Feeling brave....
This is my belly today! I had an appointment this morning. Nothing's changed. My BP is still hovering around 120/80, I'm still swollen but no worse. Strep B--negative. I gained 1 1/2 pounds this past week.
The doctor gave me a prescription for Ambien in hope that it will help me sleep for a change. I haven't filled it yet. Maybe tomorrow.
I'm doing well, although the lack of sleep and hip pain is really wearing on me. I'm just starting to get tired of being pregnant, although I'm still very sad that I won't be pregnant forever. Yes, I'm emotional!!
But overall, I'm happy. I feel the same way now that I did in anticipation of my wedding. I know that something magical and life-changing is about to happen, and I want to savor every moment that I can.
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Today's question for been-there-done-that moms: What do I really need to take to the hospital with me?? I think that I'm overpacking, using the list from the Girlfriends' Guide. I welcome ANY suggestions!!
posted by Christine at 2/22/2005 04:45:00 PM
7 Comments:
Christine, first time posting here, but I enjoy your writing. Since you asked,
Things I'll take again if I'm lucky enough to have a second baby:1) My plug in CD player with soothing music to play during labor and while staying in the hospital. I had practiced my breathing to a particularly relaxing CD and played it about 15 times during my 18+ hour labor.
2)My own pillow, again, for labor and for the hospital stay, with a waterproof sort of allergy pillow cover I found at Bed Bath and Beyond.
3) My own knee length lightweight cotton nightgown with pretty little flowers that made me feel cozy and warm that I bought at Ross for $7.99 and tossed after the delivery. I refused to wear their nasty green gowns.
4) Your birth plan, if you have one.
5) An unscented massage oil I bought at a massage store... our L&D nurse massaged my hands during labor and it was the most incredible thing. Unscented is key though, because your body becomes incredibly sensitive to smells in labor. In fact, my mom had brought me something lavender smelling which I usually love the smell of and I almost threw it across the room, so I'd avoid any perfumes or aromatherapy.
6) A basic maternity bra and a handful of nursing pads... potentially just the little criss cross jobbies that are supposed to be for sleeping. You'll need it when you leave the hospital and your milk is coming in.
7) a very small, sample size vial of nipple creme like lansinoh. A very little amount goes a long way but my nipples were a little sore after that first day of nursing and it was good to have it there.
8) Something cozy to change into after you've deliver, like lightweight baggy sweatpants, so you're not forced to wear their nasty green gowns
9) slippers to keep your feet warm
10) basic toiletries... you'll be surprised how much you might actually want a shower the next day
11) Your cell phone AND the charger... I've read a lot of stories that people can't use their cell phones in the hospital, but our hospital didn't have a problem using ours in our room.
12) If you're hoping to breastfeed, you could take whatever information you get in your nursing prep class, though most hospitals have that available.
13) Something special to bring the baby home in
14) Your camera and extra batteries and film
One other thing we did was have a bag for the labor & delivery part, and another bag for the hospital stay itself. That way we had one small bag when we checked in, and my DH ran back to the car to get us settled into our room after the baby was born.
And one unsolicited piece of advice... take as many swaddling blankets as you can, in good conscience, stash into your bag during your hospital stay. Those are the best, thickest, largest swaddling blankets you can find anywhere. Our baby lived in them for weeks. (Also take the diapers, pads, waterproof pads, and whatever else the nurse say is "yours"... you're being billed for it.)
Good luck, and congratulations for feeling brave today.
Christine,
LOVE the belly shot. You've got such a great pg belly you should be showing it off. Can't wait to see the pg pics DH's planning on taking.
Rosanne
I have to admit - when I started haphazardly clicking on my stored links and clicked on your blog, I totally thought your belly shot was a butt shot! And, gotta say, it looked like a great hiney! Looks like an even better baby belly though!
Best of luck for you. May charm be a breeze to deliver.
LOOK at you!! Wow, you look fantastic, and I'm so glad you got brave! :) I love this belly shot and just wish mine were as purty so I could post one like this, too. Damn girl, you don't even look like you have any stretch marks...thanks for asking about the list for the hospital. I'll definitely be using this advice as well!
Awesome belly Christine! I am so excited for you!!!!
Jackie
Great belly shot!!
I'm packing right now too...great ideas from "kat". I would add that if you plan to breastfeed bring a breastfeeding pillow with you (My Breast Friend is coming with me this time!) as it's hard enough to work on proper latching, etc. the first time around let alone without the right kind of support for a newborn.
Definitely recommend bringing some fun jammy pants/sweats...last time I had to wear the stupid hospital gown the whole time b/c I didn't think of it.
Oh and paper and pens b/c guaranteed you're going to come up with something that you need to remember/write down and won't be able to find one or both of these items.
Cheers!
You have the most beautiful belly!! I love it! As for what to bring to the hospital, that's a tough one. I really overpacked. All I really needed was my cell phone, a pad of paper to write down the events of my labor, my robe! That was for after, but I loved having it. I wore the hospital gowns b/c I didn't want to mess up my own. Oh and slippers or socks. Things I brought with me, but never touched, CD Player, deck of cards, book and lotions. Oh I did bring lip balm which was great. This time I will bring my breast pump also. I can't believe how close you are.
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