Ask a STM: November Edition

birdiejo

Keeping this rolling as a monthly thread from now on. 

Any and all questions about pregnancy, labor, babies, and beyond go here! 

ohstars

When are you guys packing a hospital bag?  I want to pack now, but I don't really have enough maternity clothes to put them in a suitcase. Do you just sacrifice a few things early so that you can be prepared?

I've AW'd my last pregnancy about a million times on this board, but just for context, I delivered at 34w last time, and I was completely unprepared. I want to have a bag ready to go rather than racking my brain to explain to someone what clothes I want and where to find them. 

lct2008

@ohstars I didn't pack my hospital bag the first time till after my water broke  so I was running around like a madwoman and didn't know what I wanted. This last time I still didn't pack my bag till closer to edd but I made sure I had a complete list of everything I wanted and needed so that when I needed to and was ready to pack I just went down the list. So I didn't have to pack to early but still felt prepared in the sense that I knew I wasn't forgetting anything. I did pack the things in the diaper bag at like 35/36 weeks because obviously those weren't things I was using on the regular like my hairbrush etc. so baby's stuff was sitting ready to go and all I had to worry about was my stuff. 

Gretchypoo

Oh, a list  is a good idea! I don't want to pack a bag yet bc I don't want to jinx myself. But I'll def do a list.

ohstars

A list is a good idea! I have a suitcase with a phone charger and two nursing bras sitting in my closet. Baby clothes are a good idea to pack early. And the outfit that I want DS in for our first family pictures, that way I don't sound like a bossy pants to whatever kind family member is bringing DS to the hospital by dictating what he needs to wear. Hmm and I guess he needs a bag too...

peachesnbean

I make a list and then pack around 39 weeks. I've always liked the idea of packing in labor but I got impatient

heres some two cents from a STM- prepare a basket with self care type items.... lanolin, ibuprofen, prenatals, some granola bars, any nursing type supplements you might be taking and just have it handy on the coffee/side table or bedside table. I found it super convenient and I needed to take a pill or something but was nursing/too tired/ too sore I could just H to get my basket and some water.

jlellis603

Going off of the last few comments in the symptoms thread, I'm a little confused about the support bands. I am 100% getting one for PP but I probably want to get one in the next month or so to wear up until delivery. My questions is that there seems to be a handful of different kinds - one for PP like girdle to tighten things back up, one for while your pregnant for like support of your heavy belly I guess? and one for just under clothes as a long cami/holds your pants up. I don't want to get the wrong kind for the wrong time - and I definitely want a good one for PP. Anyone have one the loved?

musicinmysoul17

How do you decide on a pediatrician? My doc office gave me a list and I'm looking at the couple offices that are closest to me. I've been able to eliminate a couple docs from reviews but otherwise they just look ok and I put them on my maybe list.

Partyof6?

I know this was in another thread,  but make sure you stock up on pads early to avoid having to send your husband out after.   Depending on your type of delivery,  I would say plan for at least two weeks of heavy to regular bleeding,  and not feeling like hitting the store at all during that time.   

I honestly don't entirely remember last time what we did.   I know I had nursing tanks and maternity yoga type pants at the hospital,  but didn't really want to be dressed at all.   I wore mostly the hospital gown. 

Chargers for phones,  a real camera if you have one with extra batteries,  any prescriptions you take daily,  a couple of old pairs of high waisted underwear (or hit Walmart) if you want something other than the mesh panties.   

Baby outfits, blanket, going home or picture outfit, socks etc for baby. 

Sample sizes of things like toothpaste, shampoo,  etc were great to get ahead of time and toss in the bag. If hubby is staying with you, grab stuff for him too.

birdiejo

I packed up everything I wasn't using like travel shampoo, nursing tanks and baby clothes sometime in the last month. I had a list of everything I wanted to go in the bag and whatever was inside was checked off so I knew what was left to put in there. Pack snacks for your husband! 

@becbec28 do any of the offices have a new parent tour? We did one at the office we went to and got to meet with one of the pediatricians. We really liked her but then we saw two different pediatricians from the same office while in the hospital. We liked both of them just as much so we just made our first appointments with one of them. 

