Whether you're expecting your first child or your fifth, there are always ways to make your labor and delivery experience more comfortable.
These tips will help you remember to bring the essentials to the hospital or birthing center, but some of them are great for home births as well.
Take a look at a few of my personal delivery tips and some from women across the internet.
You're going to want to stock up on snacks and drinks for yourself and your partner. Some good things to pack are water, Gatorade, granola bars, apple sauce, and cheese sticks for quick energy.
You never know where the outlets will be in your hospital room, so having a long phone charger will ensure that your phone is always within reach.
If you forgot a hair tie, use the wrist band from a rubber hospital glove. Thanks to Serenity Birth Services for this great tip!
Also, have your partner practice putting your hair in a ponytail before you get to the delivery room to avoid any painful hair pulling.
I say this because my son was surprisingly over nine pounds when he was born and barely fit into the newborn-sized outfits we brought for him.
Also, he got one of the outfits dirty within the first two hours of wearing it, so pack more than you think you'll need.
Fuzzy slippers are cozy, but there's a good chance they could come in contact with one bodily fluid or another.
Bring rubber shoes instead and wear comfy socks. These will double as shower shoes, too!
Hospital pillows aren't the most comfortable, so bring your own from home. Use dark pillowcases in case you get any stains on them during or after delivery.
Even if you don't plan on nursing, these make a nice support for you when you're holding the baby in bed or while sitting in a chair.
My partner used ours all the time just for the extra cushioning it provided for his arms.
If you require a peri bottle after giving birth, many moms recommend the Fridet from Fridababy which has an angled spout to help you clean more effectively.
For my long labor, we had quite a bit of downtime while we were waiting for our son to arrive and I was glad to have my phone and a book to read.
Pack your tablet, books, magazines, or anything else that will keep you entertained.
Stretchy, loose pants will accommodate any medical gear (like a catheter) and will feel more comfortable on your incision if you are recovering from a C-section.
Nightgowns are also a great option!
If you have access to a whirlpool during labor, I highly recommend sitting in front of one of the jets to put pressure on your back. It really countered the contractions and dialed down the intensity.
Some hospitals provide towels and some don't.
Either way, I would say bring your own because they'll come in handy for a few different uses and yours will probably be softer than the hospital's.
Even though we pre-registered at our hospital, I still had to fill out an insurance form while I was in labor.
Pack all your information in a bag that's easy to access so you can fill out the forms as quickly as possible.
According to Serenity Birth Services, sitting on the toilet naturally relaxes you and gets you in the pushing mindset.
If you're still able to walk during labor, many women find it helpful to use the toilet as a birth prop.
Birthing partners can also get a little, uh, messy, during labor and delivery. Make sure they have a set of clean clothes in case they get dirty.
When the baby arrives, it's natural that people want to bring a gift to the hospital.
The only problem with this is that then you have to take these gifts home with you. They end up being another thing deal with when all you want to do is focus on your newborn.
Have your child's car seat installed and checked by a certified car seat technician well before your due date. There is nothing worse than trying to do it when you're in labor, or when you're sleep-deprived after the birth.
Some hospitals or doulas will have their own, but if they don't, these inflatable exercise balls are fairly cheap. They are especially helpful if you have an epidural and need support in bed for different positions.
Some hospital beds can be modified for better labor positions. These poses are more comfortable and help encourage the baby to move downward.
During labor, your eyes become more sensitive to light. An eye mask can help you stay comfortable and focused. It's also great to use if you're staying overnight in the hospital after the baby comes.
A simple tennis ball is a great way to help counter contractions during back labor. Pack one in your bag and ask a doula for tips on how to them as a massage tool.
Throwing up is a part of labor and one of my nurses brought me a huge styrofoam cup to be sick in when I couldn't make it to the toilet.
Honestly, it worked really well and was easy to toss once I was done.
These are helpful during labor and afterward. The best thing about them is that they're disposable, so you don't have to worry about ruining them. Just toss them when you're done.
