want clothes to wear so you don't have to stay in a gown your entire stay. Also a camera, chap stick, Cd's to listen to during labor if you wish. Any comfort item you will want during labor.

For the baby you will need a take home outfit, a few receiving blankets, and a car seat (you will not be allowed to leave the hospital without a car seat) Almost all hospitals provide diapers, formula (or a breast-pump if needed) and onesies for your childs stay.

Now, if you go into labor on your own it will start either with regular contractions (they come at normal intervals, get harder and more uncomfortable, and do not stop with a change in position or activity) or with your water breaking (which can be a great gush of water, or just a constant, slow trickle, or anything in between) You need to call your doctor for instructions. Often they want you to come in when your contractions are 2-3 minuets apart or as soon as you think your water is broken.

You will be triaged, checked for dilation and put on a contraction and fetal heart-rate monitor (these are two round disks that are placed over your abdomen below the navel and held in place with elastic belts. Ultrasound jelly is used under each disk just as it is when your OB checks fetal heart tones) Most hospitals will keep you if you are dilated 4 or more centimeters. They will start an IV so that you get fluids or any antibiotics you may need and keep you on the fetal and contraction monitor. Your dilation will be checked periodically. If you want to feel no pain, you may request an epidural, which numbs you from the waist down.

When you are 10 cm you will be ready to push. It can take anywhere from 5 minuets to 3 hours for a first time mom to push her baby out. After the baby arrives, if he or she is doing well they will put baby on your stomach while they towel her down and offer your husband a chance to cut the chord. They will then take the baby to a warming bed in the room to clean her off and suction any fluid out of her lungs and nose. They will take her footprints, height and weight, and her vital signs. While they are taking care of the baby you will be delivering the after-birth. This is often not painful, and feels like a big gush when it is delivered. Then any tears or episiotomy will be repaired. Your baby, if doing well, will be given back to you for a while as you recover. You can nurse at this time.

Then you will be taken to your maternity room and the baby to the nursery for her first tests, bathing and observation. Baby will be given a vitamin K injection to help with her blood clotting. You will be checked for excessive bleeding, and be given the chance to get up and shower if you feel like it (and you will!) Most hospitals keep the baby in the nursery for 1-2 hours and then they can come to your room as long as they are healthy. If you have had a c-section, you will still be on a lot of pain medication and will not be allowed out of bed for at least 12 hours. Your baby can still come to you though.

You must stay at least 24 hours in most hospitals, and most insurance will allow you to stay for up to 3 days with a vaginal delivery. Your nursing staff will want you to mark each time you feed the baby, and all the diapers you change. They will show you how to nurse if you choose to, and will show you how to bathe your baby and answer any questions you have. Use your nurses! They are an amazing resource. Do not be shy about taking your pain medication, the better you feel, the better of an experience you will have. Good luck to you and take that hospital tour, it helps to have seen it before you go. Congratualtions!

Answer 2

Hi! Congradulations.. it is so exciting. I would pack your bags about a month before and leave a list on top of the things not packed with your last minute items that you need.

The contractions suc, but pushing sucs more (but pushing is exciting... because you are getting closer to the highlight of your life. Labor is bad... but SO SO SO worth it... it is a happy pain. the hospital stay is nice becuase they now let you have a basinet with the baby in your room. And they will help you learn to breastfeed. Know what you want before you go in... because nurses tend to want to do it there way.. If you don't want your baby taken out for bath while you take a quick nap.. tell them when you go on the maternity unit. If you want no bottles, then tell them. If you want to be the only one giving a bottle, tell them never to feed it.. basically know what you want, otherwise you will be put into the routine. The hospital stay is nice to get yoru strength up and ask the nurses questions about everything. They are generally very good.

Here is my list that I use when I have babies.. it has all you will need, the hospital provides diapers and blankets while you are there...

Digital camera (charged)
video camera
games for early labour, (card, etc)
water bottle and juice boxes
a few snacks
money (vending machines and gift shop, etc)
pen paper journal
deoderant
nursing bra and home clothes for mom
nursing pads
menstral pads
night gown
socks, slippers panties (for a few days)
housecoat
bean bag (for aches and pains before and after)
lots and lots lip chap and lotion
eye drips (hospitals are dry)
brush makeup
shampoo and cream rinse
hand mirror
books
Cd player and CD's if allowed (calming stuff)
insurance card and ID
swim suit if doing some labour in warm bath
toothpaste, and brush, mints for breath
list of phone numbers of people to call while in
sweater
money for pay phone
hair elastic
any medication
your own comfy pillow
razor (for when showering)
alarm clock (or else you sleep all the time)

For baby:
sleeper and clothes
scratch mittens
under shirt
hood
coming home outfit
diapers
blankets
jacket
socks
car seat
baby book
burp blankets
nail clippers (born with long nails usually)
sweater
brush
maybe some cream for bum or lotions if skin dries out...

