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Labor & Going home

I have a couple questions............

1.) Is natural birth or the epidural better?

2.) What should be in my & my baby's hospital bags?
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7552771 tn?1469929649
Natural.

And I have a hospital bag list in my journals
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Avatar universal
thank you so much !
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Avatar universal
1) natural is better for the main reason that you aren't putting anything in your body that will get to the baby. That being said my doctor told me that little to nothing gets to the baby from the epidural. Epidural a can cause complications with labor and delivery and aren't 100% safe. They do however give you a less painful experience. Do what you feel is best. My plan is to try for natural (no real reason, I just want to say I did it haha) but if I end up getting the epidural I'm fine with that too.

2) for you: ID, insurance card, change for vending machines, phone, phone charger,  camera, camera charger, memory book, hard candy (to suck on since you can't eat in labor), pajamas (preferably a button down top for easy access with breast feeding), robe, going home outfit (I packed yoga pants, a Tshirt, and a pair of my fiancés basketball shorts. Just something comfy), pads (for heavy bleeding, not light), 2 to 3 pairs of undies (I bought a pack of granny panties since they'll probably be ruined from bleeding and I can just toss them), socks, slippers, flip flops, hair brush, hair ties, shampoo/conditioner/body wash, deodorant, make up, tooth brush, tooth paste, razor, lip balm, lotion, pillow (I personally hate hospital pillows..), breast pump, nursing pads, nursing bras, breast feeding cream (can't think of the word, starts with an L lol), tennis ball or other massager (so your birthing coach can massage your back through contractions), prenatals, contact solution and case if you wear contactsThat's all I packed. You don't really need the breast pump but they'll show you how to use it so it's good to have. They'll supply pads but I brought extras incase (I probably over packed). I was told to bring snacks for after birth (like chips and trail mix). A friend also suggested I bring numbing spray (dermablast, the blue kind) for after birth, she said it was a life saver. You may also want to bring things you find relaxing, like an iPad or book, I chose not too since I think that'll be the last thing on my mind lol

For baby: receiving blankets (2), pajamas (I brought the dress type ones for easy diaper access lol), socks (2 pairs), hat (hospital will provide one so not a necessity), onesie (2), outfit for pictures (and anything else you want in pictures), going home outfit, nail clippers, mittens, baby oil/Vaseline (will make diaper changing a little less messy), car seat (with base already installed in car). I also brought with a few diapers and wipes incase I don't like what the hospital uses but they will provide those your entire stay and may send you home with some. I also packed a baby wash cloth, I doubt I'll need it but a friend told me she used one when she had her baby.

Also write down a list of people (and their numbers) your birthing coach should call when you have the baby. Write down any insurance numbers you need or doctors names or medications your on, basically anything you feel you might be asked or need but may not be able to think of while in pain.

Have fun packing!
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Avatar universal
I would say epidural , this is My second baby.The first I had an epidural and didn't feel anything.  I would pack My clothes,  baby clothes a baby pacifier..  diapers wipes,  and baby smell goods such as powder lotions and ointment cream
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Avatar universal
I would say natural better I delivered my first child natural and in your baby should be sum essentials like diaper changing clothes ointment if need be powder nd I put bottles in Der too.
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