How Can I Make a Hospital Room More Comfortable/familiar?

Bring anything you want to feel comfortable. Pillow & pillow case, even a quilt or comforter, music is usually welcome too. Camera, cozy slippers/socks, comfy jammies, book, snacks, etc.

Wow......I didn't even notice the room. I could not tell you what was in my room if you were to give me a million dollars.....LOL. The only thing I was focused on was having the baby. .......Good luck!

You can bring whatever you want pretty much. They are VERY accommodating, helpful and easy-going in the maternity ward. To be honest, when I was in labor, I couldn't have cared less about the room. I didn't even think about it. All I wanted was for the lights to be turned down and the room to be quiet. If you're worried about it, I would bring music. Personally, the music drove me insane, but it's best to have it just in case. I would love to give birth naturally again - it sounds crazy, but I would. So, it's doable!

Music helped me a lot! And yes, bringing familiar items from home is also a good idea. I had my favorite pair or warm socks, my favorite massage oil. Maybe even a stuffed animal or some sort of "security" object :) Being in the hospital is a strange experience, so it makes sense to bring things from home that will help. Good luck and congratulations!

S...
My biggest recommendation would be to get a birth doula. They can help you tremendously. Here is the website of a doula in your area:
http://www.padoula.com/
You can find others by using your due date and zip code at www.doulamatch.net

Second, if you can't afford a doula, I would recommend staying home as long as you possibly can.
Third, you can bring anything you want to the hospital. As a doula, I routinely bring my iPod for moms in labor which has playlists for labor. Bring your own clothes, your own socks, and your own robe. These can play a huge part in your labor. Bring whatever you think you'll need to change the environment.
And lastly, try not to worry *too* much about this. Stalled labor is rare, especially when it is real labor.
Good luck!

Hi, S.:
Is this your first baby?

Try waiting at home until your contractions are 5 minutes apart. Not false labor but active labor.

You will not have time to worry about what you need to rest your head on.

Once you go into active labor, all you'll think about is getting the baby into the world.

Good luck. D.

Congrats on your pregnancy.

Definitely you can bring your own pillows and cases, music and such. You might call the hospital where you plan on delivering - ask if they have any restrictions or recommendations. If you're not too close to giving birth, consider taking a birth class. Beyond breathing techniques they really help get you familiar with labor, comfortable with the process, and terms. If you have your class at the hospital you're delivering at - they will usually include a tour of the L&D wing. It really helps calm the nerves.

I've always had my best friend, my husband, etc. My best friend would sit and talk... and the day and time just slipped by. I did my make up so I would look "nice" in pictures holding the baby. Also, if there is any book you're reading... or if you're a big laptop fan - it's nice to have your normal hobbies.

Hope it helps!

You can ask at the hospital if there are any restrictions. Where I delivered, the only restriction was no candles, because of the fire hazard. People brought music, blankets, pillows, pictures. (keep in mind that pillows, blankets, robes, socks, etc, may get ruined) We even brought a portable DVD player and some movies. If you have a fast labor, or stay at home until in active labor, you probably won't have time for all that. But I was induced so I was there a long time, and the music and movies helped to pass the time.

Normally, Maternity floors have different room sizes and the decoration is pretty much the same in all rooms. That is, during your tour you can ask them to show you, if possible, the different rooms in order to request the one you like the most when arriving there for labor. A more spacious room will accommodate more people, for sure. Likewise, you can bring your own pillow, music, your own sleepers and night gown, as well. I hate the hospital gowns, so with my second delivery I decided to bring my own to wear after labor. A pair of socks- you can wash them if they get messy-, and toiletry will be good, too. Hospital rooms are not very big, even the roomy ones, so keep that in mind. When in labor the least thing you will care is the foreign environment and after labor you can even rest over a rock. However, to me, the environment of the room was not as important as the staff treatment. Nurses and other personnel made my stay very smooth with my second child after having a c-section. They constantly were assisting me in everything and that was a world of difference between the first hospital and the second one. Just keep in mind that you will have a great delivery and the outcome worth the effort, do not focus on traumatic and stressful feelings.

I agree with many of the suggestions, look into hiring a doula. Having one constant person to help YOU with YOUR labor, following the plan YOU created was more comforting to me than any physical things.

For my first child I brought all the stuff you are talking about and was told would come in handy from our childbirth class. It never came out of the bag I brought it in. I was pretty much focused on just getting the kid out and there was a TV in the room so that was the only thing I needed. Everyone is different, but I wouldn't take anything that is not replaceable. (Birth is kinda messy so if you bring your own stuff, just remember to get it out of the way when the baby comes.)
The second time around, my bag was a lot lighter and I didn't worry about all the extras

is this your first kid? if so i don't think the room will matter.

Definitely bring your own pillows! I wrapped a garbage bag around each pillow under the case so that if any fluids got on the pillow I could just strip the bag off the pillow and put a new case on it to sleep that night in the hospital. The hospital I delivered at did not have a lot of extra pillows and since I did not use medication, I wanted pillows to help prop myself into a modified squat position. It really helped. I would bring anything that you think will help you feel more comfortable. You will decide what that is when you are in the process. If you want any other ideas for keeping labor going strong just message me. I wish you the best with your new little one.

At the suggestion of the hospital my daughter took her own pillows with cases and a disc player with her own music. You could also take pictures of anyone important to you or of scenes that help you feel calm.

You can have anyone in the room that you want. With her first baby my daughter's friends dropped in and out. As her labor became more intense she asked that only her boyfriend, the baby's father, her best friend, and I stay with her.

What happens in that room is pretty much up to you with the exception of medical procedures. You do have some control of some of those, even.

During both deliveries my daughter felt relief at being in the hospital. She felt that at last she could relax and let people in the know take care of her.

Definitely bring your music and your pillows. I also brought a picture of my dog that I like, it was just a nice peaceful thing to have around to look at. It's one that's by my bed at home, where I did all my birth hypnosis practice, so it seemed to help me relax. My husband brought a laptop with movies. That didn't work for me once labor was really active, but he liked it, and it helped him pass the hours.
I wouldn't worry about your labor stalling, once it's really going (naturally), there's not much that can stop it!

For my first labor, I thought it would matter and we did three really nice things. No fire (incesnse) allowed, so we got soothing plug in air fresheners (not too strong, but nice) and my husband plugged in white christmas lights around the room for a warmer glow, and he mixed a soothing mixed CD. Needless to say, with no meds at all, I noticed none of it after contractions reached a certain level....but the nurses and doctors thought it was great. For my next two labors, I didn't even try, and luckily they went quick. But those were really nice touches if I wasn't so occupied. Now it all comes back to me if I smell that scent or hear those songs!