Time For Baby!  It seemed like this day would never come. Almost 1 year of waiting and the time has finally arrived– time for baby to make their debut! But wait, what are the things you need to know that no one really talks about? And what do you absolutely NEED in your hospital bag? We’ve talked to several mommies and complied a list of 6 Things You Must Have & Must Know to prepare for delivery. Here they are:

Why don’t people talk about the pain that comes along with your uterus contracting back to its normal size?  Ok, so not to scare any of you lovely first-time mommies right off the bat, but yes, there is pain that comes even after you’ve delivered your bundle of joy. While this pain seems to vary amongst mothers, it is very real and you should know that it is also completely normal. Most moms opt for some over the counter pain meds to relieve this pain while some moms just “deal with it”. Either way, you should know that postpartum contracting does happen.

BYOP: Bring Your Own Pads!  Unless you want to use the hospital provided feminine pads that are oddly shaped and ill contoured, it feels much better to wear your own pads that are specifically contoured to fit your panties and allows you to feel more comfortable. Our advice: pack your own pads and make sure they are the extra absorbency, overnight pads.

Get Those Bowels Moving!  Childbirth can be a beautiful thing but there is also a less appealing, behind-the-scenes side to it too, and this is one of them. Most doctors require you to have a bowel movement in the hospital before going home. S ome women resort to stool softeners to help the process. Although your delivery environment and doctor or midwife may have different practices, postpartum constipation is a real thing and often occurs as a result of stretched stomach muscles, lack of food intake and can even be as result of fear. Either way, fiber is your friend and this is totally normal.

Don’t Forget The Wipes: Hemorrhoid wipes that is. They come in handy and believe us, while some hospitals provide them to new moms, some do not. So packing your own would be very beneficial post-delivery, and is highly recommended.

A Little Tube of Heaven: While this necessity may seem like more of a want than a need, I think all moms can agree that chap stick is definitely needed! Think about that fact that during labor you can’t eat, some doctors don’t allow you to even drink water… so, your mouth will get dry and lips will become chapped and this could all be very uncomfortable. Having some chap stick nearby might prove to be very helpful.

Take Advantage of Help: You’ve waited so long to meet your new love and those little fingers and toes aren’t going to kiss themselves right? Right, but get some rest! It’s really important that you get as much rest as you can, your body has just been through the workout of a lifetime and you probably haven’t had a good sleep in a long time so we say, take advantage of the help offered to you. It’s sometimes hard to let baby out of your sight, but the importance of mommy getting some much needed rest is paramount. You probably won’t be sleeping peacefully for some time, so don’t pass up any opportunities for rest.

We hope that this blog post has helped you before and after delivery. As with everything relating to your pregnancy and childbirth, we always advise you to speak with your healthcare professional about any concerns or questions you may have regarding your pregnancy and delivery.