Wanted to give y'all an update on my ob appt on Wednesday. I will admit it was pretty emotional for me meeting a new doctor at 36 weeks, and I didn't love everything she said. But the good news is that she had no issues with anything on my birth plan, and she said that the l&d nurses will already know that she is okay with the things I have listed on my birth plan (but it will be in my chart also) so I shouldn't have any problems with them (not that I would anticipate ANY issues with them because I already know a lot of them and they are wonderful). We talked specifically about each item, but I won't bore y'all with that much detail.
I thought I would post what I'm packing this time in my labor bag especially since it would be fun to compare to last time (makes me a little nauseous when I read those blog posts from last time...definitely learned a lot about trusting my body and labor in the last two years). By far the biggest bag for me will be the one that we will carry in with us when I'm in labor...my labor bag (We will leave the postpartum bag and the diaper bag in the car until after delivery). It is really my doula bag of tricks and comfort measures :) with some added personal items for me. I am all about setting up a home environment (as much as possible) in the hospital room. Things like low lights, music etc really made a difference for me with Henry's labor so I try to setup a similar environment for my doula clients (if we have time!). I also think it helps the nurses/hospital staff/doctors etc to respect the moms space when they enter the room, and it is always fun to see their reaction (they can tell something special is going on in the room). So here is what is in my labor bag!
Labor Bag for Hospital—
-Ponytail holders
-Music (jim brickman piano "faith" cd and then I will also have a playlist on my ipod with portable speakers of my favorite slow/sappy songs...lots of country music...stuff like "remember when" -alan jackson)
-Laptop (this might not end up coming in until after delivery)
-Chargers for laptop and cameras and phones
-Video camera
-Flip Flops
-Socks
-Swimming suit...(probably won't wear the bottoms...this is for the bathtub/shower)...one for shaun too.
-Birth Ball!! (a must have...I would be sooooo upset if I didn't have my ball)
-Comfy blanket (just to wrap around me if I want it...NOT to lay down :)
-Led candles (4)--I like to put two in the bathroom so moms don't have to turn the big lights on when they need to go in there and then two/three more around the room so that we can turn the overheads off
-Sound machine for bathroom (tiny little battery operated sound machine that I put on the sink counter behind a candle with water sounds)
-Nice handsoap for bathroom
-Nice toilet paper for bathroom
-Small water fountain (this might end up next to the bathtub because there is a large area at my hospital...it is battery operated too)
-Focal points—ultrasound pic of kate in frame, newborn pink shoes -Happy for l&d nurse (I have a super cute little container for this...just going to be some yummy chocolates with a sweet note)
-Bath pillow ( have this one from homedics...it vibrates!)
-Kneel pad for doula/shaun
-dum dum suckers
-Ziploc of massage oils/lotions
-Freezer Ziploc bags for putting ice chips and washcloths in so that they are cold for transition
-Battery operated fans (2)
-Extra double A batteries
-The Birth Partner book
-Warm compresses (I love these...I have two of them so I can change them out without taking it away from mom...especially great for back labor while mom is in hands/knees position or for wearing around back or lower belly while on ball....the handles are also great for if mom wants to stand and rock side to side while pulling on the straps for some pressure on the back).
-Instant hot/cold packs
-Birth ball pump (in case it needs some air!)
-Bendy straws for gatorade!
Will also have a seperate little cooler bag with ice with gatorades and quick energy snacks for me and shaun and my doula :).
So that is what is in my labor bag...did I forget anything??!!
6 comments:
I love how prepared you are. It makes me laugh to think of my labor with Austin because I didnt think I was truly in labor and we brought NOTHING to the hospital... Not even a camera. So I think I will pack a bag in advance this time to take just in case :)
Definitely have to be ready for the labor :). Of course, most of this stuff has been packed for months in my doula bag so it is a little easier to be prepared for me :).
I'm so so excited for you! My bag list was sooo different from #1 to #2 (although nothing ever came out with #2 since I got there so late) and then #2 and #3 were similar, I just finally got to use my stuff, well, some of it at least!
WOW...I'm SO EXCITED to hear about your labor and delivery!!! Wishing you the birth you've been dreaming about!
Boy, how times have changed! I went to the hospital with just about nothing when my children were born (24-27 years ago). You sound like you will need a moving van to bring all the things you planned.
Nope no moving van needed...it all fits in a pink beach tote :) (minus the ball)
So excited for you!! It's right around the corner! Wishing the happiest home stretch ever.
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