When we moved here we only had one practice and I finally met a pediatrician that rubbed me the wrong way. Luckily there were other providers in the office and our new guy is great. 

lfrank12

For those who breastfed, what nipple creams/butters did you find were the best? I also tend to have sensitive skin and avoid perfumes/dyes if that makes any difference?

musicinmysoul17

@homemake They don't have a tour that I know of. I'm sure I could make an appointment to meet a couple but that would probably mean taking more time off work. I'm going to ask my doc at my appointment next week which ones are at the hospital that we might meet after delivery. I think I've picked a top 1 and 2 maybes.

birdiejo

lfrank12 said:

For those who breastfed, what nipple creams/butters did you find were the best? I also tend to have sensitive skin and avoid perfumes/dyes if that makes any difference?

Lanolin! Pack it in your hospital bag too! 

Also earth mama angel baby for organic option. 

lct2008

Earth mama angel baby nipple butter! Seriously great, but I also just used a regular lanolin too. 

Side note- earth mama angel baby's bottom balm is AMAZING! 

FreshBakedBrownies

lct2008 said:

Earth mama angel baby nipple butter! Seriously great, but I also just used a regular lanolin too. 

Side note- earth mama angel baby's bottom balm is AMAZING! 

Earth mama angel baby MAMA Bottom balm is amazing too (for those of you lucky enough like me to push for hours and get horrible hemorrhoids)!

cantalopes24

I already packed mine pretty much but I have two nursing bras, two nursing tops, super soft socks, pajamas, a bath robe, shampoo/conditioner, two pairs of yoga pants, two zip up hoodies, chapstick, lotion, hair ties, a couple stretchy headbands. I will also bring books, two outfits for baby (one NB, one 0-3months) chargers for phones/tablets, and some specific snacks. I will be there for probably 4 days. The hospital provided a lot of stuff and sent us home with a ton too so beyond that list we're good. I use their stretchy underwear because even with a csection I felt like it was a lot of bleeding and I appreciated their huge pads and not having to worry about my underwear getting ruined.

I wore a binder the hospital provided the first couple days after my csections but that was it. I didn't really feel like anything was necessary and I actually felt better without it.

@becbec28  We looked at things like how they schedule sick visits, if we would always see the same pedi or if they just schedule you with whoever, their hours and how they handle after hours calls, and if they had walk in appointments. Morning walk ins for sick visits was a must for us because my parents watch them and that way I don't have to take a whole day off work as horrible as it sounds. We can be in and out by 8/8:30am. Our pedi's office is open 6 days a week and the occasionally do evening open houses so you could interview them outside of normal business hours.

@lfrank12 I used lanolin.

lct2008

@FreshBakedBrownies whoops! That's what I meant! I meant the mama bottom balm! Stuff is seriously the best. I didn't push for hours. 20 mins the first time and 10 the second. But tore. And that stuff was so refreshing and heavenly. 

Partyof6?

FYI, speaking of nipple cream,  I am allergic to wool /it makes me itchy,  so any product with Lanolin is out.  I can't remember now what I used!   

peachesnbean

Partyof6? said:

FYI, speaking of nipple cream,  I am allergic to wool /it makes me itchy,  so any product with Lanolin is out.  I can't remember now what I used!   

Coconut Oil. It fixes everything. good for diaper rash, nipple cream, skin issues... Everything.

MissMerciBeaucoup

Love all the hospital bag packing tips!!  Idiot FTM here, but the only thing I had seriously thought about putting in the bag until now was baby clothes and a good bottle of champagne!! 

Gretchypoo

For STMs-- what couldnt you live without  during labor? I'm at a birthing center and can eat so I'm wondering abt snacks and things to make me more comfy...

peachesnbean

Oh oh oh! For your hospital bag PLEASE remember to put fuzzy warm socks for you, your partner, and baby. Hospitals are FRIGID. Even if you plan on taking slippers- fuzzy socks! I promise you will not regret it.

@Gretchypoo - for me its a giant water cup with a straw and a way to keep my hair off my face and neck. And chapstick! You will get super dehydrated in labor and chapstick is a great refresher.

birdiejo

peachesnbean said:

@Gretchypoo - for me its a giant water cup with a straw and a way to keep my hair off my face and neck. And chapstick! You will get super dehydrated in labor and chapstick is a great refresher.

