@ashh2018 I believe one-two days is standard for a (vaginal) hospital birth. ETA: I had never stayed overnight in a hospital before and was not excited about it. I didn’t sleep great while there, but ended up really appreciating having the help of the nurses while I adjusted to being a FTM!
Me: 32 DH: 32 BFP #1: 1/23/2012 DD: Born 9/20/2012 BFP #2: 12/30/2017 DS: Due 9/10/2018
@ashh2018 I was there three nights, but DS was born in the evening and had jaundice. We probably could have left after the second night, but I liked having the nurses around to check in on us and make sure DS was good. Our first night home, DH and I were both like “who’s brilliant idea was it to give us a baby? We’ve got no idea what we’re doing”
I think 2 days for a vaginal birth and 4 days for a c-section are pretty typical, after the birth. But you’ll be in there longer because of labor...I think you’ll have to have a super quick labor and leave against medical advice to not stay overnight!
I had never stayed in a hospital either, but honestly, with everything going on it was like time stopped while I was there. And I was soooooo happy to have all the help for me, and to take care of the baby, while I was there!
@ashh2018 with my first almost 6 years ago I was there for three nights, the first night being in labor. It was my first time ever being admitted to a hospital, and I didn't have a textbook, smooth delivery. I'm pretty sure when I was discharged they were just as done with me as I them.
@ashh2018 You’ll want to ask at your hospital, I think they all have different policies. Dd was born at 5:15pm on Monday and we were discharged Weds am/noonish. I had no stitches, and no epidural, dd was latching and eating/pooping fine w no concerns.
bfp#1-10/29/12,EDD: 7/3/13. nothing found @ 1st u/s, natural mc 12/10/12. "Bean"
bfp#2-5/10/13! EDD: 1/18/14. "Peanut" Arrived 1/13/14. Diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis
bfp#3- 9/26/14. EDD: 5/7/15. no heartbeat found @ 1st u/s, natural mc 10/23/14. "Little Bug"
Thanks all. I think I’m just getting super scared of everything, and these threads, while incredibly helpful and necessary, are making me realize that I’m going to have a baby very soon lol
@ashh2018 *hugs* Even as a STM, the past few days I have also realized that some of the threads are bringing up some anxiety I experienced before I went into labor with my first. It’s good to be prepared, but it’s also still early
Me: 32 DH: 32 BFP #1: 1/23/2012 DD: Born 9/20/2012 BFP #2: 12/30/2017 DS: Due 9/10/2018
Also, like others have said, as awkward as a hospital may feel going into it, the instant extra help was amazing.
My hospital strongly encourages breastfeeding and discourages pacifiers. Like they don’t have any there at all. Dd wanted to comfort nurse from the get go, and I was just kinda letting her. My night nurse came in, caught on, and sweetly offered to let me sleep by taking over dd. She stayed in the room, used her special nurse magic to settle dd in the bassinet, and ended up standing there letting dd suck on her gloved finger till dd fell asleep. Both nights. I was so exhausted falling asleep w someone in the room wasn’t even an issue.
...also, I introduced the pacifier at home, but only at times I knew I was not stalling/preventing a feeding.
...and, dd had severe but “silent” reflux, so she didn’t spit up a ton, but comfort nursed and cried in discomfort, especially in her sleep.
bfp#1-10/29/12,EDD: 7/3/13. nothing found @ 1st u/s, natural mc 12/10/12. "Bean"
bfp#2-5/10/13! EDD: 1/18/14. "Peanut" Arrived 1/13/14. Diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis
bfp#3- 9/26/14. EDD: 5/7/15. no heartbeat found @ 1st u/s, natural mc 10/23/14. "Little Bug"
I had an unusual circumstance. After my rough surgical delivery I actually was released 36 hours post delivery. Like, didn't get admitted until about 10 pm Monday, born at 11:38 pm Monday, released Wednesday about noon. Even as sore as I was, I was glad to go. That's how much I hate hospitals. Granted, I had a lot to not like about that one right then. Little guy wasn't being released for weeks anyway, so maybe I would have changed my tune if I was bringing home baby at that point....but...shrug.
I have weird sensory things, literally the neckline on the gown triggers my gag reflex. But I also wash cloth diapers and menstrual pads, I have no stains, so I'm not concerned about getting stains out. I dance to my own drum. If I was having a hospital vaginal birth of full term baby and there were no issues I'd sign us out super quick, like 4-6 hours like a birth center. I also started taking care of newborns when I was 8, so I wasn't nervous about that part.
