getting anxious about first time in hospital...

Mrs.Purdue

anyone else have their first hospital stay when they gave birth?  I'm starting to get really anxious about the fact that I'm going to have to be admitted to the hospital, and I can't really explain why.  I'm not scared of doctors/hospitals, so I don't think it's that... could just be that i'm getting really nervous about having to get this baby OUT of me and it's manifesting in me obsessing over the hospital aspect of it.  I've never really had an IV (maybe I did when I got my wisdom teeth out), never worn a hospital gown, had a catheter, used a bedpan, etc...

anyone else have these fears and can calm my nerves a bit?  tell me it's like being in a hotel w/ room service and not at all as bad as I'm imagining it?  It didn't hit home that I'm going to be the patient until I took the (really nice) hospital tour a few weeks ago.  everything LOOKS nice, but I just keep trying to imagine myself laying on that bed and then i freak my freak. 

atlantic

I was TERRIFIED!  I hate doctors and hospitals and have often had anxiety to the point of fainting in my doctor/hospital history.

 

When the time came, I had a strange calm come over me.  My body was now doing what it needed to to see my little girl.  I can't really explain it, but I was just very matter-of-fact about it.  

 

Don't stress and focus ont eh end result rather than the process!

 

ACR

I actually really like being in the hospital (I've only been in the hospital for non-terrifying things). I like having permission to lay around all day, no chores, food available at a button, people cleaning up after me, etc.

s-a-r-a-h

I'd never been a hospital patient prior to pregnancy and I have nothing but fond memories about the experience. The food was decent, I got to watch TV and play on the Internet while in bed and I had someone waiting on me the whole time. I had privacy, great nurses and while the room was no Hilton, it was very nice compared to other hospital rooms I've seen. You'll be fine!

ACR

Also, I never had to use a bedpan, so don't worry about that. I did have a catheter during labor, but that's because they had to use an internal monitor on DS, so I couldn't get out of bed.

Also, I only wore the gown during labor & until the next morning. Once I could get up & shower, I was in my own clothes.

Mrs.Purdue

MrsRosie:

Have you done your hospital tour/visit yet?  That might help.

yeah, we did the tour and that's when it really hit home that it will be ME laying in that bed and not some fictitious person on tv... the hospital is super nice and WAY better than I was expecting.  it was just a reality check I think.  

I also think I associate hospitals with sick people (not a stretch of the imagination, i'm sure), so maybe it's kind of scaring me that soon, I'M going to be the 'sick' person, which I've never been before.    

Taytee

Want me to borrow you a gown so you can practice ? Is there a female friend you trust who can be your Doula of sorts? Preferably someone who has given birth personally or at least has been in the hospital recently. Really, once the baby is born, it will all be such a blur. Soak in all the pampering you can!

KSandAE2008

s-a-r-a-h:

I'd never been a hospital patient prior to pregnancy and I have nothing but fond memories about the experience. The food was decent, I got to watch TV and play on the Internet while in bed and I had someone waiting on me the whole time. I had privacy, great nurses and while the room was no Hilton, it was very nice compared to other hospital rooms I've seen. You'll be fine!

Ditto! I had never been in the hospital, but I had a really great experience.

Oct2007

MrsRosie:

ACR:

Also, I never had to use a bedpan, so don't worry about that. I did have a catheter during labor, but that's because they had to use an internal monitor on DS, so I couldn't get out of bed.

Confession: I was kind of bummed when they took out the catheter because it meant I'd have to get up to pee.

I didn't even know I had a catheter.  Once I had the epi, I couldn't even tell you what was going on down there.  When the nurse came in the next morning, I told her I was surprised I never had to use the bathroom.  She gave me a quizical (is t hat even a word?) look and pulled up my bag to show me.  I was so embarrassed

mlf625

Be excited!!  I loved being in the hospital and gladly stayed the extra day both times (suggested 2-3 nights after c/s, I opted for the 3).  I never used a bedpan and I had two c/s.  I requested my catheter be removed ASAP and got up and walked within 5 hours of my c/s, and never wore a hospital gown after the first day - as soon as you can shower, you can change into your own cozy clothes.  I wore a bathrobe, a tank top, and a pair of loose fitting pants while I was there.  Go to Gap Body and pick up some comfy/cute things - you'll feel better about yourself and feel less like a patient that way.

Just enjoy it as much as you can.  You'll go home and it's mommy time - all the poopy diapers and dirty laundry and bottles and whatever will be your responsibility (and DH, obvi) ... so try to enjoy the time when someone else will take care of all that for you. 

labbielover07

It really isn't that bad!  I was a little nervous about staying in the hospital for a couple days.  I loved all my nurses at NAMC.  They all where so nice and made me feel really comfortable.  The IV isn't that bad, just a small pinch and once it is in you don't feel it.  It will be in your hand.  Hospital gowns aren't glamorous and you'll probably flash a few people, but it's all good!  Once you get into PP, you can put on your comfy nightgown or whatever you are bringing to put on to be more comfortable.  Getting the catheter wasn't a big deal at all for me.  It was after getting my epidural so I didn't really feel anything.  I was VERY nervous about getting an epidural and it wasn't bad at all.  I was seriously all worked up over nothing.  Staying in PP was nice and easy.  You'll have numerous people in and out of your room to check on you and the baby.  My room had Bath and Body Works products to use in the shower which was a nice little treat afterwards!  It really won't be as bad as you think!  And once it is all over you'll have your sweet little girl in your arms!  

labbielover07

labbielover07:

It really isn't that bad!  I was a little nervous about staying in the hospital for a couple days.  I loved all my nurses at NAMC.  They all where so nice and made me feel really comfortable.  The IV isn't that bad, just a small pinch and once it is in you don't feel it.  It will be in your hand.  Hospital gowns aren't glamorous and you'll probably flash a few people, but it's all good!  Once you get into PP, you can put on your comfy nightgown or whatever you are bringing to put on to be more comfortable.  Getting the catheter wasn't a big deal at all for me.  It was after getting my epidural so I didn't really feel anything.  I was VERY nervous about getting an epidural and it wasn't bad at all.  I was seriously all worked up over nothing.  Staying in PP was nice and easy.  You'll have numerous people in and out of your room to check on you and the baby.  My room had Bath and Body Works products to use in the shower which was a nice little treat afterwards!  It really won't be as bad as you think!  And once it is all over you'll have your sweet little girl in your arms!  

Let me just add... hospitals are full of germs so wash your hands like it is going out of style.  I got a nasty bacteria that took 6 weeks and an ER visit and heavy drugs to get rid of.  Don't count on anti-bacterial hand gel because it doesn't kill everything, including what I got which is very commonly caught in hospitals.   

ssinca

Oct2007:

I didn't even know I had a catheter.  Once I had the epi, I couldn't even tell you what was going on down there.  When the nurse came in the next morning, I told her I was surprised I never had to use the bathroom.  She gave me a quizical (is t hat even a word?) look and pulled up my bag to show me.  I was so embarrassed

this is good to hear!  I'm terrified for some reason of the catheter, but glad to hear it's not so bad.

thethomps

I had never been in the hospital, either, and it was not bad at all!  The L&D and PP floors don't normally have sick folks in them, so it'll just be you and all the other mommies enjoying your new babies.    I had the hep lock but it was not hooked up to any tubes or saline, and I did not even feel it going in.  (Probably due to labor pains!)    After it was all said and done, the food was great, the PP nurses were so great, chilling and watching TV was great, sending V to the nursery so both of us could get some sleep was great.  I was sad to leave after day 2!