FIRST TIME MOM

27 and a ftm myself & my baby is only 7m so I can only really honestly answer a few or your questions. 1. I had an epidural but I was cautious about it. The only reason I decided to get it was bc I was in a lot of pain since I was induced. 8. I feel like I made the mistake of overpacking. When it was time to leave the hospital it was so difficult trying to load everything up in our case. So, I would just bring comfortable pjs, toiletries, HOUSE SHOES,maybe one take home outfit/ArrivalPic for the baby and that’s it. The hospital does provide toiletries and tons of things for the baby. It’s important to check and see what your hospital provides too. 10. It’s so important to have someone who is supportive when you are in labor. Girl, nobody warns you how labor really is. If you don’t have anyone, at least make sure ur nurse is listening to your needs and concerns. One who will speak up for you. Or request another one with the nurse manager. And breathe. You got this 🥰

Hi I’m also a ftm and my babies 4 months so I hope this helps: 1. An epidural is important for pain management. Birth is painful yes but not impossible people go through it every day so it’s doable. But having a plan on pain management is important when going into birth only because when you are prepared in having a plan it helps to allow you to reach your desired goal. So going naturally is great and you can do that but then I would looking into breathing exercises, bouncing balls, meditation, a doula and other resources they you can have to assist in pain management and you’ll be a rockstar. If you do medication ( I did choose this option once I went into labor because I was in a lot of pain - but everyone is different) you can do an epidural - usually fentanyl that goes into your back and you can adjust as your birth progresses as needed. Now they explained to me I could do an iv dilaudid (sorry if spelling this wrong) but that when you take strong meds in your bloodstream it

Crosses over into the baby’s blood supply where the epidural is in a location where it does not feed the meds directly to baby. That was important to me so I chose the epidural.

4. you’ll know you lost your mucus plug after your water breaks and it’s great because sometimes you don’t know when your water breaks, as mine broke while I was in the bath so I had no idea I was in labor until my mucus plug came out. It is about a 2 inch gelatin textured substance colored pinkish/brown kinda like a period color. When you see it you’ll know lol. Once you lose your mucus plug you’ll know your in labor - now I did read that sometimes you can lose your plug and the bag of water didn’t break yet but I think overall it’s usually a sign that active labor has started. 6. Signs of labor active labor is your water breaks, and mucus plug is out, and then your contractions start happening more frequently- when you get to the hospital they’ll swab you at triage to confirm your in labor before you’re admitted. And you’ll know from the intensity of your contractions in combination of the above listed things

You didn’t have this as a question but I would also note what preferences you have for your baby and bring someone to advocate for you. I did not want my baby to have the vitamin K shot because of the ingredients in the shot but I did research and found out that the pharmacy in the hospital has a preservative free version without the toxins in it. I requested it upon going into labor early and it took them 3 ours of talking with pharmacy to make sure they got the correct version. After the baby was out was such a blur it was helpful to have my partner there to read everything and make sure my baby was getting what I requested. You need to have someone who is in your corner and knows your birth plan, and if you don’t have a friend or family member, see if there are any volunteer/support groups or maybe a member of the church or some kind of community you can get to help you. Having a baby takes a village but you got this🤍

Oh I also did not do Hep B shot and I wanted delayed cord clamping and doctor ignored my wishes and cut cord anyways even after me asking her not to multiple times and continued to try and pressure me into hep B shot which is stupid because I don’t have the std and babies are not born with this or exposed to it so you really do need someone to advocate for your wishes.

1. it's important to people because it helps manage the pain. 2. because giving birth is painful and people assume you won't be able to do it naturally so they tell you to get the epidural. 3. I don't know of any risks, there might be some but I am unaware. 4. it will be like a big giant booger clot with some blood in your underwear or in the toilet. 5. with my first I lost it during the work day and went into labor that night. with my 2nd I medically had to be induced so I never lost it. 6. bad stomach cramps (contractions). might feel like you have to poop 7. I'm not sure how to tell the difference. 8. pack lightly. hospital will provide everything for baby. bring baby an outfit or 2, maybe a swaddle if your hospital doesn't provide one, it's a lot easier than the blanket. for you, cozy jammies, phone charger, STOOL SOFTENER!!!, comfy socks or slippers/house shoes, chapstick, if you're breastfeeding or pumping bring your pump if you want to familiarize yourself with it.

9. disposable underwear and large pads. hospital will provide you with some but you'll want more for home. 10. some people like listening to music while in labor, others just like their support person. my most recent time (Jan '24) my nurses were phenomenal and kept me in good spirits. if you don't have a support person then make sure you've got a great care team! and if you don't, speak up for yourself and change nurses

thank you to everyone who commented that helps a lot now i do have another question so a lot of you guys said to advocate for myself but the thing with that is that i have really bad anxiety and i dont know how to ask for help especially when i’m in pain so how do i ask for help without feeling like im asking for to much or being a burden to them

@damaneshia it is their job to make sure you're comfortable and taken care of during all of this! you are never going to be a burden for asking for help

@Allythank you for that