Walk me through delivery and immediate postpartum

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Love that you asking all these questions.

Op here. Thank you!

Re: all the carseat posters - I have heard so many things about the carseat. Wrapping my head around infant w/ stroller versus convertible w/ no stroller, whether to order it now or put on registry, and then sounds like deal with the install. Yeesh. Thank you for the further insight on that piece (and the fact that I should ask to bring it up to the delivery room!).

You don’t need to bring the car seat to the delivery room. You won’t need it until you are discharged several days later by which time you will have moved to a recovery room on a different floor. If you’re using a bucket seat, you just have your partner (or whomever is driving you home) to bring it up to the room when you’ve started discharge (which takes hours). If you’re using a convertible, you just have it installed in the car. The nurse wheels you out to the car in a wheelchair, per hospital policy, so they still see that you have a car seat. Generally, you want to get your car seat installed in your car by 36 or 37 weeks. If you have a preterm delivery, you will be in the hospital long enough to order a car seat for 2 day delivery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:First timer here, I think I need to take a class but would love some info from DCUM. (delivering at Sibley)

- How long after water breaking did you go to the hospital? Or, how long did you labor at home?
When your water breaks differs with every labor and is really not an indicator of your labor’s progress. You will call to check in with your doctor (and possibly discuss with your doula) to decide when you should go to the hospital. For my first baby, my water never broke and was artificially ruptured when I was 8cm, after I had been in labor for roughly 40 hours. For my second, I thought I was leaking a little bit of amniotic fluid, so I called my doctor. They ask you about all the signs of possible infection or meconium (Time, Amount, Color, Odor) and will help make a decision if you need to be seen. Labor started 24 hours later and I labored at home for 12 hours before finally going in for a very quick delivery. Early labor can be long and it’s better to be at home where you can snack before going in to the hospital.
- What happens when you get there? Immediate epidural if you chose a medicated birth?
You’re going to spend time in triage, checking dilation and contractions before there is a decision if you are being sent home or moved to a delivery room. Unless you are crowning, nothing is going to be done in a rush. Your medical team want to assess how quickly you are progressing, which can be a lot slower with your first birth.
- What unusual items did you bring with you that were a life saver?
Baby nail scissors! Sibley gave me a nail file for my first but scissors are better. I brought the footprint kits. You can get the pads on Amazon and ask a nurse to help you get a clean footprint if you want it for anything.
- At what point do you have to stop with snacks and start with ice chips?
I delivered at Sibley and there is no food once you’re admitted. They can order you jello or juice. I brought coconut water. I ate a bowl of oatmeal before leaving for the hospital.
- Was the lactation consultant at the hospital enough? Was a follow-up lactation consultant useful? Was the LC in addition to a doula or was this a combo pack?
Nope. You’re going to get a few tips in the hospital but will likely have different questions after your milk has come in and your baby has had a few days to develop a latch, so assume you will need an LC after you’ve been discharged.
- What did your hospital give you? Diapers, underwear etc.
Yes, Sibley gives you all the postpartum supplies and everything baby needs during the stay (except nail scissors!) You can take home all supplies like diapers and wipes that are in your bassinet and should ask the nurse for extra ice packs.
- How many had night nurse/doula help at home? Pros/cons?
- Pelvic floor therapy? Yes/no/recs. What is the equivalent for a C-section?
Everyone should get pelvic PT but therapists taking insurance are very rare. I would recommend getting on a waitlist in your third trimester
- Post-partum therapy? Is this a specialist?
Most OB’s can give you a referral list
- What classes did you take before? What is there for DHs that is helpful?
I took all the classes with my first pregnancy. The doctor recommended birth/baby class was terrible. All the classes at the Breastfeeding Center were helpful. Infant CPR is something you and your partner should do. I also liked a comfort measures for labor workshop offered by my doula.
- local parent groups? baby and me classes?
It depends on COVID. PACE was great and Mama’s Circle does the same type of mom group. There were great baby classes offered at the Smithsonian pre-COVID, but that depends on when you are due and what is available.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Love that you asking all these questions.

Op here. Thank you!

Re: all the carseat posters - I have heard so many things about the carseat. Wrapping my head around infant w/ stroller versus convertible w/ no stroller, whether to order it now or put on registry, and then sounds like deal with the install. Yeesh. Thank you for the further insight on that piece (and the fact that I should ask to bring it up to the delivery room!).

Re: car seats. Get an infant car seat if you’ll be driving baby to daycare or if you use Uber/taxis a lot. If you can walk most places, including pediatricians office, you might find you’ll baby wear instead. Also, most strollers that allow you to remove or modify the position of the seat, can accommodate most infant car seats. Adapters are usually $15-30, so you don’t have to worry about picking those out as a set. We mix and matched with ours.

[Anonymous]

^^ and check YouTube for car seat installation videos. The manufacturer often has tutorials posted.

