I've made quite a bit of "progress" already, especially for a first-time mom, and he thinks we may not make it to October 14! (In fact, we are going back to the doctor twice weekly right now for non-stress testing. It seems our girl is determined to get here a little quicker than we anticipated.)
I'm working from home (doctor's orders) in an attempt to keep Miss Priss cooking a bit longer, so between tackling emails and projects, I'm organizing our hospital bags.
So far, here's what's made my list. I actually referenced the Lucie's List suggestions for help:
For the mommas:
What was on your packing list?
What were you SO glad to have taken and what could you have left at home?
I brought undies for me but ended up going with the giant mesh panties for the first couple days. They were just easier with the ice packs and the giant pads.
ReplyDeleteI brought undies for me but ended up going with the giant mesh panties for the first couple days. They were just easier with the ice packs and the giant pads.
ReplyDeleteSecond on what Emily said.
ReplyDeleteHow long are you in the hospital for.. My stay was only ever 24 hours so we needed very little and barely had time for visitors!
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ReplyDeleteI totally looooved having my own panties! I also bought and brought my own pads because the ones the hospital provides are giganto!!!!
ReplyDeleteI also brought waaaaaay too many bows for Blakely! We enjoyed the hats way more for the hospital, but of course, she rocked a huuuge bow on the way home!! :)
Happy Delivery!!!
stealingsweetkisses.blogspot.com
Soothies for "the girls"!!!! Works with the ointments. They are a little pricey but sooooo worth it!!!
ReplyDeleteI am glad I brought 'crappy' underwear bc you will have what is like a heavy period for a few days/2 weeks.
ReplyDeleteBaby ended up wearing a onesie and swaddle.
I brought way to many clothes for me. I wore my nirsing night gown and yoga pants the whole time. And a nursing bra.
I'm a csection mommy too and I didn't wear my own undies until at home either time. You will prob need those gigantic hospital pads and they won't fit in your reg ones probably. Also for me I liked the mesh undies bc they didn't fit tightly over the incision. :)
ReplyDeleteI could have left a lot of my own clothes at home. I way overpacked for myself!
Pack an extra tote or two to store all the goodies the hospital gives you and gifts you will no doubt get from your visitors. And a bag for dad with a change of clothes and some toiletries if he will be staying overnight at the hospital with you. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteDepending on how close you are to the hospital and if your hubby is staying with you don't forget to pack for him also! The cots that they give your partner at our hospital were pretty lame so we brought an egg crate for him along with some sheets. I would also probably bring a couple of snack like foods, granola bars or energy bars for both of you in case you get hungry when it isn't meal time or if he can't leave your side and needs something to eat.
ReplyDeleteGet some Lansinoh soothies - they are little gel pads that you put right over your nips between nursing sessions. They are the BEST, and make everything much more comfortable! For me, as a FTM, breastfeeding hurt for the first couple of weeks, so those were my lifesavers. You can pick them up at Target - think they were $10 or so for a pack of 2. They can be refrigerated to chill, and that makes them even better!
ReplyDeleteYour experience will be a bit different than mine since I didn't have a c-section, but still, make sure you have some 'bigger' panties - a size up from your normal pre-pregnant size - so that they can accommodate the lovely pads you will have to wear for the week or so following delivery.
So excited for you!:)
I had a c-section, too, and you MIGHT want to bring just some regular (loose-ish) pajama bottoms. (The maternity leggings may be tight and painful over your incision and tummy, and regular PJs will come up high enough to go way above the incision without clinging to you the way the leggings would.)
ReplyDeleteAnd that Lanolin (or whatever nipple cream you packed) will be your best friend! You're also going to love those swaddle blankets. :) You totally might have decided that you're not going to use a pacifier, but you might want to pack one just in case. Our hospital didn't have them, and Grace came out of the womb with a STRONG desire to suck. I was thankful I had thrown in a pacifier at the last minute. :)
Remember to take home whatever diapers, wipes, formula are in the room with you.Even ask for extras. Hey insurance pays for it- it's yours!
ReplyDeleteWarm socks. You might not want to put slippers on when youre in bed.
