I am 38 weeks tomorrow. My baby girl continues to stubbornly stay breech and transverse in there so this week is chock full of chiropractor visits, more handstands at the pool, acupuncture, moxibustion, and if all that fails (as it has been) an external version at the hospital on Friday.
I am feeling very not in control of much right now. But I can pack my hospital bag (and I plan to take it with me on Friday just in case there’s complications with the version and we need to switch gears for a c-section).
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This will be my fourth birth. We weren’t Catholic when our first baby was born and so bringing Catholic faith into the delivery room wasn’t even on our radar! But for our other births (and especially after reading Mary Haseltine’s great book on birth for Catholics, Made for This) I’ve been inspired to plan for a few Catholic items in our hospital bag. Here’s some ideas:
Catholic Items
–Rosary. I found a lot of comfort in praying the Rosary with my husband during my labor over my last two births. Highly recommend! The one I have packed is my mother’s rosary from Trendy Traditions.
–Birth Affirmation Cards. I am OBSESSED with these birth affirmation cards from Behold the Heart. They are so beautiful. Some are quotes from saints. Others are about birth in general. All are encouraging and uplifting. I’m actually pulling them out occasionally just to prepare my heart and mind for labor. If I get to tackle another natural birth I plan to read them during contractions and once contractions get too intense to focus on them, I plan to ask my husband Daniel to read them aloud to me.
–Saints medals. My friend Mountain sent me two medals (one blessed by Pope Francis and one blessed by Pope Benedict XVI) when I was experiencing the very worst weeks of hyperemesis gravidarum in the first half of this pregnancy. I plan to take them with me to the delivery room.
–Prayer candle. Not every hospital allows you to light a candle but if yours does or if you’re birthing at home, have one ready! This one is from Providential Co.
–Holy Water. Nobody (including me) wants to dwell on the “what ifs” of something going wrong at birth, but I want holy water on hand in case of an emergency baptism.
–Litany of saints. I’m planning on writing down a list of saints that are important to our family and that I think will comfort me during labor so that during contractions I can ask for their intercession.
–Intentions. Labor involves a lot of suffering. So why not offer it up? Bring some intentions with you to the delivery room!
Other Essentials
–Newborn clothes. There’s lots of items that aren’t essential but are nice to have. This one is a must, though. You need something for that baby to wear home! I plan on taking a teeny tiny newborn outfit as well as the sweet 0-3 month onesie with carrots on it in the picture from my sweet friend Shannon since it’s hard to know in advance how big the baby will be! If you want to support a Catholic creative check out Brick House in the City’s cute onesies.
–Clothes for YOU. Comfy layers, my friends. You want something flowy, soft, and comfortable. I usually take a sports bra with me, too, so I have something to wear if I want to labor in the tub in the delivery room. Socks and a nursing-friendly warm top like a cardigan are nice since the hospital AC is usually cranked up (not that I’m complaining! The high this week in central TX is 109. Yes, I am dying in the heat, thank you for asking.)
–Flip flops. Flip flops are literally the only thing I can stand to wear right now so that what I plan to walk the halls in during labor, but they’re also a must for the hospital shower.
–Swaddling blanket. The hospital usually provides blankets so this one isn’t a must, but it’s nice to have a sweet swaddling blanket you love to wrap up baby in! A popular brand of muslin swaddling blankets is Aden + Anais.
–Essential Oils and diffuser. I have a special blend called Gentle Baby that I plan to diffuse during labor that should be calming and comforting. Not a must, of course, but if you’re into oils you might enjoy having them with you (if the hospital allows). I get my oils from Young Living.
–Diapers. The hospital usually provides disposable diapers so don’t worry too much about cramming a bunch in your hospital bag. But if you want to take any photos at the hospital you might want a cute cloth diaper like the one that a sweet reader (thanks, Tara!) sent me. The print is roses for our little Hildegard Rose! Yes, I’m dying of cuteness.
–Diaper Cream. Again, the hospital might provide this but if you’re picky about what kind you want to use, just put it in your bag. Mine if from Young Living‘s baby line called Seedlings.
–Toiletries. Makeup might be the last thing on your mind or you might want to put some on after your first shower at the hospital so drop some in your bag just in case. But you’ll definitely want a toothbrush, toothpaste, and any other essential toiletries!
–Lip balm. This is, in my opinion, an absolute essential. I use a balm that my beekeeper husband makes from beeswax from his hives, but use whatever floats your boat.
–Ponytail holders. I definitely want my hair out of my face during labor. Make sure you have something to put your hair up with!
–Snacks. Do. not. forget. snacks. If you get to eat during labor, you might want snacks then. But you will be FAMISHED after labor and sometimes it takes awhile to get food brought in. I’m partial to Lara Bars. And in my opinion, the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip is the best flavor.
