Preparing for Labour (labor)

Getting Ready for the BIG Day!

Packing Your Labor Bag

Toiletries:
- Tooth brushes for everyone and Tooth paste
- Any clothes of your own that you wish to wear
- Change of clothes for partner, including swim trunks for shower or pool
- Socks and loose pants. It is a good idea to keep your feet and low back warm during labor.
- Lip balm
- Hair bands
- Face clothes or sponges
- Facial Spray

Snacks and Drinks such as:
Red raspberry leaf tea

Labor Aid
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/3 cup honey
1/4 - 1/2 tsp. Salt
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1-2 calcium tablets, crushed,
Add enough water to make one quart. You can add an additional eight ounces of water for a milder flavour, or you can flavour this blend with your favourite juice.

Small baked potato
Sandwiches
Cold pasta salad
Rice salad
Tabbouleh
Bowl of cereal
Dried fruits
Bananas, apples, oranges, grapes
Celery and carrot sticks
Cheese and crackers
Cereal bars
Nuts and raisins


Distractions:
- Music and music player
- DVDs and DVD players
- Magazines
- Cards

Comfort measures:
- Pillows with colored pillow cases
- TENS machine
- Massage Oils

Homeopathic Remedies
- Arnica 6c, taken before and after labor for bruising
- Caulophyllum 6c, to induce or speed up contractions
- Pulsatilla 6c, for emotional upset and changing moods
- Nux vomica 6c, for nausea or backache
- Birthing Balls


To capture memories:
- Camera with film and batteries
- Camcorder with charged batteries and accessories
- Baby Book for getting the foot prints done by the nurse when she does the paperwork

Other
- Any reference book or pamphlet you might need
- Signed copies of your birth plan
- List of people to call after the baby is born (include childbirth educator)
- Calling Card for Long Distance Calls

Your Postpartum Bag
- Nursing bras and pads (preferably the washable, soft ones.)
- Breastfeeding book
- Going home outfit for baby
- Blanket for Baby
- More film (Though you can buy this for higher prices in most gift shops.)
- Another change of clothes for partner and any toiletries needed
- Your own personal night gown, robe (They will get dirty!)
- Personal Hygiene items (shampoo, your own pads, etc.)
- Number of La Leche League or other breastfeeding support
- Number of diaper service (if you need to arrange for delivery)
- Car Seat with instructions
- Going home outfit for mom (You will still be look to be about 6 months pregnant. Most women where the clothes that they wore to the hospital, some bring nursing shirts.)
- Birth Announcements, stamps, envelopes

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