some words of advice from a new mom regarding my hospital experience--VERY long and detailed

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browneyedgirl
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browneyes

Re: some words of advice from a new mom regarding my hospital experience--VERY long and detailed

Posted by monkeybride

Posted by michele31

Good advice but I think an epidural is a very personal decision. I don't think it is about trying to be a hero. Epidural have risks and you need to make an informed decision and do what is best for you and your labor.

Also, bring your own pillow and towels. That made a big difference for me.

I agree. I wasn't trying to be a hero by having a natural birth. I was trying to have the birth I wanted, which was a birth without meds or intervention.

i understand that that's why i said this was my personal experience at my hospital. obviously i'm not trying to tell people what they have to do--i'm telling them what worked for ME in MY experience. people have to make their own decisions about their own bodies. although i would have loved to go naturally, if i had denied meds or intervention, i never could have had my little boy Chat Icon

Posted 7/6/08 9:52 PM

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Kidsaplenty
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Re: some words of advice from a new mom regarding my hospital experience--VERY long and detailed

Posted by browneyedgirl

**GET THE EPIDURAL!!! you won't have a better "labor experience" if you don't get it and are in excruciating pain. If you can handle the pain, great. But it is VERY HARD once the pain really starts to get the epidural. I got mine at the first possible second I could (3cm) and at that point I thought I was going to pass out from the pain. DH was in tears watching me scream and cry because there was nothing he could do. I went in with an open mind about the epidural. Actually, you can't even get the epidural as soon as you want it--they have to give you a bag of IV fluid BEFORE you get the needle and that takes about 40 minutes and THEN the anestheseologist comes in. THEN you have to wait about 10 minutes for him to insert it (while you're in pain) and for it to start working.) I wasn't trying to be a hero by going "naturally"--I just wanted DS out safe and healthy and did whatever I needed to do to get there.
.

I agree with everything except this. I think my labor experience without the epidural was amazing.

I wasn't trying to be a hero by giving birth naturally and I personally feel it is so condescending when people refer to it in that way. If I called all women who used epidurals big wusses there would be an uproar.

And children do come out healthy without the use of any drugs more often than not. Wanting to have a intervention free birth does not mean the mother wouldn't do anything to ensure her child's safe arrival.

(I'm not trying to be snotty to the OP but if this is supposed to be advice for new Moms I thought I'd throw that out there.)

Posted 7/6/08 9:54 PM

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Kelly9904
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Re: some words of advice from a new mom regarding my hospital experience--VERY long and detailed

Posted by jprimrose

I used the disposal underwear for a c-section birth and I found they worked better than the granny panties. They were very stretchy and soft and did not stick to the incision. I am not sure if all hospitals provide them so I agree about bringing the granny panties just in case.

I did not get the offered to me at the hospital. I had a c-section and had the greatest granny panties EVER. I got them at BJs for my delivery and used them for a few weeks afterwards because with a c-section you also dont want anything rubbing against the incision for a few weeks as I was told it may cause more scar tissue.

Posted 7/6/08 10:00 PM

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Kerie-is-so-very
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Re: some words of advice from a new mom regarding my hospital experience--VERY long and detailed

Some additional tips. I had a C-section, so these are more about the hospital stay than about giving birth.

I don't think Stony Brook hosp. had the disposable panties. However, they really wanted me to just put the maxi pad under me and then a hospital chuck under that. Maybe they wanted it to get air. Chat Icon I dunno but I'm glad I was not sitting that way when visitors showed up. I wore my own clothes as soon as the catheter was out.

I didn't have a nursing bra with me because I was unsure about nursing then decided to try it in the hospital. I sure wish I had one. In fact, I wish I had bought it early in the pregnancy, even if I did not get a great fit. The main reason I did not have it was because I wasn't feeling well toward the end and I never went shopping. Get one early on in your pregnancy if you even think you might try BFing. I was at Motherhood Maternity the day after I left the hospital.

The long hospital maxi pads were great. I took some home but I bled for a long time and I wish I had more.

Ditto on not needing much clothing for the baby except that we brought a few different sizes of possible coming home outfits on the day he was being released from the NICU.

I agree about bringing makeup but I love not having to dry my hair, so I never used my hairdryer.

