11-2-2009 - Great advice for going to hospital!

My mood while writing this blog: positive

I posted on the babies forum asking mommies who have already been through labor and delivery to please share their best tips for what to take to hospital and here are some great ideas :-) This is aside from that general hospital packing list we all have. Thanks mommies for sharing!!

- - Loose shirt (hubby's button down) for nursing privately

- - Long socks to stay warm

- - DARK comfy pants to wear home (remember the blood)

- - Baby outfits in a few sizes: preemie, newborn and 0-3 months (there is never 100% certainty on the size of your baby till it's born)

- - 2 soft receiving blankets (the ones at the hospital may be a bit bulky or not soft)

- - Your own pads (hospital ones can be like doormats)

- - bendy straws (for drinking in awkward positions)

-- Comfort items for your labor coach if they are sleeping over - sleeping outfit, tylenol (they get aches and pains from helping you through a long labor), snacks, a pillow and apparently the delivery rooms are kept cool for the mommies so coach should dress in layers.

Most mommies who have delivered say that most of what you have read and learned flies right out of your head when you are actually in labor. Remembering to breathe is most important. Birthing balls were helpful for changing position. If you think you're going to need pain meds ask for them before the pain gets radical because it often takes the docs a while to get them to you. Most important was to have confidence in yourself that you CAN do it and believe that your body was made to do it. (love that! :-)

If you want the full scoop from the new mommies you can read their actual comments on my profile, they were SO helpful :-)