–Reading material. A lot of your time in the hospital is spent just staring at your sweet new baby. But if you think you might want additional entertainment, pack a book to enjoy. I really just wanted to include the sweet little cloth Pride & Prejudice that my friend Kaitlyn sent me in the photo for this post. It’s from Sweet Sequels and it’s making me happy during the last few miserable days of pregnancy.
–Phone chargers. Don’t forget your phone because everyone is going to want to hear about that new baby! But also, don’t forget a phone charger.
–Laptop or something to play music on. I plan to finish up a playlist for labor of calming music and will be bringing my laptop to play it on. Also nice for watching Netflix if labor is going really slow.
Did I miss anything? Please share in the comments!
UPDATE: Don’t forget comfy socks! My version procedure at the hospital (which went great!) reminded me that comfy socks are a must in the cold hospital AC.
You’ve probably already realized this, but your external version is scheduled for the feast day of St. Margaret of Antioch! I just did a ton of research on her for our “liturgical year moment” at small group this week and she is one of the patrons of childbirth, so I’ll be asking her to intercede for you!
I didn’t know that, Sarah! Thank you for telling me. I actually just started crying because i find that so comforting and I have ALL THE FEELINGS right now. <3
Oh wonderful, that makes me so happy! 🙂
I love this! We also took a small icon of the holy family with us and set it up where I could see it in labor and delivery (and then had it up in the hospital room afterwards). It made a great focal point for intense contractions.
I love that idea!
Hope your baby turns! My second was breech, but we were unable to attempt a version because for some reason he was already stressed out when we got there (very high heart rate) so I had a c section that day. Glad you are prepared for that possibility, but hopefully baby is cooperative!
Hi. We had a similar situation with baby number two- Sam. We had planned a homebirth/VBAC for Sam but during the birth he actually flipped to breach/ transverse! After two days of laboring at home at 9 1/2 centimeters dialated, we transferred to the hospital bc there was meconium when my water broke. At the hospital they gave me an external version. After a quick nap with the epidural I pushed for a little bit and he was born at 9 1/2 lbs, 23 inches long. If not for the external version, I would have not been able to have a VBAC. I hope that your is successful and if not, I pray for a peaceful birth!
It can be a really maturing experience to realize you are not in complete control of your life. I should know…we just found out we are expecting twins! Of course this makes the chance of a c-section much higher. Will pray your baby turns. Some advice if she doesn’t: take the drugs they offer after birth. It is better to be more active and recover more quickly than to skimp on pain meds like I tried to do after the unplanned c-section with my first birth.
Hailey, I found it helpful to have a list of comfort words. I am a person of words and there was a time when my awareness made reading impossible. The list of words worked! Mine were things that described comfort, like clouds, light, soft, fluffy, cool, etc. Best of luck to you!
Long time follower but not often commenter here :). I just wanted to say that my second baby was a stubborn breech. We didn’t try the version because I was concerned that he might have a reason for staying that way (like a short cord), and a planned c/s was actually going to be helpful for arranging childcare for my needy oldest. I have to say his birth was actually by far my most peaceful, and the only one of the three where I felt like I bonded immediately. Somehow that felt easier when I wasn’t all “oh thank goodness the pain is over!” I’m all for natural birth and was happy my third was an uncomplicated vbac, but I wanted to share that the c/s wasn’t the end of the world. Make sure you pack some clothes that won’t land on the incision just in case (high waisted panties, flowy dresses). Will be praying that baby Hildy turns, and if not that you can have utter peace with how this birth goes!
Haley,
I’ve been following your blog, and reading about your pregnancy, etc. Just wanted to offer you some encouragement. My husband and I have 8 children, and 3 of them were born via c/sec., and 5 were VBACS.
I recall my disappointment with my 1st being breach, and because I was so far past my due date, my doctor would not consider anything but a c/sec. Well, it was probably a mercy, because he was 10 lbs., 11.2 ozs. – and the ob/gyn. that did the surgery said she removed some fibroma while she was in there, as well. I think I would not have been able to birth him as my 1st, breach – and such a large size without a lot of trauma to him and I.
The next 5 were VBACs, all successful. My very best births were my 5th and 6th babies – each of which I birthed as naturally as I possibly could (considering they were both in the hospital). What I found helpful was to have a doula to advocate for me (she was present for 4 of our babies’ births). I didn’t know, for instance, until she told me, that you could ask for another nurse if your personalities clashed. That was so helpful, because we had to use that advice to get rid of a very pushy nurse who didn’t seem to respect the whole natural labor process.
