https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 15 Apr 2026 16:10:52 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-trip-at-37-weeks-prep-question#post-2911222 Fri, 06 Mar 2020 05:49:40 +0000 Becky 2911222@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is highly unlikely but I just want to be prepared...</p> <p>I’m due with #3 on June 24th and will be driving to a 4 day, 3 night work trip 6 hours away while I’m 37 weeks. I delivered at 40 on the nose with #2 so this is really precautionary. Is there anything I would need to do ahead of time to determine where I would be accepted as a patient if for some reason I went into labor,<br /> or do they just have to take you anywhere? </p> <p>The good news is the event is being held near where I grew up and I know which 2 hospitals I’d be comfortable delivering at if needed (and there are a few people locally I would be able to call on which is why I’m really not concerned/nervous). My health insurance plan is accepted statewide (BCBS, and I’m in NY). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nitrous-oxide-during-labor#post-2910068 Wed, 12 Feb 2020 15:38:35 +0000 Becky 2910068@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Has anyone used nitrous oxide during their labor? I think it would be a good fit for me because my biggest challenge with my last labor is that during transition I literally got so tense I was holding my breath and they had to manually move me. Feedback greatly appreciated! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/coming-home-outfits#post-2897217 Wed, 18 Sep 2019 10:58:15 +0000 nwm 2897217@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS is due in november, and will be our third baby and second boy. he is getting pretty much zero new stuff--with DD being our first girl, we got gifted tons of new clothes and other cute gifts, but this little guy is getting very little. i'd like to buy a special coming home from the hospital outfit for him that could also be something we'd get good use out of for the first few weeks. i got my daughter a cute outfit as well, but i have tiny babies (first two were 6.5 lbs and this guy is trending similar) and she was absolutely swimming in the outfit, so i'd love to find something that's truly NB sized. would love any recs for some special coming home outfits! thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-tour-questions#post-2880462 Thu, 11 Apr 2019 14:01:14 +0000 magnolia 2880462@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’m taking a hospital tour today of the Labor and delivery where I’ll be giving birth </p> <p>Right now I’m blanking on what I want to ask beside if I should bring my yoga ball or if they have one there. And I want to see the private versus shared rooms</p> <p>I’ve had a hospital birtth before but at a different hospital so maybe that’s why I can’t think?? Or I’ll blame it on baby brain. Help a mama out... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-bag-what-didnt-you-use#post-2741699 Tue, 30 May 2017 11:50:18 +0000 Anya 2741699@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Spinoff of winniebee's thread- of the items in your hospital bag, what did and didn't you end up needing? I'm generally a light packer but I still had some items I could have left out. </p> <p>Needed:<br /> Toiletries- same stuff I pack for any night away<br /> Change of clothes to go home in<br /> Outfit for baby to go home in<br /> Kindle &amp; iPod (for my induction where active labor didn't start right away)<br /> Big water bottle<br /> Planner/notebook<br /> Snacks<br /> Phone/charger<br /> Camera<br /> For DH- swim trunks for when I was laboring in the shower</p> <p>Didn't need:<br /> Maternity nightgown- wore hospital gowns the whole time<br /> Socks- wore hospital socks<br /> 2nd change of clothes- don't know why I packed this </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birth-plan-pdf#post-2801535 Fri, 02 Feb 2018 00:30:03 +0000 CatchAFallingStar 2801535@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Anyone have any suggestions for a good birth plan PDF? The ones I’ve found aren’t very detailed. Thank you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-bring-andor-wear-makeup-at-hospital#post-2812149 Tue, 27 Mar 2018 08:31:05 +0000 oldschooolmama 2812149@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been looking up recommendations on things to pack in my hospital bag. A bunch of lists had makeup on it due to all the pictures that will be taken. Maybe it is because I pretty much never wear it but I was baffled by this. I'm not going to want to deal with washing it off while dealing with a newborn. Then I watched this super sweet birth video and it was clear the woman was wearing makeup and I kept thinking dang she looks great. Haha! Did you bring/ wear any? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-wear-to-labor-in#post-2808579 Thu, 08 Mar 2018 18:14:13 +0000 turquoisemama 2808579@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you didn’t wear the hospital provided gown, what did you wear? