apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

A friend of a friend (of a friend) suggested that Dad bring a set of bathing trucks. If the very soon-to-be-mom wants to takes a shower or bath during the labor process, Dad can jump in with her without any embarrassment if a nurse pokes his or her head in. (Though I suppose part of being a delivery nurse is having truly "seen it all.")

Conversely, only pack what you really need. Also it might be useful to pack a "hospital bag" and a separate "labour bag". We packed everything but the kitchen sink into the labour bag - snacks, drinks, reading material, spare clothes, ipods and speakers, warm socks, towels, cloths, etc. - expecting labour to take 24hours... but the little guy popped out an hour after we got to the hospital and we never even cracked open the labour bag! What a waste of packing and unpacking and adding and repacking and making a list and buying snacks - although I suppose it did keep me occupied in the last few weeks of pregnancy.

The one thing I wish I had brought with me was my nursing pillow (i.e. Boppy or similar). The hospital didn't provide these anymore (people were stealing them!) and it would have been invaluable for the 2 days we spent in recovery "learning" to breastfeed. If you don't have one, you'll find yourself contorting regular pillows around your body to get comfortable with baby.

Also, unless you have a miraculous instant-shrinking postpartum belly, choose a loose fitting top for your grand exit since you'll still look about 4-5 months pregnant after the delivery. I had packed more of a form-fitting t-shirt to leave the hospital and someone actually asked me if I was being admitted!!!

Some hospitals won't let you drink any water during your delivery (in case you need emergency c-section.) I was told to bring popsicles in case I was thirsty. Found some great fruit juice popsicles in the frozen section of Whole Foods.

We used an i-Pod with speakers in the delivery room. I thought I'd be using that slow, Enya music they recommended in Lamaz. But when the contractions hit, the music just made time slow down, so we put on dance party music and grooved through the labor. It was very helpful. So was a big sock filled with rice that we heated in the microwave for "counterpressure" during contractions.

Next time I would bring more SNACKS for myself. After the marathon labor and the nursing, I was starving all the time and the hospital food was not great.

Yeah, food for mom--for labor and after. (More progressive hospitals allow food and drink during labor.)
The most important thing I had were signs saying that I was breastfeeding and didn't want my daughter to be given formula or artificial nipples, but I was at a really crappy hospital that discouraged breastfeeding. It was also really useful to have my Boppy.

Although I haven't had my baby yet (any day now), we were told to bring some massage implements for my husband to use on my back, since his hands aren't likely to hold up for the entire labor. My husband has packed some tennis balls and a 3-inch paint roller. The latter tool I was a little skeptical about, but he tried it out on my back and it feels great! Although, for all I know, I won't want to be touched at all during labor--who knows?

Also, maybe slippers or flip-flops for when you're walking around the halls.

My mother has two pieces of advice for giving birth- don't buy new slippers! She bought new ones when she was packing her bag to give birth to me but when walking through the glossy hospital hallways the new slippers managed to suction onto the floor making each step more painful than the last. And, don't let your husband pack your hospital bag- the lady she shared her room with had her husband pack hers & he brought 2 odd shoes. Not even the same colour.

Pack a camera, because in the last minute hassle you might forget it and it really is the sweetest thing to have one of those baby and mommy pictures with you totally looking like you've been hit by a bus but with a smile that says who cares because u have a the baby finally in your arms.

snacks and comfy clothes are right up there on my list....but
one most important item is toilet paper!!!

i couldn't believe the scratchy stuff they had in delivery and postpartum rooms, it's exactly the same tp as the rest of the hospital. bring something super soft and cushy, you will thank yourself!

also, extra pillows (i leaned on a big fuzzy one i laid on the counter and bed in the room while sitting on a ball) and a blanket or comforter from home make the hospital bed much more cozy. and don't forget your baby book, then the nurses can ink the baby's footprints on a page for you.

I did get new slippers, but they were $3 from IKEA. They're still spotless (and comfortable) after 2 deliveries and nearly 4 years.

The best thing you can bring is an open mind.