[Anonymous]

I took hypnobirthing and had a doula. First baby my water didn’t break until I was pushing. Second baby my water broke and contractions didn’t start until 8 hours later. No snacks or ice chips - first time I was throwing up with contractions, second time I had my baby less than 2 hours after contractions started. Pro tip - I delivered on my hands and knees both times. It wasn’t the plan, but I had this primal urge to be in that position and I didn’t have an epidural so I was free to move. Both times my midwife pressed on my perineal area with a washcloth and I had no tears or stitches either time with normal size babies.

The hospital LC was useless. I needed a lot of help with my first and used the breastfeeding center on K St by GW. My second was a champ breastfeeder from the start.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I took hypnobirthing and had a doula. First baby my water didn’t break until I was pushing. Second baby my water broke and contractions didn’t start until 8 hours later. No snacks or ice chips - first time I was throwing up with contractions, second time I had my baby less than 2 hours after contractions started. Pro tip - I delivered on my hands and knees both times. It wasn’t the plan, but I had this primal urge to be in that position and I didn’t have an epidural so I was free to move. Both times my midwife pressed on my perineal area with a washcloth and I had no tears or stitches either time with normal size babies.

The hospital LC was useless. I needed a lot of help with my first and used the breastfeeding center on K St by GW. My second was a champ breastfeeder from the start.

The most important thing I brought with me was my own Pepcid AC. I had crippling heartburn with both pregnancies and I had to take max strength Pepcid every 8 hours. My first labor was 30+ hours and they “forgot” the antacid I ordered when I arrived and I got it 6 hours later. I was in more pain from the IV in my hand and the heartburn than labor. It was awful. I was dry heaving and sobbing they they would not let me have my own meds. The second labor I popped Pepcid on the way to the hospital and brought it and my stool softeners with me. I took them myself as needed until discharge.

[Anonymous]

Hi OP, first - congrats! I am due in a month and had a lot of similar questions. Hope this helps:

- What unusual items did you bring with you that were a life saver?
From experienced mom friends list: long phone charger, your own pillow in a non-white case (so you don't lose it), your own towel, depends.

- At what point do you have to stop with snacks and start with ice chips?
I was told as soon as I enter the hospital I won't get solids.

- How many had night nurse/doula help at home? Pros/cons?
Planning for a night nurse at home. We have no local family and are clueless first time parents. She has already been super helpful in helping me plan what gear I need and what to expect on night 1 at home.

- Post-partum therapy? Is this a specialist?
I'm already in therapy and planning to continue. My therapist specializes in life changes (health issues, new moms, etc.)

- What classes did you take before? What is there for DHs that is helpful?

I took a class with Stork Childbirth. The instructor was a L&D nurse at Sibley (I think her name was Lily?) and was fantastic. I had already read most of the information but it was beneficial for DH and as a refresher for me. I was SO impressed. They taught L&D basics, first weeks at home need to know, when to see pediatrician, etc. Our class also included CPR.

Re: carseat - we don't drive a lot since we are in a walkable area and aren't worried about getting the carseat into a stroller. I went with a convertible (Nuna Rava) and am so happy I did. I was also concerned our baby would outgrow the infant car seat since we are bigger people. I put it on my registry and planned to purchase if nobody got it for me by 2 months before due date.

The firehouse will check your carseat, but I wasn't able to get an appointment in time. We ended up hiring Stork Childbirth's carseat specialist (Rachel) to install / teach us how to work it and she was fantastic. It included a one hour carseat/travel class and she taught me a lot of things I didn't know about baby transportation (like things I need to know before flying with a baby, when to move carseat forward facing, etc.).

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you all for the responses and congrats! I can not emphasize enough how this puts me at ease. I will absolutely be asking my OB for specific referrals and checking in with the hospital, but really appreciate all the anecdotal stories of labor and what really happened in the room.

For those who asked, I'm in DC (delivering at Sibley) and near Tenleytown. I had been looking at both Stork and Breastfeeding Center for different classes and am so happy to see them appear on this board. The firehouse and sugary drink tips are so interesting!

I haven't engaged a doula since I want my DH to be in the room and it feels very up in the air on how many people will be allowed. Has the doula been helpful pre-labor for those who have engaged?

Thanks for the carseat follow-up! Sounds like I have more research to do this weekend.

Congrats to the PP who is due soon! It sounds like we are in similar boats, though you'll be ahead of me by a few months. If you live near Stork we may be neighborhood buddies. I know another soon to be mom nearby, so perhaps we can meet up. Also, did you use an agency for the night nurse?

[Anonymous]

OP here. The "and congrats" in the first line is a typo.

