I started my 33rd week of pregnancy on Friday, so I was reading this in class.*
I was blown away, and borderline horrified, by the references to mesh panties, hospital-grade pads and poise undergarments. She was talking about packing the hospital bag, and I felt like I had at least a vague idea of what would be on that list. I obviously am not prepared AT ALL! It never crossed my mind that I might not want to bring my own clothes to the hospital because I might destroy them. I didn't think about the fact that super-strength maxi-pads might ever be inadequate. I didn't know that mesh-panties, provided by the hospital, even existed.
So what's the deal?! What do people pack for the hospital, and what advice do any of you out there have for a first-timer? Should I buy some cheap granny panties and pajamas and plan on throwing them away at the hospital? Should I plan on not wearing anything I own until I leave the hospital? Do women actually wear poise undergarments post-labor or was that an extreme proposal? Is it too late to avoid having to do all this? ;)
This might be a good time to just complain about pregnancy in general. I swear, this week I got about 10x more uncomfortable. Sitting, standing, lying down... it all sucks. There isn't room for the baby AND my vital organs anymore. I'm more tired. All of the sudden, that pregnant woman feel-like-I-have-to-pee-every-five-minutes syndrome has kicked in. 7 more weeks to go... good thing the heinousness of final exams can preoccupy me from the heinousness of the 3rd trimester.
*Thank you for whoever told me about Amalah.com and the zero-to-forty countdown (I can't remember who it was now). I love reading everything she writes!
8 comments:
Don't worry too much. The hospital will provide those type of things.
This could be a very long comment but I'll try to keep it brief. Yes, this is exactly what you've gotten yourself in to, but it's okay. Because your head is at the top of all the goings-on it's amazing how little you're actually aware of, I always joke that if someone went into labor with JP and I in an elevator, JP would have to deal with it because I have NO idea what is supposed to happen down there. And your husband will be fine too, JP can barely watch Grey's Anatomy medical scenes and he came through just fine and doesn't see me any differently or less sexily (I know, not a word, but it fit).
As far as packing. I went into labor a month early at a restaurant 30 minutes from our apartment, so I had exactly nothing with me at the hospital and that worked out just fine- maybe even better. You will want to keep nothing you wore during labor, so take all the hospital stuff- sucks, gown, blankets, etc. I kept my bra on during labor because that just made me more comfortable and they said that was fine (being above the waist, it stayed clean). I did sent JP home during early labor for my laptop, power cord, phone cord, camera, and chapstick and that was all I needed! I wore hospital stuff for the first few days (the mesh underwear are actually really comfortable and perfect for the task, I took home a bag of them) and he brought me home another outfit to wear home (sans baby as Landon was in the NICU for two weeks).
Anyway, the point of all this is, don't stress. The truth is you'll be so caught up in labor and then so caught up in your baby that you really don't need much. I totally second Amalah on the towel from home if you think of it, our hospital towels did suck, but I just swiped a blanket to dry off with. Also, some of your own hair and body products are nice, that first shower is pure heaven, you might as well enjoy it! But everything else, if you have it great, but don't stress. A camera and chapstick are all you truly need :)
Ta-da! I KNEW this would come in handy one day...
Yes. HUGE MEGA SUPER maxipads!!! I wore them for five days. You will not believe how much bleeding can go on Post labor. But it goes by so fast and you will be so distracted you wont even have time to think about it. Plus my hospital provided all the pads and mesh undies so check with your hospital!
I thought I would want to wear my own gown because I hate hospital clothes but I wore the hospital gown the entire time and I'm glad I did. Things get very messy and I was glad to leave the mess at the hospital- plus they even have nursing hospital gowns- it was so convenient. I used 1/4 of the stuff I brought to the hospital (I didnt need socks, I didnt need extra undies since I used the mesh ones, I didnt need lip balm or any entertainment material).
DONT FORGET SHAMPOO AND BODY WASH THOUGH!!
In my mind, the single hands-down most important thing, if you are planning on breastfeeding, is a "my breast friend" or a boppy pillow. Getting a good latch the first few times is key, and I was way more comfortable with one of the special pillows. I had been erroneously told my hospital provided them, so I sent my husband home to get it, and I was really glad I did.
The granny panties are kind of nice. I also liked having thick socks (like smartwools) to walk around in. I brought regular clothes to change into but basiclaly didnt touch them until we left.
Make sure your camera is charged!
I also really liked having our mini-sound dock and ipod.
Oh, and i second CM on the books - Dr. Sears "the baby book" is a great reference (although it's on the 'crunchy' side) - it tells you what all the medical stuff is at the beginning (e.g. what is normal level of jaundice, why they put that ointment in baby's eyes, etc). I really liked being informed.
Hm - I still have the PJs I wore in labour; wasn't wearing much for the last part of it as I was in the bath, but I still have the shirt I was wearing. Nothing got ruined, except maybe a towel... as for hospital gown versus clothes, depends on what you'll be comfortable and relaxed in... Granny panties - probably a great idea.
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