I was going to say the same! Although at my hospital last time they provided me with a giant water cup and a straw as soon as they admitted me. Is this not the norm? Do I need to provide my own just in case? 

peachesnbean

homemake said:

peachesnbean said:

@Gretchypoo - for me its a giant water cup with a straw and a way to keep my hair off my face and neck. And chapstick! You will get super dehydrated in labor and chapstick is a great refresher.

I was going to say the same! Although at my hospital last time they provided me with a giant water cup and a straw as soon as they admitted me. Is this not the norm? Do I need to provide my own just in case? 

My hospital does, but the other hospital I've supported births at in town does not. 

birdiejo

peachesnbean said:

homemake said:

peachesnbean said:

@Gretchypoo - for me its a giant water cup with a straw and a way to keep my hair off my face and neck. And chapstick! You will get super dehydrated in labor and chapstick is a great refresher.

I was going to say the same! Although at my hospital last time they provided me with a giant water cup and a straw as soon as they admitted me. Is this not the norm? Do I need to provide my own just in case? 

My hospital does, but the other hospital I've supported births at in town does not. 

You just blew my mind. I HAVE to add water cup to the list. 

BumpasaurusRex

peachesnbean said:

Partyof6? said:

FYI, speaking of nipple cream,  I am allergic to wool /it makes me itchy,  so any product with Lanolin is out.  I can't remember now what I used!   

Coconut Oil. It fixes everything. good for diaper rash, nipple cream, skin issues... Everything.

Also, breastmilk.  When I was done nursing DS, I'd squeeze out a drop of two or milk and put that on my nipples.  Worked like a charm.

It's also great when their tear ducts get clogged in the beginning.  

BumpasaurusRex

I have the diaper bag ready to go, since I obviously won't need to use anything in there prior to birth.  I have a few newborn diapers and wipes (in case of a blow out on the drive home from the hospital), two extra outfits, one in size NB and the other in 0-3 months, and a baby blanket.  

I'll probably start to pack a bag for me after the new year.

Has anyone thought of a going home outfit for their LO?  Bonus points for pics!

kswiger06

I didn't like taking anything extra to the hospital that I didn't really need. I took advantage of their gowns just so I'd have less laundry to worry about later lol. But warm socks I'd agree is important. I'm always freezing so I end up asking for ridiculous amounts of extra blankets lol. But when your walking around on the cold hard floor, nice socks will be heavenly. I packed stretchy yoga pants, I wore the same bra in and out, I just went braless in the hospital most of the time. I just took a comfy t-shirt for going home in. I love the mesh panties so I don't pack underwear. And we just bring our babies home in the hospital shirt thing,  so we only took the pump, and bottles for baby (and car seat). Then I get my personal stuff, brush, toothbrush, deordorant, phone charger.... oh check into your hospital rooms. With DD they had DVD players so we just watched movies instead of their crap channels or paying for the cable. 

@Gretchypoo hot water is amazing when your contractions are starting to really hurt. (This is when you think it hurts, before you realize it will get so much worse) when my contractions start getting me good enough, I hope in the shower and just let the hot water hit my lower back. For food, your lucky to get to eat, when I had DS and DD, the hospital cut me off food the second I arrived. I got only ice chips. I would just take stuff you can keep easily, maybe sandwiches and I'd want small grazing snacks like cheez-itz or goldfish crackers. I'm not picky about that though. I eat good at home before we go to hospital since I'll get cut off lol.

And lanolin and breast milk for the nips. I'd put breast milk on them, let that dry, then add lanolin.  

kswiger06

Question... I know I'm on baby 3 but I'm confused about something. Why does it seem like so many people go to the hospital, then end up on pitocin to speed things up? That really bothers me, as I'd rather everything, as bodily natural and med free as possible. Is there a real reason, or just that they are trying to rush things along? I labored at home as long as possible with my other 2. With DD I walked in the hospital, and she was in my arms less than 30 minutes later. I'd like to go in a little earlier than that, lol, but don't want to feel like they will push stuff on me to speed it up if I'm there "too early" I was reading the other bmbs announcements and it seems like popping the water bags and pitocin are always mentioned.

birdiejo

@kswiger06 In my situation my water had broken and I was gbs+. They had me come in right away even though I wasn't feeling my contractions. They told me they were going to start pitocin but had given me a few hours for labor to start on it's own before that. Next time I might advocate more for myself. Mine ended up fine though. 

