To Do Right Before Going to the Hospital

Sure, you’ve had your hospital bag packed for a few weeks — but what should you be doing right before going to the hospital? Today I’ll tell you what you do in that hour before you head on in for labor.

NOTE: This is clearly if you’re going in for labor — if you’re going in for other things like decreased fetal movement, issues with your blood pressure, etc — just high tail it on in. With labor you have a bit more wiggle room and some important priorities before that event! Also, if you’re planning for a caesarean birth these might not apply there either. Be sure to talk with your provider about what to do if that’s your plan.

Drink Water

Drinking water brings two things to the table:

1. It will make sure that you’re not just contracting because you’re dehydrated
2. Being hydrated makes putting in your IV easier in the hospital

(btw, if you’re like IV — no thanks, check out this article)

I recommend two big glasses initially, and then a big glass every hour thereafter.

Sleep

This one might not feel normal — but honestly, if you can rest — DO IT.

As a labor nurse for 20 years, I saw far too many couples who either started obsessing over labor and timing every. little. thing. OR, just headed into the hospital too early.

IF you can rest (and often you can’t) it would be AMAZING to get a nap in. Honestly, even if it’s just like 10-20 minutes, it’s still going to fill that gas tank — plus your body will relax and baby might even find their best way out.

Now, if you’re thinking, HILARY — this is going to be so wildly stressful there’s no way I can sleep — I hear you. This part of labor where you’re at home and you’re sort of “doing it on your own” can feel like a lot.

It’s why I recommend taking a birth class that covers that early labor at home time. The one I recommend covers:

• What to be eating
• How to move your body to keep things going
• How to get rest
• What your PARTNER can be doing << This is SO important as they’re your big help during this stage!

This doesn’t come naturally to most people — you need a bit of training, and that class does it quickly for both of you!

Grab Last Minute Bag Items

You may have your hospital bag packed for a while (or, you’re like me and you felt like it might give you bad ju-ju — in that case, actually pack the bag). Either way, grab those last minute items. Beyond the regular packing list items (don’t worry I’ll link my list below), this usually includes:

• Bra for labor
• Going home outfit (think something that fit well a couple of months ago — your body won’t be back to “normal” but it also won’t be as pregnant as you are now)
• Shoes for labor

But, obviously, anything you didn’t have duplicates for, that you knew would have to go in at the end.

Grab my packing list here:

Want to know more about your bag — check out these posts:

• When to Pack Your Hospital Bag
• What to pack in Your Hospital Bag: Your Labor & Delivery Checklist
• What to Pack in a C-Section Hospital Bag: 4 things you’ll want from an L&D RN.
• What to Pack in Hospital Bag for Baby
• Hospital Bag for Dad
• What to pack in your bag for after baby

Eat

Ok, like I talked about above eating can be a good thing to do while you’re in early labor.

While some hospitals will let you eat in labor, some may not be able to provide you food (great question to ask your provider about in advance as they’re the ones that give the order as to if they can feed you or not).

The other thing is that hospital food often just sucks, particularly in labor and delivery where they don’t feed a lot of people.

So, eating something you love in advance can be a big win. 🙂

I recommend eating something that balances carbs and protein. We talk more about in the nutrition bonus video in here, but some ideas:

• Sandwich — deli meat, or PB&J
• String cheese and some fruit
• Nuts & some fruit

If you’re hungry, you could also eat a complete meal, but I’d make it small, you aren’t going to want to labor on a full stomach.

And of course, keep staying hydrated.

Call Your Provider

Now, this isn’t a requirement — your nurse will call your provider once you show-up to the hospital.

However, most providers have someone who answers their phones 24/7. It may be a phone service, but if you think you’re in labor, they normally will have someone you can talk to, or will call you back.

That person can be a great resource as to when you should go into labor and delivery.

As an experienced L&D RN I was able to tell pretty well over the phone if it was time to HURRY in, or they could probably stay at home for a bit. It’s not foolproof, but your provider knows you, your history (I hope), where you live and when it would be good to head into the hospital.

Challenge: At your next appointment, ask your provider how you can get hold of them after office hours if you think something is up. That will help you know what to do in this type of situation.

And if talking with your provider makes you nervous, I have a bonus video in here that talks about provider communication.

Move

I know, I know — I just said sleep. But, a lot of people aren’t able to sleep — and when you’re NOT sleeping, you should move.

Maybe that’s walking through your house packing the hospital bag, maybe it’s doing the Miles Circuit to keep things going….

One of my favorites is to get down on hands and knees and clean something.

And just as I said that you thought — I hate you Hilary, which is valid. But, hands and knees is a GREAT position to be in to help baby find their best position in your pelvis, and when you combine that in getting some tasks done — be it cleaning your bathroom, your floor or cleaning out a cupboard is a double win for me.

Sometimes resting your upper body on a stool with your elbows, and putting a pillow or something soft under your knees on it can make it easier. But swaying and moving on hands and knees is a great way to move.

I actually have labor movement cards in here to give you ideas of how you can move.

It’s really easy to feel like a deer caught in the headlights in labor — suddenly, you’ve forgotten everything you’ve learned. That’s why those cards can be so handy! The bundle class also has key point videos which is like cliff notes for labor — the best review for your big day!

Throw a Pad On

A lot of people wonder if there are signs as to when their water might break, and the biggest one is that you’re in labor.

In addition to that, discharge just gets to be a lot in labor, so having a pad on would be handy.

Honestly, I’d always keep my bum on a puppy pad if I was really in labor — just to protect anything. Plus, once you’ve had the baby you can always use those pads for countless things. I’m a big fan.

{No idea what puppy pads are? Check out this affiliate link to see them}

BTW, love pro tips like this — check out my insider tips series:

Ok, I’ve given you a few things TO do — but there are a few things I would NOT do…

Things not to do:

Call your family — so often your mom just gets into a tizzy about all of this, and sometimes shows up to the hospital FAR too early. Unless you want your mom with your ASAP I’d wait to call her after you go into the hospital and see if they’re keeping you.

And if you’re like… KEEP ME? Check out my video on choices at admission:

Eat too much — while eating is smart, having a GIANT meal you’ll likely see it again once you’re in rip-roaring labor, and that’s not fun at all.

Freak Out — It’s really easy to think it’s HAPPENING and just want to run around like a chicken with your head cut off.

But, freaking out can shut off oxytocin which may make labor stop. In addition you’re pumping stress hormones to both you and baby, which isn’t awesome.

The best, calmest families have prepared for this ahead of time. And they have better births. Studies prove it.

Check out the reviews on this one — 5,000+ have taken it and absolutely love it. You can be calm when that big time comes too.

So, those are some tips on what to do right before going into the hospital. Of course, if you have other kids, you’ll be figuring out who’s watching them, etc. And everyone might have additional things they need to do. Tell us what was important to you down in the comments!

Thanks for being here, and making it to the end. I wish you the VERY best at your upcoming hospital birth!