Advice for Labor Preperation

I think maybe some magazines or wordsearch or other type of puzzle books, some hard candy, some lotion, slippers, soothing music. Maybe a nice nightgown that is comfortable. Just anything you can think of that will make her feel soothed and comfortable. What a wonderful idea that you have to do this. She will really appreciate the thought.

I know all 3 times I had my kids,there wasn't much I wanted. Once the pain began I couldn't read or focus to much. Mostly it was things to keep me entertained after the birth while I was waiting to go home. I'd recommend a travel kit. I couldn't wait to get a shower and be clean. A book, some shampoo and soothing shower gel, maybe some music. Congratulations on the new grandbaby!

I'm with the ladies who say keep it simple...I barely used anything I brought and when we left the hospital they give you all these "gifts" plus you have the baby...it's a lot to load up the car with. I also tell people please don't send me flowers at the hospital...send them home! Too much to load up!

-M

you know what helped me was i took a birthing class (i know it may be a little late for your daughter to do so but they gave good ideas. they said that we could have candy (anything with a stick so you avoid a possible choking while in labor). a portable cd/tape player/ipod and headphones so she can listen to calming music. a good book if she likes to read or magazines. a easyto use massager for her back (one that doesnt have to be plugged in. maybe even write her an inspirational note she can read if labor gets too hard and she feels like giving up. also whats great to have is a good birth plan and maybe you should disscuss with her about what her personal plan is. and the very best thing to have in the labor room (aside from family support) is someone that can make you laugh so you dont concetrate on the pain. these all helped me and i hope they help your daughter! good luck and congrats on the up and comming baby!

I made a hospital gift basket for my sister-in-law and it included the following:

*Hairbands & brush
*Chapstick
*Travel toiletries
*Slippers and non slip socks
*Hemroid cream and wipes
*Dermoplast pain reliever spray (for episiotomy or tearing during birth)
*Tylenol
*Gum
*Small bags of snacks
*Maxi Pads and a new pack of panties
*Eyemask
*Ballpoint pens (for all the hospital forms)
*A new baby journal

Pack some healthy snack foods and extra water bottles! I remember with both my children, after childbirth I was absolutely starving hungry and very thirsty. But the hospital only feeds you three meals a day (no snacks) and if you've given birth just after the kitchen closes for the night, it's a looooooong time til your next meal! Also after you've worked so hard to deliver, those tiny hospital meals aren't nearly big enough! I was begging my husband to bring me some eats! Cereal bars, dried fruits, bananas, etc., -- all good. However if your daughter has a C-section, she won't be allowed to eat solid foods for a day or two after surgery, so in that case it would be a very bad idea to be sneaking in food! But for a vaginal delivery it might help.

Congratulations and may the Lord bless you and keep your new grandbaby as well as your daughter during the labor and delivery! I would personally love to have had a hand written prayer from my parents that I could read throughout my labor. I also suggest the following~
Carmex, Chapstick, whichever she prefers.
Little candies to suck on as her mouth will get dry.
Socks and little slippers to walk during labor in.
A nice robe to feel comfortable.
A phone card, some hospitals have really high rates for making phone calls.
A small iPod dock with speakers, Target has one for $60- I think, if she has an iPod.
Some fun magazines, Focus on the Family has some great parenting magazines that would be fun for her to read during that time.
I could go on and on, but I will leave you with this. I hope this helps. You can always write encouraging verses on some note cards for her to look at during the hard moments, if there are any.
God bless you and enjoy your sweet grandchildren!
W. :)

My sister-in-law got me 3 pairs of sox....... one for during labor...... one for after and one to go home. All three were so cute and very different. Now every time I wear them........... even 5 years after I remember T. incredible day that my babies were born. It was such a simple gift from her that I did really understand when I got it............. but now that she has outgrown all T. clothes and other gifts it is actually T. only one that I see on a semi regular basis. Good luck with your second grandbaby:)

A.,
Some preggie pop drops (available at USA Baby and Motherhood or Mimi maternity) would be great. I loved them during pregnancy and plan to take them with me during labor this time around.

T.

