Labor/birth herbal/rice sack/sock ideas?

[happymom83]

need inspirations and ideas of a good fabric to use.plus any other good herbs for laboring other than lavender,which would be relaxing,but what about a combo that made you relax but kept your spirits up,and refreshed you?kwim?anyone ever make one what size shape should i make it?i envision something beautiful,something to concentrate on(thats why i want a nice fabric,maybe velour?),something comforting.any ideas?thanx!

[DahliaRW]

I was just going to come ask the same type of question. My MW wants me to have microwaveable rice packs for labor. I figure I can sew some whatever shape, but don't know what type of rice is best for filling them and how long to microwave. Anyone have that info?

[AllisonK]

I use flax seed, its softer and I feel holds heat longer. They also heat up faster. I just fill a sock (i make them a bit smaller than the width of my back) with flax seed then make a cover to go over it. Flannel is nice. I don't use scents cause I never know what I/client is going to want to smell in labor. but the flaxseed smells nice on its own when heated.

[lightheart]

I made rice bags, used a towel and we heated in the oven, no microwave, I have no idea how long though, I was a little busy trying to concentrate on what I was doing Probably about the size of a regular keyboard, 6x18 I just used rice nothing else, We used them w/ the 2nd to keep him warm, January baby, I used them after both births as cold packs, stuck them in the freezer and got them cold, put them in plastic bag so they woudn't get blood on them and wrapped thin sheet material around and used down there, oh that was nice, my SIL, had her son in hospt. and she said they took a pad and ripped it open from the underside and put ice in it, so may want to make an extra one and have it cold for after.

I couldn't pee w/ the 1st and in trying to stay away from a catherter the midwives had me smell Dr. B's peppermint soap, they said peppermint would mke me want to pee, didn't work though...

[happymom83]

thats such a good idea to make two.i'm having a hospital birth(my midwife could not commit to my birth cause she is going to be gone around when i'm due,but enjoyed having her there for questions etc,she's so understanding),but i LOVED the gloves filled with ice for after you give birth.so i will definately be making one to use for that,thanx so much for the idea!so you just used towel material,well i have lots of that lol.yay for me!