Getting Ready

Believe it or not, it is time to start getting ready for the almost impossible to believe fact that I may just be bringing home a baby or two in the very near future.  It is getting increasingly difficult to live in denial and so preparation must, and has, begun.

1.  Nursery is ready.  CHECK 

2.  Supplies have been bought     CHECK

3.  Clothes have been washed  CHECK   

4.  Blanket and sheets washed and packed away  CHECK 

5.  Bottles etc have been sterilized and are ready CHECK

6.  Birth announcement list done CHECK

7.  Hospital bag packed NOT DONE!!

I have started to get some stuff   (well darling mother got it for me) but I am having a PJ’s crisis.  I do not own any pj’s.  Comfy old (very old, sleeves cut off, holes) T-shirts is about as far it goes.  Now as much I feel it’s perfectly ok to walk around in the hospital in my old T-shirt and comfy underpants (sans holes of course), apparently this is not the done thing.

So now I have to get some ‘proper’ PJ’s, ones that open in the front.  What a waste of money!! 

Also, how can I pack my hospital bag now?  Unless I don’t brush my teeth or wash my bits until I go in?  Nice thought but I kind of need my stuff in the mean time.  So what should I pack in the bag now?  Clean underpants (check no holes), the naff PJ’s, what else?  I wont be labouring so I don’t need that labour shit.  Should I bring my pedicure set?  How about a few trashy novels?  A going out outfit?  High heels? WTF does one pack in the hospital bag?  Help pls.

Oh shit, breast pads, I need to pack breast pads (thanks J for reminding me).  And my breast pump.  Oh, and the maternity surfboard pad things.  Hey, I am filling my bag up.  Cool. 

Am off to find suitable bag to pack things in.

Comments

[kt]

Ok, I'll bite:

What the @*&!@! is Gripe Water??

Also, laundry hung on line pictures are very pretty.

[Julia]

I'm with kt, what in God's name is gripe water?

Also, stop it. You're making me feel like a giant loser. I've not finished half the crap you have. Ugh!

[Lori]

Slippers, underwear that is good for a healing c section scar (I totally brought the wrong kind), nursing bra(s), bring the novels just in case you have time to read them (while pumping perhaps?), camera, baby clothes to bring the babies home in, maybe some bath gel or something nice when you take your first shower, you may want to bring shoes to wear in the shower like flip-flops, I don't trust the cleanliness of hospital showers

[stella]

Just some advice, don't bring alot of stuff. I looked like I was moving in and the nurses laughed at me. But do bring comfy underwear and a couple of comfy outfits since you will be there a few days. By my 3rd day I was not going to wear the hospital gown anymore so I put on regular clothes. I din't bring PJ's though because I wore the gown to sleep in. I didn't want to bleed all over my own clothes! Maybe bring a book but you probably won't have much time to read it. And personal care items are obvious things to bring. I don't mean this next suggestion to be a downer but when my daughter was born she went home on an apnea monitor and none of the outfits I had brought worked with the cords from the monitor. So maybe outfits that snap or button up the front, they allow for the wires. No zippers for that even though they are easier to do up in the middle of the night. And I don't know about there but my hospital had a breast pump, bottles, pads, everything. You probably won't need pads then anyway since it will still take a few days for your milk to come in. You should be home by then. It took me just as long the second time as the first. I am so excited for you!!!!
Stella

[finngrrl]

A very useful list for "what to put in your hospital bag"...

http://www.babyzone.com/features/content/display.asp?TopicID=2000&ContentID=731

CHECK!

[Kris]

Also very very curious as to what Gripe Water is???

Maybe you could just pack a new toothbrush and stuff to wash your bits in the bag?

[finngrrl]

ps. GAP have some fantastic PJs in at the moment, really soft with little snowflakes on. They're drawstring/loose elastic too, so you can pull them down easily rather than open them up at the front..

[Jennifer]

I packed what I could, then made a checklist of the rest. That way you can just add the last minute items according to the list. Or Marko can do so if you are indisposed. Trust me, a list is a good thing for the husbands especially (this coming from the woman whose husband brought her two pair of WHITE shorts to wear at the hospital). Of course, I was super prepared with my twin girls, but my surprise son 13 months later was a different story. I had NOTHING packed when my water broke 3 days prior to my scheduled c-section. We all survived though. :)

[Al]

I believe gripe water is used to help alleviate babies' gas? Is that right? All I know for sure is that a close friend of mine uses it with her son, and it is the one item besides diapers with which she refuses to leave the house.

