Maine Nesties
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Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
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.
What helped you the most during labor?
I'm starting to get my bag together for the hospital. I have a lot of basic stuff (toiletries, sweats, camis, nursing bra, nursing pads,etc) for an overnight stay plus I'll have the baby's going home clothes, blanket, etc.
In addition I'm trying to think what I can bring for labor to help with pain and/or as a distraction. I'm thinking tennis balls for back labor, massage oils, laptop (I figure I can play music). The hospital has birthing balls, heating pads and ice packs and the jacuzi. Of course we have all the techniques we learned in class- focusing, breating, massage, different positions, etc.
So what helped all you ladies the most? Is there anything else I should bring or things to try and keep in mind?
Re: What helped you the most during labor?
I didn't even open my hospital bag. My biggest support was my husband. He was my rock.
One thing I didn't think of was cute hats for the baby for pictures. Many hospitals have generic ones that don't appeal to me as much as more personal ones. I was thankful that York Hospital had volunteers who knit babies homemade hats. The pictures came out so cute with that touch of love.
I also used nothing I brought.
We used the laptop here and there and I was happy to have my makeup so I could primp before my c-section for pictures. Oh, and I brought my teddy bear which helped me (as always) stay propped in a position I liked for sleeping. Otherwise I read nothing, listened to no music, watched no movies, did no interneting during my non-progressive labor, or anything.
I was glad to have comfy PJs with a button top that made breastfeeding easier and made me feel human. Pack light!
Go to work first, that is a great distraction
Once I got to the hospital, I really just focused on breathing and using hubby like we were taught to (for leaning against, etc). I was texting a lot for a while, but as the contractions got more intense, I pretty much said to hubby, "turn this fvcking thing off, I can't do both".
My labor was fast and quick, so even though I planned for using the laptop, I never got to use it. So yes, pack light. We live close enough to the hospital where DH could go home and get whatever I needed. I loved the laptop for watching a movie and stuff after she was born, but for labor, I only had time for techniques.
I'm also telling you to take whatever is offered to you!! Pads, ice packs, soap, lotion, diapers, wipes, NASAL SUCKER, ....everything
I agree that I didn't use much of what I brought. Jolly Ranchers, chapstick, hair elastic, headband and a supportive hubby (and various pain relief methods) were all I used. And my labor was long- 24 hours, 3 hrs pushing.
As for things to do- I tried the tub, but it was awkward and annoying to me. I think we had the tv on for part of the time as background noise/distraction, but if there wasn't something I was in the mood for it was irritating to me. Walking was good for a while.
I didn't really pack much for labor-- I did bring a back massager thingy that I had lying around the house but didn't have back labor. I spent most of my labor on the toilet.... I used the birthing ball and the tub also but really, the toilet was my friend. Sorry, totally gross.
Definitely stock up on the supplies they give you at the hospital though! My labor was pretty quick and they let me eat dinner after I was induced. It was nice to have the snacks that I packed though because the food was horrible at my hospital.
The aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware; joyously, drunkenly, serenely, divinely aware. -Henry Miller
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