Friday, November 11, 2011

Hospital bag

With our last doctors appointment not really going the way we hoped, I figured that today was a good day to get our hospital bag ready. My blood pressure is high enough that I am not to be working any more. On Wednesday it was 140 over 100 and it didn't go down more than a few points when they had me lay on my left side. With the high blood pressure comes the constant headache. Needless to say, it is going to be a long few weeks until these girls are born.

But...they might be here before we know it, so we might as well be ready. Jake is putting together the changing table today. And we are going to get the car seats in my car sometime this weekend.

My task, while my head doesn't hurt to bad, get the bag ready. So what do we fill it with? I found a few websites to see. This is what they say to bring...

Shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, hairbrush, cosmetics and other toiletries
Glasses, in case you have to remove contact lenses
Comfortable PJs (bring a couple), slippers and a robe
CDs
(iPod and iPod radio)
Video and still cameras (with charged batteries)
Socks
Pillows
Playing cards, puzzles, magazines, books
(things to keep us entertained...not sure if we need)
Laptop and your favorite DVDs
Hard candies to suck on during labor
Moisturizer
Pencil, notepad and a watch for timing contractions
(we are having a c-section so not necessary)
Phone numbers for family and friends (aka cell phones and chargers)
Nursing bra, if you plan to breastfeed
Underwear (several pairs)
Street clothes
Presents from the baby, if you have other children
(n/a)
An outfit for the baby (babies), including socks, onesie, diaper and hat
Baby blanket
Infant car seats


What else? Anyone who has had children, do you have any suggestions on what else we should bring? Or, maybe something on the above list we don't need? Like, do we really need a diaper? Just one diaper? We were also told at our birthing class to bring food. Especially because the father might not want to leave to go get food during the first few hours of the babies life. There is a fridge in each room :O) I know we also need some things for Jake, but I think I am going to leave that up to him.

7 comments:

Jessica said...

Nope, you won't need diapers... Hospital provides those! Also, it's up to you but you probably won't need PJ's or underwear. Especially since you're having a csection, you'll be in a hospital gown so they can check your incision periodically. And you get a lovely pair of gigantic granny panties that hold the massive diaper they have YOU wear afterwards.... Excited?? ;) But bring a pair of panties for going home. Also, invest in some granny panties of your own for the first couple weeks. You want them to not sit on the incision. :)

Esther said...

I'd say skip all the "keep you entertained" stuff, we didn't need that at all (but ours wasn't a cesarean) and I agree with Jess about the undies. Bring your loosest, comfiest pair of sweats for going home, just make sure you won't mind if they get wrecked. I think the first entire week, everything I put on ended up destroyed! I brought my laptop and never ended up using it, just my phone. Don't forget batteries or chargers for all your stuff, too!

Unknown said...

After one day, I wanted a pair of my own PJ's and underwear. So keep that in mind. They might be checking you out a lot, but you still may want your OWN biggest shirt. The underwear/grannie panties was just because the mesh crap they gave me was horrible. But you should probably listen to Jess because I don't know anything about having a c-section. What about having a comfy robe? (Was that on the list?) Otherwise just echoing everyone else - except for going home outfit, hospital will provide everything for the babies. Find out if the hospital has internet you can use before you bring your laptop (mine didn't, so I didn't use it) I was hungry a LOT so extra snacks were good. Oh YEAH. Even though I'd thought of it earlier, we LEFT my CAMERA at home when we went to be induced. I was afraid to let Bill leave me to go home and get it. I don't have any pictures of Liam right after birth and I am VERY SAD.

Christy Swan said...

Rochelle: I had pjs I changed into (maternity size) after I had both my boys. I had to go back and forth to the NICU with Shane and didn't like the gown, too nervous about flashing strangers. Hoping your little girls don't go there, but just in case. Make sure Jake brings changes of clothes too. Ian forgot with Shane and his mom had to bring him stuff and she picked out some dandies! I don't think you'll have to wear the diaper since you're having a c-section. I have heard with c-sections to make sure your underwear doesn't hit the incision, but you won't have to experience the diaper in the mesh underwear...I don't think. Most important and we forgot with Shane because I went into labor 5 weeks early and were not prepare, don't for the camera! :) I took pictures of Joey just sleeping. LOVED it! Other than that I think you guys will be set with your list! Can't wait to see the beautiful girls!

Jessica said...

Agreed with Christy about Jake remembering to bring his essentials too! Change of clothes, toothbrush, etc. However, I must disagree that when you have a c-section, you absolutely still have to wear the "diaper"... c-section ladies bleed just as vaginal birth ladies. Not so pretty, that's for sure!

sara garza said...

Totally remember to take your bra off before you go in for your cessarian because mine got totalled... and black grannie panties. Sounds like you are way more ready for the hospital than I was. Maybe have some tylenol (if you run out of pain meds or they make you feel weird,) and lots of juice ready for when you get home. I kind of felt like I had the flu for the week after I delivered so load up on comfort items to get you through that first week.

karilynnbug said...

Bring some plush cozy slipper socks! They will give you a pair at the hospital but they are scratchy boring ones. Your toes will thank you!