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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
BR: mamas, please come in!
I have a couple of questions for ladies who have given birth, so I thought I'd whack them both into one post:
1. I'm starting to gear up to pack my hospital bag, but frankly I have no idea what is REALLY necessary. Some of the example lists are sooo long and have a ton of things on them that I wouldn't consider necessary, and I like to pack light. Can you tell me what you used from your bag - not what you packed, but what you actually used in the hospital?
2. This may sound stupid, but can you describe what contractions felt like for you? I've read everything from "cramps" to "really bad period pain." I know it's kind of one of those "you'll know it when you feel it" situations - I'm just curious if you can describe how it felt for you.
Re: BR: mamas, please come in!
I kept mine simple and in no particular order:
- shampoo/conditioner/soap
- toothbrush and toothpaste
- brush, hair clips, elastics
- yoga wear
- underwear to use and throw out
- diapers, wipes
- a few sleepers and outfit to come home
- camera and video camera - charge those batteries!
- pads (yuck - but helps)
- food, snacks, water, gingerale
- I wish I brought a BF pillow. Hopsital pillows SUCK.
- decent clothes to come home in
- flip flops for shower and walk around hospital in
- socks
Forget books, magazines that just took up space. I was so tired I had no time to read that stuff.
This is EXACTLY the kind of thing that I'm wanting to leave out. Honestly, if I get that desperate for a magazine, I can get one from the nursing staff, but I think I'm going to be occupied enough...
yep, I felt the same way. However, if plans had changed and I was getting induced or something I might have considered it. I'm not a big TV watcher so I would have needed something to pass time. I posted earlier about how strange my hospital was - the L/D rooms are huge and set up for entertaining and then the post partum rooms are just normal, a little on the small side. I guess they anticipate people to be there a while and wanting to entertain.
I kept it really simple and didn't have too much that I didn't use:
- black sports bra for the tub
- hair ties/headband/clips
- flip flops and ballet slipper type slippers
- PJ (this was one item that I prefered to use my own - the nursing access was easier in the nursing PJs and tanks I had purchased, I liked the pants set b/c I was up and walking around and felt more comfortable in pants when visitors stopped by - I ummmm, hadn't shaved in a while
haha, but I'm sure c-section moms would feel differently)
- toiletries. My hospital has a pump dispenser of all in one wash in the shower - glad I had my own shampoo etc.
- new mama bottom spray
- outfit to go home in. Lounge pants, nursing tank and a sweater jacket
- nursing pillow - this could go either way. Glad I had it, but I mostly did "clutch hold" when at the hospital so it wasn't really super necessary. And there didn't seem to be a shortage of pillows at my hospital so I felt I could have made due.
- granola/power bars, PB&J sandwiches. It took a while to order my breakfast after he was born, glad I had a sandwich. DH ate the granola bars off and on during the entire stay.
- camera/video camera/cell phones
For baby:
- outfits to go home in
- carseat
- glad I had side snap long sleeve tshirts b/c the hospital put him in a short sleeve shirt.
Other than that I used hospital provided everything: underwear, pads, diapers, wipes, gown for labor, baby blankets, nursing supplies (soothies, shields, pads, lanolin), food, drinks, medicine, etc. Maybe check with your hospital to see what they provide.
I had a separate bag packed that had comfort and pain relieving stuff in it - heat pads, ice pads, oil, a yoga ball. We left it in the car and DH could go get it if I needed the stuff. I didn't - the hospital had a ball, gave me warm blankets whenever I asked (way better than a heat pad, I loved having a super warm blanket over my entire stomach/legs).
I didn't use a robe, my mom did bring me a lightweight wrap type top. The robe was just too bulky (even the lightweight one I brought) to be comfortable when I was in bed. I also never walked the halls during labor (given the room was so large, plus I enjoyed the dark quiet space over the bright halls). DH didn't use anything from his bag other than his toothbrush. he opted to run home really quickly to shower, change.
