How do you plan to pass the time while you're in "inactive" labor?

luvnunity · May 2011

With DS, I was in labor for 23 hours. My mom hung out with me at my apartment and timed contractions while DH was at work. I napped, and we watched long movies like "Cold Mountain". Once I was finally admitted to the hospital, I watched more movies on TNT; I was even watching as I was delivering. Does anyone have any good dvd suggestions to take to hospital? I'm thinking one of mine will be "Pride and Prejudice" since it's so long and holds my attention. What are you ladies planning to do on your downtime during labor and the rest of your hospital stay?

aliska · May 2011

I've heard that baking cookies is a good early labor project...when you start burning the cookies, you know it is time to go in. I love baking anyway, so I'll probably just be in the kitchen. The midwives will have a lot of goodies to snack on when we get to the birth center!

heather_09_15_07 · May 2011

When I was in early labor with DD, I made meatloaf and mashed potatoes and tried to nap.

Also, I remember we watched The Rocker.

Maryland Baby · May 2011

panic?! LOL

KhloesMom · May 2011

Last time in early labor, I napped, watched movies, got myself some Chinese and then was dragged to every tech store in the area, looking for some obscure computer cable. I went into the hospital at 9pm and was admitted at midnight, so I tried to sleep (didn't work out so well). Didn't deliver until almost 4pm.

This time, I'm *hoping* I won't be in labor 28 hours, but I do have my iPad loaded up with mindless action movies and a bunch of games. No way am I going to be stuck watching ESPN in the hospital room the entire time.

pinkflipflops44 · May 2011

Probably pack my bag and the baby's bag.

Melissa2216 · May 2011

Granted, I've never been in labor before so I don't know what to expect, but I envision myself cleaning, baking, and watching TV. My stress level is directly related to how clean/messy my house is, and I know I will love to come home with baby to a clean house and a plate of chocolate chip cookies.

sarahice · May 2011

Yummmm, I'm going to be thinking about meatloaf all day now Stick out tongue

JrsMommy11 · May 2011

Melissa2216:
Granted, I've never been in labor before so I don't know what to expect, but I envision myself cleaning, baking, and watching TV. My stress level is directly related to how clean/messy my house is, and I know I will love to come home with baby to a clean house and a plate of chocolate chip cookies.

my thoughts exactly

jsanfordfamily · May 2011

With my first I had an induction that went nowhere so I was stuck in the hospital for about 24 hours before they did a c/s. To pass that time I did some cross stitch (still remains unfinished to this day-had he not had to come out at 34 weeks though, oh I would have had it done). My husband and I also played a very cool star wars board game (yes we are nerds). The nurses were pretty interested in our game and kept checking to see who was winning.

With my second, totally different. He was a VBAC and I was in hard labour for about 4 hours. I didn't have any early lead up labour.

This time I will take my iphone with me. I love my iphone. I'll play games on it, text, facebook, that kind of thing. I may take a magazine, something that doesn't require a lot of attention.

b55c · May 2011

this will be my first baby but my thoughts are that i'll try a book (one labor teacher suggested a baby book but i'm thinking of a fun read to try and distract myself), some sudoku, cards, tv, etc. i like to think that i'll be one of those people who will clean while i'm still at home but i'm not sure how realistic that is for me!

JoyfulW&M · May 2011

I read a little and finished packing, but I only had two hours from the first contraction until active labor started so I don't expect much time to rest, I'll probably spend the short time between first contraction and inability to function during them getting last minute things together and heading out to the maternity center as we live an hour from it and we are expecting a short labor.

krissyg2010 · May 2011

This is my first so who knows how realistic this is but, do some cleaning if I feel like it, bake a bunch of cookies and pack some up to get on the nurses' good sides

And make DH watch some rom coms with me..I don't know if I'll ever have a better bargaining chip than going into labor! Ha

Pearly609 · May 2011

Playing cards with SO and surfing the net.

ericaelaine2 · May 2011

i was induced with ds and was in labor for 23 hours and 55 min . before epidural i walked non stop for like 4 hours. once i got my epidural i slept for like 5 hours and then we watched some television and the day really went by fast. it seemed like something was always going on. a dr. a nurse checking on me, etc. i spent some time on facebook, internet, etc.

this time i hope to go into labor on my own. i plan on resting as much as i can and spending time with my son. i hope to walk a lot as well, take a shower, eat something and head to the hospital when i can't take it anymore. gl ladies!