Sibley - movie watching?

[Anonymous]

Not the most important question of all time, but I'm wondering if other delivering moms brought DVD players/DVDs to Sibley -- maybe this is really only needed if you are stuck there for 5 days after a c-section?

On our hospital tour, they did not have DVD players but they said you can bring your own. I guess you could bring a small handheld one or a bigger one to hook up to the TV?

Anyone who's done this, or thinks it's a completely silly idea, let me know!

[Anonymous]

I really can't imagine watching DVDs. you'll want to be sleeping!

[Anonymous]

I barely turned on the TV, and I was there for four days. I slept and read and played with baby and rested. It seems like a silly idea to me.

[Anonymous]

OP, I take it this is your first child (if only b/c you don't sound as familiar with mini-dvd players as those of us with kids tend to be). It's nice you haven't been pelted with the derision that sometimes greets DCUM posts on offball queries. To answer your question seriously, you can pay a few dollars for TV access from your room but I doubt you would be able to hook up a DVD player to the actual set itself (they are attached to the ceiling). And more importantly, the idea that you will kick back and catch up on some flicks after giving birth is unrealistic...to say the least. If you are truly desperate for some DVD time, you will find that a portable DVD will be one of the most worthwhile investments for your child's toddler years and beyond, so you may as well pick one up now. But generally speaking, be prepared that you will find yourself fully occupied with recovering, dealing with the time-consuming and painful process of navigating the shower and the bathroom, learning to breastfeed (if applicable), and generally watching your newborn to make sure s/he's still breathing...And note that you will have the baby in-room, rather than in the nursery, for a good proportion of the time and that the nurses will wake you every 3hrs to nurse unless you instruct them otherwise. Plus at Sibley you may find yourself sharing a room if it's a busy time (I delivered during a full moon with literally no room at the inn) so you may also have to deal with the joys and tribulations of a stranger and her family during part of your stay. Bottom line -- try to sleep as much as humanly possible while you're at the hospital.

I will confess that I actually recall reading part of a novel at some point after delivery, so it's not totally beyond the realm of the possible to do other things, but that's partly because I tend to get insomnia when I'm exhausted. In the end I was so tired I was practically delusional by the time I went home. Not a good strategy for the start of parenthood!

[Anonymous]

I brought a portable DVD player to Sibley last December. because I figured labor might take awhile and we might get bored. I ended up having a C-section due to fetal distress, and never got to use it. In the days after DS was born, I was either occupied with him or, honestly, just staring out the window. My ability to focus on anything not baby or breastfeeding related was completely gone those first few days! So, OP, I don't think you're silly for thinking about bringing a portable DVD player with you, but don't be surprised if it doesn't get much use. Best of luck!

[Anonymous]

thanks everyone!

[Anonymous]

I brought magazines and didn't even get around to reading them.

[Anonymous]

I was there for 5 days and I brought a book and magazines and never looked at them. During the moments when I wasn't feeding the baby, eating my own meals, or being poked at by the nurses, I was trying to sleep. All I could think about when I was awake was sleeping. You may feel differently, though. I guess I'd rather have something with me that I ended up not using, rather than wanting something I didn't bring.

[Anonymous]

to OP, I did not deliver at Sibley, but at VHC. I brought a portable DVD player and watch several movies - Chicago, I LOVE LUCY DVD episodes, etc - while in labor. I guess it all depends on "how it goes", but I had a very long labor (30 hrs) and at the beginning my contractions weren't very strong and these movies kept my attention for quite some time. I just set the DVD player on that tray that swings over your bed. I have it packed in my hospital bag for baby #2 coming soon.

I didn't use it after the baby was born, but I might have if I were in the hospital longer (for a c-sec for example).