Patience7150

@kswiger06 that birth of your DD sounds like my dream birth! I do not want to be at the hospital long before this baby is out. 

Btw, we have a new mother baby center here and every room has its own thermostat so you can keep it warmer. I'll still be packing comfy socks and slippers, but I was so excited to hear about that!

kswiger06

@Patience7150 it was insane with that birth. I walked in instead of riding in a wheel chair, so they were taking their time. In triage they said I was at 8 cm and starting running around like chickens with theirs heads cut off. They rushed me to a room, we're asking me ten billion questions, then as they asked me questions I was like OMG I'm pushing!! Lol it was madness. I want a little more time this time haha. 

OH YEAH ABOUT WHEEL CHAIRS
I refused to ride in a wheel chair until they forced me to. I absolutely hated getting pushed. With active painful contractions, going over even the smallest bump in the wheelchair pissed me off. Just a heads up in case any of you are able to walk. You might prefer to just walk yourself if they let you.

PerraSucia

This time I bought some maternity nightgowns because I'm in the hospital for so fucking long and hanging out in hospital gowns they just cut you open and you puked all over sucks so hard. 

But my list:
nursing nightgowns - 2
nursing bras -2 
Over sized cardigan
leggings to leave in
shirt to leave in
shoes you came in to leave in 
toiletries
human sized towel
shower shoes
grippy socks / slippers something
phone cord
water bottle
gummy bears
nipple cream (I like mother love the best)
onsie - 2
going home baby outfit
swaddle blanket
ipad all loaded with tv shows
colace
prenatals
extra hair ties

i think thats it. 

H can pack his own shit

BumpasaurusRex

OMG yes to the human-size towel @perrasucia!  The ones at the hospital are the size of dish towels and barely covered my ass when I had DS.

leprechaunlady

When you talk about your going home outfits for the baby - is this generally a cute babygrow (onsie) & a hat or actual real clothes like a little dress or trousers & a top? Ftm & pretty clueless here but i imagine her spending the first few weeks in baby grows?

PerraSucia

@Janefelicity I don't know how cold it's going to be where you are but we will for sure need pants and socks unless it's annoyingly warm. Also we normally pick something cuter because pictures. 

kswiger06

@Janefelicity I know people who have done both things. My sister was team green so she just had a cute yellow onsie with a duck on it for the baby to go home in. But a friend of mine bought an infant suit for a baby boy. I don't understand the purpose of that since most of us aren't a celebrity walking out to greet the paparazzi but I guess it doesn't affect me. 

leprechaunlady

Thanks @PerraSucia, it gets pretty cold here so i already have a little snow suit & have seen a coat i would like to get for her. I bought socks & tights last weekend but most actual clothes i have for her are 0-3 months rather than any newborn stuff which is all baby grows so far. Also i heard that you shouldnt have a coat on the baby whilst in the car seat so i just wasnt sure & thought probably her blanket would do? My aunt is currently knitting a really chunky blanket atm.

leprechaunlady

@kswiger06 thats what i thought, i have bought some more expensive really cute onsies for first pics & i thought theyd be ok for going home in too rather than the cheaper multi pack ones for general everyday.

kswiger06

@Janefelicity here it will be cold when the baby is born. (Possibly single digits at best maybe 30°F, but we occasionally have wacky weather) but we will have a couple blankets, and one of those car seat covers. Something similar to the picture. Then when we are in the car or somewhere warm we can unzip it for air, but going out in the cold the baby will be nice and snuggly warm.

leprechaunlady

@kswiger06 do you know if the car seat covera are a universal thing or if you need one for your sepcific manufacturer? They look like a great idea & i have my car seat ordered so must look into this a bit more