I had a C-section but I would tell anyone who will be pushing not to worry about pooping on the table. There are more important things to think about.

The bags of IV fluid that they pumped into me made my skin so soft so I did not mind it.

Have visitors but do not be afraid to tell them to leave the room if you are not comfortable breastfeeding or pumping in front of them. This time is about you and baby.

At Stony Brook, they are very flexibile with meal times. One tip is to order as much water or juice as they let you, then keep it in your room or in the refrigerator that they let you use.

If you want a video in the delivery room, ask first. I do not think we would have been allowed. The baby was at some risk at that point and they were very strict with DH. He had to sit in one spot and basically not move!

Message edited 7/7/2008 1:57:47 AM.

Posted 7/6/08 10:03 PM

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JandJ1224

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Re: some words of advice from a new mom regarding my hospital experience--VERY long and detailed

Thanks for taking the time to share you opinions!

Posted 7/6/08 10:37 PM

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mrsv
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Re: some words of advice from a new mom regarding my hospital experience--VERY long and detailed

Thanks, that is great advice :)

Posted 7/6/08 11:13 PM

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Goobster
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Re: some words of advice from a new mom regarding my hospital experience--VERY long and detailed

Thanks for the tips!

Posted 7/7/08 12:05 AM

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jprimrose
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Re: some words of advice from a new mom regarding my hospital experience--VERY long and detailed

Posted by Kerie-is-so-very

Some additional tips. I had a C-section, so these are more about the hospital stay than about giving birth.

I don't think Stony Brook hosp. had the disposable panties. However, they really wanted me to just put the maxi pad under me and then a hospital chuck under that. Maybe they wanted it to get air. I dunno but I'm glad I was not sitting that way when visitors showed up. I wore my own clothes as soon as the catheter was out.

I didn't have a nursing bra with me because I was unsure about nursing then decided to try it in the hospital. I sure wish I had one. In fact, I wish I had bought it early in the pregnancy, even if I did not get a great fit. The main reason I did not have it was because I wasn't feeling well toward the end and I never went shopping. Get one early on in your pregnancy if you even think you might try BFing. I was at Motherhood Maternity the day after I left the hospital.

The long hospital maxi pads were great. I took some home but I bled for a long time and I wish I had more.

Ditto on not needing much clothing for the baby except that we brought a few different sizes of possible coming home outfits on the day he was being released from the NICU.

I agree about bringing makeup but I love not having to dry my hair, so I never used my hairdryer.

I had a C-section but I would tell anyone who will be pushing not to worry about pooping on the table. There are more important things to think about.

The bags of IV fluid that they pumped into me made my skin so soft so I did not mind it.

Have visitors but do not be afraid to tell them to leave the room if you are not comfortable breastfeeding or pumping in front of them. This time is about you and baby.

At Stony Brook, they are very flexibile with meal times. One tip is to order as much water or juice as they let you, then keep it in your room or in the refrigerator that they let you use.

If you want a video in the delivery room, ask first. I do not think we would have been allowed. The baby was at some risk at that point and they were very strict with DH. He had to sit in one spot and basically not move!

Yes. I definitely liked the maxi pads from the hospital and also brought some home.

Great advice about the juice and water. When I read your post it brought back memories of how incredibly thirsty I was at the hospital.

ITA about not being afraid to ask visitors to leave when you are breastfeeding. I remember that in the beginning in order to get the latch correct I basically had to pull my whole night gown down. The only people I felt comfortable doing this in front of was my DH and my mom. I liked having visitors, but I do remember at some points wanting to just be with my DH and DS.

Posted 7/7/08 8:05 AM

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JP826
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Re: some words of advice from a new mom regarding my hospital experience--VERY long and detailed

GREAT ADVICE!!!!

Thanks for sharing! Chat Icon

Posted 7/7/08 8:36 AM

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mrspetunia77
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Re: some words of advice from a new mom regarding my hospital experience--VERY long and detailed

great advice! one thing i would change is to bring the boppy. my bed was uncomfortable for sitting up and my tailbone hurt from delivery. i sat on the boppy and it felt great!

Posted 7/7/08 8:57 AM

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kerrycec03
Mom of 2 beautiful boys!!