I wish I had packed more clothes and stuff than I did. We ended up in the hospital for a few extra days (baby in the NICU and they let me stay in my room) and I ran out of clean clothes. We didn't want to run home for extras.
Post by liverandonions on Jan 20, 2015 21:58:53 GMT -5
Take everything-all the diapers, all the formula if needed, all the mesh underwear, all the pads/tucks/etc they offer. Make sure you bring comfy pants (yoga pants were my preference) and a nursing tank/sweater to put on when they let you out of the awful gown.
I had a really long labor. Dd was delivered at 2am, we got into our recovery room at 5am, and the hospital kitchen didn't open until 7am. We were STARVING and got very lucky that our sweet nurse went down and somehow got us a couple of sandwiches. So, this time I will pack more food for both H and I. And when people come to visit, I'm going to ask them to bring something yummy - the hospital food was terrible.
Also, take everything you can, especially the peri bottle (or 2).
Bring cheap flip flops that you don't mind throwing away, and jammies with a nursing tank (if nursing) and a robe to cover up.
Have a helper who will control guests for you. They will communicate when is a good time to visit. They will help get rid of people when you need to nurse or sleep. Give them a cue when guests need to leave so they can handle ushering people out.
The first shower I took at the hospital was nothing short of amazing. I wish I had some good bath products and a real towel.
I agree with having snacks. I was also in labor over night. My water broke right before I started to make dinner, so I didn't eat until the next morning. I was so hungry. The nurse found some peanut butter crackers.
Bring your own pillow. The pillows on the L&D side of our birthing center were terrible and I was induced with Cervadil overnight. Also, if they offer you a sleeping pill, take it.
Pack neutral/non-stupid phrase t-shirts for your H. There will be a lot of pictures taken those first few hours.
Bring a cute swaddle blanket and hat for the baby. That's really all you see in newborn pics anyway. Also, bring hats in multiple sizes. They didn't have a hat big enough to fit my kid!
Know what the fast food options nearby are, especially those that are 24 hours, in case you deliver middle of the night and are starving.
Bring nice toiletries for the first post-delivery shower. You deserve it. I also recommend face wipes, since labor and PP can be very sweaty and gross but you can't always get up and wash your face.
I think some of this might depend on the hospital. Mine had 24 hr room service and the food was amazing. I also knew that they came to check you often (guess not everyone does).
I brought way too much. I didnt use a robe. Bring own toiletries to shower and comfy clothes. I wore stretchy pants and tanks. We did a hospital tour so I knew there was a blow dryer in bathroom. Also pack phone charger.
Post by dearprudence on Jan 21, 2015 1:56:16 GMT -5
1) Check with your hospital regulations on food during labor - this is going to sound silly, but we learned during our birth class that our hospital has one exception to the "clear liquids only" rule - otter pops. And let me tell you, I was all over that. It even saved me from having to get an internal monitor put on the baby when he wasn't moving enough for them. One otter pop and that kid was having accelerations and decelerations exactly like they wanted.
2) In addition to what @brie said- don't just bring your own pillows, bring brightly colored (non-neutral) pillow cases. That lets the nurses know they're your cases and they won't strip them and throw them in the hospital wash.
3) Agree with everyone on bringing a change of clothes. Nursing tanks and yoga pants. I gave birth around 3am and was in them by 9am that morning. We had to do a lot of walking around before we could go home, including heading to a "before you go home" class and it was nice to be in regular clothes when tromping through the hospital.
4) If you have a shared bathroom - move all "your" stuff to your room right away. We had private rooms, but a connecting bathroom between 2 rooms. The staff divided shelves between me and the other mom - she stole all my pads and mesh underwear.
I feel like so much of this is dependent on the person. After both kids (each 20+ hr labors and one ended in C) I was SO happy to be in my own clothes and have the babies in their own clothes and cute swaddles. I loved having my own shower stuff and my make up to feel nice again and look decent for the millions of photos. I definitely agree about bringing food! Our hospital food was decent but not always available and sometimes I just wanted things I was used to. Bring your own pillow!! So nice to have during delivery and after.
