11 Things to Know Before You Go Into Labor (That No One Tells You)

I’m giving you 11 quick and essential things I really wish every mama knew before heading to the hospital - whether it's your first baby or your fourth. We're pulling back the curtain on the real-life stuff that doesn't exactly make it into the textbooks, and honestly? That's my favorite kind of episode. From the moment you pull into that parking lot to the moment you're trying to catch a nap postpartum with a revolving door of hospital staff, there are just so many things that can catch you off guard if no one ever tells you about them. And that's exactly what I'm here for. We're covering all of it: • The check-in process and how to make it less clunky • Why you might get sent home (and why that's okay!) • When to actually sound the alarm with family and friends • Why things just take time at a hospital • Whether there will even be a room waiting for you • The two-bag strategy I love for your hospital bag • Why you should stay home longer than you think • What your birth partner is and isn't allowed to do • How long you'll actually be there postpartum • Why that car seat needs to be installed now • How to actually get some rest when it feels nearly impossible My goal is always the same - to make the unfamiliar familiar so that when any of this shows up for you, you're saying "oh yeah, I knew this might happen" instead of feeling thrown off. Let's get into it! Mentioned in this episode: Grab my Free Third Trimester Prep Pack: https://learn.thelabormama.com/third Listen to episode 01: Labor Nurse's First Unmedicated Hospital Birth with Midwives    • Labor Nurse's First Unmedicated Hospital B...   Listen to episode 37: Is it Real Labor: Braxton Hicks Contractions, False Labor & Prodromal Labor    • Is it Real Labor: Braxton Hicks Contractio...   Listen to episode 38: You're Contracting! When Do You Go to the Hospital?    • You're Contracting! When Do You Go to the ...   Listen to episode 44: What Happens in OB Triage & Will They Send You Home?    • What Happens in OB Triage And Will They Se...   Helpful Timestamps: 00:00 11 Things to Know Before Labor 03:04 Check In Can Feel Clunky 05:46 OB Triage And Getting Sent Home 10:49 Hold Off On Telling Everyone 12:42 Everything Takes Longer in the Hospital 17:21 Pack Two Hospital Bags 20:49 Stay Home Longer 23:51 Partner Can Step Out 25:11 Postpartum Stays 28:05 Car Seat Before Labor 30:03 Rest And Cluster Care Download your FREE third trimester pack to help you prep, plan, and pack ➡ http://thelabormama.com/third-trimest... 📌Join the Your Body, Your Birth Online Course: https://thelabormama.com/your-body-yo... 📌Join The Breastfeeding Blueprint Online Course: https://thelabormama.com/breastfeedin... 📌Join Beyond the Birth postpartum/newborn Online Course: https://thelabormama.com/postpartum-a... Want an UNMEDICATED birth? ⇢ You need the Unmedicated Birth Guide: https://learn.thelabormama.com/unmedi... Having a planned C-SECTION? ⇢ Snag the Cesarean Birth Guide: https://learn.thelabormama.com/theces... - - - - - - - - TLM FAVORITES & RECOMMENDATIONS Purchasing through these links is a small way to support TLM, but it doesn’t cost you anything. Since TLM is an Amazon Associate, I might earn a small amount from qualifying purchases. Thank you! Start an Amazon Registry right here: https://amzn.to/4o8s03W Full TLM Amazon Shop: https://www.amazon.com/shop/thelabormama 🤰🏻PREGNANCY FAVS: One a Day Prenatals + Choline: https://amzn.to/4o50hB2 Pregnancy Support Belt: https://amzn.to/4kRAUzO Birth Ball: https://amzn.to/4f1Unwh Morning Sickness Sweets: https://amzn.to/46UCMnZ Nausea Sticks: https://amzn.to/4f4DOzK Compression Socks: https://amzn.to/4kXyHmq ALL pregnancy favs: https://amzn.to/45hZdSW 🏡POSTPARTUM GO-TOS: Best PJs (thinner style): https://amzn.to/3IKRNPg Best PJs (thicker style): https://amzn.to/4f2do1A Breastfeeding back pillow (LOVE): https://amzn.to/4f2do1A No-spill Tumbler: https://amzn.to/44LAczj Bathroom stool: https://amzn.to/45k9QVh ALL postpartum go-tos: https://amzn.to/4f4w0yh 👶🏼BABY MUST-HAVES: (Kyte dupe) sleep sack: https://amzn.to/4f3otQ1 BEST bedside bassinet: https://amzn.to/455iG8g Dishwasher safe (!!) humidifier (trust me): https://amzn.to/3TYu7cD Egg light/MOTN Light: https://amzn.to/3TYu7cD Portable sound machine: https://amzn.to/44WLKQx (fav) baby wrap: https://amzn.to/3GYRD6r Diaper rash support: https://amzn.to/4mcEF42 Baby lounger: https://amzn.to/4m9T68T ALL my baby must-haves: 🤱🏽BREASTFEEDING LOVES: Motherlove Nipple Cream: ​​https://amzn.to/3TSd7EW Hydrogel nipple pads: https://amzn.to/3IKmBzN Milk collector (I’ve tried SO many): https://amzn.to/3IJ0ud2 5-pack (affordable) nursing bras: https://amzn.to/3H2kE0X Favorite bottles: https://amzn.to/4m97Jt1 Eufy breast pump (S1 or S1 Pro): https://amzn.to/45iDev0 Momcozy M5 (no bluetooth) pump: https://amzn.to/3TWGgyM ALL my breastfeeding loves: https://amzn.to/415Njcg