Ok all you Mamma's out there....I'm down to the wire, 7 days until my due date (I know, it could be longer!)...and I need your help...
I have a bag packed and have read and re-read all the lists in my books about what to bring to the hospital, but I want YOUR advice on the MUST HAVES in my hospital bag..please help!
18 comments:
Chapstick and a nursing pillow! Do you have a boppy or another brand? If not I'll send Matt to work with one tomorrow. Nursing with hospital pillows is just the worse. Make sure you bring clothes that fit you when you were about 20-25 weeks pregnant.....dispite stories you might have heard about women leaving the hospital in pre-pregnancy clothes....they all lie. So be preprared it will take a while for everything to fit. If you have time pack something fun for Eddie. Guys get really restless in the hospital so if you have some of his favorite snacks, gun magazines, Maybe a hand held poker game....(because really he's was your first baby and you don't want him to feel neglected. )
Oh and bring your baby book so the nurse can add foot prints to your foot print page...or a piece of scrapbook paper if you are making your own.
I have a My Breast Friend pillow, the one that wraps all the way around you...so I will bring that. Thank you for mentioning it, because I wasn't planning on it! Good tip on bringing something fun for Eddie too, I hadn't really thought about that either...I was only thinking about me. How selfish! :) The baby book tip is great too...thank you for taking the time to think of all these things!
* Pack a WORKING camera, with extra batteries or charger and extra memory card.
* Have a list of names, including numbers, so when the baby is born (just in case it's in the middle of the night) Eddie has no problem with remembering to call those IMPORTANT people.
* Slippers
* Grandma Panties...no G Strings after the baby's born.
In all 3 of my births, I brought my own nice, button down flannel night shirt. And I gave birth in it! I can't stand those hospital night gowns with the "tie backs", especially when you have to get up and walk around.
Also, don't forget your nursing bra! Oh, and of course, your laptop, so you can do a blog post right after you give birth!!!
A camera, extra clothes,(with Allyson we needed to stay in the hospital for 5 days), and hospital gowns are not that comfy. Slippers since they like to make you get up and walk as soon as possible, a pillow or blanket from home, in case you need to stay for a while, that way baby has something that smells like home.
~Danielle :)
Lizzy, I'm in charge of the blog. We were inspired after Becca did such a great job with Ruby's birth blog...That way Meggie doesn't have to worry about it!!!
7 days!!
I echo all the ladies, they have done a wonderful job picking all the things that are important.
Don't forget that baby book!!! That is the most important. The only time you will get those fresh little feet in ink. ;)
One thing I didn’t see anyone mention was a BIRTHING PLAN!! I don’t know if you have already filled one out, but they are extremely helpful, and can even be life savers (not literally) when it comes to the big day. The last thing you want to worry about on the big day is trying to keep people out of your room, or having a mix up on who you want to be allowed in the room with you. Trust me it happens!!! They can also be helpful with how you would like things to go during the actual birth, obviously not everything can be planned but it is good to have it. I had made one but didn’t realize that Aliyah would be born 3 1/3 weeks early and left mine at home along with everything else. I really needed it to.
I recommend printing three off, one for your doctor (give at your next visit), give one to the hospital, and keep one for yourself. If you do not already have one filled out here is the one I used. You can always add anything to it.
http://www.babyzone.com/pregnancy/birthplan/
I thinks these girls got it all! Good job.
Had fun last night...had to tell Dave your a slow ice cream eater like himself:)
Oh my I was a list freak when it came to packing for the "big day"! Rachel is right...granny panties like those you wore around 6 months. If you were like me your abdomen and other regions will be VERY sore and you won't want ANYTHING tight around there, plus you will want room to shove ice packs into your drawers. They will give you WONDERFUL netted panties - grab extras for home if you can! I wore them under my granny panties with my ice packs. I took cheap slippers I tossed afterwards due to icky hospital floors. Breath mints - so you won't knock baby out as you admire him/her up close when it hurts to get out of bed to brush your teeth! Your OWN pillow as hospital ones are like bricks and flat as pancakes. A robe. Mike and I played cards as we waited for labor to really pick up. If you wear contacts you have to remove them, so take glasses if you need them to see. Your own special yummy smelling soaps/lotions - they won't provide you with much. Slip on shoes for going home - you won't want to bend over, believe me! A special "congrats treat" for yourself for afterward like your fav candy. Oh, and snag the squirty water bottle thing for when you go potty at home if they will allow you to. It will be a lifesaver! (sorry, I got a bit carried away with my comments)
DVD's!!! There are DVD players in all the rooms. There is not a whole lot of channels on those hospital TV's so you will want something to be able to watch. I ended up being in the hospital for 5 days so the movies were nice to have. Also if you plan on breast feeding bring some nipple ointment because you nipples will be a little sore even if the baby is latching correctly. It is worse if they are not. I used Lasinoh (purple bottle) I think you can buy it at Target. It also works well on chapped lips.
I was in the hospital with my 2 for a few more days than "normal". Make sure you have food to eat! Nursing and birthing will take a lot out of you and it was nice to have food you like in your room to eat. I had Propel...was very thirsty...some type of fruit and granola bars. Our hospital had a kitchenette, but I was in no mood to travel around to get food. Having my own was a nice treat!
Also, I used Tucks on top of the ice bags! The witch hazel feels like heaven when you are healing! They are also much kinder to the nether regions! The Peri-bottle (squirt bottle) is a must for every bathroom! Score enough to put one in each one in your house!
Take a laptop, if you have one. The hospital will have wifi and it was nice to email, blog, watch shows online, etc.
Good Luck! I keep asking Rachel every time she calls if you have your baby...
I always like to bring some of my own shower soap. It's nice to feel pretty when you get to take a shower. Maybe a little mascara or lip gloss too, that is an easy way to feel pretty!
I can't wait for the announcement!! Eleven years later I still remember exactly the whole birth of Maggie, our first. It is a sweet, sweet time having your first baby.
This might sound strange but helped out SO much. I bought a flannel night gown that zips all the way from top to bottom in the old lady pajama section at Wal-Mart. It was great to just zip down a little to breast feed. Good luck and I can't wait to see pics!
You're almost there! :)
If you have a c-section, you may not be allowed to take a shower for a day or two!! So, make sure you have any facial and body "wipees" you may want to use (the hospital will probably have some that you can use on your body...but you may want your own kind you like, esp. for your face!) As for the nursing bra...know that your "girls" will probably get MUCH bigger as your milk comes in. Make sure you've got a big one! ;)
As for your baby, most likely your baby will be required to wear hospital clothes except for his/her (I've been feeling "boy" from the beginning) picture and going home. They will have all supplies you will need for your baby there. But do consider the ride home (burp clothes and two blankets: one to drape over baby's legs and a blanket to roll up and use for head support if your car seat doesn't come with one.
If you have a vaginal birth, you may want to take along Tucks (or another brand) pads!
I hope you have a wonderful birth experience. Don't forget to take it all in, enjoy it while it lasts (yes, even the pain...it makes for good stories ;), and write it all down!
Oh I am so excited for you!!!
Maybe by now you have already had your precious little baby!
Can't wait to hear!
Just want you to know that on this Valentine's Day due date I'm sitting here doing a baby-be-born chant!
I have been thinking about you each day wondering if Baby Diaz has arrived!!! ; )
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