Description

Erika is 37 weeks pregnant and gets tips about how she should pack her hospital bag for the birth of her baby.

Transcript

Female Speaker: I'm 37 weeks pregnant. Basically this little one can arrive at any moment, which means I need to think about packing myself a hospital bag, and because, I am a first time mom, I've enlisted the help of a certified Labor and Postpartum Doula, Barbara Ryan. Hopefully, she will help me pack a bag, that'll make my hospital stay as comfortable as possible. [Music Playing] Female Speaker: Barbara, it's crunch time, I am in fact 37 weeks and I have not packed my hospital bag yet. Barbara Ryan You definitely should pack your hospital bag. Female Speaker: When do you suggest doing that? Barbara Ryan Somewhere about 5 to 6 weeks before you're going to deliver. Female Speaker: Well I'm only what -- three weeks away. So I guess, I should get started. Barbara Ryan: Absolutely. Female Speaker: I have kind of laid out my stuff here and feel free to criticize; I'll not be insulted. I want to be comfortable in the hospital, so I am valuing your advice. Where should we start, may be baby first, I guess. Barbara Ryan: Sure, let's see the baby first. Female Speaker: Okay, what do we have, this is what I have -- I have onesie and a pair of socks. Barbara Ryan: That's perfect. You want to definitely, in after you take at home right from the hospital depending on the season, that all depends on what kind of outfit that you bring the baby home, and pair of socks are great in the hospital. Sometimes their little feet get cold, because they only put them in those little kimonos, so those are great to have. Female Speaker: I'm really concerned about keeping the baby not too warm but not too cold, so is this all-- do I need to hat, do I need the onesie, do I need this, all of it? Barbara Ryan: For time of year, it is late fall here, then yes this might work out well. Female Speaker: I may have stuff there for me if I really need it. Barbara Ryan: They have kimonos and Receiving Blankets and those are things if you actually need it. Female Speaker: Okay, and that's basically all baby needs, right. Oh, no, no swaddling blankets Barbara Ryan: Those are great to have as well on hands. The hospital does have them; and if you need then they will give you them. Female Speaker: Okay, let's talk about moms. Do you think mom needs more stuff than baby does. Barbara Ryan: You do, you do. You definitely need your toiletries, your deodorants, your shampoos, your toothpaste, your toothbrush so you definitely want -- your lips get really dry during labor, so you really want to keep this on hands, during labor and after labor. So you want to keep that. Female Speaker: So lip balm would be something and no makeup I' m assuming, I don't need any of that. I am not really concerned. [Cross Talk] Barbara Ryan: You defiantly want hair ties, I use hair ties, here is my break, get your hair out of your face. Female Speaker: That is something that doesn't exist here, that I have to make note of, so I need hair ties. Let's talk undergarments. Barbara Ryan: After the baby is born, you definitely want to have your nursing bra ready, this way you can put that on to keep them in check and keep them you know feeling comfortable, allow your milk starting to come in. Female Speaker: Okay. Barbara Ryan: Definitely want some pairs of underwear nothing too expensive, they might get thrown out, nothing too fancy, buy yourself some new pairs when you are done. Female Speaker: And nothing sexy, right. You want granny pants. Barbara Ryan: Yeah definitely, you feel good with those granny panties, have a feel like you are kind of in there and tucked away, while your stomach is still checking out. The hospital also gives you disposable panties in the hospital. Female Speaker: Really? Barbara Ryan: Yes, and those are fabulous. Female Speaker: But I have to be prepared to throw these away. Barbara Ryan: Right. Female Speaker: Okay, so I've got my bra and I've got my underwear. Let's talk about what to wear on the outside, because I really don't wanted be wearing a hospital gown, I think I feel the most comfortable in my own clothes. Barbara Ryan: Absolutely, and most moms do. But you can bring some old T-shirts; some pajamas, keep it light weight, not too heavy. Female Speaker: So this might not work, because this is kind of heavy. Barbara Ryan: You might be warm in that. Definitely want to bring a robe as well, because if you're going to be taken walks at the hospital during your labor. If sometimes, they keep, no bottoms on you, if walking around it's most comfortable that way. You want to cover your bottom while you are walking around. Female Speaker: No, no, no. Also, I heard something about the fact that you have to wear, have a short in order for you to wear it through delivery. Barbara Ryan: Yes, that's basically what I was saying-- it's usually right here so when you walking around, even by seeing you, but yes - because it it's in the way, the doctor won't want to see it. Female Speaker: Okay, so keep it short; keep it light and easily accessible for breast feeding. Barbara Ryan: Absolutely, after the baby is born, you'll want something that buttons up, this way the baby can - you can do these and the baby watch on. Female Speaker: Okay, here is some stuff that I read about, but I'm not sure actually my glasses, do I need these? Barbara Ryan: I think they you're going to have, because most of the time in the advantage -- if you are going to need a C section, they really want you to take your contacts out. Female Speaker: Okay, so I'll keep these, but that's important. I don't want to be blind during my labor and delivery, snacks? Barbara Ryan: Yes and chips like crackers, proteins, and string cheese or cheese, apples, water, whatever you and your husband like to drink and have during your time. Sometimes, they don't let mom really have anything, but ice chips, but these are good to have on hand, just in case. Female Speaker: And then I brought some stuff, just for -- I mean, I don't know do you need distractions , and this is my iPod obviously for music. Barbara Ryan: Yes, I think it's great to have, brings you into in different place during your contractions and you can relax with it. . Female Speaker: And then this is the stuff that I have kind of taken for myself but are there things specifically, that you should kind of let your partner, take care of. Barbara Ryan: You should definitely bring a change of clothes of him just in case you are there for a longer period of time. Want to bring a camera and a video camera, in case you want to do a video of your birth. You also want to bring a phone book, so he can make phone calls to everybody after the baby is born and the last thing is, maybe some massage oil where he can massage you while you're having some rough times. That's about it. Female Speaker: Now actually, we're missing one big thing, I know that you actually brought it here for me. Barbara Ryan: You definitely want a really good car seat, installed in the car when you go to the hospital. This way it is installed professionally and then you know it's in properly. You definitely want one of these as well in there. Babies are little and their heads sway from side to side during the car ride. Female Speaker: What is that? Barbara Ryan: It's a Headrest. Female Speaker: I don't have that. Barbara Ryan: Basically the baby's head will go in here and that will keep it from hanging down when you're driving. Female Speaker: Okay. So good to know car seat is probably the biggest thing. Barbara Ryan: The biggest, you need that; they won't let you leave without one. Female Speaker: Okay, And I do have one more thing that I actually wasn't sure, because it's a bulkier item and part of me is like, we just leave at home. Barbara Ryan: Right, of course. Female Speaker: But do you think I should bring the - Barbara Ryan: I do, I think it'll help get you might acclimated with your nursing, get more comfortable, and the nurses and patient consultant in the hospital will teach you on this, so that when you come home, you got the same system going on, it's not so much of a change. Female Speaker: And you're suggesting five weeks in advance. Barbara Ryan: I think 5 to 6 weeks is pretty good. Just incase of an emergency you have everything, you are not panicking. Female Speaker: I know, I'm thinking right now. Okay, well I've got three weeks left, but I think I'm off to get start, there are few items that I missed. Barbara Ryan: Absolutely you're doing great. Female Speaker: Alright, thanks so much again, Barbara Ryan: You're welcome. Female Speaker: Well I'll appreciate it. I better get shopping. Barbara Ryan: Better.