Congratulations on what look to be the HBIJ - it's so soon, now!

[Jan]

Sure, pjs need not be naff. You might spot something quite styling and casual. I'm a holey T-shirt, undies and no-makeup type, too, on my off-work time but made a point of getting unusual pjs for the hospital, a very lightweight bathrobe, and consolidated some makeup, mirror, handcream, etc. in a little zip bag for easy reach. It made me feel more in control.

[Liz]

Also phone numbers, a calling card, the number of the local pizza delivery place, rechargers for your camera/video camera and a pen and paper or computer in case you want to jot stuff down before you forget it. I ended up going to the hospital by ambulance, and had not packed shoes, so went home in the middle of winter wearing socks - you'll make do.

[andrea]

Personally I was thrilled to see gripe water in amongst your supplies...I use to pour that sutff down my kids throats!!!! Also love the fact that you have a proper clothes line...is it just me or we the only countries in the world that have them?

[jen (earthchild)]

Sorry T...I am no help with the pj's thing. I wear boxers and tshirts too. Sometimes, I will wear lounge pants (gap) and a tshirt...always a tshirt with holes LOL.

[Trish]

Okay, I don't know about c-sections, so excuse me if I'm ignorant...

Are you allowed to shower after them? I'd assume yes- but maybe no?

If yes- bring some pampering bathroom stuff. I bought the expensive shampoo and conditioner, plus body wash, for my short stay at the hospital. It just made me feel a bit less rough around the edges after I took that first shower.

The picture of the baby clothes on the line really hit my heart- I am so happy for you, Tertia.

[Cindy]

Ok this I can help out with because I have a kid (I only became infertile afterwards)

Definitely need to bring:
lip balm (the lips will crack bc they dont let you eat or drink)
small wash cloths
pen
telephone list of people to call (don't forget the cell phones)
snacks and drinks(especially for dear husband)
bring your own sanitary pads (the ones at the hospitals are usually awful--and they dont have wings...)
Camera and film
hair clips (for the long luxurious hair)
boxes of chocolates for the nurses (they will be much nicer)
Disposable or very old underwear you don't mind throwing out(because they get nasty)
thick socks (so the doctors can't see the feet you haven't been able to take care of for the past few months)

Hoping to hear good news soon
Cindy

[Lauren]

This is so sweet, such a change from the worrying. It's uplifting to watch you do this Tertia, it really is.

[eightlegs]

Ok, glad to know I'm not the only one completely puzzled by 'GRIPE WATER'. What IS that?????

As far as what to bring... the one thing I wish I bought was one of those donut pillow.. to sit on as I had an episiotomy, but I guess you won't need that.

I brought the tennis balls and socks for labor.. didn't use those. Brought pj's.. but in afterthought left the grubby hospital gown on... heck, bleed on someone else's clothes!

Bring some snacks.. Hospital food is nasty.. and I was starved!!

And be sure to bring two special outfits to bring the babies home in. As well as undershirts and the like.

The trickiest thing is bringing some clothes for you to wear home. Your maternity clothes may not stay up anymore, and your "regular" clothes won't fit either. Bring a loose top, and some pants, maybe drawstring, or an elastic waist.

Other than that, the hospital provides the rest!

Nursery looks beautiful by the way, are those bunny drawer pulls?

[Moxie]

Please please bring shower sandals (flip-flops or thongs we call them in the US, depending on region). The hospital shower will be disgusting, you'll be dripping blood, and the bathroom will be horrifyingly dirty anyway. I wasn't supposed to be in the hospital so when I ended up "recovering" there I had to go into the bathroom in cheap hospital socks. Of all the crappy things that happened in the hospital, the horror of that bathroom is the one that still gives me the shivers.

[Cecily]

Great advice from everyone. I would only say, do you wear contacts or glasses? Bring both. And yes, bring novels.

Um, and cool photos of your baby "stuff". Fun to look at all those weird South African brands...