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/thirdfourth-degree-tears-and-subsequent-births#post-2793063 Thu, 21 Dec 2017 13:26:45 +0000 agold 2793063@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If any of you suffered a third or fourth degree tear when delivering one of your babies, what did you plan for your subsequent births - vaginal delivery again or c-section? And did you tear again if you had a subsequent vaginal delivery? I'm just now halfway through my second pregnancy and my OB talked to me yesterday about the pros/cons of having a c-section to avoid another 4th degree tear. I'm not sure what I will do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/home-birth-after-hospital-birth#post-2772223 Thu, 07 Sep 2017 16:13:21 +0000 birdofafeather 2772223@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i've had two positive experiences with in-hospital med-free labor and deliveries at 2 different hospitals/cities. i don't doubt that i would have another positive experience with baby #3 if i choose the local hospital/highly recommended OB, but DH and i are considering a home birth this time. i toured a local birth center and the only real difference in service between my house and the birth center is fetal monitor with print out capabilities (the portable doesn't have a print out). otherwise, the midwives have all the same gear/meds for at home, i can use their portable tub, etc. </p> <p>i really prefer midwifery prenatal care and unfortunately, there are no midwife practices that deliver in any local hospitals. the one highly recommended OB (that the midwives work with as well) is a solo practitioner whose appointment wait times can be an hour plus because he's off delivering. which might be great for some people, but is not important to me (that he's the only one that delivers). the midwives work with 1-2 others so while i'll have a primary, i'll also see/work with their assistants/backups.</p> <p>long story short, i'd love to hear from anyone who has had a positive hospital delivery but chose a home birth for subsequent births! differences, similarities, worries, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-for-c-section-and-nicu-time-with-older-los-at-home#post-2786388 Tue, 14 Nov 2017 13:04:57 +0000 jhd 2786388@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Any tips for preparing yourself and family (we have a 3yo) for a planned c-section and NICU time? Things I should purchase ahead of time to help my recovery or save to my Amazon wish list for easy ordering later? Tips for what worked for your family, or what didn't work?</p> <p>We've done the NICU thing before, but not the c-section or care for older sibling while going through it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-deliver-out-of-state#post-2785890 Sun, 12 Nov 2017 18:36:10 +0000 jhd 2785890@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Has anyone delivered a baby out of state or far from home? Looking for information of any kind and Google isn’t turning up anything (or I’m not searching correctly!) I have read all of Mrs. Mac and Cheese’s posts on the blog, but wondering if anyone has experience with this in the US or knows of any resources. I’m really just looking for stories of others who have been through this, tips for how to prepare, etc. </p> <p>Background: It looks like, based on 20 week anatomy scan, that LO2 may have some of the same health concerns as LO1 and need specialists that aren’t available at our local hospital. My OB is strongly advocating for us to deliver at the hospital where LO1 was eventually transferred to avoid having to wait as long to get this new LO the care he needs. And I will more than likely be having a C-section due to shoulder distocia last time. This hospital is 3.5 hours away, we are very familiar with the staff, and would hopefully stay at the Ronald McDonald house where we have stayed countless times already. </p> <p>Just feeling like I need to do all I can to prepare myself mentally. We have an appointment for a consult in January so we won’t know for a while what the final decision will be. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-pjslounge-wear-for-hospital#post-2780763 Thu, 19 Oct 2017 11:57:04 +0000 Jennibenni 2780763@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’m planning my hospital bag and need suggestions for pjs or comfy lounge wear! At home I’ve been sleeping in a T-shirt and undies but that won’t really work so I need to buy a few things. I have a comfy jersey robe but that’s about it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-chose-a-birth-center-in-hospital-over-a-regular-hospital#post-2774508 Wed, 20 Sep 2017 14:04:34 +0000 oldschooolmama 2774508@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm only TTC but in the mean time I'm doing a little research on hospitals in the area. I've narrowed it down to two final options. I currently see a midwife but she is affiliated with the regular hospital. I'm thinking about switching to a new midwife so that I can go to the birthing center. I love the idea of being able to labor in a tub which I can not do at the regular hospital. I also would like to have a med-free birth but I think that could just as easily happen at the regular hospital too. I'm torn. </p> <p>What do you think? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-bag-for-home-birth#post-2760177 Wed, 19 Jul 2017 22:07:49 +0000 littlejoy 2760177@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you had a homebirth (or were planning for one), did you pack a hospital bag?</p> <p>This is on my to-do list from the midwives. </p> <p>What did you put in yours? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-pack-a-hospital-bag#post-2741619 Tue, 30 May 2017 09:35:11 +0000 winniebee 2741619@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I honestly can't remember when I packed a bag the other times!! I'm 35w and haven't done one yet. I probably should, but I feel like most of the clothes I would pack include things I wear (aka yoga pants!) </p> <p>When did you pack a hospital bag? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/overdue-to-induce-or-not-to-induce#post-2695440 Fri, 10 Feb 2017 09:56:06 +0000 nana87 2695440@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you were overdue, when did your doctor recommend induction? Did you follow their guidance or push to wait longer?