_______________________________________________
Me: 33 DH: 32 Married 7/18/15 1st born at 35+4 on 6/6/16 Team green turned BLUE! 2nd born at 38+6 on 8/30/18 Team green turned PINK! Due with #3 on 6/6/20 Team Green
@ashh2018 - I checked in Monday evening, delivered Tuesday AM, and went home Thursday afternoon. For or a no complications vaginal birth my hospital standard is discharge 36 hours after delivery, but I delivered just before 9am so 36 hours would have been 9pm and they won’t discharge late at night so I stayed an extra night.
Since we have DS already ideally I’ll be in the hospital less time this time.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________ MMC 8/5/15 at 8 weeks DS born 9/13/16 BFP 1/13/18 - EDD 9/20/18 - It's a boy!
@klj0228 I’m sure my gown had baby goo on it, but it wasnt disgusting by any means. I just threw it in our dirty clothes bag and washed it when I did my next load of dark laundry and it came out perfect.
I ended up laboring naked with my first, and as much as I didn’t care in the moment, it wasn’t my preference to repeat the nudity again, so the PP gown was absolutely perfect! I wasn’t wearing a hospital gown (which I think are horribly bulky and uncomfortable) but I had modesty and also complete freedom of movement. I probably wouldn’t have spent the money on it myself, but now that I have used it, I would buy a replacement if I didn’t already have one!
I want to say that I AM a nurse and as much as it’s lovely to get treats, please feel absolutely zero pressure to bring any!
I can’t speak for all nurses, but to most of us, it truly is is our pleasure to be there for you in your time of need. We love seeing healthy, happy, loving families be in love with their baby - that’s all the thanks and reward we want!
Ive never done L&D, but I have been in Pediatrics for a long time and it would hurt your heart to know how low my bar is set for what consitutes a “good” family and just how refreshing and wonderful it is to see a baby who is truly well cared for and parents who are absolutely enamored with said baby.
Be polite and love the heck out of that baby, I promise your nurse will love you for it!!
I was in the hospital 4 nights, but I could have been discharged after 3. I was in labor night 1, then standard 2 nights postpartum at my hospital, but my daughter was in the NICU for at least one more day and I basically refused to leave without her. Since I was nursing every 3 hours I would have had to sleep on an uncomfortable couch in her room without a shower so while the doctors were supposed to release me on Monday, they waited until Tuesday morning and said it was due to my allergic reaction. On the flip side, my sister had a scheduled c section and was out in under 48 hours.
I think I labored in a nursing gown then after wore a nursing tank and cheap sweats that I didn’t mind getting dirty. The first day I am pretty sure I was just in a nursing bra in bed, but once DD went to the NICU and I had to walk to another building every few hours I had to put real clothes on. I will definitely be packing extra clothes this time as I felt so gross in my clothes after a short while. DH didn’t pack enough but he went home (10 min away) to shower and eat so it wasn’t a big deal for him. I did bring him some shorts as he came straight from work in a suit. Oops.
Also something that needs to be on every single person’s list: chapstick. Seriously don’t forget it.
I want to say that I AM a nurse and as much as it’s lovely to get treats, please feel absolutely zero pressure to bring any!
I can’t speak for all nurses, but to most of us, it truly is is our pleasure to be there for you in your time of need. We love seeing healthy, happy, loving families be in love with their baby - that’s all the thanks and reward we want!
Ive never done L&D, but I have been in Pediatrics for a long time and it would hurt your heart to know how low my bar is set for what consitutes a “good” family and just how refreshing and wonderful it is to see a baby who is truly well cared for and parents who are absolutely enamored with said baby.
Be polite and love the heck out of that baby, I promise your nurse will love you for it!!
It's funny to me that you said that because one of our L&D nurses thanked us for being a "normal" family and said it was so refreshing to be working with us. Based on the location of the hospital I would have to imagine she has a ton of ridiculous stories.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________ MMC 8/5/15 at 8 weeks DS born 9/13/16 BFP 1/13/18 - EDD 9/20/18 - It's a boy!
@SkilledSailor the list under it for "customers also bought," is gold! I'm reading it thinking, "got it, want it, want it, had it- bought 2 more, got it, got it, want it..."
Question: does anyone have a favorite nursing tank or brand?
