Encouragement for Childbirth Archives

Giving Birth: What to Pack for the Hospital

picture of what to pack for the delivery room - mama bird box blog

Getting ready for baby’s arrival? We’ve been asked a few times what items we recommend you don’t forget when packing your bag for the hospital. We recommend packing your bag early so it’s ready to go when baby is! Scroll on down to see what we suggest…

Slipper and/or socks

hospital rooms are cold so make sure to bring some items to keep you cozy!

Lounge wear

Some items good for sleeping and cute for pictures. Bring a robe if you want to walk the hospital halls.

Glasses

If you need ’em. Don’t forget a contact case and solution if you’re a contact lens wearer.

Baby things

You don’t need much because the hospital will provide you with diapers for while you’re there, but these are picture worthy days, so throw in a couple of newborn outfits, a hat, and a swaddling blanket. Plus a coming-home outfit!

Nipple Cream

Babies nurse non-stop when they are first born. When they do, they are getting the “liquid gold” colostrum but it makes you raw, essentially your nipples are getting chaffed. It’s necessary to soothe the skin before and after nursing. Don’t worry; it gets better.

Reading Material

Grab your favorite book or a few magazines for when you’re hanging out in the hospital antcy for something to do.

Things for your partner

Toothbrush, change of clothes, and some money for the vending machines.

Camera

The real kind!

What’s in your hospital bag that you couldn’t live without?

Sitz Bath – What it is and Why We Recommend It

The Magic of a Sitz Bath and why we recommend it | mama bird box | gifts for pregnant women

My very first awareness of a sitz bath was in the hospital after having my first baby. Nora was the first baby born in a brand new labor and delivery wing of our hospital in Wisconsin. They thought of everything in this place. It’s hard to remember all of the perks because they become a little less important when you are gazing into your 1 day old baby’s face, but the two things I loved and remember well were the family bed (a full sized hospital bed) and the sitz bath room.

The hospital had a small room that a postpartum mama could reserve. It was reminiscent of a bathroom except it contained a shallow, bidet-type seat. The seat held a small amount of water to sit in with a faucet of constant flowing water set at a warm temperature. The sitz bath was so good for my sore body. It is a huge understatement to say that your body goes through a lot during labor. About 5 times during my 2 day hospital stay, I would request the sitz bath room, bring a magazine and just sit. It was as good as any spa I’ve ever been to.

However, there was one element in this postpartum luxury that I was missing…sitz bath herbs. Nature has so much goodness for us. And because of the wisdom of all the mothers and midwives who have gone before us, we’ve learned how to put them together to heal our warrior lady parts after they just took a beating.

Some common ingredients used in sitz bath herbs:

Uva Ursi leaf – kills bacteria in the bladder
Lavender flower – traditionally used for women’s health, gives a calming aroma
Witch Hazel bark – soothes swollen, sore perineum and treats hemorrhoids
Marshmallow Root – soothes and heals minor wounds

Herbs are combined to make a tea…the non-drinking kind of tea. It still needs to be brewed like a tea, but then the brew can be used in various ways.

I think the most comfortable postpartum way to use sitz bath teas is to pour the brew into a pad and freeze it. This combination really helps with swelling and inflammation. Otherwise, you can keep it warm and fill a pad to wear right away. Another way is to put the brewed tea in a peri bottle and rinse yourself with it after going to the bathroom. Or you can create your own postpartum spa by putting the tea directly into the bath and soak.

You can make your sitz bath extra memorable with you baby, too. Sitz bath herbs help heal your baby’s umbilical cord and the lavender will calm your baby as he adjusts to the new world outside of you.

Read more from Gwen’s Nest, who gives great instructions for each way to use sitz bath herbs.

Also, we love and recommend anything from Birds and Bees Teas. You can buy a bag from them or wait to get it in your Month 9 box. 🙂

Happy Sitz-ing!

A Calm & Centered Pregnancy | How Yoga Can Benefit Pregnancy

a calm and centered pregnancy | the power of yoga during pregnancy | mama bird box

We’ve teamed up with Mommies in Spanglish to discuss how yoga can positively impact your pregnancy journey! Keep reading as they discuss ways to incorporate yoga into your routine and the positive impact it can have on your pregnancy.

I have been blessed to have a great pregnancy experience thus far and wanted to continue this positive energy in practicing prenatal yoga. Mama Bird Box has curated a special box to help mamas continue with a calm and centered pregnancy. I particularly enjoyed this easy at home prenatal yoga sequence and massage ball that have helped me with my form and stretching.

Here is how I found yoga to help during labor: Prenatal yoga addresses the physical challenges inherent to pregnancy, such as a shifted center of gravity and lower back pain. These moves will help alleviate aches and build strength in your legs, back and abdominals to prepare you for giving birth. Yoga also can ease labor and delivery, with moves that relax the hip muscles and use gravity to your advantage.

Consider yoga a way to get physically stronger and emotionally healthier during pregnancy. Even if you’ve never done yoga before, the modified moves taught in prenatal yoga are both safe and beneficial to expectant moms. Plus, women with difficult pregnancies may find comfort in yoga’s gentle motions and breathing.

a calm and centered pregnancy | the power of yoga during pregnancy | mama bird box

Standing Mountain
To warm up your muscles, most yoga sequences start with this pose: Stand with feet farther than hip-width apart, knees slightly bent and toes pointed straight ahead, your palms touching at “heart center” (in front of your chest). Close your eyes and breathe deeply

1. Inhale and sweep your arms out and overhead, bending back slightly.
2. Exhale and stand upright, returning your hands to your heart center.
Repeating for 10 full breaths.

a calm and centered pregnancy | the power of yoga during pregnancy | mama bird box

Stretching is extremely important during pregnancy, as our muscles and joints start to shift. With these stretches, I am helping my body get more acclimated to the movement and adjustments of my muscles. This is especially beneficial during labor.

Child’s Pose (Cat/Cow Sequence)
1. Kneel on all fours, abdominals drawn in. Inhale and gently arch your back, tipping your tailbone up, eyes looking up toward the sky.

2. Exhale and round your back as you tuck your chin in toward your chest (previous slide).

3. Sit back on your heels into Child’s Pose and relax for 1 breath (this slide).

Repeat sequence 10 times. Remain in Child’s Pose for 5 slow breaths to cool down.

You can use this move during labor.

a calm and centered pregnancy | the power of yoga during pregnancy | mama bird box

Most importantly, I have found that prenatal yoga has helped me meditate and keep a calm sense of self. It is so important to clear your head as much during your pregnancy because there are so many changes going on as it is. For me, making sure that I stay calm and centered has only amplified my pregnancy experience and helped me enjoy this journey!

I would love to here how other mama’s stay relaxed and calm throughout their pregnancy?

Namaste xo,

Stephanie