</p> <p>I'm 40w4d today and my dr is strongly recommending for 2nd babies inducing at 41 weeks though I can wait until 42. Everything looked fine at my bpp/nst 2 days ago-- babe is measuring 7lbs4oz so not a giant or anything. Fluid is good which is my big concern--for lo1 I was induced at 37.5 weeks for that. I really wanted to birth this baby with as few interventions as possible... but I also have been induced before and know my body can handle it fine, which was always my concern about avoiding interventions the first time around, and I'm fine with it for medical purposes. I really trust my dr but I'm torn about this! I'm not super uncomfortable yet aside from super itchy skin all over (ruled out cholestasis though)</p> <p>ETA my due date is based on lmp but I think I ovulated a bit late-- I didn't do opks but didn't get a bfp until cd 31 after getting bfns earlier, plus at my early scans she was measuring with a due date closer to this Sunday. Crazy how unconcerned drs are about precise due dates until you pass the arbitrary one they set! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-mamas-where-to-give-birth#post-2240694 Mon, 20 Jul 2015 11:21:56 +0000 leighleigh 2240694@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've obviously heard great things about the St. Luke's Roosevelt birthing center, but there's also a great deal of stipulations, along with a limited number of doctors who actually deliver there. We are also interested in Columbia Presbyterian but haven't heard much about giving birth there. Anyone have any insight on either location and the doctors that support giving birth there? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/childcare-for-older-kids-during-labor#post-2655728 Tue, 22 Nov 2016 10:12:31 +0000 raspberries 2655728@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What did you do with your older child/children when you went into labor? I'm curious especially if you don't have family nearby, but all stories/solutions welcome!</p> <p>We have friends who have offered to help, but they all have their own kids so if it happened after LO1 is in bed, no one would be able to come to our house. It'd be a matter of driving about a half hour away from the hospital to their house in the middle of the night/day to drop off LO1 and getting him set up in a pack n play before we head to the hospital, which doesn't seem like the best solution for anyone. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-bees-ob-and-hospital-recs#post-2651814 Sun, 13 Nov 2016 15:39:30 +0000 WyattnewbabysMama 2651814@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sorry this is long. </p> <p>The short version: can you recommend your Manhattan or Queens hospital and OB?</p> <p>The long version: 14 months ago, I delivered my son at St. Luke’s Roosevelt (now I believe Mt. Sinai West) on 11th Ave at 59th. I love love love my doctor—Dr. Nicolle Underwood—with Westcare OBGYN (located near the Natural History Museum on the UWS). While I was pregnant with my son, we moved to Long Island City Queens but since I was already established with the practice, I continued there for the full pregnancy. I figured I’d switch for a more convenient practice but for the fact that she is just so so wonderful—and after having such a good experience with her during our time trying to conceive including a minor surgery, plus her care while I was pregnant, and then her continued care since (including visiting my son and I in the NICU after his birth and being accessible via text and I could go on and on). But… I just found out that she is moving to California… So I’m trying to decide if I should just switch to another doctor in the same practice—who I know very little about—other than that I had a good experience with her—even though the location is not at all convenient to my home or work. Or if I should find a new practice, made trickier by the fact that I am currently 25 weeks pregnant with my daughter!</p> <p>Here are some of my concerns/considerations: Or to put it another way, my perfect practice wishlist:</p> <p>1) Delivers at a very good hospital—with a good NICU just in case—could be in Manhattan or Queens but preferably convenient to Long Island City (i.e. east side or at least mid-town. Nothing WAY uptown or downtown Manhattan)<br /> 2) The practice itself needs to be convenient—or at least no more inconvenient than my current practice. Long Island City near my home. Midtown Manhattan. Or downtown near my work.<br /> 3) I am currently scheduled to meet with a high risk OB at St Luke’s Roosevelt to get approval to try for a VBAC. I’m only high risk in that my son and daughter will only be 17 months apart—and apparently anything under 18 months automatically requires approval from high risk—or at least it does at St. Luke’s Roosevelt. So of course, I do want to know if any new doctor would let me try for a VBAC (assuming of course that it is safe and all goes well).<br /> 4) A female OB.<br /> 5) And if the hospital had cheaper private rooms than St. Luke’s Roosevelt, that would be fantastic too.<br /> 6) Willing to take a new patient—who is 25 weeks pregnant.</p> <p>Is this impossible? Am I asking too much? What would you do? Stick with your current practice? Do any of you happen to have a doctor that I should definitely go check out? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-have-a-birth-plan-2#post-2650947 Thu, 10 Nov 2016 18:15:00 +0000 Mrs. Sunshine 2650947@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did with my first but was too timid to share it with anyone and since I was induced, it wouldn't have gone according to plan anyway. With my second I had hopes but no plans and I felt a little less shocked by how it went. Did you have a birth plan? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-happened-first-contractions-beginning-or-water-breaking#post-2625900 Thu, 22 Sep 2016 19:49:00 +0000 jaguar 2625900@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am officially the most pregnant I have EVER been, as of today. :D I'm 36+6 and Georgia was born last time at 36+5. No signs of anything at all, either. This is crazy!