February 2013 Moms

Staying cool in the delivery room

Oddly one of my biggest concerns during labor is over heating.  When I get super hot I have a tendency to pass out.  These days I get hot very easily and I feel like I'm suffocating.

Any recommendations for staying cool in the hospital?  I'm thinking about buying a small battery operated fan and some of those instant cold packs.  Any good fans you can think of?  Other things I can bring with me that will help me stay cool?

Re: Staying cool in the delivery room

  • The hospital has ice packs so don't bother with those. The room temperature can be adjusted to suit your comforts. Plus you will be able to have ice chips which will helo keep your temp down.
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  • You should have control over the temperature in your room, to a point, and can turn it down. You can also ask for cold washcloths for your face, neck, etc to cool you off. Most hospitals are pretty cold anyways, so you may start at a good temperature and can adjust as needed.
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  • Check with your hospital but at mine you can bring in Popsicles. It helped me :

     

  • I think being hot during labor and delivery is a common thing.  You should be able to adjust the temp in your room.  (I trold DH to pack a sweatshirt!)  Plus, like other PPs said, you should be able to eat ice chips to help keep cool. 
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  • I typically run hot (though with this pregnancy I'm the opposite and freeze all the time) but I was burning up during L&D. I had cold wash cloths, ice chips and the room cranked down as low as it would go (64 I believe) and I was still sweating. I delivered in June in Texas and my nurses and DH were wearing jackets/blankets in my room. Just let everyone know that you're burning up and they will do what they can- my delivery room had a shower in it so I stood in there for a bit prior to my epidural and ran some cool water over myself, it helped a bit. It also let my nurses know that I was developing a fever and to prepare to push antibiotics to fight off any infections that may develop during L&D.
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  • I don't remember being terribly hot during labor and pushing. I do remember have major chills immediately after birth though, I just couldn't get warm and my teeth were chattering.  I read this was common with those who don't get epi's.

    Like pp's said you should need to bring anything, you will be able to adjust the temp to your comfort level and cold washcloths + ice chips are usually enough.

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  • Thanks for posting this...I've been wondering the same thing. I'd love to spend some time in the tub but I just can't seem to handle heat anymore.  

  • I was nearly overheating with my last one.  Cool washcloths on my forehead really did the trick!
        
  • imageJenilyn and Matthew:
    You should have control over the temperature in your room, to a point, and can turn it down. You can also ask for cold washcloths for your face, neck, etc to cool you off. Most hospitals are pretty cold anyways, so you may start at a good temperature and can adjust as needed.

    This!  I was on magnesium with DS1 and that stuff makes you HAWT.  I had that room like a refrigerator.  DH was dressed in multiple layers, haha, while I was pretty much naked.

          DS1: Quinn - 10.22.10 and DS2: Cole - 01.18.13

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  • I did buy a cheap little fan on the recommendation of my Doula. She also said to have SO know it is there responsibility to get a bowl with ice water and a wash cloth (both should be available) to help you cool down.
  • Thanks for asking this question!

    While on the subject of overheating, I just started dripping sweat during a work meeting while I was talking.  I'm pretty sure I just grossed out all of my coworkers.  I hate that I get hotter when put on the spot like that.

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  • ThaNks ladies!  I feel much better now.  I had visions of me passing out from heat in the middle of labor : )
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