I’ve not had good luck with the clip down kinds (but I’m also too cheap to buy Bravado, which are supposed to be awesome) but I’ve used and love the Gap maternity shelf camisoles. They are stretchy, but still supportive! I just pull the breast I’m nursing with out and it’s easy!
Can anyone recommend a good gown for labor and delivery for smaller people? Yes, will be my biggest ever at that point, but I still have very skinny arms, narrow shoulders, and small boobs and don't want to be swimming in extra fabric. All of the L&D gowns seem huge. No, I'm not looking for something super fitted and tight, but I know from experience that swimming in fabric will drive me crazy and when things are huge up top, they provide no modesty and that will defeat the purpose of wearing anything. Specifically, arm holes and chest closures are usually where things gape open and drive me nuts. Any advice?
Edited for spelling - you guys why does the Bump not have spell check???
@magnolia209 I was sent straight to triage from a regular check-up, then labor and delivery and it was a bit of a whirlwind so I didn't have anything with me, just what I was wearing. The bra I had on at the time wasn't an actual nursing bra but it was a stretchy little thing with convertible straps. I ended up wearing it during my whole labor under the hospital gown and never even thought about it again until they put my son on my chest and all the sudden people were trying to figure out how to get my boobs out, lol. In retrospect it was really kinda funny having multiple people trying to get my boobs exposed. Since the straps were convertible they unclipped in the front and the nurse was able to just unclip the straps and drop the whole front of my bra down. (At which point I'm thinking, ew, I've been in this bra for like 3 days.. I need a shower...) Anyhow, my point being, it was actually really comfortable for me to have the little stretchy bra on under the hospital gown, so much so that I forget I was even wearing it, so I'm planning to start wearing (or have in my purse/hospital bag) a light stretchy proper nursing bra this time when I get closer to my due date and plan to wear it under the hospital gown. Would just wearing a nursing bra under whatever gown be enough to at least make you comfortable on the modesty front? I can't comment on the extra fabric issue cause I was huuuuuuuge when I delivered so that was a non issue for me, lol. Good lord, I was huge... But my bra was comfy!
@stothi I did the same thing. Wore a sports bra for support and when DS came out everyone was trying to whip my boobs out for me! This time I’ll bring a comfy nursing sleep bra.
Thanks @stothi, @Wishilivedinflorida, @arcticseal-2 I hadn't though about just getting a good stretchy/comfy nursing bra to wear under whatever. That's a good idea. Then, maybe I can just find a nightgown type thing for earlier in labor when I'm walking around and change into the hospital gown before the really messy part of labor...I swear, this is not about vanity (well maybe a bit) and it is more about wanting to be comfortable and not having to feel like I'm exposing myself to the world if I'm up and about (which I hope to be!).
Edit to add: And, it's a really good idea to put these things into a hospital bag in case of the unexpected! Thanks for that as well!
Not trying to freak you out, but my experience was that I didn't even notice how over sized the hospital gown was because I was also huge (5'4 and 115 non pregnant though), and I was more annoyed by the constant blood pressure cuff and oxygen mask, which I had no choice over.
@Patience7150 Noted. I still need to plan something to wear and it’s making me feel calm to envision everything going super smoothly - but yep - they were freaking me out yesterday about my giant baby and would I be able to deliver vaginally? so I am very prepared that anything can happen. Or, I’m trying to be prepared
I should add some of my reasoning for wearing the sports bra was to keep covered if I went in the tub, which I never ended up getting into. If you have the option of a birthing tub, it may be helpful to have an outfit idea planned for that depending on your level of comfort. My plan was sports bra and otherwise naked because my bottom half would be under water.
I did all the early labor in my own yoga pants and comfy shirt, i had a sleep nursing bra underneath. I only changed to get in the tub, and I think at that point either stayed in just the bra, or maybe added just a loose v neck t shirt. They were having to check progress often enough that it wasn’t worth redressing, and I had a big enough room to stay in. Plus, honestly I hated moving around. It certainly would have sped things along, but I was not having it. Fetal position on the bed all the way. *eyeroll* I was a total wuss and fully expect to be again.
