7 Ways to Make your Hospital Birth Feel Like a Home Birth
1. StaR PROJECTOR AND STRING LIGHTS
You might say to yourself "how would lighting enhance my hospital with experience?” but I can't begin to tell you how big of a difference it makes. Hospital rooms are known for feeling very sterile with white walls and bright fluorescent white lights. These types of lights can induce headaches, migraines, and eye-strain, exactly what you do not want to deal with while bringing forth life. Turn the hospital lights off and have your partner use command strips to hang string lights on the walls.
Pro tip: make sure to check with your nursing staff to see if this is OK. In the case that they say it’s a no-go, go with a star projector.
2. Family photos and homemade birth affirmations
Nothing will motivate you while in labor quite like looking at family photos and envisioning a new little baby in those photos. I also highly recommend homemade" birth affirmation cards or boards. Keyword “homemade” because we want the space to feel like yours! The act of writing down affirmations and reading them aloud can trick your brain into replacing negative thoughts with positive ones. Making birth affirmations is also just a really fun way to prepare for baby’s birth day. The more you say them, the more you’ll believe them.
3. Diffuser and essential oils
Aromatherapy is a great way to leverage pain management while in labor. For instance, some use lavender essential oil to relax their nervous system and promote stress reduction, better mood, and better sleep or even eucalyptus for a clear mind with better focus capabilities — all things that you need while in labor. Who wouldn't want to give birth in a spa?
4. A badass birth team - partner, doula, birth photographer
This is the most important piece to the puzzle. You need a support team to help you keep your peace, remind you that you are safe, and set your hospital room up as soon as you arrive. Your doula will be there to provide you with some comfort measure like hip squeezes or even to just talk you through some of your fears. Your partner will have similar functions in addition to holding your hand, slow dancing with you through contractions, and reminding you how strong you are. And then there's me, your birth photographer who will capture the happiest day of your life.
5. Birth ball, rebozo, TENS unit
Your doula will be there to provide you with comfort measures, but she will probably bring some tools to help her. You most likely have a birth ball at home that you have been bouncing on for the past few months. Having that birth ball in the hospital with you will be important to help you stay in the zone and labor efficiently. Before you bring your ball to the hospital, though, ask the nursing staff if they keep one there for patient. They most likely do. What the hospital probably will not have is a TENS unit, which some people use on their muscles to better handle the discomfort of contractions.
6. A bluetooth speaker and birth playlist
Last but not least, what you are listening to during your labor matters so much. Your birth playlist will help you stay in the zone and when paired with some mood lighting, like a star, projector and essential oils in the air, you will have transformed your Birth suite into a magical place where you can do anything.
Pro tip: don't forget to pack a charger for your bluetooth speaker!
Comment below with what else you can bring with you to the hospital to make it feel more like at home!
