Frequently Asked Questions

 

Baby Equipment Checklist

Breast Feeding   Breast pump Bottles Sterilizer   Bottle Feeding Ready made bottles (for 1-2 weeks) Formula dispenser Formula   Clothing Babygros (18) Vests (18) Sleepsuits Cardigans (3) Changing mats (2)

Sleeping   Moses basket and/or crib Cot / travel cot Cellular blanket (3) Grobag or equivalent (2) Mattresses for cot, moses basket, crib Baby Monitor   Travelling   Rear-facing car seat for child up to 9KG minimum Buggy/Pram/Travel System

Delivery Bag Checklist

 

Essentials

 

·         100% cotton/linen shirt, loose (spare shirts for getting sick)

·         paper panties – 3 per box

·         cold water spray (in fridge till leaving)

o   Arnica/Lavender spray €18 in Pregnancy Store

·         Lip blam for dry lips

·         Sweets

·         Bach rescue remedy/Arnica water

 

Nice to Haves

 

·         Ipod/Music

·         Ear plugs

·         Box for TENS machine

·         Hair clips

 

Hospital Bag Checklist

 

The following guidelines are provided by The National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street at http://www.nmh.ie

 

For Mothers

• 3 Nightgowns
• Dressing gown
• Slippers (not mules)
• 2 Bath towels
• 1 Hand towel
• 2 Face cloths
• 1 Bra/nursing bra (if breastfeeding)
• Toilet requisites
• Shower cap
• 2 Packets of sanitary towels (maternity)
• Breast pads
• Box of tissues

 For Baby

• Babygros or baby gowns
• Vests
• 2 Medium towels
• Disposable nappies
• Cotton wool balls
• Jar of Vaseline
• Cardigan

Please try to limit yourself to one bag or suitcase. If you think you will need extra items, you can arrange for your partner or friend to bring them in as you need them. Please bring your VHI number or other relevant insurance details.

Going Home Checklist

1. Outfit for Mom

2. For baby

·         Hat

·         Babygro

·         Cardigan

·         Blanket

·         Vest

3. Approved Car seat – you can’t go home without one!

4. Make things easy!

·         Ready made meals or easy-to-cook meals

·         Limit the number of visitors – unless they lighten the load

·         Have some help at home for mom

Homeopathy

Remedy	Usage
Aconite 200C	Good for both mom and dad. Also use during transition.
Arnica 200C	To promote healing of any cuts or abrasions or bruising. May also be taken during labour as pain relief.
Bellis Perennis 200C	To aid recovery following deep tissue injury post surgery or instrumental delivery. May alternate with Arnica above.
Calendula 200C	Good to promote healing of lacerations such as episiotomy or labial abrasions post delivery.
Hypericum 200C	Good to promote healing of incisions such as C. scar or episiotomy.
Rescue Remedy	Put 30 drops in 500mls of water and sip/drink during labour to reduce shock/anxiety.

It is recommended to consult a Homeopath before, during and after pregnancy. They can prescribe a constitutional remedy safely during your pregnancy.

Childbirth Kit

Nelson’s Homeopathic Pharmacy in Duke Street sell a childbirth remedy kit with a selection of common remedies.

An alternative kit can be purchased on the internet at:  http://www.homeopathyworld.com/kits.htm

Relaxation Techniques

 

To remain relaxed in a stressful or painful situation is a skill anyone can learn.

Relaxation helps you cope with the stresses of daily life.

In Labour it helps your body cope with pain and to work more efficiently.

It does need a lot of practice.

 

Why is it important?

 

1. It is important to relax during the first stage of labour. Your body will use up less energy and not get so tired. All your energy should be saved for the more active second (pushing) stage of labour when you must push.
2. It helps to increase your pain threshold, therefore, you will feel more confident and in control.
3. Relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles is needed for an easier delivery of the baby with less chance of a tear. Less strain means a quicker recovery.
4. If relaxation is practised regularly during pregnancy it can help keep your blood pressure down, you will be less tired and better prepared for coping with labour and childbirth.

 

How to Practice Relaxation

 

• Choose a comfortable position, (not always the same), lying on side( as opposed to on back when pregnant) or sitting or leaning forward on to something. Your body must be well supported and in a position of comfort.
• Try to be aware of your joint positions.

 

This method takes your joints out of a position of tension and teaches them a position of total relaxation. That is a position of no muscle work.  A good position is: Sitting down, thighs and spine fully supported, arms and shoulders relaxed.

 

To Begin:

·         Bring your attention to your breathing

·         Concentrate on it, listen to it.

·         Become aware of your own natural rhythm of breathing

·         Concentrate on the breath out, exhalation

 

Remember breathing out goes with relaxation, so when you breath out, just let go with a gentle sigh. Let your chest and shoulders go completely slack.

• Take 5 breaths noting your rhythm

 

Now introduce a gentle pause after the ‘sigh’ out, allow your lungs to inflate again quite naturally, without conscious effort.

• Try to tune in your body
• Notice the calm soothing effect it has

Try to maintain this throughout relaxation exercise and throughout labour

 

Give instructions to each part of your body

 

1. Do the movement
2. Stop doing the movement
3. Register the new comfortable position of ease

 

Order of movement

 

Shoulders: Pull them towards your feet

Stop doing the movement

Register the new comfortable position.

 

Elbows: with hands resting on your thighs push your elbows outwards

Stop

Feel the limp arms

 

Hands: Stretch out fingers and thumbs

Stop

Feel your long supported fingers , they are at ease

 

Knees: Press your feet against the floor from the knee downwards if sitting, find a comfortable position for them if lying down

Stop

Register the tension eased from your calves

 

Feet: Push your feet and toes away from your face or into the floor

Stop

Feel your heavy feet

 

Body: push your body into the support

Stop

Feel the support holding your weight

 

Head:   Push your head into the support

Stop

Feel the support holding your weight

 

Breathing:  Think about slow calm breaths

Feel your ribs move up and out, then down and in

Notice the rhythm

 

Mouth: Smile a ‘very big smile’ Think of the big soft lips of a clown

Stop

Notice the position of soft, loose cheese

 

Jaw:    Drag your jaw downwards

Stop

Feel your separated teeth and soft, warm lips

 

Tongue: Feel if your tongue is stuck against the roof of your mouth

If so ‘pluck’ it off and make it rest on the floor of your mouth

Feel the tip of your tongue touching the inside of your lower teeth

 

Eyelids:   Close gently if not already closed

Feel upper lids resting on lower lids

Be aware of the darkness and enjoy it

 

Forehead: Imagine someone is stroking away the tension and tightness

No lines, no wrinkles

 

Breathing: Listen to yourself breath

Notice the rhythm

Think ‘sheer bliss’ as you breath out

Allow all tension to go with each breath out

 

AT HOME:

Stay like this for at least 15 minutes

May take some time to start with to achieve full relaxation

It comes quicker with practise

Try various positions

 

IF YOU FEEL TENSION COMING ON THINK:

 

Face: Smooth lines away, teeth apart

Shoulders: pull them down, stop, feel it

Hands: Long limp supported fingers

 

Get up slowly after a good stretch

 

Do this relaxation Exercise together. You can put it to good use in all sorts of situations for years to come.

 

 

(With thanks to Máiréad Conneely and various sources)