Delivery Room Behavior Checklist Research Paper
As your delivery date starts to approach, you will probably have many questions. Do I have everything I need for labor? What if I forget my favorite sweater? Will I be hungry while waiting in the delivery room? These are all valid concerns. Whether the big day comes as planned, or unexpectedly, you will want to make sure you’re fully prepared and have everything you need for a hasty exit out of the house and into the car. Baptist Health recommends preparing a hospital bag during your 8th month of pregnancy, as it is possible that you could go into labor any time after the 8th month.Delivery Room Behavior Checklist Research Paper
With all of the pressures that come along with preparing for labor, you don’t want the hospital bag to be one of them. Preparing ahead of time and avoiding extra stress is a key element to a happy and healthy delivery process.
Get ready for tomorrow, today
Pick a day that you have some free time and prepare the essentials. Every person varies on what they may consider to be ‘essential,’ but at Baptist Health we hope that this list helps remind you of a few important items you may need in order to make yourself feel comfortable, confident and ready to take on labor. Pre-registering will also ensure that you encounter less paperwork when you come into Baptist Health. Delivery Room Behavior Checklist Research Paper
15 Essentials for mom:
1. Photo ID and Insurance Card
First and foremost, you want to make sure you can show the hospital proof of identification, as well as a form of payment for all hospital related expenses. If you’ve planned ahead and pre-registered, you will save a lot of time. It is also a good idea for your significant other to bring their photo ID if you plan to sign a paternity acknowledgement.
2. Birth Plan
Print a few so the doctors have an easy visual to refer to when planning your delivery needs.
3. Room items
It is common for women in labor to bring a device that plays a saved selection of music just for their labor and delivery experience, as well as a room diffuser with special oils or aromas that bring soothing and relaxing thoughts and feelings while they progress through their labor. It is also common to bring pictures of loved ones who can’t be there for the special event and door signs that display the theme of the baby’s room. Most hospitals and staff welcome flameless candles, plug ins, special blankets, pillows, diffusers, lightening, birthing balls, massage materials and music. Make your labor room special to you!Delivery Room Behavior Checklist Research Paper
4. Smartphone and Charger
For so many reasons: Easy access to the time, (it can be easy to lose track of), to contact relatives and loved ones, document the day, etc. Often, FaceTiming or Skyping is permitted with a loved one. Check your hospital and physician’s policy on photography and videoing during the delivery.
5. Slippers or socks
Hospital floors can feel quite cold on bare feet. Bring a pair of soft, comfortable socks or slippers for walking on the tile and for keeping warm in your hospital bed. Make your shoe choice easy. You might prefer some type of slip-on shoes such as flip-flops, or house shoes. Sometimes women’s feet swell after delivery, making putting shoes on nearly impossible.
6. A comfortable pillow, pillowcase and blanket
Your hospital will provide you with these, but you may feel more comfortable with your own items.
7. Nightgown
Bring your own nightgown to sleep comfortably during your overnight stay. If you plan to breastfeed, chose a front-open style gown. Delivery Room Behavior Checklist Research Paper
8. Snacks and change for vending machine
You might feel hungry between meals, so bring non perishable snack items along with a water bottle – maybe extra for your partner or husband. Baptist Health provides room service from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm and you can order as many snacks as you wish during those hours. We encourage you to bring gum, mints or jolly ranchers for labor. Labor typically brings nausea and decreased digestion and most physicians request that you limit your intake to only ice, gum and a hard candy once active labor has been declared.
9. A change of clothes
Bring lightweight clothing to change into after labor. Include a comfortable nursing bra, a sweater, clean underwear and a pair of slippers or flip-flops.
10. Toiletries
Lip balm, moisturizer, a toothbrush, your favorite conditioner, shampoo and body wash are all items that will help you feel refreshed. The hospital has some of these items, however, they will probably not be as comforting and refreshing as your own!
11. Notebook and pen
Baptist Health will provide you with a comprehensive informational handbook, but the doctors and nurses will also give you a lot of information before leaving the hospital, you or your spouse may also find benefit in having your own notebook to make a list or a note that you could look at and refer to later.Delivery Room Behavior Checklist Research Paper
12. Items for your spouse/partner
Bring a few extra items to ensure that they won’t miss a moment of their child’s birth. Snacks, a water bottle, a blanket, their pillow – all of the essentials!
13. Camera
Whether it be a smartphone or a DLSR camera- record the first few moments with your baby. You will cherish the memories for a lifetime.
14. Don’t forget about your fur babies!
Make plans for your pets. Plan ahead and Leave a key for someone to be able to get into the house to let them out, feed and water them, and tidy up for you if needed.
15. If you have school age children
Plan ahead so that you have someone who can pick them up from school or the house to ensure their safety while you are laboring. Often moms stress the most about who to call since they are stuck at the hospital. Keep your list of contacts close and make sure your children know the plan as well as the schools they attend.Delivery Room Behavior Checklist Research Paper
5 Essentials to pack for your newborn baby:
1. A soft blanket
Newborns are very susceptible to the cold so be prepared to bundle your baby in a soft, warm blanket.
2. Socks and booties
Keep your baby’s feet warm with socks or booties, and mittens. Or plan on placing socks on your babies hands. Newborns have fingernails and they often scratch their face very easily immediately after birth. Their nails are very soft while in utero, once delivered they begin to harden. Typical clipping is not recommended as the very tip of the finger, under the nail, is clear and very easily goes unseen and gets clipped or bitten off by the parents. This tends to cause a lot of bleeding and even more guilt from the parents. Therefore, putting the mittens or socks on your baby’s hands will prevent scratches on their face.
3. Going-home outfit
Look out for the weather temperature ahead of time. To stay on the safe side, bring warm clothing such as mittens, a hat, and a sweater. For colder conditions, be sure to pack a heavy jacket or even a snowsuit.Delivery Room Behavior Checklist Research Paper
4. Picture outfit
Baptist Health has professional photographers who come in and offer specialty pictures with you and your baby in the room. If you have a special outfit, blanket or other props you’d like in the pictures, be sure to bring them with you.