@kerils Yes, that is definitely madness. I can't fathom finding and going to a hotel ( hopefully its a major city so there are nice ones?) with an hours old baby and unpacking and packing everything. Maybe twice. Hell to the no. Why are you doing this to yourself? People have unmedicated births in hospitals all the time...
Highly monitored internet and no cell service in the office, so I'm postin' and ghostin' while I'm workin'
@GlitterFish Kind of because I didn't realize it would be this crazy until it was too late to change it. I had no idea that if it was the middle of the night they would release us and we would have nowhere to go (I was under the impression that if it was really late we could stay overnight. I think they changed their policy). I also had no idea I would have to go back for an appointment so soon. I also hate hospitals.... like I have a panic attack every time someone even mentions going to one, so I can't imagine labor will be a smooth experience if I was in a hospital. Plus, DH would probably have to get a hotel by himself if I was in the hospital and he couldn't stay with me since it's so far from home. Oh, and we did have FIL and SMIL only about an hour away from the birthing center if we needed them, but then they moved.
ETA: It isn't a huge city, but there are some nice hotels I've already scouted out that aren't too expensive. But idk how I feel about laboring in a hotel.... or taking an hours old baby there.
Hubby and Me Friends since 2008 Started dating: July 1st, 2013 Engaged: July 1st, 2014 Married: July 1st, 2016 R born: July 8th, 2017 N born: June 30th, 2019 Baby #3 Due: July 7th, 2022 (maybe I only ovulate in October XD)
FTM who is rethinking her hospital bag. How necessary is the Boppy really? It's so huge. I guess it's one of those things we could throw in the car and leave there until I want it...
FTM who is rethinking her hospital bag. How necessary is the Boppy really? It's so huge. I guess it's one of those things we could throw in the car and leave there until I want it...
It's helpful, but when I was in the hospital there were a million pillows that I could use to help position the baby. And the LC came in and put all the pillows in place for me. So I didn't try the boppy until I got home. Keeping it in the car is probably a good idea.
I think the "when in doubt, leave it in the car," philosophy is a good one. For me, my house is only 10 minutes away, so it's essentially the same as having someone run to my house to grab something I really missed. For those travelling to the hospital/birthing center, I would definitely be packing different bags, and leaving most in the car.
@lph4248 I always bring my boppy, it's a necessary item for me. Especially after my first c-section which was emergency and I had to use it to get up and everytime I coughed or laughed.
I'm taking a small hand luggage, and all the baby things are in the diaper bags (emergency formula, bottles, clothes, etc) and my carry on has one outfit,a gown husbands overnight clothes, my toiletries and some depends and pads as well as nursing bra, portable charger etc I won't be taking my personal handbag, so maybe a small pouch of makeup (blush mascara lipstick nothing ott)
@kerils That sucks, and I would personally be looking into other options closer to home rather than hotels since the situation has changed so much. I travel a lot for work, and yeah I would not be bringing a newborn into the vast majority of those places!
Honestly I would labor at home and call an ambulance at the last minute over what you are describing! Where I live, we even have emergency doulas, so its not too late to go that route either, and my birthing tub/ hot tub was $400 on Amazon prime.
I'm probably not being helpful, but what I mean to say is don't feel like you are stuck with this plan because its what you thought would work best. With this new information, it sure doesn't seem like the best option from an outside perspective.
ETA: I also opted to stop commuting to work (90 min highway drive) at 35 weeks because I was afraid of being on the road in labor / birthing in a car - so that colors my view. Also its just rather uncomfortable sitting in the car (ok really anywhere) even at this point. I know you've been having some trouble getting around, so that's another thing to think about.
Highly monitored internet and no cell service in the office, so I'm postin' and ghostin' while I'm workin'
@AdaByron Yeah, thankfully they did give me a list. @cait32 That's probably a good idea, pack that list in one bag, and pack the possible overnight stuff in another. And I have asked three different midwives.... they said when we get released, we're released. That's the end of it. It's so weird, because when at my first appointment they seemed so much more accommodating and understanding, and the longer I've been there the more that's faded. Like, originally they did say that we could stay and sleep, but now it seems like that has changed. As long as I don't have GBS, they can probably extend the first visit to 48 hours, but that's about it. And I don't think that's going to happen anyways because I really want my husband to take me to the first visit, and he doesn't want to take the extra day off of work. They normally do a home visit but I'm too far. I so wish there was a practice closer to me, but they just aren't in my area. I can transfer back to my original doctors, but I would almost definitely have an OB. There are 2 midwives in the practice, but they are all on rotation, so it's not like I would definitely get the midwives at the hospital.
