3am Doula Musings….

It's 3:30am and I am sitting in my client's room musing about what an odd place hospitals are. The smells are strange, the space sterile, the lights jarring, and the furniture all industrial. There isn't a curtain or throw pillow to be seen. How strange to spend some of the most intimate, vulnerable moments of our life in a space that reflects nothing about who we are.

For some, this divide is easily crossed. These women simply choose to not leave their home to birth. They spend their labor in a comfortable bed, with familiar smells, and a loved pet by their side. But for reasons of risk, cost, or comfort, birthing at home isn't the best option for every woman.

So how can we make the hospital room a warmer, cozy place to labor and birth in? 

1. Carry your own pillow. Make sure that you cover it with a bright pillowcase so that the staff doesn't accidentally add it to the laundry bag.

2. Pack a cozy quilt or blanket. You might love the lightweight throws that the hospital provides, but if you sleep better under some weight, bring your own.

3. Wear your own clothes! Seriously. You don't need to wear the hospital gown unless you really want to. Though there is no expectation, if you want to be clothed, a stretchy skirt and oversized T-shirt are wonderful to labor in.

4. Include battery-operated tea lights or white twinkle lights. They will make the space feel warmer and cozy.

5. Bring a picture of your dog. It's not quite the same as having him in bed with you, but at least you'll be able to see him. 

6. Essential oils can help tremendously with the strange, sterile smells. Don’t bring a pillow doused with it (you might discover halfway through labor that you hate lavender), but a few drops on a cotton ball in a Ziploc bag work wonders. 

7. Bring music. Hospitals are weirdly quiet, and the sounds that exist are unfamiliar ones. Some people like “spa” music, others prefer indie rock groups, and others resonate with spiritual medleys. Include music that brings a sense of peace and calm. 

The goal is to fill your room with oxytocin, that wonderful “feel-good” hormone. Surrounding yourself with those things that feel familiar and safe will go a long way to encourage your contractions to be strong and steady as you work to bring your baby into your arms.