I never used the hospital gown and I’m pretty sure just stayed in a shirt and mesh undies until it was time to go home. I was on the bed under blankets whenever visitors came anyways.
bfp#1-10/29/12,EDD: 7/3/13. nothing found @ 1st u/s, natural mc 12/10/12. "Bean"
bfp#2-5/10/13! EDD: 1/18/14. "Peanut" Arrived 1/13/14. Diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis
bfp#3- 9/26/14. EDD: 5/7/15. no heartbeat found @ 1st u/s, natural mc 10/23/14. "Little Bug"
Not trying to freak you out, but my experience was that I didn't even notice how over sized the hospital gown was because I was also huge (5'4 and 115 non pregnant though), and I was more annoyed by the constant blood pressure cuff and oxygen mask, which I had no choice over.
Omg I hated the blood pressure cuff and the stupid oxygen mask made me feel claustrophobic and I swear I couldn't get a full breath with the stupid thing on. I kept getting yelled at cause I'd take it off so I could take big gulps of room air. It was so confusing to me that wearing an oxygen mask felt like I was getting less air and I kept wondering if the oxygen was actually turned on or like if there was a kink in the hose or what... And the pulse ox thing drive me nuts. Finally a nice nurse moved it from my finger to my toe and that actually helped a lot.
@Wishilivedinflorida I was planning on being in the tub too so I packed a cute swimsuit top to wear. But with the magnesium and all the other induction drugs and business it never happened. I don't remember if they said I couldn't because I was a fall risk from the meds or if it was because I was hooked up to too many things or what happened, cause I love being in water and can't remember now why water didn't happen. I'm guessing it was the drugs and all the monitors I had to be hooked to.
@stothi we had super similar experiences! I kept getting dry lips too from the oxygen and couldn't deal. And my catheter was all nicely taped and out of the way, and then some effin trainee nurse came in and was like "let's retape this to the other leg" without me ever saying anything was wrong with it, and I proceeded to get the tube caught on my leg FOUR times! I'm so happy to be a little bit more educated and not feel weird speaking up for myself this time around.
If you have to be induced it helps to pack some extra things because you could be there awhile before labor starts. I was there three days before my water finally broke and was so thankful my sister brought dvds, puzzles, cards, magazines. It may feel like you’re packing a lot but it helps to have things to pass the time!
This was my list for the first time and am going to use it again. I did not use everything for baby as the hospital had a lot. But DH used what he brought and I uses like 95% of my things. Sorry, it's long.
Baby: Diapers x10 Outfit newborn and 0-3 mos. Receiving blanket x2 Muslin swaddle wrap x2 Socks Soother Wipes Blankie Hat Mitts Car seat Diaper cream Face cloths Vaseline
Mommy: Flip flops Socks and under Robe PJS Loose shirts Nursing bra Leave in conditioner Dry shampoo and Shampoo/conditioner Phone charger Deodorant Lotion Makeup and mirror Brush Toothbrush/Paste/Mouthwash Tums Chapstick Face cream Face wipes Face cloths Towel Hair tie, bobby pins, headband Toilet paper Pillow Breastfeeding pillow Blanket Prenatal vitamins Snacks Gatorade Water bottle Pads/Always underwear Nursing pads Nipple cream Plastic bags for dirty clothes
and shoes Health card
@stothi, @Patience7150 - The blood pressure cuff was terrible!! The regular automatic BP checking left me with some small blisters on my arms!
As for labor clothing, once I got to the hospital they have you put on a gown so they can check you/do some monitoring in triage to determine whether or not you should be sent home or admitted. I stayed in hospital gowns from that point on although they gave me a second one to put on backwards so my ass wasn't hanging out while trying to walk around to progress more.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________ MMC 8/5/15 at 8 weeks DS born 9/13/16 BFP 1/13/18 - EDD 9/20/18 - It's a boy!
A few things that I will include that might not be on everyone's list: -Pillow and blanket for DH -My own pillow from home with a pretty pillowcase (it will be in pictures.) -Socks for labor (I have sweaty feet and it would embarrass me for the nurse to have to hold my sweaty foot, lol) -Neutrogena face wipes helped me feel like I could freshen up a little when a shower wasn't convenient. -A little personal fan. I added this after going in to L&D for a false alarm and finding the triage rooms to be stupidly hot. Thank goodness I went out and grabbed one because the Norco you get after makes me really flushed and at one point the AC went out for a few hours and I would have killed someone had I not had that little guy. -Ear plugs! This was one of the best ideas we had that we continued to use for months at home. Our hospital does not have a traditional nursery, baby never leaves your room unless they need a procedure. So we came up with the protocol that whenever we were trying to sleep, we took shifts and one parent would be "on duty" should the baby wake up and the other parent wore earplugs. No sense in everyone being awake all night.
