Just like everything else related to pregnancy and child birth, you can find 2,000 different suggestions of what to pack for the hospital, from the high-class birthing dress (I didn't know child birth required formal wear) to the best ipod playlist, every website, twitterer, midwife and doctor has their opinion. Here's what we plan to pack, anything we forgot?
- Slippers-I do not travel without slippers or slipper-socks
- Toiletries- I have heard that the first shower after child birth is one of the most relaxing life experiences, I plan on being prepared
- Nursing tanks and comfy, disposable pajama pants- for the days after Charlie is born
- Something to keep us occupied- I purchased some Madlibs for the occasion
- Birth plan
- Charlie's first outfit (Do I need to pack anymore than what she's going home in?)
- Charlie's coat and blanket
- Cameras
- Snacks
- Extra $$ for the vending machine
- Going home clothes for me
- Netbook to update the blog!
- A bathing suit for John- just in case I do decide to labor in the tub or shower, he can come too
- The ipod- I have put John in charge of creating a playlist for the occasion, any suggestions of music to be included welcome!
I am sure there is something I am forgetting...
I love your hospital bag! My only suggestion is to bring your OWN pillow that has a case on it that you don't care about (I ended up with mascara all over mine ;)). Also, bring a lot of big granny panties that you are NOT attached to along. ;) Good thinking on the snacks, too. Oh, and make sure the clothes you bring for you to change into are just plan old maternity clothes. I had a couple of outfits so that when I woke up and showered the next day (which, you are right, was AMAZING!), I had an outfit for visitors to come see us and I still had an outfit to wear home. If you're usually a makeup wearer, make sure you bring a little... it will help you feel like a million bucks. ;) You don't need to bring more than a going home outfit for the little one (although I OBSESSED about what to put her in) but I brought a separate outfit just for the hospital pictures.
ReplyDeletePlaylist: I also obsessed about what to put on the play list. ;) I included Aqueous Transmissions and other relaxing songs by Incubus, a lot of relaxing Led Zeppelin (The Rain Song, Down By the Seaside, etc.) and a lot of relaxing Bob Marley. It honestly did help a lot when I was in the bathtub breathing out the contractions. No matter what you THINK should be on the list, put whatever relaxes YOU. Even if it's death metal, if you like it, that's all that matters... and same thing goes for EVERYTHING else that goes in the bag! :)
If that bag is packed it is SO exciting!!!
I packed a couple of outfits for Keelin. We got her dressed in a comfy one piece for all the visitors. She looked SOOOO cute! I also brought a LARGE water bottle. (although, I had mine filled with Crystal Light) Devin and my doula were great about making sure I was drinking. Must stay hydrated during labor!! (I was at the Birth Center, so I did not have an IV with fluids going.) I brought my own undies, but they got ruined pretty quick! I switched over to the hospital undies. They aren't the most comfy things in the world... but, they did the trick!
ReplyDeleteDevin made a birth CD for Keelin. She still listens to it at bed time. She loves the CD that Daddy made just for her! (iPods weren't big yet!)
You might well be STARVING after you give birth... since they don't let you eat once you get to the hospital. If you have Charlotte in the middle of the night, the kitchen will be closed. We brought Annie's microwave mac cheese packets. No refrigeration needed. I hadn't eaten in HOURS!!! I couldn't wait to eat something. We brought snacks too.