I didn't bring a baby book - the hospital did footprints on a sticker that I could take home. They also provided a folder type thing for all the paperwork we were given - that was nice, if they didn't offer that I would bring a large envelope or folder just to keep everything organized.
1. cell phone charger, camera, glasses, contact solution, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, hair brush, nursing bra, clothes to go home in. I just wore the hospital clothes until it was time to go home.
2. contractions felt like period cramps. They had a pattern and lasted for 30 seconds or longer. The second time around my contractions felt more like I had to go #2.
oh and about contractions -
during early labor they were like period cramps. Just a dull ache across my front, as they picked up I felt like I needed to move or squirm through them (they picked up when I was in the car coming back from getting ice cream).
I never did figure out how to time them, I couldn't determine a start/stop so I just went with my gut.
I used my toiletries and wore my own pajamas once I could shower. Definitely bring slippers to wear in the shower and walk around in. I also used my body pillow...thank goodness I had that. Going home clothes for me and baby. I suggest bringing stretchy pants for going home because I brought jeans but my legs were so swollen from all the IV fluids that I couldn't put them on and ended up wearing the yoga pants I wore to the hospital. Oh, and don't forget your camera and chargers!
My contractions were not at all like people described them. Mine were intense pain in my hips, mostly. It felt like it was deep in my bones. I also had back labor and hardly any pain in my abdomen. Previous to real labor, I did have dull cramping in my abdomen, but they weren't real contractions, I guess.
OMG I used my wrong login info. Oh well, y'all know me anyway. And I forgot to mention bring two car seats. What kind of mother am I to forget that?! LOL.
Contractions - No bid deal really. Since I was induced, they started small and jacked them up slowly for me. It just felt like the worst period cramp ever, then it goes away, then it comes back, then you ask nicely for the epidural, then the cart comes and poke in the back and life is wonderful again.
I literally laughed out loud at this! Awesome.
Jaime & Brent
Oahu, Hawaii | Sept. 9, 2005
My Food Blog - Good Eats 'n Sweet Treats
One of my best friends is a family doctor and she was telling me the other day that, on the pain scale, period cramps rate a 1... the beginning of labour cramps rate about a 3-4 and escalate to a 10 from there. She thinks it's really funny (and smart) when women ask for an epidural at about the 3 level, thinking it's the worst that it gets, because they have no idea how much more pain they'd be in...
Mostly, I just find that thought terrifying.
Alyson & Phil | Planning Bio | Married Bio!
Dates & Quinces Blog
the pp have great feedback but to add (sorry if I missed this in pp)
List of photos you want taken
Hair ties, etc.
if you want to do footprints/handprints..my hospital didn't do those any more..so I had Adam run to the Craft store to get baby safe ink.
Baby book to record those moments (and to put hand prints/foot prints in)
cards (I was sick of watching tv and I couldn't use my laptop) so cards would have been nice to play with since both my husband and mother were snoring beside me
That's all I can think of now...I am sure I will think of more later.
Oh and contractions felt like cramps..mine were in my back though while a little in the front. You will know when you feel them. Don't wait too long if you plan to get the epi...I waited way to long!!! It was heaven once I got the epi.
I've read that labor is considered the "hallmark" pain - that aside from like full body burns or something, it's the only thing that a lot of doctors actually consider a 10. Anyone know if that's true?
pain scale - I have had period cramps that were a lot like much of my labor - however I wasn't dialating very quickly, so I could have been in "early" labor for 75% of my entire labor experience - who knows.
The nurses kept asking me to rate my pain (they continue to ask you for the entire hospital stay) and I don't think I ever said anything higher than 7 until they made me get in the bed and lay on my side. My contraction were coming on top of each other and I dilated ~6cm in 2 hours - I think they could so obviously see I was in pain then that they never asked at that point.