[elizabeth]

I use gripe water as well. I swear by it for my twin's reflux. Here's the link:

http://www.myvitanet.com/babblisgrip1.html

I brought the disposable underwear with absorbant padding built in(the kind elder ladies use for incontinence) and found it worked quite well for catching all the lochia. The temporary underwear and pads that the hospital gives you sucks. You could bleed all over the place. Yuck, I'm way too anal for that.

[Mandy]

I LOVED the picture of the clothes on the line!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Christine K]

The biggest thing I'd suggest that I haven't seen here yet is your own pillow - in an unusual color (colour!) pillowcase (I had navy blue) just so it doesn't blend in to the rest of the hospital linens. Greatest comfort to have. Obviously can't pack it yet, but put a big sign over the bag so you'll remember it.

Definitely second the lip balm.

I'd go ahead and find a pair of pjs - I hate nightgowns, but I got some for my hospital stay. Can't imagine dealing with pants with all that bleeding. I delivered and was moved to the post-partum room and the next morning my nurse said, "go ahead and take a shower and put on your own pajamas". Was pretty happy I didn't have to admit I didn't bring any with as matter-of-fact she was with the expectation.

Oh! And since we're talking HBIJ, bring baby wipes. Some hospitals use these paper things you're supposed to wet and use and they don't clean up meconium for shit! Seriously, wiping that tarrry mess with basically a paper towel is a joke.

Loved that first shower - was so happy to have my own shampoo and soap. Consider just buying a new toothbrush and paste and pack it now JUST to be sure you really have it and don't forget it.

Have a great time packing!

[Erica]

Bring your own feminine products and underware....unless you prefer to wear the hospital issued pads and disposable underware.

I have to second the number for a pizza place (or any takeout).

After the first day in the hideous hospital gown, I was super happy in a pair of sweats and a t-shirt. I wasted too much money on one of those nursing gown and robe sets.

[Shamhat]

Do NOT take a pedicure kit,although it's OK to have your nails done in advance. And do NOT wear makeup to a scheduled C/sec. Your life will be easier if the nurses don't make unfair assumptions.

[Stefanie]

Don't forget snacks for dh. I packed my bags w/ 1st after water broke 3 weeks early. W/ 2nd I packed way to early!

[andrea]

Wow the shower comments are scary. Here our "ensuites" in the hospital are cleaned every morning - much cleaner than my shower at home I have to say!

[Rose]

I second bringing your own pillow and a pair of slippers. It just makes things a bit nicer. What a wonderful conversation to be having...

[Julia (not that one)]

You might want to bring a lined journal to jot down the gifts you get so it's easy if you ever want/have time to write thank you notes. I still use the same one for the kids for birthday and holiday gifts - it's kind of neat seeing what they have gotten over the years.

[Jenn]

I spent the night that I was 38 weeks walking around the living room wondering if this was "it".

About 2 hours later I remembered that I hadn't packed "THE BAG". Found naff list from antenatal classes along with "Am I in labour form". Attempted to convince DH I was in labour (apparently I wasn't grunting enough). Got very angry at DH several times and chucked most of stuff from said list into a bag.

Forgot maternity bras, breast pads, shoes and sanity.

DH spent most of my stay in hospital going home to retrieve missing stuff.

Most important things to remember?
- Toothbrush (I hate manky teeth)
- toiletries
- surfboards
- maternity bras
- your own pillows
- something to eat
- PJs optional

Oh and I knew what gripe water is. Maybe it's another Southern Hemisphere/British Commonwealth thing?

[girlwonder]

While you're packing all those snacks for DH pack some for yourself as well, i was famished afterwards and started to get a little wild when i heard the meals being brought around.
Bring a book or magazines to read during long uneventful hours.
Am seconding the suggestion to bring your own sanitary products and plenty of underpants you won't miss (maybe those holey ones).

[Mollie]

Don't polish your toenails, they may make you remove any colour before the c-section. They didn't make me do this, since mine was unplanned, but I heard a gal next to me being given the bottle of remover as part of her surgery prep.

EAR PLUGS. I am telling you, they are a LIFE SAVER. I would not have gotten a wink of sleep otherwise. (And, if you must know, I wear them at home, too, even the first night I was home with the baby. My husband was awake all night listening to her grunt and snort and gasp, and I slept in between feedings because I was blissfully heedless. I've never heard of anyone jumping out of bed and saving their child from suffocation-- how would you know if something truly lethal were about to happen?)