Be sure to ask what is provided during your tour. Some hospitals provide clothes for baby, water bottle, snacks, witch hazel pads, etc. - some don't.
Also I would pack a small bag of "essentials" you want during labor and keep it in your purse. They advised us to leave all bags in the car and have your support person/SO go get it from the car when you find out you're being admitted. In my case we called the grandparents to tell them we were being admitted then before DH could go back to the car my water broke and things were in a crazy whirlwind until after I got my epidural and was ready to push. So that pretty gown I bought and some other things I had planned to use were stuck in the car and went unused.
@stothi I did the same thing. Wore a sports bra for support and when DS came out everyone was trying to whip my boobs out for me! This time I’ll bring a comfy nursing sleep bra.
This is freaking genius! I'm now off to Amazon to buy all the stretchy nursing bras to just constantly wear in September
I'm late to the thread, but I'm finally catching up and processing it all. I've been thinking a lot lately about what to wear during labor - too much, probably. Sorry I always use these threads as a place to corral my own thoughts! LOL
Last time, I went to the hospital in a halter top and a stretchy skirt, and that lasted me up until transition. After getting in the shower, I put on a hospital gown backwards (open in front) to get back to my room (showers were down the hall at that hospital) and that's what I stayed in to deliver. Like someone else said, I'd like not to repeat the nudity, although it didn't bother me at the time and if it happens again, oh well.
I'm thinking of just getting a short sleeved robe that I can change into at the hospital. I'm looking at some on Amazon. I can open the front for skin-to-skin, have easy access to everything if we have our planned low-intervention birth, and decent coverage for walking around, but will still feel more comfortable (relatively speaking!) than in a hospital gown. I could reuse it, too. And if we need to change our plans for more interventions, then I'm OK dealing with a hospital gown. I just prefer my own clothes, not feeling like a patient, and having some say in the matter if it's not a medical/safety issue.
I plan to wear nursing nightgowns and a robe while I'm in the hospital. I'll wear soft pants to leave, but I remember having my lower half checked often last time and a skirt/dress will be easier. Plus, I can hike it up around my hips so there's less chance of bleeding on it in bed.
2/13 Blighted ovum, D&C -- 6/13 MC -- 8/14 DD born -- 3/17 MC -- 9/18 DD2 born Expecting again -- EDD 7/27/20
As I’m gathering things for my hospital bag I remembered about saving coins/small bills for parking lot/vending machines or coffee shop and stashing them in my bag. I just clean out my wallet when I have small change and set it aside.
Re: Hospital Bags
ETA: I had never stayed overnight in a hospital before and was not excited about it. I didn’t sleep great while there, but ended up really appreciating having the help of the nurses while I adjusted to being a FTM!
BFP #1: 1/23/2012 DD: Born 9/20/2012
BFP #2: 12/30/2017 DS: Due 9/10/2018
I had never stayed in a hospital either, but honestly, with everything going on it was like time stopped while I was there. And I was soooooo happy to have all the help for me, and to take care of the baby, while I was there!
bfp#1-10/29/12,EDD: 7/3/13. nothing found @ 1st u/s, natural mc 12/10/12. "Bean"
bfp#2-5/10/13! EDD: 1/18/14. "Peanut" Arrived 1/13/14. Diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis
bfp#3- 9/26/14. EDD: 5/7/15. no heartbeat found @ 1st u/s, natural mc 10/23/14. "Little Bug"
**Psalm 139:16**
BFP #1: 1/23/2012 DD: Born 9/20/2012
BFP #2: 12/30/2017 DS: Due 9/10/2018
My hospital strongly encourages breastfeeding and discourages pacifiers. Like they don’t have any there at all. Dd wanted to comfort nurse from the get go, and I was just kinda letting her. My night nurse came in, caught on, and sweetly offered to let me sleep by taking over dd. She stayed in the room, used her special nurse magic to settle dd in the bassinet, and ended up standing there letting dd suck on her gloved finger till dd fell asleep. Both nights. I was so exhausted falling asleep w someone in the room wasn’t even an issue.
...also, I introduced the pacifier at home, but only at times I knew I was not stalling/preventing a feeding.
