What to pack?

[spiritmomma]

I am 31 weeks and am beginning to think of packing my Birth Center bag. Any suggestions as to what I should be bringing?
MW said I had to have food and drinks...any specific ideas on this stuff?

Can't wait to say I am all ready for my experience!

[Awaken]

I can't say I have anything really original to suggest, or ingenious ideas, but this is what comes to mind:

phone #'s to call people afterwards- including the ped's # so you can make your appt right away since they need to be seen soon after birth.
relaxing cd's on something to play them on if the center doesn't have a cd player in the rooms
nutritious/filling foods for afterwards (I brought yogurt, and then dh went out after and bought us quiche, muffins, and fruit for a meal), light drinks for during labor
camera/video camera- very important!!
actually, we brought our laptop and that took care of playing cd's and looking up phone #'s
loose, comfy clothes for after, and whatever you think you'll wear in labor
ponytail holders, brush, hair dryer, lotion- whatever you'll need to fix yourself up a bit afterwards- they usually have soap, washclothes, towels, etc there
they have pads, but bring your own if you like a certain kind
outfit for baby to come home in :love and appropriate outerwear since it'll be November.
stuff to read/do- in hypnobirthing they suggest to read something humourus together to keep you laughing and relaxed- I never got to do that, but if it's a long labor and you're bored you may need it! I did read a book afterwards when we were just resting in bed.
candles, essential oils, insence, any type of aromatherapy you think you'll want to make a relaxing atmosphere.

I'm sure there's more but that's what I can come up with right now! The funny thing is, my birth was so fast that we never even brought the stuff in till after he was born- we didn't use most of it, and we had spent so much time planning and packing just the right things! In fact, that's what delayed us getting to the birth center, we were packing more and more stuff we thought we'd need for the long day ahead!

[bluets]

re food and drink: high protein stuff... i took a few cartons of miso soup, some fruit-flavored Smartwater, and some granola bars. Shoulda packed a small cooler with more stuff though. I was REALLY hungry afterwards - and I only labored for 8 hours! We had our ds right around dinnertime, so I sent dh out to get some food.

[zjande]

Coincidentally, just last night I did a search on MDC for "what to pack for hospital" & found a few super helpful threads & made my list.

Besides all the basic things, I also like to bring a hot water bottle and/or rice sock. Having heat on my belly during contractions & *especially* during the afterpains that come while breastfeeding for a few days feels soooo good to me.

I think the 2 most important things that I could not live without are hair ties & lip moisturizer. As long as I get out of the house with those & my hot water bottle, I'll survive. :LOL

[MamaFern]

arnica!! downt forget your arnica!! creams and homeopathic. it really really helps durring all stages of labour, delivery and after..

[zjande]

Um, er, DUH. Can you please tell me what arnica is & what exactly it is for? :o

[MamaFern]

well, its a plant(poisonus in its whole form), but homeopathic arnica is something to take internally for bruises, bumps, or really any physical injury..its great for healing and also fatigue.. i know a woman who took homeopathic arnica before and after her c-section and she healed in like 1/3 of the time you are supposed to. the dr was amazed. they thought the dates were wrong on the chart..

my MW gave me arnica throught my labour.. especially during transition when i was so exhausted, and then durring oushing and after for about 5 days. i healed so fast.. i didnt tear at all ( which i dunno if arnica helped) but in terms of physical recovery.. i didnt really need any. i felt great after giving birth. also if your belly or back is hurting or other muscles feel strained, rubbing arnica cream on is really helpful.. its not good to put on open wounds, but on sprains, breaks, sore muscles its amazing!

im sure if yoi google it you will find lots more info on it.. but i always carry it with me, for bumps and stuff, which kids get daily.. and its the first thing in my birth kit :)

[zjande]

So would I find it in a pill form or tea or? at the whole foods store? I'm all for a natural remedy that will help me body not feel like it was run over by the Labor Train after birth. :) I'll so some research online, too. Thanks mamafern!

[MamaFern]

they these little sugar pills.. if you to go a health food store and ask about homepathics they should have some. they are usually in a small glass or plastic container and you take 5 or 6 at a time..

dont drink tea of arnica! homeopathic remedies are the essence of the plant or whatever, but not its normal strength, there are a lot of remedies that would be toxic in their natural form, but made into homeopathic remedies are not..

do some reasearch, its complicated, but it really works. i use homeopathic remedies for everything

[2tolove]

1)I second Arnica! !! I have it in all of my bags/purses! DD and I take it at least once a day ( I am super clumsy while prego & bump into things a tom :nut ).
2)Also I think someone mentioned essential oil, but to be more specific Pepepmint & Lavender!!!!! During Transition my Midwife put lavender & pep on a cool cloth to have DH wipe my face off. I still remember it like angels came down and patted me on the back to get me through the pushing stage! :thumb It was a life saver for me!!
3) Lip Balm was a biggie for me too!
HMMMM... Now you are making me think it is time to do the same ;)

[sewingbarbj]

*Your favorite music to distract from outside noises.
*A perfect little first hat for the midewife to put on the baby( you could end up with the favorite medical guaze hat if you don't bring your own :LOL )
*massage oil
*breast feeding pillow
*a pre paid phone card so you don't have to carry a million pounds of change :LOL

[MamaFern]

ooh.. and a crockpot of ginger tea for hot ginger compresses while pushing!
(not that this is an easy thing to drag with you..) my midwife did these hot compresses durring the pushing stage and it felt SO GOOD! im sure its half the reason i diidnt tear at all..

[RainCoastMama]

Ooooh the essential oil is a GREAT idea!!!! :thumb