Hospital Bag
No two births are alike. Delivery Day looks completely different for every single mom. Can we ever be fully prepared for delivery day? Probably not for many reasons but we sure as heck can be informed. One vaginal delivery and three cesareans later, I’ve gathered some of my learning’s that have served me to good use when the big day comes. Here are some points that are helpful as you approach the big day.
- ID & Insurance Card
- Car Seat for Baby (Baby can’t leave hospital without one)
- Slippers
- Night Gown with easy access to breast
- A Robe
- Nursing Bra
- Toothbrush/Toothpaste (the hospital provides but i prefer my own)
- Lip balm/chap-stick
- Nipple Cream
- Glasses if you wear them or contacts
Vaginal Delivery
Again every experience is unique. From your waters breaking to being in active labor and feeling contractions that are closing in and getting stronger and more painful. Here are a few things you need to know about a Vaginal delivery.
- Eating and Drinking is barely permitted when in the hospital even if that means no eating for 15 hrs plus. Even in the case of vaginal births.
- You will be asked if you would like to receive an Epidural anesthesia to relieve labor pain.
- There is a chance that you may get induced which simply means that your labor contractions are started through medication because they aren’t starting naturally. (Please be advised that the medications can cause baby’s heart rate to drop resulting in an emergency c-section) Ask your Doctor questions! Be informed.
- You may need to push to deliver the placenta after delivering your baby. If you would like to see the placenta just ask! They normally show it to you.
- There is a chance you might tear. Tear where you might ask? Well most first times mom will experience an Episiotomy which is a surgical incision to enlarge the vaginal opening during birth. This is then repaired with stitches.
C-Section
A cesarean section is a major abdominal surgery that involves many risks for mom and baby. The cut is made right above your bikini line where your baby will be lifted from. Some women select to have a c section by choice and other mamma’s due to an underlying medical issue or emergency. Like a vaginal delivery every cesarean delivery is different. Either way here are a few things you should know…
- You will be taken to the operating room alone where the anesthesia is administered. Either a spinal or a epidural.
- You are allowed one support person in the room who will walk in once anesthesia is administered and everything is set up.
- You might experience anxiety, chest tightness and nausea.
- You will feel pushing, pulling and tugging, but not pain.
- Once Baby is extracted your support person will be the first to hold baby as mom is still being worked on.
- Support person is asked to leave while mom is finished and then finally mom gets to hold baby.
- It will take you longer to recover from birth and you are likely to experience pain and discomfort in the weeks that follow that might prohibit you from performing everyday activities.
- *Ensure to ask for a belly binder which should be provided by most hospitals and pile up on mesh panties and pads to take home. You’ll thank me later.
Baby is born: What To Expect
What happens once the baby is born is totally based on what happened during labor and how the baby adapts outside of the womb. Anything being done to baby should be communicated to parents before hand. Find a list below of what to expect…
- Eye ointment is placed over baby’s eyes right after birth to protect babies from getting bacterial eye infection.
- Injections: Two injections are normally administered in the upper thigh either immediately after birth or shortly after. The first one is the Vitamin K shot, then the Hepatitis B vaccine.
- A blood sample will be taken from your baby’s heel within 48 hrs of birth. This screens them for potentially serious disorders.
- A hearing test will be conducted on baby that takes a few minutes.
- Also know that Lactation consultants are available if you need help with breastfeeding your newborn.
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