Things that I liked when I went to the hospital are;
- snuggly socks
- slippers
- pretty and comfy robe to walk around in
- picture of the family
- favorite CDs (many birthing rooms have a CD player)
- book or magazines to read to pass time
- outfit to go home in
- outfit for the baby to go home in or a blanket for the baby

Christy F, I think you took the same birth prep class I did! I was also going to suggest the tennis balls in a sock and also lavender. :) I put lavender and water in a small spray bottle to make the room more calming. (I never used it at the hospital, but I used it at home in the bedroom. I think it helped all of us sleep -- not to mention it gets rid of any lingering "baby" smells...you know, the kind you don't want. he he.)

I was one of those people who had a super-organized bag all packed up -- and never really used much of the stuff at the hospital (mainly because I labored at home until I was pretty close to delivering, so I wasn't in the hospital for very long before the baby was born). However, I believe in Murphy's Law, and I'm quite sure that if I hadn't had all that stuff, I would have missed it. But the truth is, she'll definitely need some nice bath gel, shampoo, and pajamas -- and her makeup for going home -- if nothing else.

Congrats on being a grandma for a second time. :)

You've already received a lot of great ideas. One mom mentioned a picture to look at during labor. If you already have a picture of the baby from an ultrasound, I would frame that and include it. When things get tough during delivery, maybe it'll help remind her why she's going through it all. I also liked having my own nightgown. You can get ones that open in the front for easy breastfeeding access. I lived in those things the first few weeks. I hope your daughter has a speedy, painless delivery and recovery.

You are a sweet mom. I recommend packing the following: water bottle w/ straw; set of 3 pictures (her favorite place, her baby’s room; and her family); Bed, Bath and Beyond-Sounds of Nature CD (I liked Waves); Bert's Bees-travel pack of lotions and lip balm; mild lavender-scented refresher spray/spritzer bottle (to keep her face hydrated); soft hair ties and comfortable headband; comfy terrycloth robe and bedroom slipper set; loose-fitting nursing tank-top pj’s; soft cotton underpants and feminine products; silky eye shade and ear plugs (hospitals are noisy); Martinelle’s Sparkling Apple Cider (to celebrate).

How exciting for you! Keeping it simple and comfortable is best. The only thing I saw missing was a hair tie....she may want to pull her hair back during and/or after labor. I was glad I brought one with me. Congrats!

It is funny the things that you think about when you are in labor. I have had several things come up that I was bothered by and all of my friends said that they worried about the same things.

The main 2 things that I can think of are:

If you don't get anything else.....Breath mints, Breath Mints, Breath Mints.....Get a few different kinds and flavors. I had yuck mouth and the breath mints allowed me to take my mind off of my breath and actually breathe. I would hold my breath when people were around because I felt gross. The second and third time I went back I took breath mints and used them every time. It also helps for others that have been at the hospital for a while because they tend to forget their toothbrushes.

If your daughter doesn't get pedicures on a regular basis you might want to think about getting her a gift certificate for one. It is hard to take care of your feet when you can't reach them. When I was in labor I was embarrassed when someone would touch my feet because they were in bad shape.

those are 2 standard gifts I get for friends. If it is their first time in labor they don't understand, until it is over. I also look for the biggest, thickest maxi pads that I can find and buy them a bunch of those.

Good luck and congratulations.

You know, I packed this huge bag with everything that it was said that I would need at the hospital - what a joke! I didn't use anything except for a soft fluffy robe (essential!), fluffy socks, and about a thousand magazines. I never changed my clothes or took a shower, even though I was sure I was going to! And I had packed numerous changes of clothes and toiletries for a week!

Hi A., It's funny how you mentioned being a Grandma is more fun than being a mom, I'm not a grandma yet, but I'm ready, I have one married son, and they have been trying but no news yet, I have had women in my church tell me that becoming a grandma is like be coming a mom times 10. Depending on how long she will be there she won't need much, my last baby, u was only in the hospital 17 hours before i went home, Here's what i would put
1. Night Gown
2. at least one pair socks/footies
3. Tooth brush
4. A Home Coming outfit for the baby
5. Hair brush
6. I would add a note/card for encouragment, and reminding her
how much you love her, and how proud of her you are.
Hope this helps a little. J. L.

You have received a lot of great advice. I just want to repeat SNACKS. After 16 hours of labor I didn't get into my room until 8pm. By then the kitchen had closed and I hadn't eaten in over 24 hours. I was STARVING. Another good thing is to have a roll of quarters for the vending machines.

Have fun!
N.

Hello A.,

Snacks for the Mom and her visitors are great. I prepare (what I call a lunch) with chips, cookies, candy, her favorite snack foods. Maybe even a movie. Some hospitals have DVD players in the room.

