Brian C Jensen- 10 Pregnancy and Labor Supplies Every Prepared Mum Needs
We all want to be in the best possible condition when we go into labor, so this list of pregnancy and labor supplies is designed to help you. There are things that every pregnant woman wants when she goes into labor. These include knowing how to breathe through the contractions, having access to water, hot towels, and nice smelling soap for a shower, etc. Then there are the supplies that you want to have in order to ensure that your labor is as comfortable and pain-free as possible says Brian C Jensen.
Here are 10 Pregnancy and Labor Supplies Every Prepared Mum Needs:
1. Nipple Cream
This is an absolute must for breastfeeding mums planning to breastfeed their baby right after birth. You will need it immediately once the baby latches on so spare yourself the pain and get the cream. Your nipples will thank you!
2. Breast Pads and Disposable Nursing Pads
I know what you’re thinking: “I’ll just be breastfeeding so I won’t need them.” Wrong! There is nothing more embarrassing than leaking milk all over your shirt about an hour after giving birth—or even worse, not realizing it until someone points it out to you at a later date. Breastfeeding mothers experience a lot of breast engorgement, especially in those first few weeks after delivery, before the milk supply regulates itself. For this reason disposable nursing pads are a must because they can catch a lot of leakages if placed correctly between your breasts and bra before your baby latches on to nurse for the first time. You can find disposable nursing pads for sale in most hospitals too.
3. Nipple Cream (Again)
This one is much like the previous but I thought it deserved to be listed twice because, really, how else are you going to heal your sore nipples if not with cream?
4. Belly Band or Robe Girdle/Belt
You will need this immediately after birth when you cannot hold up your pants by yourself because of all the excess weight around your midsection (not to mention how embarrassing it would look if you tried). Not only is a belly band useful for holding up your pants, but there are also some fantastic girdles on the market designed especially for postnatal mums that help shrink the abdomen back to size much faster by compressing it around the waist says Brian C Jensen.
5. Slippers
Maternity slippers are a very important pregnancy and labor supply for when you cannot walk barefoot, wear shoes yet or want to feel pampered in some way after giving birth. Some hospitals do not allow you to wear shoes at all while inside because of safety reasons so make sure you bring your own slipper socks with you if that is the case! You can also use them right afterward when your feet are swollen from pushing during labor. If visiting the hospital, definitely let them know in advance that you have your own slippers just in case they have any restrictions on wearing shoes besides their own slipper socks! Be careful though—even if your hospital allows you to keep your shoes on, they may make an exception if the shoes are open-toed.
6. Comfy Clothes (Loose)
This one is pretty self-explanatory but make sure you bring loose fitting clothing to wear after giving birth because regular clothes feel so restrictive and tight compared to how free your body feels now that it just had a baby! You can opt for non-maternity sweatpants, yoga pants, leggings or even pajama bottoms since they tend to be baggier than other pants. The choice is yours! Also notice I said “loose” clothing—you don’t want anything too tight around the waist either. You will still have a little bump for at least the first month or two after giving birth.
7. Breast Pump
If you are planning on breastfeeding your baby, I highly recommend bringing a battery-operated personal breast pump with you to the hospital explains Brian C Jensen. A manual one works great too if it’s what you have, but you will want electric if possible since it usually comes with more accessories and is easier to clean (because manual ones can get pretty gross). You may or may not be able to leave the hospital with this item, so check in advance before lugging your pump all the way there!
8. Hospital Bag
One of my biggest regrets during labor was not packing my own bag ahead of time like I had initially planned on doing—which was a total rookie mistake on my part. I ended up going back and forth from the hospital to my apartment at least twice before finally realizing how bad it would have been if the car had broken down or something! You will need a bag with lots of space because you will be bringing home quite a few things from the hospital, so think about what is important to you and your baby as far as those items go (i.e.: diaper cream, newborn diapers, nipple cream, hair brush/comb since some babies can’t stand their hair brushed right away).
9. Toiletries (Towel & Washcloth)
You do not want to walk out of the hospital smelling like sweat and vomit after giving birth—trust me—so make sure you pack a fresh towel or two along with some baby washcloths for the ride home says Brian C Jensen. You may not care much about how you look (or smell) at this point but your husband will probably still appreciate it if you don’t walk out like the “Bride of Frankenstein.”
10. Snacks
If everything has gone according to plan, then chances are that you have been having contractions every few minutes since the real work began and believe me—you are going to be hungry! I know it sounds crazy because there is literally a little person inside of you taking up all the space, but trust me—those contractions burn plenty of energy even though they feel so exhausting. Make sure you bring snacks because if not…
Conclusion:
Packing for the hospital is a very personal activity so you do not have to follow this list exactly as is, but it definitely helped me during my own birth experience and I hope it does the same for you.