December 2007 Weddings
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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Tips from the mommas
Ok... I'm starting to get prepared and all that and besides the regular packing lists that the hospital give and I've seen online etc., I was hoping to get some tips from those of you who have had babies.
1) What items that you wouldn't necesarily think to bring to the hospital were invaluable or did you need and not have?
2) Was there anything you needed when you got home that you didn't think about making sure was there?
3) Any other tips or things to make sure I do in preparation?
Re: Tips from the mommas
1) What items that you wouldn't necesarily think to bring to the hospital were invaluable or did you need and not have? Honestly, I really didnt need much. I brought comfy pants (I had yoga pants that were black so that way if you have bleeding it isnt noticeable and plus they have stretch so that it doesnt bother your belly)/socks and the brush/makeup/toiletries, etc. I got dressed because I hated being exposed when people visited and I wanted to feel normal again. But I also didnt have tons of bleeding (sorry if TMI). I didnt use half of the stuff that people said I 'had to bring' so I lugged all this stuff for nothing. And if you really need something that you forgot, DH or your mom can run out and get it for you. Make sure your camera battery, phone and laptop is charged and near your bag with all the power cords.
2) Was there anything you needed when you got home that you didn't think about making sure was there? More newborn clothes than I had. I had to go out and get clothes for Emmy since I thought she was going to be on the big side and not in newborn sizes for long. Same on diapers. Food for the day you get home. I was so tired I couldnt even think about eating but you need to make sure you do. So either have DH/Mom/MIL have food ready for you or ordering takeout.
I also recommend no one being at the house/visiting for at least the first day you come home. I loved that it was just DH and I when we got home. That way we could adjust to having her, I could rest and we could introduce her to the dogs without having an audience. We actually had people stay away the first 4 days we were home. I had terrible problems breastfeeding and we were back and forth to the docs, so it was nice not having to worry about entertaining people. Plus I cried all the time, so not fun for spectators!
3) Any other tips or things to make sure I do in preparation? Have what you want to bring packed early. Emmy was 9 days early and I had my clothes and her clothes in the bag, but nothing else. So at 5am the morning my water broke I was running around trying to pack things. Last thing I wanted to be doing at that point.
And Bev, honestly, there is so much nasty stuff going on that I wouldnt bring anything with me to the hospital(not to freak you out). I wouldnt bring home the pillow case/pillow and would end up throwing it away anyways. I could care less that there are hospital pillows behind me in every picture, since people focus on the baby not on whats in the background
IMO it is just one more thing that you have to think about. I honestly didnt have time to worry about stuff like that. I could barely update everyone with what was going on to worry about what pillowcase I had. I had Emmy on a Sunday night, so I only had monday at the hospital in the post-partum room and then we were discharged on Tuesday. And I think I have 3 pictures of me at the hospital with Emmy, the rest are of just Emmy or Emmy with family. I have found that once you are out of the delivery room, everyone forgets about mommy and it is just about baby 
Baby #2 - D&E - 10/1/10 @ 19w2d - thanatophoric dysplasia confirmed.
Charlotte Lillian will be forever in our hearts.
Baby #3 - Little Bean - natural miscarriage - 1/17/11 @ 5w5d
Mel, you nailed it all on the head! I agree with everything you said. I brought a pillow from home b/c I don't go anywhere without one, and John ended up using it more than me. Bring extra hair ties. I broke a couple of them and would have been miserable if I wasn't able to tie my hair up b/c I was super sweaty. I also lived in a sports bra or nursing sleep bra. It was more comfortable for me than going without.
I'm sure I will think of more, and I will def pass them on to you
Honestly, everything I thought I 'needed' went right out the window. I brought a whole suitcase of clothes and wound up in my gown the entire time I was there. I only put on my clothes when I was going home. And speaking for myself, I honestly didn't care about what kind of pillow I had. Between the pain I was in, the exhaustion, trying to get the hang of nursing and being a new mommy, and not wanting to be in any pictures anyway because I looked awful..the only time I thought about my pillow was when I was daydreaming of getting some sleep..lol.
The few must haves I can think of are toothbrush and toothpaste, although they have these at the hospital the toothbrushes are little and cheap and the toothpaste is nasty. Same for the soap, shampoo, and conditioner, I brought my own. A boppy pillow (I didn't bring mine and I think that it would've been helpful), a camera, video camera, laptop, and going home outfit for you and Lucie. Oh, and also your baby book if you have one. That's all I can think of for now.