Good luck and God Bless.

comfy socks, picture of her son, trashy magazines, eye mask, snacks like energy bars,heating pads(they have little ones in packages at the drug store, roomy pjs bathrobe, CHAP STICK!! hand cream, lansnoh nipple cream. I also suggest getting a breastfeeding cover. Bebe Au Lait is my favorite. Some people call them hooter hiders :)

CHAPSTICK!!!!

I think everything else has been covered :)

Hi A.! It is so wonderful of you to put together a bag of tried and tested things for your daughter. For my first delivery I had really bad back labor and needed some relief. i finally asked the nurses for icy hot. they had to check with my doc and he said GIVE IT TO HER! But the hospital didn't have any. My aunt had to go get it. So include that just in case. Also I never actually needed them but I realized that Clorox wipes or something like that would be most appreciated if she ends up having to share a recovery room with someone else. Espically for the bathroom. Things are rather messy after delivery and there wont be someone to clean and disinfect the toilet and such after each use if you get where I am going. Other than that any basic necessities/toilitries are great. And something to read that would keep her occupied. I see you have gotten some wonderful ideas. Congratulations! Enjoy!

My favorite thing was my essential oil diffuser which I used in the delivery room and in my room afterwards. I brought along lavendar oil to diffuse which is safe for both mom and baby. It helped me relax and kept out the nasty hospital smell as a bonus. I also had a travel set of lavender shampoo, conditioner and body wash for the shower.
I brought my own pj's along but because of all the swelling they didn't fit afterwards and I was stuck in the hospital gown anyway. :( Nor did the size large (I'm normally a medium) warm up suit I brought along to go home in...so just make sure there is plenty of room or they're nice and stretchy. :)
You're a nice thoughtful mom! Good luck to your daughter and congratulations on another grandchild. :)

Bring a rolling pin.Alot of women have back labor, and this helps

This is a great idea. I put together the same type of gift for my best friend years ago, and she was so touched. She said it was the only gift she got that was for her, versus for the baby. Anyway, here are some of the items I included:

- A nice pillow and pillowcase since the hospital ones are so awful. Pick a colored pillowcase to distinguish hers from the hospital ones.
- A small frame with a photo of her and her husband together to give her something to focus on during contractions (you could also frame one of her ultrasound photos)
- A bag of hard candies or suckers in case her mouth gets dry
- A toothbrush and travel size toothpaste and mouthwash
- Lip Balm
- A set of warm socks (women's feet often get cold during labor)
- Tennis balls or a hand-held back massager
- Snacks for labor coach
- List of people/phone numbers to call after birth
- Magazines to read in the hospital
- A nice nightgown or pajamas that she can wear after the birth (it is so great to get out of those hospital gowns, plus they aren't very modest when your room is full of visitors)
- A cheap set of flip flops to wear in the hospital shower
- Nursing pads

Hope that gives you a few ideas... good luck!

What a great idea your gift bag is...there are definitely certain items I either was missing or really happy I had with me at the hospital. Here are my suggestions: chapstick (a must!); slippers or flip flops (its nice not to have to walk on those floors with bare feet and showering with the flip flops was nice too); a nice robe; if she is going to breastfeed nursing pajamas are good to have (and maybe lanolin too for sore nipples); travel size toiletries; and maybe some snacks for mommy and daddy after all the work is done! Good luck to your daughter and congrats to you on becoming a grandparent again :)

Ear plugs! (For after baby's born - all those people coming in and out kept me from getting any sleep while my little one was sleeping!)

As a labor and delivery nurse, I see lots of different things come into the hospital. The most useful items seem to be:
Socks...dark colors preferably
Preggo Pops (lollipops to keep her mouth moist)
Chapstick (burts bees has one with a little color in it)
Travel sized shampoo and conditioner (the "multi purpose" wash at the hospital is bad on the hair)
If she has an IPOD, maybe an Itunes gift card so she can download some relaxation music
Congrats on your second grandbaby!

A book everyone should be reading and it should be given at least a month before a baby is born so the parents can do their own research and figure out what game plan is best for them and their baby.

The Vaccine Book by Dr. Robert Sears
and/or
What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Vaccinations by Dr. Stephanie Cave
and if you want investigative reports
Evidence of Harm by David Kirby
and for a comphrensive list of studies www.tacanow.org and go to Vaccines

The hospital and doctors are going to insist on giving this precious, beautiful, still developing baby a Hep B shot for a sexually transmitted disease. You can delay the shot until you are ready for it.

