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What did you take to the Birth Center with you?  

post #1 of 8
10/26/07 at 9:24pm
Thread Starter 
I've had two hospital births, this will be my first at a BC. What should I bring along?
post #2 of 8
10/26/07 at 10:40pm
Your mw should supply a list for you... but I found it similar to what people pack for the hospital.. you know night gowns, toiletries, food, dipes, going home clothes... some differences are my mw's recommend some herbs, teas, gatorade-type drink, candles, music, etc.

I'd be shocked if they didn't have a list for you.
post #3 of 8
10/26/07 at 11:49pm
My BC gave me a list...check out Dr. Sears' Pregnancy Book for a thorough list. But yeah...pretty much what you'd take to a hospital, plus a few extras.
post #4 of 8
10/27/07 at 9:54pm
menstrual pads, underwear, clothing to wear during/after birth (they did not have gowns), bathrobe, socks, slippers, food, drink, diapers, clothes for baby, blanket for baby, clothes for yourself and baby to wear home, toiletries (shampoo, makeup, deodorant, etc.) They do not have what a hospital would in terms of diapers, toiletries, hospital gown, formula, etc. Mine had pads and disposable undies and supposedly charged for each, but I did not recieve a bill. Just the $100 "hospital" co-pay.
post #5 of 8
10/27/07 at 10:08pm
This is the list they gave me
For you: snacks you like to eat, hairbrush, toothbrush and paste, socks( at least 2 pair), comfy clothing for laboring, robe or PJs, clean undies, comfortable pads, clean clothes for going home.
For baby: baby nail clippers, baby brush( I have never needed this), diapers and wipes, undershirts, outfits or pjs, socks, blanket(or 2), Car seat.

Mattering if your BC provides them or not some other things are a cd player and cds to labor to, candles, lots of things to drink, Also if you are going to be laboring/birthing in water remember something for your partner to wear such as swim trunks. They are not usually very comfortable naked in the tub with midwives around.
post #6 of 8
10/28/07 at 2:32pm
We brought a change of clothes for me and DH (I already showed up in 'something comfortable to labor in', since I was in early labor), shower stuff, warm socks, lip balm, clothes and diapers for the little one, emergency paperwork like our insurance card and my health care power of attorney in case there was a problem, and the camera.

I wish I had brought DH's shaving stuff and toothbrush and things, but he was supposed to pack them, and didn't. Also, I'd bring some extra soft snuggly blankets for your little one. The birth center had plenty of receiving blankets, but they weren't very soft or cuddly.

Also, you'll likely be leaving the birth center far earlier than the hospital and just going home to rest... so the whole "Matching Discharge Outfit + Makeup" thing might be more trouble than you're interested in 6 hours postpartum. I went home in slippers and PJs and decanted myself directly into a warm bed with my little guy... which seems to be more the norm for birth center discharges.
post #7 of 8
10/28/07 at 2:33pm
Oh... and of that whole list, the thing that I was most glad I had was lip balm. Labor apparently leads to painful chapping.
post #8 of 8
10/30/07 at 9:20pm
What about massage toys (G-rated)? Like a rice sock that you can heat up and place on your back, or a couple of tennis balls taped together to roll on either side of your spine.
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