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