Don't let people visit too much. I would get so tired from visitors all day and finally had to stop them from being there so much.
If you end up with a C section, get up and walk as soon as and as much as you can.
I brought clothes, but with all the bleeding afterwards and everything involving that, I felt it was easier to stay in the hospital gown. I didn't take a blanket after I had DD, but I want to make sure I do that this time.
Tell visitors to go away when I wanted, use the nursery for sleep (!!!!!), stay on top of my pain meds and use the lactation support as much as possible.
Post by chickenlittle on Jan 21, 2015 8:51:06 GMT -5
As far as things I packed, having my own pillow was definitely a life saver. And chapstick. I used so much chapstick it was ridiculous. I also brought our portable white noise machine, which helped me get some sleep.
And I totally agree with having someone control the visitors. With DS1, I felt like I had to let everyone in--this time, it will only be DS1 and my mom.
I also wish I had gotten myself and DS dressed in our own clothes sooner. We were there for 5 days, and it never occurred to me to get us dressed until like day 4, and I felt so much better once I did.
Oh and I loved my hospital food, lol. It was seriously gourmet and was yummy! I had room service 24 hrs a day and enjoyed it very much.
Agree on toiletries but I didn't need my own pillow. I did love having the boppy and my nursing cover for when guests were there. Oh and flip flops or slippers for walking the halls.
Yeah, ITA with ladybug--so much of it is dependent on your personality, the labor/delivery you wind up having, and your hospital.
Bottom line, give yourself options but don't go overboard. Chances are your H will be running home, or out of the hospital near a store, at some point if you suddenly decide you NEED the robe that takes up half your suitcase space. But throwing in a nursing tank and pair of yoga pants is NBD but could come in handy.
Let them take the baby for a while and sleep some. Pack lots of yoga pants and nursing tanks Bring snacks My own products and makeup is what made me feel like me again. Ditto the pack for your husband thing... I look back and wish he wasn't wearing some of the tshirts he chose. Your pillow and your H's pillow-- husbands get whiny.
Things to absolutely pack: 1. The thickest/warmest socks that exist-- an epi makes your feet feel like ice cubes. I was adamant about how my mom would not be in the delivery room but I didn't have good socks (hospital ones are NOT enough) and I told her that if she brought me socks she could stay. 2. Chapstick x2- your lips get totally dried out. 3. Hair ties
I should have mentioned also - let them take the baby to the nursery if you need. NO ONE will blame you.
Our hospital was all room-in, but our nurse said she would take the baby and keep her with her until she needed a feeding. After a 37hr labor, and a middle of the night delivery, the following night I was beyond exhausted. DD was so snorty that I couldn't sleep because I was afraid she couldn't breathe and I was a mess. A few hours of sleep was crucial for H and I, and I'm so glad I gave up the guilt and let someone help me.
I should have mentioned also - let them take the baby to the nursery if you need. NO ONE will blame you.
Our hospital was all room-in, but our nurse said she would take the baby and keep her with her until she needed a feeding. After a 37hr labor, and a middle of the night delivery, the following night I was beyond exhausted. DD was so snorty that I couldn't sleep because I was afraid she couldn't breathe and I was a mess. A few hours of sleep was crucial for H and I, and I'm so glad I gave up the guilt and let someone help me.
Between DD and DS, our hosital switched from having a nursery to having the babies room with the mom. We didn't know that until the first night. DH and I were all, "Why? Why isn't anyone taking our baby?" Haha.
Especially in the hours after a c-section, sitting up everytime DS made a little noise took herculean strengh. I felt bad for moms who didn't have a significant other staying with them 24/7 to help.