With my 5th baby, I found prayer – and the birth ball – to be so helpful. Each time I had a contraction, I would focus on breathing, and draw into myself, saying, “Jesus, be with me.” This was such a comfort, and helped me to have some sense of composure. (In fact, my composure was so great that, when my doula suggested I might be ready to push, the nurse said, “You don’t look uncomfortable enough.” To which I responded to my husband and doula, “Do they want to see me writhing on the floor in agony?!”) I also found it helpful to visualize my cervix dilating each time I had a contraction, reminding myself that these had a purpose. (I think in past labors I fought the contractions out of fear.) Oh, and don’t forget to hold onto something if you are sitting on a birth ball – you don’t want to topple over. I also liked having my mobility, so avoided interventions (unless they were necessary). At one point, I got on my knees as we walked in the hallway. A nurse walking by appeared alarmed, but I reassured her that it just felt better to be on my knees (which it did). I’m happy to say I birthed that 10 lb. 3 oz. baby girl with no pain meds. or interventions. Wa-hoo!
The next birth was my very best. He came really quick. I remember waiting in the mini-van in our driveway, shivering (it was Feb. in MN), breathing through my contractions, asking any of the saints I felt close to for their intercession (and also offering up each of those contractions for any and all intentions I could think of at the time). I had to go to the bathroom, but I did not want to go back in the house, because I was sure this baby was going to come real quick. Finally, my husband came out (he was cramming his lunchbox with snacks for himself, expecting a long labor). It was after hours, so we had to go to the ER. I presented on my knees, which caused them to bring me a wheelchair. (LOL!) I remember saying to the nurse, I need a drink of water, and I need to go to the bathroom. “Just wait,” she said. I got to use the bathroom, but I don’t recall if I got my water. Before I knew it, I was on the bed, in bra and socks (no time for the gown, even), in transition, just barely able to speak or do anything but feel those contractions. They kept wanting to check me, but the contractions were just so on top of each other that they couldn’t. “We need to see where this baby is,” they said. “Just trust that I know it’s time to push,” I countered. And indeed, it was, and there he was, all 10 lbs. 4 ozs. of him! I remember it was during the winter Olympics, and I felt I would have earned a gold medal had child birth been an Olympic event!
My last 2 babies were c/sections. I had such intense anxiety that I had a panic attack and begged for a c/sec. I was blessed to have such an understanding doctor, and he even prayed with me before the c/sections, and respected the fact that I was just at a point that I felt I could not birth those babies (even though there was no medical reason or history to indicate otherwise). Even though I did have those c/sections, I recall just laying on the surgery table, praying, offering up the fact that I was a bit disappointed in myself for not just trying to birth those babies. (They were smaller than all my others, too – so might have been easier, but who knows?)
Okay, sorry this is so long, but it’s my hope that you’ll find something helpful in here (or maybe someone else will). I know I like to read birth stories.
I will pray for you – that you have a safe and satisfying labor and delivery, with a healthy baby and mom.
God bless,
Melisa
Wow. This is an amazing story! Thank you for sharing about your experiences. I find birthing stories so interesting. My last two vaginal births were very traumatic and so I was contemplating another c section for our next one. I had never heard of anyone that had done it. We had one for our first child. Thanks for your story and for telling me that your obgyn was so prayerful and supporting.
I love birth stories. Thankyou for sharing yours!!
My current 3 month old was breech. They scheduled me for a version. I went in to the hospital that morning, got an IV started, signed consents, etc., the ultrasound tech came in and…baby had turned. OB yelled “Best version ever!” and high fived me. Lol!
Love your list! Favorite parts: rosary, list of intentions for offering up the pain and litany of saints. I’ve used the first two but never thought of the last. What a great idea!
Music!! I somehow thought I had to have really low-key music w my first three births. Then with my #4 I brought Matt Maher and Audrey Assad albums with me and wondered why I missed out enjoying beautiful Catholic music in my earlier births! And ahem – good way to evangelize with the nurses!
I second the above comment to ask to part ways with a nurse who isn’t a good match. Life’s too short and birth too important to stick with someone who isn’t your style!
I also highly recommend a doula. (You seem good to go & got this down, Hailey, but to other first-time moms or vbac-hopeful moms-to-be reading these comments – doulas completely are worth their weight in gold). My first was c-section and then 3 vbacs. I completely owe the vbacs to the doula!
Congrats Hailey – praying for you, Mama!
…fortunately, though, a baptism will be just as valid if the water isn’t holy. 🙂 Only “water” is needed (+ the intention). (Just in case anyone must perform an emergency baptism any time.)
Great list and good luck! Glad the version went well. My two cents: 1. A pretty robe I’d super nice! 2. My last hospital birth I put all the labor things (rosary, ID, snacks, etc) in a backpack and everything else in a small suitcase that my husband retrieved from the car as we were getting settled in the recovery room. It was super super helpful, especially as that labor was extremely short
This was a lovely list. I also enjoyed reading the comments, thank you everyone for sharing 🙂
We are ttc our 3rd… please pray for us, thank you.
Prayers for a safe birth for you and baby!
Great list! I used depends for the first 2 weeks after my fifth child and they were awesome! God Bless!