What to pack in Labour Bag?

cardtart_2

the bottom line literally, a rubber swimming ring to sit on can make things easier on pre labour soreness or the dreaded piles.

Jay-Jay_4

Please don't attempt to read or concentrate on anything during active labour. You need to switch off the rational part of the brain and use the non-cognitive bit. Otherwise the hormones that you need to keep labour going strong don't 'flow'.

Glad, in defence of paper knickers, I got some from Boots and they really were very soft indeed, they didn't leave me with a crinkly bottom

Jay-Jay_4

Oh...it's me again!

If your hospital doesn't have birthing balls, get one yourself (Argos Gym Ball) and take it in with you. Sitting on one during a contraction can really help to ease the pain.



(also hubby can bounce around on it when no-one else is in the room )

JULIE

JAY-JAY You have a PM :A

Squidgy

Definatly slipper socks. Keep feet warm and you can walk around in labour without the fear of slipping over (mine had HELP on them - he he!)

Arnica cream. Really good for helping you heal.

Salt (yes really) also helps you heal. I took a tub with me and poured loads in my post labour baths!

Maternity pads rather than sanitary towels. Plastic backed sanitary towels can really make stitches hurt (a bizarre feeling like they are being pulled on). Maternity pads don't seem to have this effect.

Lucozade. Not all labour wards like you to eat, so Lucozade helps replace all your sugars and stuff in liquid form.

If I think of anything else I'll let you know.

Lillibet_2

Thanks everyone.

In no particualr order :

Have already heard horror reports on the paper knickers so was going to use old ones & really mega cheap ones but wondered if Tena-lady knickers would work? Anyone got any expereince? Can't imagine hubbys face if I ask to borrow some of his pants but will be worth a laugh!

Have so far got a few packs of glucose sweets which someone mentioned are good in labour. What other snacks work apart from chewy bar type things? Any savoury snacks as I have gone right off sweets & choclate!? Good idea about the straws, will have to raid McDonalds as I don't have them at home!

Already heard about the socks, was going to take slipper sox in the hope they'd double duty but as it's due in August I think these might be too hot plus you're right, I'll need more than one pair. Will throw in a pair of cheap fli-flops for the shower, I too hate using communal showers in bare feet!

Have bought some luxury tissues & a really soft baby sponge for washing my bits with afterwards, would kitchen roll be better? Have also got some luxury face wipes for during labour, I thought they might make me feel a bit better (ha!) & what's the point of going for the economy ones at a time like that? If I can't splurge (to the tune of £1.99) then, when can I !!

Already got lip salve & ear plugs as these are part of my usual bedtime routine anyway.

Does anyone know if I'll be allowed to use a personal radio rather than a CD player? I much prefer to listen to the raido but was wondering if it would have the same effect as mobile phones & therefore not be allowed?

Will take a book as I don't go anywhere without one anyway but was thinking of something I know well so don't need to concentrate on too much & can dip in & out of if time drags. Of course the new Harry Potter will be out but then once I start that I'll refuse to look up until I finish it so maybe not! Don't want Spud going hungary beacuse I'm too engrossed!

Can imagine Hubby would treat a birthing ball like some kind of space hopper, he's already on about trying out the gas & air! At this rate maybe I could laugh the baby out?

Doormouse, have checked the incrediably basic list from my mid-wife & dissapointingley no mention of an empty margarine tub? I am intrigued!

How do you know what clothes to pack for comming home? I have visions of nothing fitting, everything will be too big or too small. I don't really have any "in between" stuff or elasticated waists & don't want to buy it for just a couple of days or even never? Any suggestions on this?

Between a birthing ball, a rubber ring & the flip flops I will arrive looking fit for a week at Butlins rather than giving birth, no-one will take me seriously!

Keep the suggestions comming please.

Cheers
Lillibet x.

Squidgy

Take a dress to come home in - you won't want to wear trousers as they rub underneath. It should still be warm in august so you should be ok.

No man can resist the birthing ball. They gave me one to try but I couldn't get on with it, my husband enjoyed it far more than me!

I think I had a magazine or puzzle book. My mum read out the questions so I could do the crossword!

Don't forget some change, hubby will probably be bored at the start (he will deny this of course) and then you can send him off to the hospital shop to buy a newspaper (you might want one to keep for baby) this will keep him occupied for a while, and then he can fan you with it later!

leftieM

On the subject of what to wear home...
I asked a friend in work that question before my last baby arrived and she said 'you'll wear the same coming home as you wore going in'. I thought she was joking. She wasn't. I wore maternity clothes for the first few weeks. I think the younger body might spring back quickly but if you're over 22, forget it!

Jay-Jay_4

You should almost definitely be able to take a CD player with you but it will need to be battery run as you can't plug things in at the hossie unless they've been safety checked.

Kitchen roll's definately better you probably wont want a sponge anywhere near your sore bits, even if you've had no stitches you'll probably feel swollen and tender, best to pour water on and dab dry (trying not to be too graphic).

Get a birthing ball now if you can, they're greeeeeaaattttt!!!!! You can sit on it now and rotate your pelvis to get all your muscles all toned up, then it takes the pressure off your bum when you're in labour and allows your tailbone to move out of the way to make room for baby's head.

Don't forget your snorkel................. only kidding

keatergreyhound

Hiya
I have birth to my fisrt daughter October the 1st. I had a 36 hour labour but to get that took at 2 day induction. The one thing I can say is take some starbursts or soft sweets with you. I had an awful taste in my mouth shortly after delivering and I sucked one of those while being stitched up. It totally took the taste away. Its common if you have a epidural or long labour (touch wood you wont) to get a taste like it. Above all I can say enjoy your time. Those 1st few minutes with your baby are priceless - enjoy!
If you dont understand what the staff say ask them to repeat themselves until you do. Dont forget a list for hubby to phone round with afterwards. And another weird thing is a torch. My hubby was sent home at 3am when I had Mollie and he had to walk through dark streets alone back to the car. The 1st thing he said when he came to see us the next day was I wish I had a torch
Good luck and enjoy