I am 37 weeks pregnant today and have started having what seems like mild cramps in my lower stomach. My doctor told me last week that i haven't started dilating. Could the cause of the cramps be because I have started to dilate now? I am really scared this is my first child and I dont know what to expect. I can't tolerate pain.
2007-10-30 21:15:56 · 6 answers · asked by Dae 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
Probably braxton hicks which is really normal and may or may not mean you are dilating. With this sort of stuff its anyones quess! Braxton hicks seem to get worse towards the end where as you may not have even noticed them but having probably been having them since about 30wks.
The essentials to pack are....(for an average 3 night stay taking into consideration hubby can wash and get fresh stuff for you during your stay...)
3 Pairs Pyjamas
3 Set normal day clothes if you wish (stuff you wore at 5-6mths preggo should fit) to feel 'normal' during the day.
6 pairs underpants in case they get messed up
3 nursing bras
large packet disposable breastpads or 10 washable ones
3 pairs socks
singlets if you are prone to cold since you will be in air conditioning.
Slippers
Dressing gown or robe if you normally use one.
Large packet maternity pads for your bleeding
CAMERA!
change for phone
list of phone numbers
birth plan if you have one
book/mags, deck of cards (it can get really boring sometimes when no one is visiting and baby is asleep but you can't sleep because of adrenalin!)
change of clothes for partner
snacks for partner
empty water bottle (fill up there)
things to have handy to pack when the time comes...
shampoo and cond.
soap
toothbrush and paste
brush and hair ties
make-up if you want
Mobile phone AND CHARGER!!
Your pillow to make you more comfortable
Baby stuff...
3 outfits or jumpsuits (onesies?)
2 baby wraps for take home
nappies and wipes just in case
dummy if you want to use one
socks, singlets, botties and anti-scratch mittens (cotton ones)
hope that helps. Best of luck and fingers crossed it happens for you soon
2007-10-30 21:38:55 · answer #1 · answered by Cindy; mum to 3 monkeys! 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Pack now- you want to be prepared. I started packing a few weeks early and didn't finish in time for my labor (emergency induction). We had to throw together the rest and hope we were good.
3-4 pairs of undies
2 pairs of comfy nightgowns/sleepwear (if you don't want the hospital gown)
socks w/ rubber grip (if you don't want to use hospital socks)
going home outfit for you and baby
laptop/mp3 player
dvds, music
pleasant pictures to look at
baby book
sleeper for baby
extra caps, socks, mittens
couple blankets
bottles and accessories if you don't breastfeed
accessories for breastfeeding
camera +charger
cell phone +charger
calling card/change (if you can't have cell phones)
hair ties and hair bands
toiletries (shower stuff etc)
baby powder for a massage for you
extra clothes and undies for hubby/bf/partner/friend
diapers and wipes of your choice
Just some ideas, I brought all of that. The hospital has shirts, blankets, diapers, wipes, gel packs for your breasts, pads for your bleeding, baby caps, Lansinoh for your nipples, baby soap, bowls to use for sponge bath...
Just becuase you have cramps and/or contractions doesn't mean you should or have to be dilating. Your body is preparing. Go ahead and be scared- whether it's our first or fifth child we all get scared. Pregnancy and childbirth is a big deal. But don't worry too much, your body knows what to do. Just like your baby somehow knows how to suckle after birth to get food, your body somehow is going to know what it needs to do. You need to rest and read up on what you want to know about childbirth if it will help. Listen to the nurses and let them know what you want. Have someone supportive around and when you start feeling bad pain don't hesitate to ask for pain medication. I just had my first baby. I read so much about it and even though I was very prepared and knew a lot (impressed my nurses and doctors, I guess ppl go in there saying "I'm having a baby, what do I do now???") there were still some things that were unexpected.
Email me if you wanna know more ("email me" option is on my profile)
2007-10-30 22:32:52 · answer #2 · answered by throughthebackyards 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Two very important things I remember I always packed for my three boys was a cute little suit for the boys to go home in and my mother always made sure that I had a nice pajama (2 piece) set to wear. A night gown with the breastfeeding option on it. And a nice robe that would go with it. After giving birth you don't exactly feel very pretty, especially with everyone looking at your crotch. So its nice to wear something that makes you feel a bit pretty, along with your makeup bag!!!!!!!!!!!! And of course don't forget the feminine napkins, because you will bleed like a siv! And, of course, being a nurse at a hospital I wouldn't want to wear the feminine napkins we give the patients. Make sure to get the largest ones you can get (with the wings)!!!!!!! If you have other children, bright a present to give them so they don't feel left out, but this is your first, right?
Hope this helps
2007-10-30 21:50:34 · answer #3 · answered by kristinaelizabeth@verizon.net 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nope...more then likely they are Haxton Bricks- which means false labor. It's almost like exercises your body does naturally to prepare for labor. They can be light or rather painful depending on your body but they are not "regular". With real contractions they will happen on a regular time table...(every 10mins and they will steadily get worse) but with braxton's they may come 2mins/ 5 mins/ 4 mins apart randomly. I found that if they were getting kind of strong a hot water bottle over my stomach would help soothe them. BUT MAKE SURE TO TIME THEM TO MAKE SURE! If you go to the bathroom and there is a mucus discharge with any blood go directly to the hospital. If there is any sign of fever or something that's just not right it's also best to go to the hospital too.
As for your bags it's fairly easy depending on how much you've prepared before hand. At least 2 pairs of pajamas (my water broke all over one and another pair got blood on them after) and get the kind that button in the front, some washclothes (washcloth for random things like putting water on your face when you get sweaty & cleaning up), soap (liquid kind is handy), socks, robe (for night trips to the potty, nursing bras (a few), slippers, I took some baby wipes too for easy clean ups, Music- books- magazines (something to get your mind off how afraid you really are) (it got so bad with me I even made my hubby bring the dvd player because they wouldn't give me any pain medication for the ENTIRE birth!), chapstick (dry lips are just annoying with all the heavy breathing), hard candy to suck on, and outfit for the baby & you to go home in. Yeah I know it sounds like a little much but I used everything I brought the last time...plus you don't know how long you will be waiting to deliver once you start labor (could be a long wait). Also you might want to bring a camera for pics of the new baby...then you can look back and know it was all worth it.
Since it's your first time it's normal to be afraid, but make sure that you take classes and talk about it with people who have done it before. BELIEVE ME it's a lot worse if you stay in your head and not talk about it. I live in China and had no one to talk about it to and I was so afraid I cried for a week. It's a little different since you will have the choice of having medication or not (No medication in China for labor!) so talk to your doctor about the best option for you. Also there are a lot of good websites to help you through it and answer your questions.
Good luck and congrats!!
2007-10-30 21:46:54 · answer #4 · answered by Shiningami_Gurl 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
cramps could be braxton hicks contractions (practice for the real thing) or ligament pain it can be very uncomfortable.
what to pack:
hairbrush
set of clothes (maternity clothes)
pj's
slippers
toothpaste
toothbrush
floss
camera
batteries
memory book to get baby's 1st feet and hand prints and to record weight etc....
film or extra memory for camera
deodorant
shampoo
conditioner
pads (as u will bleed some)
baby's bag:
pacifier if wanted
going home outfit
car seat
blankets
hat
shoes
footies
2007-10-30 21:21:25 · answer #5 · answered by Crys 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
as above:
money - for the phone
clothes for the baby
nappies for the baby
shawl/ cover for when goes home
get the car seat ready
snacks because you could be there a while
2007-10-30 21:24:26 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