Fairy lights for delivery room? + other ways to make it relaxing

[Womble999]

Normally I’m a very straightforward person, but as I’ve learnt about labour I’ve understood how important a relaxing environment is to help things go smoothly. I’m planning to give birth in hospital, in a midwife led unit. (Don’t want a home birth as I have some risk factors).
I’ve heard that taking fairy lights can make it a nicer environment... looking at them on the internet they all seem so tiny that I find it hard to imagine they really give off much light at all. Any suggestions on good brands? Should they be battery operated? Are they a waste of time?

Other ideas on ways to make the room nicer? (I’m making a playlist but that’s all so far...)

On our MLU they had mood lighting, all different colours, I remember my husband asking if I wanted blue, pink, green etc, I do remember telling him that I didn't bloody care. He picked blue, the MLU was really chilled, they had enya playing and it was all quite calming, so I don't think you really need anything else other than your own home comforts :)

I was more bothered about getting my epidural to bother about lights to tell you the truth.

I kept my eyes shut throughout labour, I wouldn't have noticed fairy lights! We had brought music etc with us in my bag, and left it all in the car when we arrived at hospital as it was all a bit of a rush. I wouldn't let go of DH's hand so he couldn't go to the car until after DS was born.

Our hospital says you can take in whatever you want, I've packed a planetarium...

I had a couple of printed photos of DD1 on the wall at DD2s birth. They really gave me something to focus on during contractions.
I found music helpful and we kept the lights fairly low. Also highly really recommend a TENS machine as it gives you some control over managing your pain.

I would go and look at the rooms you are planning on giving birth in but my top advice is to get be too focused on what you want as your ideal in case it doesn’t happen. After all, nearly all women want a straightforward labour but it’s often not the case.

I gave birth in the MLU OP, it was a lovely environment. I wasn't bothered about the lights by that point tbh but the music playlist I made was lovely. Also...shock horror, my birth DID go to plan after countless people telling me not even to bother making one. Do want you want to do OP!! Everyone's birth experience is so different so I'd say just plan it as YOU want it and take it as it comes. If you want fairly lights go for it, and it doesn't really matter if you end up not using them...you can use them at Christmas instead

Oh also lots of candlelit baths at home in early stages where v effective pain relief and very relaxing, along with the TENS...

I packed some nice bits and bobs.. From a new ( cheap) nightshirt.. Didn't care it got messy juts wanted to feel nice to start. Nice toiletries. Snacks, music etc

I didn't even open the bag. I couldn't of cared a hoot. I just wanted the pain and birth to he over with. Even after I felt like a greasy old bag. And I didn't care. I just had to wait a few hrs. To get discharged then had a shower at home.

This time Im taking bare basics.

mynamechangemyrules

You mean all four births were vaginal (and pain free). No such thing as an "unnatural" birth.

I used candles and an oil diffuser at home, both of which I found comforting. As others have said, by the time I got to hospital my focus had moved on from my surroundings to really needing to concentrate on my labour. Towards the end I wasn't even aware of who was in the room with me. Your birth unit will likely be equipped with sensory/ dim lighting etc anyway. By the way, I can't recommend a TENs machine enough

Totally agree with making things as comfortable and relaxing as possible

For me that was relaxing music (Buddhist/yoga type music), comfortable warm clothing. I find hospitals cold. I had my eyes closed for both of my labours (helps me to focus and keep in the right frame of mind, free of distractions) so didn’t need anything visual. I’m allergic to a lot of scents so didn’t want any aromatherapy stuff.

So I say figure out what would be important to you and go for it. Just don’t make it too fussy as you might be in a rush and not have time for elaborate set ups etc.

Is this your first labour OP? (Sorry if that’s an incorrect assumption).

I think the best route is to not try to plan far too much in advance. For me, in the end, all I remember is a dark room, me on my hands and knees, oblivious to everything except my late grandmother’s voice in my head - saying what she always said whilst practically raising me - “wherever my little (my name) goes, she will hold her head high and she will succeed*. That sentence played on loop inside my head, unplanned, and I held my head and spine very straight, and pushed DS out. My suitcase filled with candles and iPods and spare batteries lay untouched. As did my carefully prepared birth plan. It was just the dark room and gran’s voice and me.

DD is due this week. My suitcase this time has no candles, or iPods or anything else. I am hoping the MLU will once again darken the room, and once again, a similar voice will tide me through the final hour :)

In other words - try to relax and be comfy in whatever way suits you - but be prepared for not caring, caring about other things, different things, feeling unexpected emotions as you give birth. Fairy lights may absolutely not matter. And perhaps there isn’t a need to plan them to matter either.

I had my own music and, since my son was summer born, I made up some fresh lavender sachets that helped me relax.
Comfy clothes for labouring in important too, a long soft cotton T-shirt that come to mid-thigh.