Top 5 things you used for labour & birth

[lindsaymaree]

Hi Everyone,

I've been reading a number of threads this afternoon on what everyones taken to the hospital for labour/birth and their hospital stay, just wanted to see what everyones top 5 things they found most usefull to have...

Cheers in adavance

[Olive]

nice soft toilet paper-1 roll per day!!

[mummato1]

Ear Plugs.. my room was right outside the nurses station, so glad I took them!! I was in for 5 nights.

[AliBaby]

-My most important thing was my camera (charged)
-mobile phone
-some fresh really comfy tracky pants or pj pants for after wards with some comfy granny undies to put on afterwards
-shampoo and conditioner (i just wanted to wash my hair so I felt all clean when I had a shower after the birth.
-Have to agree with the soft 3ply toilet paper as the hospital stuff is so harsh!!

[Amaunet]

#1 - Flushable wipes!!! Even better than soft toilet paper IMO
#2 - Camera
#3 - My own pillow - I slept so much better when DH bought it to me after the first night
#4 - Breastfeeding Naturally - book that came with my ABA aubscription for all those BF questions I had when the midwives were busy
#5 - Mobile phone / laptop with internet access - to stay connected to BB and keep me from being bored in the mornings before my hordes of visitors arrived

ETA: my list is really all for post birth stuff - I didn't really use much during labour - my hubby and the epidural were my favourites then though

[~ Mylitta ~]

To be honest, I didn't use anything during my labour. I thought I would use a fitball, but I didn't find it comfortable during labour. I took a new comfortable, birth-friendly nighty to give birth in, but after I came out of the shower I never wanted to put clothes back on (even though I think the midwife asked me a number of times if I wanted something to wear, lol). I found that I went into my own little head-space and there was nothing physical that I wanted. Actually, everyone could have left the room (including DH) for the hour and a half that I was pushing and I wouldn't have been the wiser, hehe.

In terms of post-birth though, I agree with the other girls that have mentioned the camera as an essential, as well as a mobile phone to keep in touch with people. I took soft toilet paper too, but luckily my hospital had nice paper and I never used mine. I'll still take it next time though just in case.

Good luck with the birth! It's an amazing experience

[lindsaymaree]

Thanks everyone, this is great!! I didn't even think of the toilet paper, but now have my cottonelle packed and ready to go ;p

[e_p]

I asked my best friend for her top 5,

- essential oil blend of lavender and clary sage for aromatherapy and massage,
- super soft toilet paper
- board shorts/swimmers for DH so he could hop in the shower to massage her while she was in labour
- comfortable undies and trackpants
- paw paw ointment for dry lips

[MummyNaomi]

I hardly used anything from my labour bag - although the nibbles came in handy for DH hehehehe

But overall pretty much the same as above
#Camera/video camera
#Mobile Phone (A REALLY good idea is when you sms everyone to announce the birth, suggest visitors visit you after X day/time to give you time to bond with baby, and keep people away as you can be bombarded VERY quickly)
#flushable wipes - vital if you have stiches
#comfy clothes - eg tracky daks etc
#An extra empty bag - I ended up with so much extra stuff to take home (gifts etc)

And yeah, whatever shower essentials you need, they shower I had post birth was the best shower of my life LOL

GL with your birth

[Liviam]

During my labours:
- Shower
- Birth ball
- Heat packs
- Supportive phases from DH
- Support from DH

Post natally
- Flushable wipes BEST THINGS EVER!!
- My own pillow
- Camera
- comfortable clothes
- Dependency pad (the knicker ones)

[FabFiona]

Mine are the same as most of the others, so I won't repeat.

I didn't really use anything during labour apart from my Hypnobirthing tracks / iPod with headphones. I used them to tune out the room and when I was listening I found it very helpful.

I also was glad I had my laptop as I used it to Skype with my brother in London. That was nice.

Mobile phone charger - I forgot mine! Lucky husband went home at nights so was able to bring it in.

[Jas]

I used music and an electric oil burner (no live flame allowed at the hosp) and shower shower shower.

I also think pack some food for you even if you don't feel like food wit hds1 I wanted to eat but "wasn't allowed" due to high risk of c/s and ds2 I was scoffing an egg sandwhich at 8cm dilated, in the shower, between contractions lol

Oh and something amazing is frozen poppers, love them cut them open and eat with a spoon, so awesome for something wet in your mouth and a little bit of sugar!!!

Pen and baby7 record book to record visitors gifts etc before I forgot