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Natural Birth
Labor bag vs. hospital bag?
I'm almost 37 weeks... MAYBE I should pack a bag or two. We'll have to be at the hospital for at least one night after baby is born (tests are run at exactly 24 hours after birth). I also need to pack an overnight bag for my toddler.
What should go in my LABOR bag? Just what I'll take in before baby is born... comfort measures, mostly. I'm not expected to get to the birth center until I'm in active labor (close to 7 cm ideally). So far, here's what I have: a bra top for the tub (if I so desire), swim trunks for DH, rice sock, trail mix and nuts for DH, a bottle of gatorade for me (in case I'm feeling sick and need more than just water), my CamelBak, toothbrushes and toothpaste (I bought extras so I don't have to toss them in at the last minute), the booklet from birthing class with positions in it.
With DS1, I liked having music to listen to on the iPod, but I don't have much music without lyrics... should I make two playlists? One with lyrics to pump me up and one without? I 
me some Broadway showtunes and specifically remembering listening to "La Vie Boheme" when contractions started to get painful with DS1... Once the music was no longer distracting me from the pain, I got an epi (My water broke at 8:30 AM and they started me on pit around 1:30... I got the epi around 8:30 PM after several hours of not being able to get out of bed or even use the bathroom). Right now, I'm thinking the most relaxing sound to me might be ocean waves/beach sounds, but I really don't know! What about aromatherapy? I hate lavendar, but love lemongrass... I just don't know what KIND of scent to get...
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Re: Labor bag vs. hospital bag?
I used absolutely nothing from my bag for labor. I did not care about anything I thought I would. No candles, scents, or comfort items. Once I was transferred to the hospital the only thing I used were a sports bra, long sleeve shirt, skirt and tank top.
Oh I did use my toothbrush and itouch with my hypnobabies tracks.
I don't think you will know what will comfort you or help you until you're in labor, so I would make sure you have a variety of techniques and plans up your sleeve.
I thought back rubs and baroque music would help me feel relaxed and focused, but as it turned out, I required complete silence during contractions, zero touching during contractions, and a position as close to sitting on a toilet or squatting as I could get into.