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When to go to the maternity ward on the day of delivery?
It’s not always easy to know when labor really started. Many expectant mothers fear losing water at a restaurant or worse having to give birth in the car, like in the movies. But fortunately, these scenarios remain exceptional.
When childbirth is near: the signs that never disappoint
For a first child, it is advisable to go to the maternity ward after an hour and a half to two hours of contractions every 5 minutes. For subsequent deliveries, this spacing between each contraction increases from 5 to 10 minutes. This allows time to tell the dad, to take a shower or a bath (if you have not lost the water yet), to have a light snack if you are hungry and to check your things one last time. to take with. Of course, if that reassures you, nothing prevents you from arriving very early in the maternity hospital. Or to make a quick phone call to the on-call team to ask their opinion. But waiting at home is more comfortable than in a waiting room or an impersonal room.
Caution : A multiple birth, announced by the breech, on a scarred uterus or with a scheduled cesarean section, requires going to the maternity ward without delay.
Differentiate between real contractions and false labor
The contractions announcing the arrival of a baby are different from those that appear intermittently during the last weeks of pregnancy. They are not painful per se, but they are intense and tend to radiate to the back. When one of them settles down, the mother-to-be feels the need to breathe as she learned during the birth preparation and parenting classes and to take support, to find a comfortable situation.
The loss of the mucous plug
This mass of mucus that obstructs the cervix is most often expelled under the effect of the first contractions. But you can also find it at the bottom of your panties two days before the start of labor. If you have no contractions and no fluid loss, you still have to wait a bit before going to the maternity ward.
The loss of water
Contrary to popular belief, the rupture of the water bag, which results in the flow of a large quantity of colorless liquid continuously, is not an emergency. Of course that means it’s time to go to the maternity ward, even if you don’t have any contractions, but you don’t have to rush. On the other hand, bleeding similar to periods or an absence of movement of your baby requires urgent consultation.
Prepare your maternity suitcase
To enjoy the end of the pregnancy with peace of mind, it is better to prepare the things to take to the maternity ward from the beginning of the 8th month. Here’s what to expect.
In the bag for the delivery room
Your administrative pocket with:
- Your family record book;
- Your vital card and your mutual insurance card;
- Your blood group card;
- Your medical file (ultrasounds, anesthesiologist check-up, etc.).
A comfortable outfit for you
- A buttoned nightgown or a large liquette-type shirt: even if you have not planned to breastfeed, it will be more practical for skin-to-skin.
- Flip-flops or thick socks if you find the need to walk during work.
Details that matter
- A charger for your smartphone and / or dad’s;
- A little change for the coffee and chocolate bar dispenser;
- An inflatable cushion or neck strap so that your partner can rest a little;
- A small bottle of water, a briquette of orange juice, cookies. We now know that making mothers-to-be fast during labor has no interest. But some teams are still resistant to letting their patients drink or snack during labor;
- A mist, a small terry towel;
- Headphones to get away from it all while listening to your favorite music while at work.
Warm baby clothes
Even in the height of summer, babies are always a bit cold for the first few hours. Regarding the choice of size, there are “newborn” clothes, designed for babies of 50 cm. But it is generally advisable to start from the first month, they are designed for babies of 1 cm.
- A long-sleeved bodysuit that opens at the front;
- Pyjamas ;
- A vest ;
- A cotton cap;
- A pair of socks.
In your suitcase for your stay
For you
- Ultra-absorbent sanitary napkins in anticipation of abundant blood loss (lochia) which persists for a few days after childbirth;
- Disposable briefs or your maternity panties if you had planned to throw them away (they are very likely to be stained);
- Two nightgowns or two pajamas, a bathrobe (if you are cautious because the rooms are generally well heated), a pair of slippers or flip-flops;
- Pregnancy clothes (impossible to predict how quickly you will lose your belly) in which you feel both pretty and comfortable;
- Two-three towels. Forget the glove for personal hygiene, it’s a nest of germs, it is better to wash with your hand in the shower;
- A toothbrush and toothpaste;
- Classic shampoo but also dry shampoo, in case you don’t have the time and / or the energy to wash your hair;
- A hairbrush and rubber bands if you have long hair;
- A soap but also intimate hygiene wipes, in case a cesarean section prevents you from showering the first two days;
- A facial cleanser, a moisturizer;
- A deodorant, or even a sample of your favorite perfume so you don’t feel too out of place;
- Concealer, mascara, blush, moisturizing gloss, in case you have the desire and the energy to make yourself a little beauty before your visits or the passage of the maternity photographer;
- A little reading, an iPad or a laptop …
- A packet of prunes, whole grains, cookies fortified with fiber. After a cesarean and / or an epidural, the transit is also often a little anesthetized;
- Your favorite cookies or chocolates. The time has not yet come to think about your silhouette and little sweets complement the content of the meal trays very nicely.
If you plan to breastfeed
- Two nursing bras and nursing pads;
- A protective cream for Almafil Lansinoh type nipples;
- A maternity pillow if you have one;
- Tops that open at the front.
For baby
- Sterile compresses;
- Pods of physiological serum, to clean his eyes and nose;
- Chlorhexidine-type antiseptic pods, to clean the cord;
- Two-three hand towels;
- A 2 in 1 washing product for babies;
- Large squares of cotton and oleo-limestone liniment to clean her buttocks;
- Layers ;
- At least six long-sleeved bodysuits that open at the front; four pajamas; two vests; a cap; socks ; bibs. Before preparing your bag, wash it all with hypoallergenic detergent;
- A blanket, with which you will have taken care to sleep the last days of pregnancy to imbue it with your scent;
- A pacifier, just in case. There is no rule in the matter: babies who have one are not more fulfilled than others, and the converse is just as true. But some infants have a higher than average need to suck. A pacifier can then be very useful for the first few weeks.