Who is pegging that washing? Marko? If it's you, you are being a very naughty high-risk pregnant lady, indeed.

[AyEnDeeAreEeAyAitch]

Bring game-boy, trashy gossip mags and good snacks like chocolate and clear soda like 7-11. Bring camera and extra batteries and disk cards. Pen and paper and your announcement stuff.

I love all your hunny bunny decor, its so pretty and I also love everything else.

Bring Avent rules the school in nursing supplies

Oh and with my c-section I didnt have to remove my polish and I was a planned surgery... just me jewelry...

Now your weblog title really fits.. You are SO CLOSE!!

[Emma]

Tertia, don't bother with pjs. Bring soft stretchy pants and t-shirts you can sleep in, the kind of lounging clothes you *will* wear afterwards (when you don't get to the shower till another adult comes home, you'll need fast but presentable clothes for answering the door etc). My twins are now 14, but I do remember that getting showered and dressed before dinner was a major victory. So you need those tracksuit pants and t-shirts! You'll feel more human if you are dressed in the hospital and not in pyjamas.

Best of luck -- I'm thinking of you out here in lurkerland (Australia).

Emma

[Woodys Girl]

* Vaseline - works great for the meconium.
* "Do Not Disturb" sign - for your hospital door. I was utterly exhausted by 24 hours after birth, and could not stand ONE MORE person coming into my room (would like to have excused all the hospital staff, but they each had duties I suppose).
* Wine/champagne/sparkling cider/5th of Scotch (LOL) - to celebrate post-birth!
* Buy duplicates of all your makeup/toiletries and pack them NOW. After all, you will eventually use the extra supplies, and it will give you peace of mind to not have to pack them last minute.
* Absolutely positively pack your own pillow (already mentioned, I know, but it truly IS NECESSARY).
* Dermoplast (do you have it there?) - it's hospital strength antibacterial pain relieving spray. GREAT for anyplace that hurts/burns/itches, and is safe for all the *ahem* personal areas (so would be fine for spraying if you tear from vaginal delivery, or if your incision is sore from c-section). You could also spray it on Marko, if during delivery he becomes a major pain in your ass. ROFL
* Gift for your mum for her love and support during delivery (as always).
* Something I wish I had thought of when I delivered Samantha.... a keepsake book, for all the involved hospital staff to sign. Like, the nurses who tend to you/A&K during your stay, the anesthesiologist who gives you the GREAT drugs, etc. (get their names, function, and any personal comments they'd like to make). It'd also be great if you could snap pictures of those people, to put in the book as well. Okay, maybe a mushy (naff?) suggestion, but this is such a momentous occasion, I sure as heck would want to savor every detail!
* Tripod for the videocamera, so that Marko doesn't have to hold it steady during delivery or whilst holding either/both of the babies after birth. Unless, of course, you have some other individual who might do filming for you (and assuming you want it captured on video?).

That's all I can think of at the moment, that has not already been mentioned. SO AWESOME that you are gathering these last details!

You are just one hour shy of reaching your goal right now, Tertia! It's nearly Christmas Eve Day - can you believe it?!?!? I'm betting that those babies aren't coming out until January. ;-)

[Isabel]

"Gripewater" is the one thing no mother in SA is ever without - it is very soothing to babies with cramps. I think SA is also one of the only countries that still has the outdoor clothes drying lines. Nothing smells better than clothes that have dried naturally in the sun. Tertia congratulations on being prepared with all the so called "crap". You seem to have impeccable taste where your nursery is concerned and we all can't wait to see Adam & Kate in it. We really should start on getting gifts your way, as the mail takes at least 10 days from the States. Let us have a list of things you might like please?

[Amber]

36 C...hmmm...always imagine you with more than that.

Happy to watch you prepare...makes my day. Please post another pic after your kids are about 5 weeks old...wonder if everything is going to be so neat. I bet not.

I can't wait for the mess.

[Tara]

Don't worry about what the "done thing" is. I wore a comfy t-shirt, and very baggy pj pants. That was fine for me.