ReplyDeleteextra roomie sweats. the thought of leggings after having a baby sounds crazy. Soothies for the girls. They're like mini ice packs.
Make sure your room has a 'do not distrub' sign that you can put on the door. I had so many guests that I dont think I slept AT ALL in the hospital - that along with the drugs made it a terrible experience.
And a note pad for taking notes and questions. It seemed that I could only remember questions I wanted to ask the nurses when they werent in the room. (we even kept the notes)
Clothes and magazines for your husband. Sometimes at night, the baby is sleeping and he might not be able to.
So excited for you!!
Some quarters in case it's late at night and you're hungry. It happened to me and the cafeteria was closed and no one to get food.
ReplyDeleteEveryone has such great advice.
ReplyDeleteCAN'T BELIEVE YOU MIGHT NOT MAKE IT TO OCT 14TH!!! Can you tell I am excited?!!?
I brought Tylenol also - because when the ward got busy and I needed pain medication I would just help myself.
I can't wait to "meet" Caroline!!
I totally agree with the comments about the Lansinoh soothies--they will be your best friends. Putting them in the fridge makes them even better. I know several mommas who wore maxi dresses while at the hospital/on the way home. I think that's a great recommendation! SO excited for you!
ReplyDeleteYou have the basics, but the "extra stuff" will make your stay more enjoyable and soothing. A candle and a plug in warmer( most hospitals do not allow lit candles) to make your warm smell lovely and less hospital like. An iPod and speakers to play little lullabies and soft soothing music. A book or some good magazines, when you are visitor free, and not loving on your sweet girl, it is nice to curl up in bed and read, and definately bring a few pillows from home as the standard ones are pretty flat. Enjoy your beautiful sweet Caroline, our first born is a sweet Caroline too!
ReplyDeletePs.... We did nurse gifts and they go A LOnG WAY for the best care, the nurses loved us!!
You have the basics, but the "extra stuff" will make your stay more enjoyable and soothing. A candle and a plug in warmer( most hospitals do not allow lit candles) to make your warm smell lovely and less hospital like. An iPod and speakers to play little lullabies and soft soothing music. A book or some good magazines, when you are visitor free, and not loving on your sweet girl, it is nice to curl up in bed and read, and definately bring a few pillows from home as the standard ones are pretty flat. Enjoy your beautiful sweet Caroline, our first born is a sweet Caroline too!
ReplyDeletePs.... We did nurse gifts and they go A LOnG WAY for the best care, the nurses loved us!!
My little girl (Ellie) is 3 months old and somedays I feel like we just left the hospital! I also way over packed and the hospital was just a block away! I was very thankful I brought my own pads and undies that were a size up from my normal. The hospital pads and mesh things are HUGE and I am petite so I was more comfortable in my own. The first few days of breastfeeding I just expressed a little colostrum at the end of each feeding and used it instead of the lanolin for "the girls." I think I mainly just used the lanolin after showers. The colostrum was easier and doesn't stain like the lanolin will. I hope everything goes well for you and sweet Caroline!
ReplyDeleteFlip flops that can get wet or you don't mind trashing. A written copy of your medical history to give the nursing staff. It helps in case labor starts first for you. Any prescription meds you take. Makes it easier to get them ordered. A notebook and pen is also helpful to record questions, fill out forms etc.
ReplyDeleteIt helps too to bring bare minimum in when you check in and stash as much in the car so there is less to fool with until you get settled in your room.
I wanted to wear my own panties, too - just make sure you buy them a size up and the high-waisted kind (I know, GLAMOROUS!). And definitely take snacks and an extra bag for all of the stuff they'll send you home with! :)
ReplyDeleteI way overpacked for my first delivery since I ended up with a csection and didn't use half of what I brought. I couldn't wear my own pjs since I still had an iv and wore the mesh panties the entire time I was in the hospital since they were looser. I also underestimated the amount of things we would receive during our stay and we had so much to try to bring home. The second time I used the less is more philosophy and was so glad I did. Make sure you bring some loose fitting shoes since many people experience a lot of swelling with a csection. I had to wear my hubby's flip flops home the first time since my shoes wouldn't come close to fitting on my feet.