@GlitterFish Lol I read those stories of emergency births where the baby just comes super fast and the women end up delivering at home, and I can't say I haven't thought "oh wow, that would be easier:".
I have thought about switching somewhere else, but there are so many benefits to going through with it and so many reasons that I chose to go there in the first place that I'm not sure if this negative really outweighs all the positives. Their standard care is exactly what I want to happen, so I won't even have to advocate for anything. If I was in a hospital with an OB, I would have to advocate for everything, which is a huge added stressor. I have been struggling with it though.
Hubby and Me Friends since 2008 Started dating: July 1st, 2013 Engaged: July 1st, 2014 Married: July 1st, 2016 R born: July 8th, 2017 N born: June 30th, 2019 Baby #3 Due: July 7th, 2022 (maybe I only ovulate in October XD)
@satsumasandlemons I'm also delivering at a birthing center like @kerils and we are not given diapers--we have to bring them. @kerils my birthing center is giving my my packing list next week at my 36 week appt--did your center give you one? I'd pack that stuff in one bag and pack a separate bag that may be your "overnight" if you end up in a hotel.
Ah, missed the part where you and @kerils are at birthing centers hours away... welpz, good luck with the diapers!
I like to think of it this way: if you may need to rent a uhaul to get to the hospital, you're probably packing too much. Some of these lists are a bit outrageous. I can see hospital staff rolling eyes and laughing when some people pull up and it looks like they have packed for a month long vacation. It's 1-4 nights in most cases (and if it's longer for some reason, this is where DH and family come in handy)
I honestly didn't even open my hospital bag until I needed my clothes to go home when we were released. I had my phone charger and travel shampoo in my purse and didn't use anything else that I packed. The hospital provided everything from pads and mesh underwear to diapers and wipes. Don't stress about the hospital bag, you will likely stay in a gown for most of your stay and baby will be in a diaper and blanket. The only thing I will take this time that I didn't last time is wipes because our hospital only provides dry wipes that you have to get dampnwith water and it was a pain.
From another STM, FTMs don't stress about the overnight bags. Remember that every town has a drug store and even in the case of a birthing center that's a couple hours away, you can have DH of another family member grab it for you.
I'm lucky I'm the sense that I'm 8mins from the hospital I'm going to. With DD, DH was able to run home and grab some stuff if we neeed it. We really didn't, though. The only thing I'm considering bringing ahead of time this time is the Boppy because that did come in handy for me as a csection patient. I wish I would have had it with DD, but it definitely is something you could leave in the car.
My 10 ft charger was life changing!! But I suggest checking what case you have- they don't work with my husbands life proof case. And buy 2, so you have 4 because unfortunately they break fairly often for me.
Guys, seriously, get one of these 48oz bubba mugs before you go to the hospital! The rubbery straw is key if you don't know which hand will be free, and the hospital pitcher sweats so much they had to diaper it! It dripped all over us before I sent DH home for the bubba!
Highly monitored internet and no cell service in the office, so I'm postin' and ghostin' while I'm workin'
FTM, bringing one duffle. The only absolute necessity in my mind is my eyebrow pencil. Other than that, I'm content to lay in paper gowns if I had to. Of course I'll bring clothes for me and the baby and my charger or whatever but I'm not going camping in the jungle. This planning/packing for all the possible contingencies is just stressful. I'm gonna go back to not reading this thread anymore
@Potterphile Haha, a girl in my last BMB said the same thing about her eyebrow pencil/tweezers. She said no one was allowed to see her if her eyebrows weren't perfect- cracked me up! I guess we all have at least one thing that we can't do without. For me it's my soap. I'm sure hospitals have bar soap but I can't just rub some random brand all over myself! My skin likes Dove so Dove it shall be.