1) What items that you wouldn't necesarily think to bring to the hospital were invaluable or did you need and not have?
I agree with the other 2 moms. You really won't need much. Phone, camera, laptop, charger/batteries, tooth stuff, hair holders, music, comfy clothes, slippers with anti slip grips helped me out a bunch since I had to walk the halls/maneuver out of bed after a c-section. I got a robe from the hospital. Take your own bath wash/shampoo... it will make you feel better, and that 1st shower you take it the best one you will ever have IN YOUR LIFE!!! Going home clothes for you and Lucie. Maybe a nice outfit for her if your hospital offers pictures. They will provide diapers, clothes, hats, etc. Why give yourself more laundry to do when you get home. Have a diaper bag ready in your car if it makes you feel better for your ride home.
No one will care how you look, or about the pillows behind you, especially you. You will be too tired/in awe of Lucie. I wouldn't use brand new stuff, but something that you might not mind throwing away. Lots of stains, goop and bodily fluids happen
2) Was there anything you needed when you got home that you didn't think about making sure was there?
I made sure my house was totally clean before I left so I had clean when I got home. Clean sheets, bed made... nice! Make sure you have snacks and maybe a few meals made. Make sure Lucie's stuff if clean and ready for her. The hospital will send you home with pads, meds, etc. but if there is something you think you might need I'm sure Arek can pick it up for you. If you have RX meds... have him pick them up before you go home. I learned the hard way about extra time in the vehicle when I was hurting. It sucked!!!
3) Any other tips or things to make sure I do in preparation?
I agree abt the 1st few days of being just the 3 of you as a family. Way less pressure. If some one offers help, TAKE IT! Sleep when you can. You are going to be more tired than you can ever imagine, but Lucie will still need you when she needs you, and will not care if you need 10 minutes more sleep.
I learned about muscles in my body that I had forgotten existed until I started holding a baby and changing him and rocking/swinging etc. It hit me like a knife stabbing me between my shoulder blades. Moist heatiing pad helped.
Don't forget to make sure Arek has a bag too, if he is going to be staying the night. Change for the vending machines/cash for the cafeteria. He'll need to eat.
You'll be shocked at how much you will pack, but really won't need. Focus on the most important stuff. Camera and comfort.
Oh, and I totally recommend the book 'Happiest Baby on the Block', by Harvey Karp.
Good Stuff!
OMG yes!
Things I was glad I brought:
My body pillow. Ok, I'm the oddball here. I did take my own pillow and was VERY glad. The body pillow made it much easier to get more comfortable during labor, especially the early hours when I had to spend a lot of time on my side because he kept laying on his cord.
Photographer. This definitely isn't for everyone, but I wouldn't trade those precious pictures for the world. SIL got ALL her pictures from my first niece's birth deleted from her camera when she let family members take the pics. I have never forgotten that and couldn't even deal with the though of it happening to me.
My own gown. I didn't want to feel skanked out any more than necessary. I bought some fabric and paid a friend to sew me a hospital gown. Best money spent. Not only was it cute, but she also put extra ties and velcro in the back so that it didn't hang open when I got out of bed.
Things I forgot or didn't think about:
Extra hair ties. I couldn't find mine, but thankfully my photographer had an extra on her wrist.
More preemie/newborn clothes. We thought L would be in the 7.5-8lb range. He wasn't even 7 lbs, and all his newborn stuff fell off of him. We had one outfit with us in the hospital that fit him, and had to send MIL out the next day to find more preemie size stuff to fit him.
Things I brought but didn't use:
laptop. I brought it to listen to music, but ended up just putting the tv on a music channel and using that.
Other suggestions/ideas:
I also suggest getting extra large pads, ladacaine spray, etc. before you have the baby. You aren't going to feel like walking into Walgreens a day or two after having a baby to get all the post-partum care stuff.
Instead of having a ton of people come to the hospital, we had our immediate family and my best friend come up to visit and meet the baby that night, and a few other close friend and relatives come the next day. We asked everyone else to wait until we were home. We came home on Sunday night, had all day Monday and Tuesday to be at home and adjust, and Tuesday night had a bunch of people over at the same time. By this point I had a better idea of when I would be nursing and how long it would take. Also, having a bunch over at one time allowed us to get it all over at once, instead of having people stop by everyday for a week or two.