Things to absolutely pack: 1. The thickest/warmest socks that exist-- an epi makes your feet feel like ice cubes. I was adamant about how my mom would not be in the delivery room but I didn't have good socks (hospital ones are NOT enough) and I told her that if she brought me socks she could stay.
LOL! I was totally the opposite. I had an epi and stripped to my bra and was begging for them to aim fans directly at me.
I should have mentioned also - let them take the baby to the nursery if you need. NO ONE will blame you.
Our hospital was all room-in, but our nurse said she would take the baby and keep her with her until she needed a feeding. After a 37hr labor, and a middle of the night delivery, the following night I was beyond exhausted. DD was so snorty that I couldn't sleep because I was afraid she couldn't breathe and I was a mess. A few hours of sleep was crucial for H and I, and I'm so glad I gave up the guilt and let someone help me.
Between DD and DS, our hosital switched from having a nursery to having the babies room with the mom. We didn't know that until the first night. DH and I were all, "Why? Why isn't anyone taking our baby?" Haha.
Especially in the hours after a c-section, sitting up everytime DS made a little noise took herculean strengh.
My hospital changed this way between C and this baby, too. I'm packing chocolate bribes/thank you gifts for nurses in case I need to beg someone to take him so I can sleep a little. (Especially since H will be going home at night this time.)
I should have mentioned also - let them take the baby to the nursery if you need. NO ONE will blame you.
Our hospital was all room-in, but our nurse said she would take the baby and keep her with her until she needed a feeding. After a 37hr labor, and a middle of the night delivery, the following night I was beyond exhausted. DD was so snorty that I couldn't sleep because I was afraid she couldn't breathe and I was a mess. A few hours of sleep was crucial for H and I, and I'm so glad I gave up the guilt and let someone help me.
Between DD and DS, our hosital switched from having a nursery to having the babies room with the mom. We didn't know that until the first night. DH and I were all, "Why? Why isn't anyone taking our baby?" Haha.
Especially in the hours after a c-section, sitting up everytime DS made a little noise took herculean strengh. I felt bad for moms who didn't have a significant other staying with them 24/7 to help.
Seriously, this time I will be perfectly happy to let a sweet nurse whisk her away for a couple of hours. It makes a huge difference. What a terrible surprise for you! And, far more so after a c-section!
I'm delivering at the same hospital again, but in 4 years I'm guessing some things may have changed. I signed up for a hospital tour on Monday, so *hopefully* I will be able to catch a few surprises before I'm there for real! It seems like so long ago - details are a bit foggy.
Yep, do not EVER let anyone make you feel bad for sending the baby to the nursery.
To take care of the baby, you need to take care of mama first. Labor is physically and emotionally exhausting and even grabbing a few hours of sleep can make a huge difference.
Do not bring jeans with you for when you're ready to leave. I have no idea what I was thinking. I also bought comfy jammies but actually felt better in the hospital gown and a robe I brought.
And absolutely send the baby to the nursery or have a nurse take the baby for the night or at least a few hours. You need the rest. My hospital nursery was under some construction but the nurses offered to keep the baby at the nurses station for the night. I'll never forget waking up in the morning and hesitantly walking up to the nurses station and asking all timid 'can I have him?' The nurse was like 'he's your baby!'.
Don't be surprised if your baby "cluster feeds" or nurses ALL night long and don't expect much sleep with nurses in and out all the time. Food at ucla was great though plus ice cream on demand 24/7
I didn't shower before leaving the hospital, we left about 24 hours after delivery and decided I wanted to shower at home instead, so all the toiletries I took were useless.
Yoga pants and nursing tanks were my best friend. Plan to look 6 months pg after you deliver so plan accordingly when packing clothes.
Take all the goodies you can get from the hospital
Be prepared for every 4 hour wake ups round the clock from the nurses and aide, at a minimum. They are in checking vital signs at least that often.
Start taking stool softners, Colace, prior to delivery and continue afterwards.