@Potterphile@OperaSingerMommy for me it is an eyelash curler and mascara! No one needs to see me without mascara on, and could care less about the rest. I have a phone charger, a few snacks, one outfit for me and baby, and my eyelash curler/mascara. Last time I way over did it so I'm keeping it simple this to around!
This time I packed my charger, DH's charger. For DH: a sweatshirt, 2 pairs underwear /socks /t-shirts/bball shorts and some snacks. I wore into the hospital what I wore out. Basic toiletries for the both of us. I packed 1 outfit for DD and a swaddle. That's it. Everything fit nicely into 1 Small duffel bag (that we left in the car until after DD was born and we were in our own room).
FTM, bringing one duffle. The only absolute necessity in my mind is my eyebrow pencil. Other than that, I'm content to lay in paper gowns if I had to. Of course I'll bring clothes for me and the baby and my charger or whatever but I'm not going camping in the jungle. This planning/packing for all the possible contingencies is just stressful. I'm gonna go back to not reading this thread anymore
Literally,the only "essential" I forgot. So pissed lol
I was surprised by the list that my OB gave me a few weeks ago. My own diapers? My own pads? I was going to bring them anyways because of my preference for certain products but I was under the impression they supplied all of that. My sis told me to unpack a box of pads, that they DO give you some. I have a small carry-on-like suitcase (for us) and a diaper bag (for her). Also have a bag to go in the car which basically just has extras in it. I brought way more clothes for LO than I need haha! (3 sleepers, 2 onesies, 1 full outfit and a hat), 2 swaddles, a few receiving blankets, 1 pack of diapers and some wipes. For myself I brought a housecoat, nightgown, pair of comfy pants, 2 shirts, nursing bra/bralette, underwear, Depends, Tucks, personal care stuff (toothbrush, paste, shampoo, body wash, lip balm and can't forget my freaking moisturizer!) and a box of maternity pads. Oh and a towel. Annnnddd also a bag of candies. They said to bring suckers or something so I assumed they won't let you eat and that's all you can have. For the car bag I have extra depends, pads and towels along with a BF pillow, and a blanket and pillow for DH (sis said it's freezing in there) I freaking hate hospital gowns so I want to be back in my clothes as soon as possible! If pants aren't feasible then the nightgown is perfectly acceptable attire. We're about 45 minutes away from our hospital so to go home and back would be an almost 2 hour trip. Nothing I packed wasn't on my list from my OB aside from the Tucks and depends. Told me to bring my clothes but obviously didn't specify what... so all in all I don't feel like I'm overpacking.
Yeah so there's plenty of stores around but... there is already nothing cheap about having a baby and the last thing I want to do is send my tired husband out running around looking for this, that or the other thing when I could have just come prepared. Again, we also don't live "close" so running home is a few hour ordeal. We don't want a lot of visitors in the hospital (parents and siblings only) nor do we want to have to rely on other people to grab stuff for us.
Overthinking FTM question: All the lists I see say to bring slippers to the hospital, but I'm definitely not bringing my nice slippers and that's all I have. Are socks with the rubber grips good enough? How about flip flops? Or should I really buy a cheap pair of slippers?
I personally wouldnt feel comfortable going to the toilet and walking around in socks but see what suits you!
I like this idea. I had flip flops, but my feet were cold so I was wearing socks and then every time I got up I had to take my socks off to put my flip flops on. Big fat no to wearing socks into the bathroom and then getting back in bed with them on.
Sharing a piece of advice after my hospital stay- somewhere on this thread there was a discussion about bringing your own bath towel. I initially thought it was ridiculous but after I got there I really wished I brought one. I was in the hospital for 6 days so I took a few showers tand the only towels they provided were thin and a little bigger than a hand towel. You needed three of them to get yourself dry. We used them but after a c-section when everything hurts it would have been nice to have a fluffy towel to use.
@oheliza44 good to know!!! I keep thinking it's ridiculous aswell but I've seen far too many complaints about the towel sotuation. And congratulations on the adorable baby
Thanks so much @BusyZee!!! The towels are definitely not necessary but if you have room in your bag I'd throw one in. In the odd chance you are there for multiple days you'll be happy you did! Best of luck with your upcoming delivery!
