Anonymous wrote:Dear Expectant Mamas,
Here is my list of What To Bring to the Hospital that I give to my birth clients. Bring anything and everything that makes you feel safe, comfortable, happy, peaceful, loved.
Many blessings on your beautiful births!
Allison Harris NCTMB,LMT.CD
www.kairosdoulas.com

What To Take To The Hospital



Slippers
Robe
Big t-shirt or loose night gown to labor in
Nursing night gowns
Nursing bras
Sleep mask, satin or gel
Socks, panties
Hair ties, or terry cloth headband
Hair brush
Shampoo, conditioner ,etc.
Facial scrub, toner, lotion
Body lotion
Toothbrush, toothpaste
Deodorant
Makeup
hair ties and hair clips
Chap stick, lip balm
Mints, hard candies, breath mints,
Tylenol, Advil
Tums,
Ziploc with Echinacea, vitamin C, goldenseal, B complex vitamins
Change of clothes
Sweater or sweat shirt
Bathing suit, or shorts for the shower, a pair for dad too
Contacts, case, solutions, eye glasses
Any prescription meds you take
Inhaler if you have asthma
Photos of loved ones or beloved pets
Photos of honeymoon, or wherever you went together where you felt loved, safe, and happy
favorite blanket
mindfulness meditation or guided imagery scripts to read aloud, and also cd’s to listen to
movies – comedy and laughter help
travel posters of favorite or dream destinations
Ask family and friends to mail you letters of support, love, well wishes, encouragement, prayers, during pregnancy. Don’t read them. Put them in a box and bring them with you to the hospital to read in labor.
battery operated camping lantern for mood lighting
Hang a big sheet of poster board at your baby shower and ask everyone to write something on it for your labor. Take it to the hospital and hang it up as a reminder of all the love and prayers coming your way.



Outfit to bring baby home in
Birth Preference Outline
Baby book
Birth Announcements & addresses
Calling card, cell phone and charger
Phone number list of friends and family to call
Books, magazines to read
Books to read aloud during early labor
Games to play
Playing cards
Pens
Blank notebook
Camera, extra film, batteries
Box of Kleenex, ( hospital Kleenex is like sand paper)
Music, for labor, both calm and soothing for relaxation and something with something more upbeat, in case you need to raise the energy in the room, and get labor going
Hand held fan
Birth Ball and pump ( Kairos doulasbring one)
Pillows
Massage oil or lotion
Rice pack ( Kairos doulas make one for each of our clients)
Gel cold pack (or doula will make a diaper filled with ice)
Lower back cold wrap ( this is like a wide belt sort of thing you can wrap around your waist, or low back and it fastens with velcrow. There is a pocket on the inside and you can put a cold pack or a doubled Ziploc of crushed ice. It feels wonderful!
Yoga mat for hands and knees on floor ( also good to bring with a sleeping bag if dad will spend the night, and does not want to sleep in a chair)

Labor ease tea, and labor ease kit
Bottled water, Coconut water ,or Smart Water
Juice popsicles or homemade frozen smoothie pops,
Or Labourade

In blender mix :
5 fresh squeezed lemons, 1/2 cup honey, ¼ tsp. salt, 3 calcium/magnesium tablets crushed, 4 cups water. Mix well and freeze for labor.
Labourade has rejuvenating effects in labor. The electrolyte balance combined with natural energy (honey), natural fluids (lemon and water) and calcium and magnesium which are essential in effective muscle contraction is an excellent, natural way to boost energy levels. If this is not to your liking, you can use Gatorade or Smart Water as an alternative.
Bach’s Rescue Remedy
Herbal tea bags
Snacks for dad
Dried fruit, nuts, soy nuts, raisins, craisins,dried apricots,trail mix,
Granola bars, power bars,
Cheese and crackers
Fresh fruit, apples, bananas, Clementine oranges
Peanut butter sandwiches
Yogurt
Cottage cheese with fruit and granola
Cut up carrots, celery, green peppers, cucumbers, etc, with salad dressing to dip them in
Bagels and cream cheese
Avocado, tomatoe, cheese sandwiches
Leftovers from dinners, in small Tupperware containers, that can be reheated in microwave
Rice cakes, or mini rice cakes, and peanut butter for dipping them in
Anything rolled in a tortilla
Miso soup

To Have at Home when You Return:

Sanitary pads soaked in witch hazel and frozen, to soothe sore perineal area
Lanolin cream for nipple care
Traditional Medicinal’s Mothers Milk Tea, to help milk come in
Fenugreek to help increase milk supply
Traditional Medicinal’s Smooth Move Tea, to encourage normal bowel movements after the birth
Breastfeeding products, Earth Mama Angel Baby
Pospartum products, Earth Mama Angel Baby – They make a great herbal sitz bath
Angel Baby Products, Earth mama Angel Baby
Nursing pillow
Sling or Maya Wrap

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:i've had 2 c sections and I honestly do not remember taking a shower in the hospital after either one. maybe it's just enough to get to the toilet and do your walking around if you've had a C!

I've learned my lesson though. I'm taking an eye mask and noise blocking headphones. I hate it when they come in and bang around. And a heavy blanket, I have been freezing both times I've been in there.

Where did you deliver that they didn't have blankets galore for you?

Anonymous wrote:breast pump, nipple shield and that lano something cream!

Anonymous wrote:i've had 2 c sections and I honestly do not remember taking a shower in the hospital after either one. maybe it's just enough to get to the toilet and do your walking around if you've had a C!

I've learned my lesson though. I'm taking an eye mask and noise blocking headphones. I hate it when they come in and bang around. And a heavy blanket, I have been freezing both times I've been in there.

Anonymous wrote:I had a csection and had my husband bring my shampoo so I took a heavenly shower in the hospital.

This next time I'm bringing my ipad (so much down time), my boppy, and things like makeup and my straightener to make me feel more human.

Anonymous wrote:i've had 2 c sections and I honestly do not remember taking a shower in the hospital after either one. maybe it's just enough to get to the toilet and do your walking around if you've had a C!

I've learned my lesson though. I'm taking an eye mask and noise blocking headphones. I hate it when they come in and bang around. And a heavy blanket, I have been freezing both times I've been in there.