D-Day is approaching and you are beginning to think about labour, birth and everything that comes next? Oh that’s right, a baby and the start of the rest of your lives as parents!
Here are some tips to prepare you for the days in hospital. Although hospital stays are typically becoming shorter, it is important you make this time when you first meet your baby, as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. We at cocobabybox.com believe it should be the most memorable day of your life.
What to take to hospital
- Take things to the hospital that will make you feel at home. The more at home you feel, the more oxytocin (the hormone of love and safety) you will have.
- Have your birth plan ready; this will help to ensure you and your birth team are all on the same page about what you want for your labour and birth.
- Your hospital bag. The hospital should provide a basic list to you of what to bring. We at cocobabybox.com have also prepared a list which will help to make your time in the hospital as comfortable as possible.
Things to think about before you go into labour:
It may sound super simple, but it can be stressful for birthing partners to navigate driving to the hospital and getting you to the right location in the hospital whilst you’re in labour. Do a test run, to take the stress out of this for you and your birthing partner. Think about really simple things, such as the best route for that time of day and where to park etc.
Another thing is to prepare your birthing partner, what would you like your partner to check/do before you leave for the hospital? A list is super handy, as it can be a stressful time for both you and your partner. Simple things can easily be forgotten. Remember the important things like: making sure you have a full tank of petrol in the car, feed the pets, take your pregnancy paperwork etc.
Extra Tip:
If you think you are going into labour, call the hospital before you leave home. Around 50% of women in early labour get to hospital and are sent home again, sometimes several times. Sometimes a midwife can assess how far along you are over the phone.