Answer 3

Congrats! One big note...it's NOT like the TV shows where all of a sudden you just break out screaming...there will be a day when basically you keep having contractions and they kind of develop into a pattern somewhat...like they're starting to happen every 30 minutes, etc. These contractions will be a little stronger than the usual braxton hicks...I would probably pack a bag before hand because once you start having contractions, you're not really going to be in the mood to sit and pack. Or you may....but in case...might want to pack ahead of time. I would put in a call to your hospital to let them know your symptoms and that you think that you might be in labor. They'll let you know when you should come in and such. I know this is a vague answer, but you will know....one word of caution...if possible, like if you live near the hospital, stay at home as long as you feel comfortable doing so because right when you get to the hospital, they will start to monitor you and that means you have to lie down. Sometimes, this can slow your labor. Your instinct will kick in though....I didn't believe that until I actually had my baby....

Re: what to pack, the hospitals usually have hospital gowns that you can wear if you want...that way you don't get your pj's dirty...they even had underwear at my hospital that was for one use then toss....I would bring your pj's though in case you want to wear them....bring a nightgown rather than pants...you're prob not going to want to bend over to put on your pants after...also, you do bleed after you have your baby...kind of like a VERY heavy period. They will usually have pads there but you may want to bring some super overnight pads. Hmmm....socks....outfit for baby....shampoo...soap...toothbrush...toothpaste...brush...underwear...I even bought a little makeup just so that when I left the hospital, I felt put together and nicer looking....deodarant...hmm...anything else you can think of - honestly though, I'm sure that your hubby or family can get whatever you need or forgot for you too...oh, if you're nursing, the nursing tank tops are really nice to have. They sell them at Target and at all the pregnancy stores...

for baby - they should provide the wipes, nasal aspirator, even diapers....they will have your baby in a hospital bodysuit until it's time to go home. I would make the appt now if you were planning on having your carseat checked by the police or fire dept for proper installment

Sorry to write a novel...

Best of luck and congratulations!

Answer 4

When I had my daughter (16 mo. old now) I had no idea what labor pains or contractions were going to feel like. All of my friends that had babies said they feel like strong period cramps. That is somewhat true, but I just remember my stomach would get super hard and tight and then the pain would come..and then go. You will know! As far as the bag for the hospital...you can search using google and find all kinds of lists that tell you what to bring...everything the previous poster said to bring is pretty much it. Have the bag ready at least a month before you are due...oh and you can ask your doctor if they have a list of what you should bring. As far as the hostpital stay, it depends on if you have a vaginal birth or c-sec. Of course you stay longer for a c-sec. I think I had my daughter on a Thursday afternoon and I was released the next evening! Labor is painful, but it's so worth it! Good luck!

Answer 5

Call your hospitals labor and delivery area and ask them what they provide for you such as shampoo, soap, towels, that way you don't pack anything extra that you don't need. You should not take your own PJ's as you'll be bleeding excessively while recovering and you don't want to to get that stuff stained. Also, the nurses and docs will come in to check on you, and check you out down there it would be more comfy to have easy access. You should have it packed and ready in your car.

You'll know when labor starts, but If you're not sure, you'll need to call your ob's office or labor and delivry unit and ask a nurse, they'll let you know if you should come in. Contractions can start several days before you go into labor and begin as cramps, they will get worse, more painful and closer together.

If you plan to breastfeed let them know asap so they don't try to give baby yucky formula or sugar water. If you have trouble bf, ask for an experienced lactation consultant to help you right away. I'm sure there's lots of other stuff I'm skipping but each hospital is different. You'll do great!

Answer 6

When you go into labor you will know...trust me. As for the bag absolutelty YES. Pack your favorite pajamas (that still fit), Pack a bathrobe and a beach towel (hospital towels are very small), Pack some maxi pads (you will bleed a little while after having the kid and the pads the hospital provides are more like diapers). Take along your toothbrush, sample sizes of shampoo conditioner and soap, a razor, the outfit you intend to wear when you get to go home, a hairbrush and maybe a small makeup bag with the basics nothing fancy. I had what appeared to be 2 black eyes after I had my son and I would have done anything to be able to cover them up before getting my picture taken. Pack a light and heavy blanket for the baby. Take several changes of baby clothes and a carseat. When I left the hospital I asked for some diapers and formula and the nurse liked me so she gave me some.

