Well I am about to have my little baby boy the beginning of August... and as each day goes by I am getting more anxious and more nervous! I'm so excited to see the precious life my boyfriend and I have created but I'm so scared at the same time. I'll be having him in the hospital and I will probably go check it out and get myself familiar with the surroundings soon. I have my bag ready to go but of course I am sure I am forgetting something. I think I have everything I need but I keep feeling like I am missing something. Can ya tell I'm a nervous wreck???? Anyhow, I was just hoping you experienced mamas can give me some last minute tips or reassurance. Thanks a bunch! Lots of love!
Awww....how exciting! You'll do just fine.....just try and remember to work with and listen to your body. It knows what it is doing. As for stuff that I really wanted/needed while in the hospital....socks because my feet are always cold, chapstick, toothbrush, camera, and a good book or magazines. Maybe some snacks for after the baby comes (they wouldn't let me eat or drink while in labor) because hospital food isn't that good. Maybe some breastpads.... For the baby, you really don't need much. They give you disposable diapers (they might let you take your own cloth diapers????) and wipes, t-shirts and receiving blankets.....and pretty much anything else you might need for him. Really just a comfy outfit for him to go home in is all I can think of that you need for the baby. Good luck mama.....pretty soon you are going to be holding that beautiful little babe!
Don't forget the camera, and lots of film, and extra batteries! Take a cute, but comfy outfit, like a sleeper, because most hospitals have professional photos taken, and its too tempting not to buy them, lol. They are expensive though; we always get the smallest pakage, which for us was just enough wallet-sized prints for each set of grandparents (8) to get one. Take your own pads; they'll give you some there, but they're huge, and might be the pin-to-your-undies type, lol. You're already sore, so you may as well be comfy otherwise. Take nursing pads too, they probably won't provide any, and you are almost certain to leak massively Make sure you have a recieving blanket; newborns want to be swaddled. I also suggest two pairs of pajamas for you--warm ones and cool ones, because you might be cold after labor, or your roomate might, and there could be issues with the climate of the room (i was always hot, because they generally keep it warm for the babies) Take a cell phone if you have it; keep it off in the hospital of course, but your boyfriend can go out to the parking lot and call relatives--you'll be charged to use the room phone, and like at a hotel, that can get expensive if your calls are long-distance.
Michelle, it sounds like your hospital is not very parent freindly Ours does use the massive "mama" pads, but most moms do need them, they also give you all those cool, net panties to hold them in. I've always gotten nice nursing pads in the hospital, and they had many blankets for the baby. I packed blankets for going home though. Our hosptial also allows new parents a bunch of free calls, too, long distance even. But most hospitals have "tours" where new parents to be can find out what the hospital will provide and what they don't. Hippy Love, you may want to look into that as soon as possible. But, HippyLove, call your hospital and ask what they will provide. That way you won't be brining stuff they will give you. Also get some Lansinoh nipple ointment, it's the best. (and again, my hospital gave this to us, but some don't, or they use that horrible stuff you have to wash off. You don't wash off Lansinoh.) Get in contact with La Leche League and bring your leader's name and number, in case you need to talk to someone about breastfeeding, and their lactation consultant isn't available (which is the case, more often than not) and a copy of The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by LLL and The Baby Book by Sears and Sears. Oh and one more thing DON'T take home the formula sample they give you. It is been proven that simply having formula in the house will reduce your ability to be successful at breastfeeding. You will be able to breastfeed. (and if there is an emergency all places have all night drug stores, but you won't need it.) Don't let the formula companies use you for free advertising, either, leave any "gifts" they give you behind. "There is no such thing as a "free" diaper bag....."
Thanks all! I have a childbirth class saturday at the hospital. She said we will go over everything but I will definatly ask what all they are gonna give me. I've already got my lactation consultants number in my bag I'm starting to get jitters and stuff but I am SOO excited. This seems like the longest month of my life!
It'll be OK, sweetie. Take a LLL leaders number, too. They don't charge for their time (as they are volunteers, Lactation Consultants are PAID professionals) they are usually more available and chances are they have recently had a baby themselves. (I am both a LLL leader and a Lactation Consultant.) www.lalecheleague.org to find a leader
Grandmothers Let me tell you about your grandmother (No, not your mother's mother, living in Houston) I'm talking about Grandmothers. The ones who survived the years of twilight sleep and childbed fever The ones who endured famine, poverty, war and witch hunts The Grandmothers nobody could kill because they live in the marrow of your bones, endlessly renewed with the passing moon. Youíll hear them someday Maybe it will be when you sink down deep below the pain and move with your body as it births your baby. Maybe. " She makes it look so easy," they'll say " Like having kittens" But you'll know It was your Grandmothers telling you what to do. Or maybe it will be hard for you so hard your husband leaves and curses and cries in the hallway unable to see you go on while the anesthesiologist hovers by your shoulder But one person never gives up on you Your Grandmother. You can almost hear her now moving you, almost guiding you And I have to tell you something about your Grandmother (Maybe she is a little like the one in Houston) Once you get her talking, She's never (I mean never) Going to shut up. By Christina Wadsworth