[Julie]

On the one hand, when you go to the hospital in an emergency, you don't have to think about such things. On the other hand, when you go to the hospital in an emergency, you don't get to think about such things. I spent five days in a hospital gown and one of two (2) FILTHY pairs of socks. I found myself shooting looks of hatred at the other NICU moms, who visited their babies while impeccably clad in pajamas and slippers. Imagine the luxury!

I don't know if this will be the case for you, but I spent an awful lot of time having my C-section incision checked by everyone from the doctors on down to the janitors. By the time I left I was flagging down visitors who were there to see other patients, asking 'em if they wanted a look. So be sure that whatever naff ensemble you choose allows easy access.

Don't forget lotion. Again, I don't know if this will apply to you, but as soon as my belly was no longer stretched taut, the skin there got very dry and itchy.

I loved the disposable hospital underwear, and even made off with about a dozen spares when I left. I am saving them for a special occasion.

[Moxie]

Ha! Julie, I still have a pair of the disposable hospital underpants (had to work in the word "pants" there somewhere) in my drawer, and my son is almost 3. Still haven't found the exact right special occasion...

[RainbowW]

all the above comments are right-on. however, all of the stuff above is from mom's point of view. any husband worth the title will also be spending quite a bit of time at the hospital, if he ever leaves, so some stuff for him is in order, in HIS OWN bag that he's not to bother mom with:

- his own pillow
- a blanket that's easy to carry but does not suck
- a change of clothes, socks, undies
- a bath towel
- reading/entertainment shit
- a jacket because they keep the rooms really cold in these places
- shaving whatnot (unless he wants to look all scraggly after four or five days in residence)

if you're in the hospital more than a few days, you may wind up taking a shower there. if it's pre-delivery, you can manage it yourself most likely. however, if it's post-delivery, chances are good you're going to need some assistance.

in our case, the hospital staff was willing and able, but sue thought it something private she wanted to do alone or (in this case) with me. so there the two of us were, butt-assed naked (because i didn't want to get all my clothes wet) trying to help her take a shower, when the nurse (who couldn't hear us) walked in on us both. joy. anyway, ergo the HIS bath towel.

also, cell phones if you have them, and chargers for them. remember, you're not going to be on the fripping cardiac unit.

[Lin]

The item I most wanted, but didn't have was nice soft toilet paper from home. The hospital toilet paper was basic, cheap, rough institutional paper. Just ouch!

[Amy]

No one has suggested a washcloth (a.k.a. face cloth), if you like to use one in the shower. I wanted nothing more than to scrub several days' worth of hospital grime off my face, and found out the hard way that my hospital provided a square of terrycloth better suited to stripping paint than exfoliating delicate facial skin.

I also like having my own pillow in the hospital.

Notebook and pen = essential. Nail file or emery board, so you can make sure you don't scratch the babies. A staple remover is helpful. No, wait, the doctors will remove the surgical staples for you. Big (bigger than pre-pregnancy), cheap underwear with elastic that will be sit above the C-section incision.

[Karin]

LOTS of underware trust me, you are gonna want them as afterward you will me uh cleansing out your uterus and there is BOUND to be some accidental leakage....

Same goes for jammie bottoms...

Socks Really Really warm socks...

Slippers

You can buy extra bathing / toothbrusing goodies to take with you..always good to have some extras anyway ;)

Camera :) V Important

Tiara cause you know your the queen ;)

Lil outfits for lil ones to come home in and blankets to swaddle them in.

I would think if your hospital is like the ones here in the US ...they will provide quite a bit for the wee lil ones and yourself...but the things I listed are just a few things...oh! and if you have a long drive HOME from the hospital you may want to have some sitz pads / protectors for your car seat...they are these big square lined pads for beds that you lay on to keep from bleeding through to the matress and linens...V handy if you have a long drive home as you never know how heavy post birth bleeding is going to be.

[Stacey]

Americans don't have gripe water? IMPOSSIBLE.

And I think this is time for:

HOLY SHIT YOU'RE ALMOST THERE!!*$(@$*(%

[Stacey]

Americans don't have gripe water? IMPOSSIBLE.