ReplyDeleteDon't know about your hospital but here they allow you to dress the baby in sleepers that you bring.
ReplyDeleteMy kids are adopted, so I can't really offer any suggestions. Other than, you should totally switch Chapstick for LipSmackers. LOL!! Good luck cutie!! So exciting & I love what you packed for Caroline's bag! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm a 2-time C-section Momma. Honestly, you don't need many outfits for yourself. You aren't going to want to be changing clothes and getting up and down a lot. Also, I preferred the totally hot (sarcasm) mesh undies b/c they didn't put any pressure on the incision site. I would also bring nursing pads.. my hospital for some odd reason did not have them, and colostrum can be a little sticky, and if you leak, your clothes will get stuck to you know what and it is OH so painful to get them unstuck, if you know what I mean! My best advice after 2 C's, get out of bed as soon as possible. And don't let them leave the catheter in for too long. The sooner you get up and moving around, the quicker you will recover. It will hurt, be sore,stiff, and painful, but it is best in the long run.
ReplyDeleteSeptember 30th is a pretty AWESOME day to be born, just FYI! (It also happens to be the day *I* was born, too- heehee!)
ReplyDeleteMesh panties are the best thing that will ever happen to you. Don't even bother with your own! But definitely bring LOTS of cute socks. I was such a weirdo about very time my feet touched the floor. I had to change them. Hospital floor germs on my sheets?- no, ma'am.
I took some flip flops to wear in the shower!
ReplyDeleteAs a csection momma myself, I agree with some of the other comments. Bring the leggings, but also bring looser/higher-waisted pajama type pants. Anything near that incision might be quite uncomfortable for a while. Also, you may not feel up to getting dressed, and that's ok too. Remember you won't be up and walking around when you're there, so no one will be able to see that you're wearing the cute leggings. Just do whatever makes you feel the best!
ReplyDeleteAs a baby nurse in Labor and Delivery I second the plug in!! There are many smells just sayin and the plug in is nice! Flip flops for the shower and for sure treats for the nurses! :)
ReplyDeleteOMG- that totally cracked me up!!!! I was going to suggest skipping the undies, but then I remembered you were having a c-section and i'm not sure if you'll have to wear the oh so flattering mesh undies the hospital provides. So, just make sure the undies are big and cotton, and you don't care if you have to throw them away afterwards. If you can wear a bra during the c-section; make sure it's a nursing bra, that way you are ready to go when you are back in your room with Miss C. Don't forget your toiletries, and toiletries for Steven; I totally agree with the towels! You may want flip flops to wear in the shower. Not sure if you'll need large/heavy flow pads? I showered and dressed back into pj's every day I was in the hospital with Adalyn. Don't stress yourself if you don't have time to get dressed or don't feel like it. Do your hair and make up and forget about the rest. You will want to be comfortable. Don't be afraid to ask for pain meds. If you can take them every 4 hours- do it. Even if you're in little pain!!! So excited for y'all! (I swear I could write a book, but i'll stop myself.)
ReplyDeleteOh, and if you wear leggings; make sure they're not too tight around your bottom. Because if you do have to wear the mesh panties and giant pads.... well, it's just not flattering. I wore loose fitted pj pants and a loose fitting pj top. Think flawy. You do not want anything to show off those pads. I swear. I had tighter fitting pj pants with Megan, and as soon as I put them on, I regretted it, and wouldn't get out of bed all day when we had visitors b/c it just looked awful!
ReplyDeleteAs grandmotherly as it sounds , you may wanna look for. Nightgown of sorts . After my section u didn't want anything putting pressure around my waist or belly. Especially if you have to do the heat lamp down there you don't want to have to take pants off and on :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I brought my own pads for the second day because at first you'll wear the giant ones they provide under the mesh grannies, but as it slows down you may be more comfortable with a normal type .
I had an emergency c section. Someone told me to have my husband pack swimming trunks for himself in case he needed to help you shower after birth. BEST ADVICE EVER.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you're on top of it!
ReplyDeleteAnd hopefully once you've been through it, you'll share what stuff YOU used for all us that have no wisdom to share currently but will need it in the future! :)
ReplyDelete