...and, dd had severe but “silent” reflux, so she didn’t spit up a ton, but comfort nursed and cried in discomfort, especially in her sleep.
bfp#1-10/29/12,EDD: 7/3/13. nothing found @ 1st u/s, natural mc 12/10/12. "Bean"
bfp#2-5/10/13! EDD: 1/18/14. "Peanut" Arrived 1/13/14. Diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis
bfp#3- 9/26/14. EDD: 5/7/15. no heartbeat found @ 1st u/s, natural mc 10/23/14. "Little Bug"
**Psalm 139:16**
I have weird sensory things, literally the neckline on the gown triggers my gag reflex. But I also wash cloth diapers and menstrual pads, I have no stains, so I'm not concerned about getting stains out. I dance to my own drum. If I was having a hospital vaginal birth of full term baby and there were no issues I'd sign us out super quick, like 4-6 hours like a birth center. I also started taking care of newborns when I was 8, so I wasn't nervous about that part.
DH: 32
Married 7/18/15
1st born at 35+4 on 6/6/16
Team green turned BLUE!
2nd born at 38+6 on 8/30/18
Team green turned PINK!
Due with #3 on 6/6/20 Team Green
Since we have DS already ideally I’ll be in the hospital less time this time.
MMC 8/5/15 at 8 weeks
DS born 9/13/16
BFP 1/13/18 - EDD 9/20/18 - It's a boy!
I ended up laboring naked with my first, and as much as I didn’t care in the moment, it wasn’t my preference to repeat the nudity again, so the PP gown was absolutely perfect! I wasn’t wearing a hospital gown (which I think are horribly bulky and uncomfortable) but I had modesty and also complete freedom of movement. I probably wouldn’t have spent the money on it myself, but now that I have used it, I would buy a replacement if I didn’t already have one!
I can’t speak for all nurses, but to most of us, it truly is is our pleasure to be there for you in your time of need. We love seeing healthy, happy, loving families be in love with their baby - that’s all the thanks and reward we want!
Ive never done L&D, but I have been in Pediatrics for a long time and it would hurt your heart to know how low my bar is set for what consitutes a “good” family and just how refreshing and wonderful it is to see a baby who is truly well cared for and parents who are absolutely enamored with said baby.
Be polite and love the heck out of that baby, I promise your nurse will love you for it!!
I think I labored in a nursing gown then after wore a nursing tank and cheap sweats that I didn’t mind getting dirty. The first day I am pretty sure I was just in a nursing bra in bed, but once DD went to the NICU and I had to walk to another building every few hours I had to put real clothes on. I will definitely be packing extra clothes this time as I felt so gross in my clothes after a short while. DH didn’t pack enough but he went home (10 min away) to shower and eat so it wasn’t a big deal for him. I did bring him some shorts as he came straight from work in a suit. Oops.
Also something that needs to be on every single person’s list: chapstick. Seriously don’t forget it.
MMC 8/5/15 at 8 weeks
DS born 9/13/16
BFP 1/13/18 - EDD 9/20/18 - It's a boy!
https://www.amazon.com/Postpartum-Maternity-Disposable-Underwear-Brief/dp/B07218V4D4/ref=sr_1_5_s_it?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1517859481&sr=1-5&keywords=disposable+underwear+postpartum
down kinds (but I’m also too cheap to buy Bravado, which are supposed to be awesome) but I’ve used and love the Gap maternity shelf camisoles. They are stretchy, but still supportive! I just pull the breast I’m nursing with out and it’s easy!
Edited for spelling - you guys why does the Bump not have spell check???
Daughter #2 - Oct 2014
Daughter #3 - Nov 2016
Baby #4 - Sept 2018
Would just wearing a nursing bra under whatever gown be enough to at least make you comfortable on the modesty front? I can't comment on the extra fabric issue cause I was huuuuuuuge when I delivered so that was a non issue for me, lol. Good lord, I was huge... But my bra was comfy!
Edit to add: And, it's a really good idea to put these things into a hospital bag in case of the unexpected! Thanks for that as well!
I never used the hospital gown and I’m pretty sure just stayed in a shirt and mesh undies until it was time to go home. I was on the bed under blankets whenever visitors came anyways.
bfp#1-10/29/12,EDD: 7/3/13. nothing found @ 1st u/s, natural mc 12/10/12. "Bean"
bfp#2-5/10/13! EDD: 1/18/14. "Peanut" Arrived 1/13/14. Diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis
bfp#3- 9/26/14. EDD: 5/7/15. no heartbeat found @ 1st u/s, natural mc 10/23/14. "Little Bug"
**Psalm 139:16**
This was my list for the first time and am going to use it again. I did not use everything for baby as the hospital had a lot. But DH used what he brought and I uses like 95% of my things. Sorry, it's long.