Answer 7

about 3 weeks before you due date or 3 weeks after is a good time spand for labor.
Labor is when the mucles are pushing the baby out so it will be across the front of your stomach or pain in your back...I had back labor with all 3 of mine.
With the middle one i heard a rubber band pop in my ears. I told the Dr. and he said he had heard of that but not often.
Labor last for about a minute then will go away ... but it comes back...so you will want to time them to see how far apart they are...when they get to 5 minutes apart call the hospital with the number they gave you and tell them you are in labor you think and you are coming in.
As for the bag pack these items...
1. a new toothbrush
so you do not have to go get yours when you are in labor.
2. A shift dress or baggy dress,
what ever they are called now days.is the best to ware home...that way you know it will fit and not hurt you.
3. underware, the big granny ones
because you will have a pad on...no tampons at this time.
4. 2 or 3 nursing gowns.
5. 2 or 3 nursing bra's
6. A note pad and pen to write your feeling down and things about the baby ...you will forget to do it later.
7. A camera so you can take a pic of her when no one is around.
8. Shampoo and conditioner, soap, and a razer...you will be able to shave your legs now...WHOO HOO!
9. If you are doing the nateral birth have your stuff in there you will need...if not do not worry about that.
10. Think of something you would like the baby foot prints on and put that in the bag...the nurse will put the foot prints on there for you. A scrappbook page or the baby book has a page for that, a shirt, cap, handchuf would be nice framed...just a few i can think of now.
11. If you are waring contects put a pair in the bag now...you will be able to ware them after the baby, but may not be able to a few weeks before the birth.
12. An outfit to bring the baby home in.
13. A blanket for the baby to come home in . The hospital gives you lots of stuff so do not take a bunch of stuff.
14. My daughter took an extra bag for all the stuff the hospital brings that you do not use...and things she wanted to take...sheee ont that part.
15. A cap for the baby to go with the outfit...and socks.
16. your address book or a list of people you will want to call.

You will have to ask your Dr. about how long you will stary...each one is different.
OH and do not look at yoursefl...you will be swollen and your eyes will probley be blood shot from the pushing...but let people take your pic with the baby...just look down at the baby when they take them. And please never tell them to not take pictures...I always hate that when the girls tell me that. You can alway delete the ones you do not want.
Aly told me she did not want me to take pictures so i did not...now she wishes she had and I do too.

Answer 8

first of all congrats. OK and every body on here is telling you when labor starts you will know it, but that's not true for every women when i went into labor i didn't know it I woke up at 3am and thought i just had gas and went back to sleep I woke back up at 6 with the same pain that's when I knew it was labor the first thing I did was wake up my husband then I called my obgyn and he told me to start timing them I went to the hospital around 9:30 because I was told to wait until my contractions were 5 mins apart and when i got there I had my son less than five hours later my hospital stay was nice everybody was real nice to me and packing I took a outfit for me and my son to wear home a camera some money my pillow and something to read in case labor is real long I would not recommend taking a night gown unless to have one you don't mind throwing away after words because you bleed real bad after labor but other than that everything was real easy for me and i hope its like that for you good luck and congrats

Answer 9

Hi there! When you start having contractions.. you will definitly know it! your whole belly will tighten up and be really hard! Thats when you start timing! Start as soon as you feel it see how long it stays tight and then how long until the next one! Do not worry if you do not start these soon.. you still have a while before you are supposed to go into labor. During labor.. I ADVISE getting an epidural as soon as they will let you! If you wait until your are hurting bad then it will not be fun! If you get an epidural then you will be numb from waist down and you should not feel a thing. When they tell you to push.. all you do really is try to sit up as much as possible. Thats it. They will tell you hold breath for 10 seconds and push! then breath.. then breath then push until baby starts coming out! It is not as crazy as many people say it is. I am 23 and have 3. I had my oldest when I was 16 and I swear, you get an epidural and you will be just fine! Good Luck and have fun Its truly an unforgetable experience!!!

Answer 10

Labor will hurt like no other...but it is well worth it. Once you go into labor you will know what to do and it will be very natural for you. You will know a contraction when you feel a real one. For the bag, pack your bathroom stuff, maybe some underwear you don't mind throwing away later if you need to...same with socks and slippers....don't bring pretty PJ's....they might get stained....definitely bring comfy clothes...and know that you will not fit into your pre pregnancy clothes so bring some comfy maternity clothes to wear home....it is a wonderful experience. don't worry about it....enjoy every minute......