And I think this is time for:

HOLY SHIT YOU'RE ALMOST THERE!!*$(@$*(%

[Donna]

Nothing important to add. I just wanted to say that "Gripe water" was my BEST friend. (my babies were born in Canada, it is used there too)I can't believe it is not more popular here in the U.S. Is it even sold here?
It made me smile when i saw it. Brought back memories of my little babes.
It also made me smile when i saw all those baby things drying on the clothes line.
Take care T.

[shari]

Nothing much to add to the above, but keep this in mind: if you end up having to wear the 'naff' pj's, you will most likely bleed through them and never have to wear them again :)

Looking back I was so glad I had the following: slippers, hairband for my ponytail (nurse offered me a regular old rubberband - ouch), pen/journal, snacks (esp. if you're there for a few days) and my OWN pillow.

LOVE the pics of the babies laundry outside - so precious.

Has it sunk in yet that you are v. v. likely to have HBIJ??? Congrats on making it this far - I love reading your blog and admire how strong you have been through your long journey.

[Sally]

Lip balm. And...
I didn't wear PJ's in the hospital...raggedy t-shirt...was me. But you will need nice PJ's for home. Something nice to wear around the house and to bed. So when visitors come to see the new babies (unexpectedly)you are not wearing a holey t-shirt. I had one pair of nice PJ's when and vistors dropped in they always said I looked elegant in my satin PJ's. Which counts a lot more than what the nurses will see or think.

[robin]

i too agree with the lip balm. after my emergency c-sect, my lips were so damned chapped and dry it was killing me. me personally, i loved the fishnet panties the hospital provided (along with the diaper sized maxis). i felt kinda sexy in a blood-snuggly kinda way. defintely bring some pj's or a nightgown. i'm sure you will have tons of visitors and those hospital gowns just don't cover you up. oh, and socks...definitely bring those!!! and me for one, i can't go anywhere without my own pillow. finally, tell marko to pony up and buy you a dryer. no more techo stuff. i loved to see your clothes hanging dry but my dear, once those kiddos come, you won't have time to pin each and every outfit on that clothesline. get a dryer, chunk 'em all in at once, and be done with it.

[Princess K]

Happy 34 weeks!!

[Debe]

I love you ladies. It was so cool to read everyone asking "what the hell is gripe water" while I was thinking the same thing and then...someone else noticing 36C and thinking you were bigger than that.

I think you should bring the laptop to the hospital so you can keep us all updated. j/k

[Paula]

Baby skin is really delicate, so be sure to wash the babies going-home clothes a couple of times in the extra-gentle baby detergent. A second rinse wouldn't hurt, either. I washed my daughter's clothes in regular detergent - not knowing any better - and she developed a little rash on her chin. Once home, I made sure to second rinse everything and she was fine thereafter.

Best wishes!

[projgen]

Waitaminute - everyone noticed the gripe water, but no one mentioned the Dummy Care!

I've heard my friends talk about "pregnancy brain" causing them to sometimes be stupid, but I didn't know there was a product for it.

:)

[Jaine]

Okay, I haven't read all the comments but may I be a selfish bitch and say you need a laptop in that hospital bag?

Have Marko or your Mum get you some "trial-size" (small bottles of stuff, i.e. shampoo, conditioner, lotion, etc.)to be fully prepared and you're done. Personally, I'd love if you brought hole-y clothes to the hospital just to see if you get a reaction! Here I am with the selfish-shit again.

I wish I could tell you EXACTLY what to pack but I've never been there but Y--O-U are/will be and I couldn't be more thrilled for you. You've got a wee bit o'time but get crackin' sista. When the bag is done...give us all the contents.

[Lioness]

Do you know, I CANNOT believe you're doing it??? It's surreal but in the loveliest way possible! My God T, here we are already! What a blast of a Christmas for you, so so happy!

[Cindy]

Maybe Gripe Water is the same as Mylacon Drops in the US?

[Carmen]

Gripe water is sold in the US at www.onehotmama.com

I second, third, fifteenth, the lip balm. Extra food, especially a couple of little treats for the nurses - cookies, candies, etc. They make a huge difference in how you are treated, IMHO.

And, I was totally thrilled and delighted to see all of the photos. I can't believe you are almost there!

[Pria]

CONGRATULATIONS...

Hope Adam gets well soon.... With his loving mummy & daddy by his side , all things are possible....

Luke & I will be praying for Adams health.

Congratulations to you and Marco...