Congratulations on this upcoming birth Grandma. What a blessing.

I think it is lovely that you want to give your daughter such a thoughtful gift!!

I love lavender oil which helps to relax during anything! She can inhale it or have it rubbed on her temples and back while in labor. I only recommend Young Living or Primavera oils, because the majority of oils at the grocery stores are toxic. Also a sock with a tennis ball to be rubbed on her lower back may help if she has pain. Small hard candies help with sugar levels as hospitals usually don't allow food ( which is silly as labor is so intense). I like Yummy Earth organic pops and drops.

When is she due? Has she taken a birthing class (not a hospital one)? There are classes like Hypno-Babies, Birthing from Within and Bradley which empower women to give the birth they want, not the agenda of the hospital. The best thing to prepare for labor is to educate yourself so that you have a rich and rewarding birth, no matter where you decide to birth!

I had my nearly 11 pound baby at home in the water and it was the most magical experience of my life. I highly recommend natural childbirth at home, birth centers or hospitals. The endorphins released from natural childbirth last weeks, not hours. If you can rent The Business of Being Born from netflix.

If you are interested in the oils, candies or birthing class information check out www.bellysprout.com. We are a resource center for natural mothering, beginning with birth!

I didn't use half the stuff I brought, but I will tell you what I did use.
1-Buy some cheap slippers she can throw away upon leaving the hopsital, who wants to take that stuff home after being on hospital floors, yuck!
2-I wish I had a soft fabric headband. My hair was up but kept getting in my face during the pushing, I am bringing a headband next time.
3-Nursing bras. I didn't prepare for this and I had none and needed them badly. Buy 1 size bigger than she normally is. So for me I am usually a 40D and I bought 42DD since she will be so full at first.
4- A large package of Feminine Pads, I had to send my mom out to buy some cause I used the few I brought and hospital ones are so big.
5- Some comfy/big underwear she wont mind throwing away.
Of course also things for baby like diapers, Pampers swaddlers newborn where my favorite, but the hospital will probably give you some.
Thats what I used the most! Good luck.

Here are the things I found most useful during my last 36 hour labor. A body pillow so I could position myself better (I sleep with one every night, so it was familiar and the hospital pillows are not very comfortable, so you might want to bring one for her head too.) Slippers, robe, a tennis ball in case I had back labor and needed counter pressure, snacks for visitors and in case your daughter needs a middle-of-the-night munchie, my own underwear so I didn't have to wear those silly cotton ones that the hospital provides (they tear easily too) and my own pads for the bleeding afterward. I also brought a change of clothes and deoderant for my husband so he could freshen up too-good thing because we were there a lot longer than we expected. I'm due again in December and this time I'm bringing his hand-held Nintendo game in case he gets bored waiting around so much in the beginning (before I'm in a lot of pain.) I also brought my baby's book so I could put his footprints in it and write things down right away. If you hospital doesn't allow cell phones in the room then you might want to get a calling card in advace so you can put all the phone charges on that.

A must is the Therma wraps they sell at the grocercy store it is a heating pad that you wear for back labor it was the best thing I had. Also there is an awesome book called How to raise a healthy child in spite of your doctor by Robert Mendelson it is awesome. Also something nice for mom to wear home from the hospital people always give a cute baby coming home outfit. A camera for extra photos. Also lots of scriptures I had a book called supernatural childbirth that gives many great scriptures for child birth. Good luck May God bless.

I just gave birth 2 weeks ago- and here is what I loved from my bag.
Spa pouch- with foot massage cream, aromatherapy room spray, essential oils, lip balm etc.
Some good socks are great too.
Also- I packed snacks for my husband which were very handy- beef jerky, cliff bars etc.
Last were puzzle books for something to do for the waiting game. Or trashy gossip magazines if she is in to that.
(unless she is going natural! no epidural - she won't feel like playing that)
Headset for her cell phone unless she already has one.

That is such a great present to do.

A picture or item she can focus on during contractions. Something soft like a stress ball to hold instead of crushing someone's hand (experience talking here).

Get the book about the Bradley Method of childbirth if you can. I have attended a dozen births and the Bradley Method one was the best!