I never could figure out how to rate the pain after birth, they wanted to offer me pain meds but I kept saying I was at a 2, b/c really after labor the state of relaxation and lack of contractions is soooo nice. I mean I couldn't have went and did yoga or anything, I was moving at a slow shuffle, but I couldn't pinpoint any "pain" so I kept saying 2 and so they never brought me anything. When the MW checked on me later that evening she couldn't believe it and said I needed some ibprofen at the very least. It was a welcome relief!! Sooooo.... make sure you let them know you are in pain afterwards, I didn't know things like that were an option because the first nurse said something about codene, which I knew I didn't want!
Looks like you've already been given great advice on what to bring and not to bring to the hospital, so I'll just answer #2...
For me, the pain was all in the front. I had no back labor pains. At first it just felt like menstrual cramps, but then it continued to escalate. At its worse it felt like 20x the pain of menstrual cramps. Seems like everyone's experience is different. Very interesting to read other's answers.
I love Hawaii!
Tara & Ian . 4/24/2008 . The Kahala Planning . Married
1. From my Pregosaur post:
Things we didn't end up using I've marked with an asterisk (*):
Purse with ID, insurance card and epidural registration card
Clothing for me:
Sports bras and sarong (for L&D)
Fleece Robe
PJs (three pair of button front tops/drawstring pants)
Nursing Tanks
Socks
Crocs (for shower, walking the halls, etc.)
Uggs
velour hoodie/sweatsuit (one in pink; one in black)
Granny panties
Clothing for baby:
NB sized outfit with hat, socks, onesie, etc.
0-3 sized outfit with hat, socks, onesie, etc.* too big, we went with the NB one
Fleece Bunting * they said it voided the safety of the carseat so we took it out
Outfit for first photo (hospital photo) * decided not to get the photo
Swaddling Blankets * used the hospital ones instead
Clothing for hubby:
Lounge clothes
Shoes
Socks
T-shirts
Underwear
Glasses & Contacts
Swim trunks (for assisting in shower) * never labored in the shower due to constant monitoring and IV
Electronics:
Camera with charger and USB cord
Laptop with charger
Cell Phone with charger
Extras:
CDs for labor/post partum (or use laptop with AccuRadio.com)
Bath sheets (2 - one for me; one for DH)
Birthing Ball
Bath mat (for birthing ball and/or shower) * forgot to bring it
Snacks/drinks for mom, hubby & doula
Cupcakes for nurses/staff
Moby-style Wrap
Notebook/pen
Pillows (body pillow, king sized pillow and one smaller one)
Extra blanket for hubby * forgot to bring it, used scratchy hospital one instead
Change for vending machines/cash for cafeteria
Car seat
Birth plan (several copies)
Tennis balls and other massage tools/items
Massage lotion/oil
Essential oil (Grapefruit)
Hard candies
Breath mints
My Brest Friend Pillow
Travel Neck Pillow
Toiletries:
Glasses and contacts
Contact Solution
Lip Balm
Lotion
Make-up
Hair products
Hair clips and headbands, etc.
Lanisoh
Q-tips
Neti Pot
Vaseline
Tucks Pads * used the ones the hospital gave us and took mine home to use
Eye drops
Toothbrushes and Toothpaste
Nail file/baby nail clippers for baby * her nails were not too long so we didn't use these in the hospital but about a week later at home
We live 5 minutes from the hospital but Ipacked with the possibility that I might have had to stay 4 nights in case my induction led to a c-section. Luckily, it didn't. And here's the photo of all our stuff packed into our CRV:
2. Contractions...before my epidural felt like mild period cramps at first...low in the back. As they increased and she flipped (she was sunny side up at first) they moved to the front and were low, again like a period cramping. As they intensified they were inside, across my pelvic muscles...lots of pressure but not particularly painful (more annoying than painful) and could be relieved with low, diaphragmatic breathing. I would say they were more of an ache than a sharp pain. Once my legs started trembling with each contraction then I felt pain (since I could no longer relax/breathe through them). I am convinced that had I not had the shaking legs I would have been able to go natural all the way, but the shaking legs made it impossible. Once I had the epi I just had the pressure without the ache. My legs still trembled a bit too, so I knew I was having the contrax. The doc and doula said that most women shake AFTER delivery, not before. I am just lucky, I guess.
