Labor Bag

Mrs.Reyna2008 · July 2012

For those of you planning to have a natural labor in a hospital setting, what are you bringing specifically to help you through labor. I already know what I am bringing in my postpartum bag, but I was curious as to what you all plan to bring for laboring! Thanks in advance!!

sschwege · July 2012

We brought:

Snacks

Cup with a straw for me

A 32 oz bottle that DH used to pour water over my stomach

Tennis Balls for counter pressure on my back

Birthing Ball (we deflated it and then inflated it again in triage)

Rice Sock

Binder with our birth plan and other information

Hypnobirthing CDs & IPOD with headphones

phq2011 · July 2012

Ours is a bit similar to PPs:

Honey sticks

Jug for water (I plan to stay really hydrated)

Birth Ball

Large Boppy (it is a full size body pillow that I know may get destroyed in labor)

Music lists with backup cds

The Mission movie and The Princess Bride

punkrockabye · July 2012

smsalat:
I would definatly check your hospital's policy on food. PP's mentioned food, most hospitals will NOT allow any type of food during labor in case of emergency. You will be able to eat after you give birth. I didn't get to eat for almost 18 hours.

I have heard birthing centers are a bit different in this aspect and that some do allow it.

The thing about this is that they will tell you no, but they can't kick you out if you eat while you're in labor. I will at least try to eat and drink only clear things, as they specify, and hopefully protein water will be enough for me. But if not, I will eat if I need to; I will not risk being extremely hungry and out of energy and therefore failing during a long labor, but I also won't be eating a few footlong subs if I decide to eat at all.

A-Team 9/29 · July 2012

I brought along snacks, birthing ball, washcloths (got wet and rested on forehead or back of neck), and a mini-hand held fan. The fan was definitely a lifesaver as I was sweating bullets and my nurse graciously held the fan for me.

I also brought along a massaging pillow, but never used it.

sschwege · July 2012

smsalat:
I would definatly check your hospital's policy on food. PP's mentioned food, most hospitals will NOT allow any type of food during labor in case of emergency. You will be able to eat after you give birth. I didn't get to eat for almost 18 hours.

I have heard birthing centers are a bit different in this aspect and that some do allow it.

My hospital is pretty progressive and would allow any food or drink. But the general consensus around here is, even if they say no food, bring it and eat it anyway if you are hungry.

That argument about wanting you to have an empty stomach in case of emergency makes as much sense as telling people not to drink/eat before getting in a car.

sschwege · July 2012

sschwege:
smsalat:
I would definatly check your hospital's policy on food. PP's mentioned food, most hospitals will NOT allow any type of food during labor in case of emergency. You will be able to eat after you give birth. I didn't get to eat for almost 18 hours.

I have heard birthing centers are a bit different in this aspect and that some do allow it.
My hospital is pretty progressive and would allow any food or drink. But the general consensus around here is, even if they say no food, bring it and eat it anyway if you are hungry.
That argument about wanting you to have an empty stomach in case of emergency makes as much sense as telling people not to drink/eat before getting in a car.

After I read my post it occurred to me that you might read it as me being snarky toward you. That is not the case at all, I just get fired up about that rule, and wish more hospitals would use common sense. Sorry hope you didn't take that the wrong way

Tigerlilym15 · July 2012

I brought:

Sound machine with ocean/rain and other relaxing sounds
My favorite music on mp3 player with speakers
lavender scented oil diffuser
my favorite massage oil
lavender scented rice pack/heating pad thing
snacks (as pp's have said your not technically supposed to eat but I would have if I was hungry)
stress ball
My own pillow

The hospital had a birthing ball and birthing stool which I used. I also drank a ton of water. I like pp's suggestion of bring your own water bottle because they were refilling the tiny hospital cups constantly. I had a pitcher of water in the room but even that they had to refill a lot because I was drinking so much water.

robyn2201 · July 2012

smsalat:
sschwege:
sschwege:
smsalat:

I would definatly check your hospital's policy on food. PP's mentioned food, most hospitals will NOT allow any type of food during labor in case of emergency. You will be able to eat after you give birth. I didn't get to eat for almost 18 hours.

I have heard birthing centers are a bit different in this aspect and that some do allow it.

My hospital is pretty progressive and would allow any food or drink. But the general consensus around here is, even if they say no food, bring it and eat it anyway if you are hungry.

That argument about wanting you to have an empty stomach in case of emergency makes as much sense as telling people not to drink/eat before getting in a car.

After I read my post it occurred to me that you might read it as me being snarky toward you. That is not the case at all, I just get fired up about that rule, and wish more hospitals would use common sense. Sorry hope you didn't take that the wrong way

I didn't take it as snarky....Maybe each place is different. With my husband the doc and nurses suggested for DH to go to the family center for a few minutes to have his lunch/snacks so he wouldn't be eating in front of me during this time. When I asked about having something I was told it is hospital policy and I can not allow you to have anything under my watch. So I guess that is the reasoning that I had.

My hospitals policy was that I could not eat anything either, but I still brought snacks and honey sticks. I didn't end up wanting anything, but if I had you bet I would have eaten something! I did end up having the honey sticks, as I was getting really tired towards to end.

Mrs.Reyna2008 · July 2012

Wonderful suggestions ladies! Thank you! I do plan on bringing snacks just in case, regardless of what hospital policy is. I am sure I can sneak a bite here or there! Lol

phq2011 · July 2012

Something I thought was interesting when discussing this in my Bradley class, is that aspiration (which is what they are trying to prevent) is really caused by improperly administered anesthetics. So, I may just stick to clear liquid diet and honey sticks because getting tired is also a reason for intervention.

LiebeMama · July 2012

I like the IPOD idea. On the regular, I will listen to everything, but while giving birth, anything soothing (slow jams) etc.

overtonhayes · July 2012

I posted something very similar a week or so ago, and got some awesome responses. So, thanks largely to feedback from the awesome ladies on this board, I've packed:

- Coconut water (it's nature's Gatorade)
- Trail mix (nuts for protein & energy; M&Ms for quick bursts of energy)
- Rice cakes
- A candle *
- My ipod, with a special labour playlist, and ipod speakers
- Bottled filtered water, because I'm very particular about the taste of water (and it will help me monitor how much water I'm drinking)
- Mints to suck on

* Whoa Nelly. Have to clarify: my hospital has a strict policy against candles, since they can set oxygen tanks alight. My candle is only there because it is round and I like having it rolled along my back; it will never be lit. Check with your hospital, because I'm pretty sure they all ban you from lighting candles!

Here's my thread so you can see even more awesome replies: good luck!

ChibiMommy · July 2012

sweettalkin417:

My hospitals policy was that I could not eat anything either, but I still brought snacks and honey sticks. I didn't end up wanting anything, but if I had you bet I would have eaten something! I did end up having the honey sticks, as I was getting really tired towards to end.

This! Also, my hospital gives you a giant plastic straw cup. I drank tons of water through every stage of labor, even pushing. I was so thirsty, I would push and then take a big drink of water. lol

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