pack your bags

Filed Under Multi-tasking, Pregnancy and Birthing, Tips & Tricks | March 5, 2009

Whether you are planning a home or hospital birth, you should have a bag packed and ready to go well in advance of your due date, just in case you need to get to the hospital quickly. Looking at the packing lists it is easy to get overwhelmed – and to hurt your back as you try to carry it all. We took a moment to ask seasoned doula Lolli Comar her thoughts on favourite “must haves”.

Comfort & Care: Labour is hard work, and basic items such as lip balm, hair elastics and cozy socks are essential. For extra energy, bring a batch of homemade laborade in ice cubes to melt in your drinks. Skip the hospital gown. You can labour naked, or bring a special outfit for comfort and to feel less patient-like. Lolli says, “Women get very creative with this – everything from a tweety bird night shirt to a sarong to a very slinky stretchy spaghetti strap dress! Ooh la la.”

Creating your Birth Space: Hospital rooms can benefit from a few simple touches to help create a healthy birthing space. Lolli has clients bring two to three pillows from home (the hospital only provides one pillow for you) to help with labour positioning and offer comfort for much needed rest for both mom and partner. Music, LED candles, and a favourite statue or image can also help transform the space.

Baby: The blankets and baby clothes that hospitals provide are often not as soft as most parents would like. You’ll appreciate having a few extra receiving blankets and outfits for baby. Remember to include an ordinary blanket for the first swaddle after birth as it can get quite messy. Save your treasured heirloom blanket for a few hours later. Those extra pillows will come in handy for breastfeeding as well.

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