Ashley W will never let me live this down so it is only appropriate that she assigns ME to write this series entry. One of the main reasons we decided to start a blog together was to share with you our successes, funniest moments and mistakes as Mommies. This blog is going to cover absolutely every single one of those. Be prepared to laugh.
Let me first defend myself by saying that I have never, in my adult life, been in the hospital. I almost passed out while they were giving us a tour during one of our child birth classes. Am I really going to have to stay HERE for 2 days?! White walls, white floor, white sheets…you have got to be kidding me. I just blocked it out, I was only 32 weeks pregnant at the time so my due date, aka- hospital stay, seemed years away.
Before we knew it, I was 3 days shy of 40 weeks and being induced! I waited until the last minute to pack our bags…I just new my daughter wasn't going to come on her own. So I packed my bags envisioning a stay at a 5 star resort spa. I was pretty sure my birthing room was going to look like this:
Let me first defend myself by saying that I have never, in my adult life, been in the hospital. I almost passed out while they were giving us a tour during one of our child birth classes. Am I really going to have to stay HERE for 2 days?! White walls, white floor, white sheets…you have got to be kidding me. I just blocked it out, I was only 32 weeks pregnant at the time so my due date, aka- hospital stay, seemed years away.
Before we knew it, I was 3 days shy of 40 weeks and being induced! I waited until the last minute to pack our bags…I just new my daughter wasn't going to come on her own. So I packed my bags envisioning a stay at a 5 star resort spa. I was pretty sure my birthing room was going to look like this:
http://edwardhotspur.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/spa-6.jpg
We walk into the hospital with, no joke: 2 pillows, a Boppy, 2 small suitcases, a laptop bag, camera bag and a duffel bag. Some of the items I packed included my hair dryer, straightening iron, full set of makeup, fingernail polish remover, a razor, and 3 outfits. I also packed some comfy slippers for long walks on the maternity ward checking out all the other cute babies and my gym shoes because apparently I thought I was going to run right out of there when I was released. That was just SOME of the stuff we packed. And would you believe there wasn't even a bell boy to help us with our things?!
http://maisqueperfume.blogspot.com/2010/12/packing-leaving.html
Obviously I needed some kind of wake up call. Guess how many times I did my hair while there - 0. Guess how many times I wore makeup - 0. And fingernail polish remover? Yeah…didn't make it out of the bag. In fact I was able to take 1 shower while in the hospital and was BEGGING for them to let me wear my gown and slippers home (I was there for 3 days because of a c-section).
You can find a thousand lists on the internet on what to pack in your hospital bag…but I'm going to break things down for you. A list of must haves for Mom, Dad and Baby, plus a few "extras":
Must Have For Momma:
- Your purse with picture ID (for registration)
- Two outfits for mom (think loose and comfy!)
- Few pairs of undies for Mom
- 2 nursing bras
- Socks and 1 pair of comfy (like slip on shoes)
- Travel size shampoo, conditioner, face and body wash
- Deodorant
- Lip balm
- Hair brush and ties/bobby pins
- Toothbrush and travel size toothpaste
- Glasses and/or contacts and solution
- Cameras
- Phone and charger
- iPod (if you want to listen to music during labor/delivery)
Must Have For "Support Staff" (aka- Daddy)
- Razor
- Toothbrush
- Deodorant
- Glasses and/or contacts and solution
- Phone and charger
- Outfit and pjs
- Socks and undies
- List of people to call with updates
- Change for vending machines
Must Have For Baby:
- going home outfit
- Receiving blanket
- Car seat (installed in the car)
Extras:
- Camera chargers if you know your battery won't last
- Shower puff
- Laptop and charger (can get a head start uploading pics!)
- Gift from baby to older siblings
- Boppy pillow
- Some makeup (if you are going to have pics taken at hospital)
The hospital will provide things like diapers, wipes, anything you might need for nursing, medicines…etc so don't even bother! And just remember, your hubby or a family member can always make a trip out to get you anything you might need (like Taco Bell at 10 PM or extra batteries).
You can find a thousand lists on the internet on what to pack in your hospital bag…but I'm going to break things down for you. A list of must haves for Mom, Dad and Baby, plus a few "extras":
Must Have For Momma:
- Your purse with picture ID (for registration)
- Two outfits for mom (think loose and comfy!)
- Few pairs of undies for Mom
- 2 nursing bras
- Socks and 1 pair of comfy (like slip on shoes)
- Travel size shampoo, conditioner, face and body wash
- Deodorant
- Lip balm
- Hair brush and ties/bobby pins
- Toothbrush and travel size toothpaste
- Glasses and/or contacts and solution
- Cameras
- Phone and charger
- iPod (if you want to listen to music during labor/delivery)
Must Have For "Support Staff" (aka- Daddy)
- Razor
- Toothbrush
- Deodorant
- Glasses and/or contacts and solution
- Phone and charger
- Outfit and pjs
- Socks and undies
- List of people to call with updates
- Change for vending machines
Must Have For Baby:
- going home outfit
- Receiving blanket
- Car seat (installed in the car)
Extras:
- Camera chargers if you know your battery won't last
- Shower puff
- Laptop and charger (can get a head start uploading pics!)
- Gift from baby to older siblings
- Boppy pillow
- Some makeup (if you are going to have pics taken at hospital)
The hospital will provide things like diapers, wipes, anything you might need for nursing, medicines…etc so don't even bother! And just remember, your hubby or a family member can always make a trip out to get you anything you might need (like Taco Bell at 10 PM or extra batteries).
Also, another quick tip when thinking about what tops Momma should pack...make them looser fitting or something that's going to be easy to nurse in. You might even consider wearing a nursing bra to the hospital. Poor Ash W was literally STUCK in her regular bra all through labor, delivery and recovery because she couldn't get it off due to the IVs. So whatever is on top, whether it is a shirt, bra, cami...has to either stay on or be cut off while you have an IV. These are the things you don't think about unless you've been stuck in the same uncomfortable bra for 2 days while your boobs are inflating like balloons. HA!
It is so easy to overpack, especially if this is your first baby. Please believe me when I say that that you do NOT need fingernail polish remover and your pre pregnancy jeans. Just pack light and let the hospital take care of the rest…plus, you'll need room in your car for the 10,000 balloons and flowers bouquets you'll get for pushing that baby out.
It is so easy to overpack, especially if this is your first baby. Please believe me when I say that that you do NOT need fingernail polish remover and your pre pregnancy jeans. Just pack light and let the hospital take care of the rest…plus, you'll need room in your car for the 10,000 balloons and flowers bouquets you'll get for pushing that baby out.