I think most things have been covered! I so agree about the labor coach/Dula idea. Most people in the room are focused on the baby and it is so nice to have one person just for the Mom.

Good luck and God bless.

two words: heating pad!
It helped me through 12 hours of unmedicated induced labor.

Hi A.!

My husband and I need a hotel luggage dolly for all the stuff we brought with us to the hospital for the birth of our first son...and we used none of it! Not a single thing! I'd keep it small and simple if I were you.

Good luck!

I second the advice for a birth doula! Your daughter may not be comfortable with the idea or know what one is, but I can't recommend one more highly. I just had my 6th baby and both of my last deliveries were very traumatic and I know having a doula would've been very helpful. They can be expensive, but are worth their weight in gold!

1. Some good snacks.........the hospital food is awful.
2. A comfy nightgown that has easy access for nursing.
3. Maybe some light reading.....I couldn't sleep after I gave birth because of the adrenaline rush

What a thoughtful gift!!

A birth doula, if she doesn't have one. She won't fit in a bag, but she sure will save your daughter alot of discomfort and possibly many unwanted interventions. Go online and read about birth doulas. They are the MOST important thing you can give your loved one for labor and delivery and she can answer all your questions including what to bring to the hospital. C.

Comfortable socks (they have really nice ones at Costco), snacks (since you are HUNGRY after and the hospital never gives you enough to eat), something for dad to eat (he usually misses a meal), washcloth to wipe the face during labor, a book or magazine or puzzle book (word search, etc.). She'll pack baby's first outfit and a blanket for baby. Maybe a disposable camera if they forget theirs. I'm sure I'll think of more later. Good luck!

I would stay practical. I used and enjoyed shower gel, good smelling lotion, and my favorite pepermint lip balm from bath and bady works(it freshens your breath and has that cool fresh feeling). I also wrote a couple letters to my husband and new babies(twins) when I couldn't sleep, so maybe a tablet and pen. Congratulations and enjoy your new blessing.

I am on my third baby, and due in about 8 weeks. In the past I have packed things like a hairbrush, hairties, a nursing bra, breast pads, underwear, a set of loose-fitting clothes to go home in, deodorant, toothbrush/paste (which wasn't really necessary, since the hospital stayed in provided those anyway)... That is pretty much all that I can think of. I also took some clothes to bring the baby home in.
Hope this helps.

Hi A.! Congrats on another grandchild! I second the pajamas idea. After I gave birth it was really nice to a have a new pair of PJ's to put on for when visitors came by. I felt comfortable, but they were so much better than a hospital gown. The other suggestion I have is something my mother in law did for us. It isn't for the hospital, but for home. She made us about 7 meals and they were waiting for us in our refrigerator when we got home. This made for numerous meals/snacks for my husband and I because the portions were actually more than two servings. This might not be up your alley, but I can say that this was the best thing that anyone did for me after giving birth. It took away the stress of preparing food for the first few days after we came home from the hospital. You sound like a wonderful mom/grandma and your family is lucky to have you!

Lots of good suggestions... I second snacks -- I loved having chocolate protein bars (Clif nectar are good). Also I had a long labor in the hospital because my water broke early, and I liked having the books we brought -- a picture book of Kauai where we honeymooned, and a storybook (Treasure Island). My husband read to me from that at a difficult point and it distracted me. Maybe for your daughter one of those "Chicken Soup" books would be most appropriate since they're little stories...

definately a robe and slippers will make her more comfortable. I also would have liked to have a more comfortable pillow to sleep with other than the one the hospital gives you. A book or magazines to read and keep her occupied since the baby sleeps so much.

Hi A.,
What a thoughtful thing to do. It's been 12 years since my last labor - but I would
include a couple of pairs of cozy socks, maybe a special photo, tennis balls (for back labor), a snack for her coach to eat, so the coach doesn't have to leave her side, disposable camera, and favorite lotion. There is a list of what to take to the hospital in the book "What to Expect when you're Expecting" - your daughter may own that book, or you can check it out from the library.
This child is lucky to have a Grandma who loves the Lord.
Congratulations on becoming a Grandma again,

Linda

I didn't know this one for my first, but I was so glad to have this tip for my second! Pack some Depends for the recovery!! They work SOOOOO much better than those giant hospital pads! Trust me! I felt much more comfortable. Also, a pack of new socks to keep the feet warm! I also was glad to have my Boppy for nursing.