Totally agree on the towel front. I thought I'd be okay without one, but the tiny, scratchy hospital towels were terrible...even with a vaginal birth. I think the first couple of showers should be as nice as you can possibly make them in a hospital setting and a fluffy towel definitely would've helped.
I didn't want socks bc putting them on the floor and back in the bed grosses me out. Hospitals have so many germs. I have FitKicks that I took, they're $20, and I also took flip flops to wear in the shower.
@greenbean-2 I wore flip flops with arch support whenever I got up (before the epidural - from that point you're laying down - but you'll use them again after). I'd bring whatever is easy to put on and can handle some swelling. I did not have the cold feet issue at all - in fact I was running a slight fever!
@satsumasandlemons I'm not, but I also know that they'll give me one at my hospital if I need it. If your hospital has a LC on staff, you probably won't need to worry about it. Plus, it's better if you can get through without it.
Re: Hospital Bag & First Days
Highly monitored internet and no cell service in the office, so I'm postin' and ghostin' while I'm workin'
ETA: It isn't a huge city, but there are some nice hotels I've already scouted out that aren't too expensive. But idk how I feel about laboring in a hotel.... or taking an hours old baby there.
Friends since 2008
Started dating: July 1st, 2013
Engaged: July 1st, 2014
Married: July 1st, 2016
R born: July 8th, 2017
N born: June 30th, 2019
Baby #3 Due: July 7th, 2022
(maybe I only ovulate in October XD)
I won't be taking my personal handbag, so maybe a small pouch of makeup (blush mascara lipstick nothing ott)
Honestly I would labor at home and call an ambulance at the last minute over what you are describing! Where I live, we even have emergency doulas, so its not too late to go that route either, and my birthing tub/ hot tub was $400 on Amazon prime.
I'm probably not being helpful, but what I mean to say is don't feel like you are stuck with this plan because its what you thought would work best. With this new information, it sure doesn't seem like the best option from an outside perspective.
ETA: I also opted to stop commuting to work (90 min highway drive) at 35 weeks because I was afraid of being on the road in labor / birthing in a car - so that colors my view. Also its just rather uncomfortable sitting in the car (ok really anywhere) even at this point. I know you've been having some trouble getting around, so that's another thing to think about.
Highly monitored internet and no cell service in the office, so I'm postin' and ghostin' while I'm workin'
@GlitterFish Lol I read those stories of emergency births where the baby just comes super fast and the women end up delivering at home, and I can't say I haven't thought "oh wow, that would be easier:".
I have thought about switching somewhere else, but there are so many benefits to going through with it and so many reasons that I chose to go there in the first place that I'm not sure if this negative really outweighs all the positives. Their standard care is exactly what I want to happen, so I won't even have to advocate for anything. If I was in a hospital with an OB, I would have to advocate for everything, which is a huge added stressor. I have been struggling with it though.
Friends since 2008
Started dating: July 1st, 2013
Engaged: July 1st, 2014
Married: July 1st, 2016
R born: July 8th, 2017
N born: June 30th, 2019
Baby #3 Due: July 7th, 2022
(maybe I only ovulate in October XD)
I'm lucky I'm the sense that I'm 8mins from the hospital I'm going to. With DD, DH was able to run home and grab some stuff if we neeed it. We really didn't, though. The only thing I'm considering bringing ahead of time this time is the Boppy because that did come in handy for me as a csection patient. I wish I would have had it with DD, but it definitely is something you could leave in the car.
I keep all my chargers that way, though... This one was actually living in my office.
Highly monitored internet and no cell service in the office, so I'm postin' and ghostin' while I'm workin'
Highly monitored internet and no cell service in the office, so I'm postin' and ghostin' while I'm workin'
Dont overthink the bag!
my happy boy
Yeah so there's plenty of stores around but... there is already nothing cheap about having a baby and the last thing I want to do is send my tired husband out running around looking for this, that or the other thing when I could have just come prepared. Again, we also don't live "close" so running home is a few hour ordeal. We don't want a lot of visitors in the hospital (parents and siblings only) nor do we want to have to rely on other people to grab stuff for us.
Met: 08/2001 ~ Dating: 07/2004 ~ Engaged: 11/2009 ~ Married: 06/2011
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I personally wouldnt feel comfortable going to the toilet and
walking around in socks but see what suits you!