What advice can you give to a first time Mom to Be regarding the hospital/labor & delivery?

Question

I am 30 weeks preggo on Sunday. I have read sooo many books, but I still feel like the best advice I can get is from people who have "been there, done that".

What made your expirience better? What did you bring to the hospital that you couldnt live without? Did you do anything special or unique that helped the expirience?

Thanks in advance for all your help!

Answer 1

I know its scary, but you will be surrounded with people who know exactly what they are doing. Don't worry. Don't be afraid to get the drugs!! If by some chance they tell you that you will have to have a c-section...don't worry! Its not bad. My mom prepared me all along for that, just in case cause she had to have an emergency c-section with me. So, I wasn't too scared when they told me I needed one. It was easy!! I will do it again the next time. Always ask for whatever you think will make you more comfortable. Anything you need, ask for it. Its their job to get it for you and to make your experience a good one.
Bring comfy pajamas and house shoes to wear around the hospital after the birth. Bring something for the baby to wear home and something that you'll like to wear home. Bring your shower stuff and whatever you think you'll want to make you feel pretty after you have the baby. Nothing excessive. People will be bringing you gifts & stuff and you'll have a mountain of things to be taking home with you.
If your mom or his mom can take off work to stay home with you and the baby for a few days. I recommend it!! You will probably need help in the night when you are just exhausted trying to get used to this new schedule and they can be there to help.
oh, and if they give you the option of having the baby sleep in the room with you or in the nursery...I say keep the baby in your room. It will help you get used to them waking up in the night & stuff and if you end up getting just too tired, they can always take the baby back to the nursery later on.
Congratulations! and Good Luck it is so much fun being a mommy. Its the most rewarding thing you'll experience.
One more thing...bring two take home outfits for the baby in case there's an incident. My son peed all over the outfit I brought for him while I was changing a diaper and I had to use a back up outfit to take him home in...

Answer 2

I know some people would disagree with this, and it's just a personal opinion...but I made it very clear that I wanted the epidural immediately when I got to the hospital and I had a wonderful birth experience. I didn't feel any pain at all and I had the epidural put in before the contractions really became bad.
I also packed my bag very early, by around week 32. I enclosed a list of people to call once I was in labor and another list for who should be called after the baby was born. I also included her pediatricians' number and my healthcare information, to call them and have her added to my health plan.
This isn't really advice on what to bring or not bring, but it's the best thing out of all....if you can, try to limit your visitors in the hospital. We were so crowded with people and at the time I was struggling with breastfeeding. I was always trying to feed my baby and people would come in. Use the few days you are in there to get to know your baby and try to rest if you can, so that when you are home you will feel better and up to the challenge of new motherhood :)

Answer 3

1)Communication with the nurses and DR. is VERY important! Tell them what you need or want. Don't be scared to tell them your needs.
2)Make sure that you bring pads, panties, clothes etc because sending your hubby to the store/home may not be an option. Trust me, what they give you at the hospital is not going to be good enough and its expensive.
3)My labor was long so bring a laptop or books to keep your mind off waiting and pain.
4)Also bring a calling card or two so that you can use the phone in your room. Some hospitals will not allow you to use cell phones in the room.

Answer 4

when i had my 1st (16 years ago) i did not go into labor, i had to be induced. because my cervix was not dilated and i was 2 weeks past my due date. the first day of my stay i had to just sit in my room and listen to all the women in the surrounding rooms going through the pains of labor. so my suggestion is bring things to do, and make sure you have headphones. if the doctor wants to induce you see if you have any other alternatives. you don't want to be induced because your contractions do not come on gradually. within 10 minutes of the injection you're in hard labor. if you can have a
c-section. i've have it both ways, and i'll take c-section any day. after you have a vaginal birth, you can't pee without severe pain down there, and your chances of getting hemorrhoids increase because of the pushing. plus, they give you really good drugs to make you feel better after a c. that's my suggestions.

Answer 5

With the last 2 That I was there Doula the cd Lullaby's *piano music* was a god sent to them. They said it made the down times more relaxing and they could rest between contractions. It played all the time by the way. Personally I liked the ticking noise of my husbands watch. So he had his wrist by my head and caressed my hair. I found that soothing.

For my last to births I made sure I had personal things for my husband in the bag. it helped him relax so he was more comfy to help me. It gets rather chilly sometimes in there so a blanket for him from home is good.

And most of all my own slipper socks. I would look at them and pretend I was home. It is funny how you can trick your mind and this worked for me.

Congrats hun and your well read so make a list of the things you liked from your books and make your birth plan from it.

Answer 6

My best advice is to relax, sleep when the baby sleeps, fall in love with your baby and best of all listen to your heart. Remember that they are only little once and will grow up way too fast!!! Don't do something if it doesn't feel right to you no matter how many experts and family members tell you to do it.
The one thing I couldn't live without was my sling. Baby was close and happy and I had my hands free.
Good luck!!!

Answer 7

My husband was told to press on the inside of my thigh when I had a contraction, and it helped. Unforturnately for him, I didn't think he was pressing hard enough and squeezed his arm hard enough to leave a bruise ! He got the message and pressed harder. Try hard to control your breathing just like they tell you, makes it easier on you and the baby.

Don't take anything you don't need, you'll have plenty to take home as it is, and your tired hubby will have to tote it all to the car.

Unless your husband can cook, best to have something ready for when you get home.

Answer 8

Congratulations!!

Its going to hurt, lol, make no mistake about that.

For me there wasn't anything I could have brung along that I couldn't have lived without, every one is different thou. The most important thing and all I ever was thinking of at the time was the baby that's on its way.

I was in too much pain to be scared, but if it does scare you it is definiately worth it when its all over.

The BIGGEST thing for me when I was in labor was breathing with my eyes closed slow and deep. Really keeping my focus on that instead of the pain seemed to help me alot.

Good Luck!!

Answer 9

Dont be scared every lil pain is worth it