Some things about pregnancy almost seem cliche. I have learned now from my own experience that the only reason these have become cliches is because they are common and real! Things like pregnancy brain for one. And the nesting instinct. I feel like I am going to crawl out of my skin about certain things and I attribute this manic obsession to the very normal nesting instinct. Right now, I'm only fixating on baby-related things. Which is unfortunate, because the things I need to do (dishes, laundry, packing up Christmas decorations) are being ignored because I want to fold and refold baby clothes.
One of the things I have been fixating on is packing my bag to take to the hospital. I'm not due for another 10 weeks, but again, the instinct is winning over practicality. (Plus, I had three friends who had preemies last year, so I am not taking anything for granted!)
So let me ask you- friends from the interwebs and life, what are some of the things you wished you had taken to the hospital? What did you end up bringing that you didn't need?
when I went to hospital, I didn't know I wasn't coming home, so I didn't really have anything. I didn't miss anything really, except I wished I had a nursing bra, I had my mom bring me one.
ReplyDeleteI obsessed about a nightgown when Sam was born, but I ended up not wanting to get out of the hospital gown!
ReplyDeleteBring a book, for sure. And a candy bar to eat when you finish the birth(it takes time for them to get food for you and you'll be hungry). But, really, anything you need you can send Johnny to run and get.
FOOD! the hospital food was fine but for me after giving birth and nursing I was starving!!!! I could have eating 3 times the food they gave me at every meal. So if there is some snacky food you can bring with you I would suggest that :) oh and you probably will, but your pillow or two!!!
ReplyDeleteLike Heidi, I didn't know it was coming so I didn't have anything either. All I wanted was my hair straightener and a razor. Oh yeah, don't send your husband home for underwear either. Riley brought me back a thong.
ReplyDeleteOkay...I'm still laughing too hard over Melanie's comment! :) I agree with everyone, but had to add one thing: slippers! A good pair of comfy slippers so you can walk around without your feet turning black! :)
ReplyDeleteI bought a robe to wear over the hospital gown, and was so glad to have that. I had the nightgown, but it was just easier to keep the gown on. For me, it was such a short stay that I didn't care about any of my hair stuff. It's not like you are trying to impress, and that stuff just takes up too much room in your bag.
ReplyDeletei was really happy to have my own pajamas! both times i changed out of that hospital gown the second they would let me. if you do take pajamas then make sure to take some that button... it makes nursing so much easier!
ReplyDeleteEveryone has their own experience and it's fun to see what each person will say.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the food - they couldn't bring it to me fast enough after being in labor for 15 hrs....
Also just a change of comfy clothes. You will want to shower too. I would also bring a preemie outfit. Even if your baby is full term - you just never know how big they will be and my baby boy was swimming in a "newborn" outfit @ 6 lbs!
The first time I was in the hospital I was unprepared and SO bored! It was 4 days of nothing but ultrasounds every 4 hours! For the next 7 weeks I carried my toothbrush and a hairbrush with me. Also, when I went to deliver I made sure I had all sorts of movies and stuff to do packed. Didn't really care too much about that stuff since I had A BABY! But I'd definitely take a pair of pajama pants. That way you can put them on under your gown and feel a bit more comfortable and modest! Take your bobby or nursing pillow, but I bet you knew that already. My sis took makeup and put it on for the going home pics. Although I thought this was a bit silly, she looked a whole lot nicer than I did in those pics! ;0)
ReplyDeleteI'm proud of you for getting everything ready before! Way to be prepared.
camera,robe, slippers, razor, face wash, toothbrush, useless magazine (People, Us Weekly, etc), video camera, snacks, hat/beanie for baby, change of clothes for baby 9nothing fancy), recieving blanket for baby (I hate the hospital ones)...since I just did this whole labor thing a week ago these are the things that I took and am so glad I did.....you are on top of things if you are already thinking of packing:)
ReplyDeleteI don't know if you have a 'boppy pillow'?? But I so wished I took mine. It makes learning how to nurse so much easier!! And I wished I had mine at the Hospital!!
ReplyDeleteOoh, I have an entire list I made for Megan Spencer, so I will forward that on to you!
ReplyDeleteslippers and cards!!!!!
ReplyDeletewhatever you do take a shower as soon as you can. you'll feel SO much better about EVERYTHING! i loved having slippers/warm socks with "grippers"-don't know what they're really called. i'm so excited for you guys.
ReplyDeleteYeah try to take a shower as soon as you can, I was so happy that I had shampoo and conditioner! I liked having a robe because it's nice when visitors come! The clothes we brought were WAY too big for tucker, and he ended up wearing just a white undershirt home, I wished we brought a one piece sleeper with feet and mittens attached because he was scratching his perfect new little face and I felt so bad that I sent Sam out that night to get onesies with mittens. Oh definately you'll want toothpaste and a toothbrush :) you'll be fine, you'll be so happy to meet your little guy that you won't really care what you brought or didn't bring :)
ReplyDeleteI am getting god notes here!! haha You'll have to pass on your tips!!
ReplyDeleteI think most everything has been covered. I never changed out of the hospital gown because I didn't want to get my pajamas dirty (you may bleed) but I loved having slippers! Also, I had Jesse run home and get our breast pump so the nurses could show me how to use it; it was very helpful. I also had him get my boppy because it makes nursing so much easier!
ReplyDelete