[Anonymous]

Apologies if this is has been answered but I skimmed the other responses and seemed like many folks didn’t deliver at Sibley. Here is the list of things that Sibley sent me home with for my summer 2020 baby:

Postpartum/Mom care:
Tuck’s witch hazel pads
Dermaplast spray
Mesh undies
Huge maxi pads
Pump parts (medela)

Baby care:
Newborn diapers (whatever we didn’t use in hospital)
Pampers wipes (again whatever was left)
Avent soothie pacifier
Bulb syringe for snot sucking
Baby blanket and hat worn in hospital
RTF singles formula and single use nipples (we were supplementing to get blood sugar sorted out, may not be standard for BF babies but Sibley is not anti formula in any way)
Vaseline and gauze for circumcision wound care (obviously not trying to start a debate on this)

[Anonymous]

PP here and adding that Sibley does provide you with a lactation consultant but I did not have a great experience. I’d recommend reaching out to the Breastfeeding Center in the first week home (if your ped doesn’t have on on staff) just to make sure things are going well and you can get troubleshooting advice. They also offer in-home visits!

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you so much PP- I appreciate the Sibley specific information. It seems another person who delivered at Sibley earlier in the thread also didn't have a good experience with the LC. Unfortunate. I will make sure to have a plan in place to visit the BC or chat with the pediatrician.

[Anonymous]

- How long after water breaking did you go to the hospital? The broke my water at the hospital after I had been in labor a while.

Delivered at Sibley several years ago

- What happens when you get there? Immediate epidural if you chose a medicated birth? After I got the the labor and delivery room, I labored for another 30 min - 1 hour before I was given the epidural after Dr. checked my dilation. After epidural, labor slowed down a lot and was given pitocin. Labor went very slow (dilation took a long time), but fortunately with the epidural, I was actually able take a short nap, before active labor began. However, in hindsight, I wish I had waited to be further dilated before the epidural. I really believe it and having to stay flat on my back in bed, really slowed my delivery.
- What unusual items did you bring with you that were a life saver? Didn't bring anything unusual, but also recommend a charger
- At what point do you have to stop with snacks and start with ice chips? No eating once I got admitted, but given water and I think maybe juice
- Was the lactation consultant at the hospital enough? Was a follow-up lactation consultant useful? Was the LC in addition to a doula or was this a combo pack? The LC at the hospital was okay. I took breastfeeding course at the Breastfeeding center before, so felt somewhat informed before delivery. Our pediatrician actually advised me on the minor breastfeeding challenges we had (baby had mild tongue tie).
- What did your hospital give you? Whatever was in the cart - diapers, mesh underwear, formula, pads, little tub for washing bottles, squirt bottle. When you leave you can take whatever is in the cart (including the little receiving blankets if you want)
- What classes did you take before? What is there for DHs that is helpful? Labor/infant care class - took a great 1 day weekend class w/ DH. Very helpful for understanding what to expect during labor and delivery and for learning swaddling and bathing basics. Also took an Infant CPR and a breastfeeding class at the Breastfeeding Center w/DH. Most of the parents in the bf class had their babies, but I still found it really helpful and it made me feel better having that background at the hospital once I delivered. But, I did miss out on actually being able to try the different holds with the baby in question and different pillows in class to see what DC liked
- local parent groups? baby and me classes? PACE group - if you are interest reach out ASAP to get on their list. There are also a ton of neighborhood parent listserves for other local recommendations and baby stuff - there are so many baby things that are really only useful for 2-3 months and other parents are happy to pass along.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thank you so much PP- I appreciate the Sibley specific information. It seems another person who delivered at Sibley earlier in the thread also didn't have a good experience with the LC. Unfortunate. I will make sure to have a plan in place to visit the BC or chat with the pediatrician.

You tend to run into BF problems 3-5 days after delivery when the milk comes in all at once and you get engorgement. You will probably be home by then anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I took hypnobirthing and had a doula. First baby my water didn’t break until I was pushing. Second baby my water broke and contractions didn’t start until 8 hours later. No snacks or ice chips - first time I was throwing up with contractions, second time I had my baby less than 2 hours after contractions started. Pro tip - I delivered on my hands and knees both times. It wasn’t the plan, but I had this primal urge to be in that position and I didn’t have an epidural so I was free to move. Both times my midwife pressed on my perineal area with a washcloth and I had no tears or stitches either time with normal size babies.

The hospital LC was useless. I needed a lot of help with my first and used the breastfeeding center on K St by GW. My second was a champ breastfeeder from the start.

The most important thing I brought with me was my own Pepcid AC. I had crippling heartburn with both pregnancies and I had to take max strength Pepcid every 8 hours. My first labor was 30+ hours and they “forgot” the antacid I ordered when I arrived and I got it 6 hours later. I was in more pain from the IV in my hand and the heartburn than labor. It was awful. I was dry heaving and sobbing they they would not let me have my own meds. The second labor I popped Pepcid on the way to the hospital and brought it and my stool softeners with me. I took them myself as needed until discharge.

I had a similar experience wanting benadryl because I have hormone driven insomnia. I had a standing order for it IV for itchiness from the epidural wearing off but my line got closed and the doctor never got around to ordering oral benadryl. The nurses can't give it to you if there is no order.