The List
Topic: Uncategorized| 2 Comments »Yesterday I spent some time seeking the internet wisdom of veteran mothers on what to bring to the hospital for the Blueberry arrival.
The list started with about 10 reasonable items.
Then I made the fatal mistake of reading the comments section. Well, before you know it my list was 35 items long and I was looking on amazon for a new suitcase to pack it all in.
My favorite comment was from a husband who apparently packed the whole house and both bathrooms only to discover that he forgot his wife’s deodorant. Turns out his sweat-covered laboring wife did not take it well. Made me laugh.
I am not a pack rat. I do not accumulate “stuff”. I am constantly purging the house of “stuff”.
However, the thing with OCD is that when it comes to packing for a trip or any kind of venture, OCD turns into the “You never know syndrom”.
Still, somehow it does not feel right to have to move to give birth to a baby.
So…dilemma.
Sandy
April 17th, 2012 at 12:38 am
OKAY. Just know, first, that your list and other people’s lists are not going to sync up because you won’t have all the same must-haves.
That being said, here’s what I brought/wish I’d brought:
1. My own small set of toiletries
2. A pair of comfy clothes to come home in
3. 1-2 changes of underwear, though you’ll probably be nekked for most of the hours following the birth (don’t EVEN tell me that hospital gown is considered clothing…)
4. Snacks. Just in case you birth at a weird time of day and the kitchen’s closed for some reason.
5. A baby outfit/baby blanket and carseat and stuff. Just sayin’.
That’s all I can think of that was vital. My nurses were fabbitty-fab with bringing me drinks and snacks and lotions and things to smear on my poor sore bosoms.
April 17th, 2012 at 1:46 pm
For both birth experiences, I found that I packed way more stuff than I needed and it was just a pain to have to carry it around (or have Joel carry it around anyway). Laurie’s list looks pretty good, though I would add a water bottle. Sure the hospital has water, but I always feel like it tastes funny. And you won’t have to wait for a nurse to get you some; you already have it right there!
FYI, the hospital provides you with disposable underwear because–it’s messy. I think I even wore them home this time around, but if you don’t want to do that, get some panties a size larger than you normally wear. Maybe I’m a bad person, but the garments just weren’t happening when everything is sore and crazy down there. Also, have a comfy breastfeeding sleep bra. I probably sat around in just panties and sleep bra for the first few days at home.
And, maybe you already know this, but you’ll probably have to wear maternity clothes for a while after the baby’s born. It is sad.