Baby:
Diapers x10
Outfit newborn and 0-3 mos.
Receiving blanket x2
Muslin swaddle wrap x2
Socks
Soother
Wipes
Blankie
Hat
Mitts
Car seat
Diaper cream
Face cloths
Vaseline
Mommy:
Flip flops
Socks and under
Robe
PJS
Loose shirts
Nursing bra
Leave in conditioner
Dry shampoo and Shampoo/conditioner
Phone charger
Deodorant
Lotion
Makeup and mirror
Brush
Toothbrush/Paste/Mouthwash
Tums
Chapstick
Face cream
Face wipes
Face cloths
Towel
Hair tie, bobby pins, headband
Toilet paper
Pillow
Breastfeeding pillow
Blanket
Prenatal vitamins
Snacks
Gatorade
Water bottle
Pads/Always underwear
Nursing pads
Nipple cream
Plastic bags for dirty clothes and shoes
Health card
Daddy:
Sandals
Socks
Sweat pants
Snacks
Toothbrush
As for labor clothing, once I got to the hospital they have you put on a gown so they can check you/do some monitoring in triage to determine whether or not you should be sent home or admitted. I stayed in hospital gowns from that point on although they gave me a second one to put on backwards so my ass wasn't hanging out while trying to walk around to progress more.
MMC 8/5/15 at 8 weeks
DS born 9/13/16
BFP 1/13/18 - EDD 9/20/18 - It's a boy!
-Pillow and blanket for DH
-My own pillow from home with a pretty pillowcase (it will be in pictures.)
-Socks for labor (I have sweaty feet and it would embarrass me for the nurse to have to hold my sweaty foot, lol)
-Neutrogena face wipes helped me feel like I could freshen up a little when a shower wasn't convenient.
-A little personal fan. I added this after going in to L&D for a false alarm and finding the triage rooms to be stupidly hot. Thank goodness I went out and grabbed one because the Norco you get after makes me really flushed and at one point the AC went out for a few hours and I would have killed someone had I not had that little guy.
-Ear plugs! This was one of the best ideas we had that we continued to use for months at home. Our hospital does not have a traditional nursery, baby never leaves your room unless they need a procedure. So we came up with the protocol that whenever we were trying to sleep, we took shifts and one parent would be "on duty" should the baby wake up and the other parent wore earplugs. No sense in everyone being awake all night.
Be sure to ask what is provided during your tour. Some hospitals provide clothes for baby, water bottle, snacks, witch hazel pads, etc. - some don't.
Also I would pack a small bag of "essentials" you want during labor and keep it in your purse. They advised us to leave all bags in the car and have your support person/SO go get it from the car when you find out you're being admitted. In my case we called the grandparents to tell them we were being admitted then before DH could go back to the car my water broke and things were in a crazy whirlwind until after I got my epidural and was ready to push. So that pretty gown I bought and some other things I had planned to use were stuck in the car and went unused.
Last time, I went to the hospital in a halter top and a stretchy skirt, and that lasted me up until transition. After getting in the shower, I put on a hospital gown backwards (open in front) to get back to my room (showers were down the hall at that hospital) and that's what I stayed in to deliver. Like someone else said, I'd like not to repeat the nudity, although it didn't bother me at the time and if it happens again, oh well.
I'm thinking of just getting a short sleeved robe that I can change into at the hospital. I'm looking at some on Amazon. I can open the front for skin-to-skin, have easy access to everything if we have our planned low-intervention birth, and decent coverage for walking around, but will still feel more comfortable (relatively speaking!) than in a hospital gown. I could reuse it, too. And if we need to change our plans for more interventions, then I'm OK dealing with a hospital gown. I just prefer my own clothes, not feeling like a patient, and having some say in the matter if it's not a medical/safety issue.
I plan to wear nursing nightgowns and a robe while I'm in the hospital. I'll wear soft pants to leave, but I remember having my lower half checked often last time and a skirt/dress will be easier. Plus, I can hike it up around my hips so there's less chance of bleeding on it in bed.
Expecting again -- EDD 7/27/20
I just clean out my wallet when I have small change and set it aside.