TTC/PG Blog | Mommy Blog
My first question is whether or not you plan to have visitors. If no, you can skip a bunch of things - like the pretty nightgown/pjs (just use what the hospital gives you - you aren't going to care!), makeup, hairdryer, nicer clothes.
photo ID/credit card/copy of pre-registration papers.
pen/pencil & paper to write down instructions &/or questions - had some magazines and sudoku puzzles, but I just wanted to either sleep or watch mind-numbing TV since it was there.
I took one shower the whole time I was there - I just really didn't want to get out of bed. soap, shampoo, conditioner. Forget the razor. oh, and shower shoes (which turned out to be REALLY handy since they lost my sneakers and this was what I had to wear home!). brought my contacts but just wore my glasses the whole time
scrunchies/hair ties, toothbrusth/paste (or just mouthwash, depending on how much energy you have!), chapstick
nursing bra in case you have the energy to put one on
I was sans bra the whole time - it was just easier.
clothes to wear home (in case the ones you ride to the hospital in get dirty), including socks and underwear (large comfy ones!)! they provided mesh underwear that were weird but perfect... also provided pads and squirt bottle for cleansing.
camera/chargers, cell phones/chargers, laptop/charger
baby book for footprints/handprints
didn't need diapers or anything for the baby except a pacifier once and clothes to take him home in. Be mindful that if it's cold out and you have coats for them, that the coats may not fit well in the car seats! also, i suggest practicing using the car seat a couple of times beforehand, and also make sure they are installed, like now would be good (So you don't have to worry about it later).
for DH: make sure he packs a sweatshirt or something - the room was SO COLD (apparently you like it that way even if that's not the norm), and he was freezing, but comfy with the sweatshirt. Snacks/drinks - I was never hungry enough for them, but DH was pretty hungry. See if you can find out if the hospital has a vending machine (so bring coins) or if the cafeteria takes credit (if not, bring cash).
Also, if possible, see if someone can check on your house after you've left. DH went back the second night to make sure everything was in order for when I came home, but I missed him so much I cried all night b/c I was so lonely. That was the only time I got out my sudoku books - to try to take my mind off it. (hormones are crazy!)
Contractions felt like a "giant elephant was sitting on my stomach with knives in his a$$" or at least that's how I vividly remember describing it to the dr when I wanted the epi!
As for what I packed and actually used:
My own shampoo, conditioner and hair supplies
Makeup - mascara, powder, blush (I got up and showered and put a little makeup on each morning, it made me feel semi-normal for when everyone came to visit)
Elastic hair band
My own pjs, I wore these when people came to visit. I HATED the hospital nursing gowns, I was so afraid that my boob would fall out of those!
Yoga pants and a maternity shirt for wearing home
My own slippers- super comfy and it was nice to be able to walk the halls and not feel like a patient in weird hospital "socks"
A sleep nursing bra, it was nice for putting breastpads in (I started leaking) and I at least had a bra on when pp came to visit so my nips weren't visible!
Camera, cell phone and chargers
A journal- I wrote about our LD and our experiences when I couldn't sleep... so much adrenaline after I had her I couldn't sleep!
My ipod with the Ipod stereo- sounds crazy but having my own music made me MUCH more relaxed!!
For baby:
Car seat
Blanket
Outfit to come home in with socks and a hat
Things the hospital provided: pillows for nursing, nursing pads, mama pads, lanolin, soothies breast pads, breastpump (since B was a preemie it was really important to pump right away to get my milk going), bottom spray, ice packs (heaven on my sore girl parts!)