</p> <p>I'm curious how things kicked off for you, if it happened spontaneously.</p> <p>With #1, I had pains first (and being early and a FTM, didn't even realise it was early labour for a long time) and my water never broke, I had it manually broken at 7cm after being in labour for a million years. Well, felt like that anyway!</p> <p>This time, I have a feeling baby will be stubborn... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-attempt-to-protect-your-mattress-from-your-water-breaking#post-2622955 Thu, 22 Sep 2016 18:00:00 +0000 Mrs. Sunshine 2622955@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a mattress protector, but both times I slept with a child's mattress protection pad underneath my side of the bed from about 30 weeks on. I ended up being induced both times and never needed it though! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-both-unmedicated-and-medicated-labor#post-2409519 Mon, 04 Jan 2016 22:31:51 +0000 raintreebee 2409519@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd love to hear from mothers who have had both an epidural and an unmedicated labor. I had an unmedicated labor with my son and, to be honest, kind of dread doing it again. Wondering if anyone out there actually liked the epidural better when comparing the two. I'm 37.5 weeks pregnant, just lost a huge glob of my mucus plug, and had a precipitous (under 3 hour) labor at 37 weeks with my first, so may be dreaming that an epidural would actually be an option or that I will get to read the responses to this post! :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/personal-labor-gown#post-2589939 Thu, 21 Jul 2016 14:07:36 +0000 agold 2589939@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I received in the mail last night a Pretty Pushers Labor Gown from a girlfriend who wore one during her labor and delivery. She really liked it. Has anyone worn their own type of labor gown, or is anyone planning to do so? What are your thoughts on that? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/skip-a-childbirth-class-altogether#post-2545462 Tue, 10 May 2016 14:52:58 +0000 agold 2545462@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Did anyone here skip taking a childbirth class altogether? If so, were you okay during birth or did you wish you had taken the class? </p> <p>I'm due to have my first in August and my hospital offers a childbirth class (either three Thursday evenings or a 7 hour class on a Saturday). I'm contemplating not taking the class. The topics of the class I would take are said to include the following: Stages of labor/birth, signs and symptoms of preterm labor/labor, how to perform and importance of fetal kick counts, pain management strategies, cesarean birth, postpartum care for mother and infant, and PowerPoint presentation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/planning-for-labordelivery-baby-2#post-2549859 Mon, 16 May 2016 15:34:27 +0000 daniellealys 2549859@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hello All<br /> I am 15 weeks with my second baby and my first is 14 months :D My first labor/delivery plan didn't go as planned. I only take meds when completely needed and refuse to take any during pregnancy. I went months and months of suffering severe sciatica pain and migraines during my last pregnancy without taking any meds. But then had an emergency induction at 42 weeks and got the epidural. I still feel like a failure for that.<br /> How can I plan better this time? pain management wise? Also, we live very far away from family and I have no idea if DH will even be able to be in the hospital with me (he is my main support!) because he will be with our toddler. I had a doula last time but we are on one income now and dont know if it financially makes sense. </p> <p>Thanks everyone!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/labor-playlist-suggestions#post-2539574 Tue, 03 May 2016 09:23:27 +0000 RonjaL7 2539574@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So my first labor started at 10pm and lasted until 12:45pm the next day. So I was tired and didn't do anything to try to distract me.</p> <p>I'm wishing for a daytime labor this time and would like to do things a bit different. For one I want to use the tub while I'm still in early labor at home. Another thing I want is to have two playlists ready to go... 1)the psych me up playlist and the 2) calm me down playlist.</p> <p>I know there is a large chance that I won't want to listen to either, but I thought it would be fun to get some suggestions for songs. </p> <p>I'm thinking along the lines of Enya for calm me down type stuff (serene, peaceful, even just nature sounds, whatever) and like Jessie-J's Bang Bang for psych me up music (the type of stuff that gets you ready for a workout or something).</p> <p>Any suggestions? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-did-your-los-birth-cost-you#post-2452570 Sun, 07 Feb 2016 09:04:25 +0000 Astro Bee 2452570@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not including prenatal visits and ultrasounds, but feel free to include those, as well. Along with the cost of your birth/hospital stay, what sort of services and goods were provided for you? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-kind-of-birth-plan-did-you-have#post-2392642 Thu, 17 Dec 2015 15:16:25 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2392642@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The birthing class I attended last night suggested a visual birth plan or one-page typed doc.</p> <p>What kind of birth plan did you have? How long did it take to review with your doctor? Your doula? How was it received by the hospital staff that wasn't previously familiar with it? </p>