I've been just plugging along but feeling pretty uncomfortable which makes blogging hard. Who wants to hear about contractions and swollen feet for the next ten weeks, everyone raise your hands?!? .... Yah thats what I thought. So here is something that is actually partially interesting. My packing list for the hospital. Having done this once already I feel like I've got a better idea of what I want to bring with me this time.
Flip Flops or slip on shoes: You're REQUIRED to walk the floor starting just hours after your surgery for a c-section at the hospital we go to. No ifs and or buts about it. The hospital will supply you with those brown grippy socks but they were so uncomfortable on the bottom of my feet. This time I'm getting a toss away pair of flip flops that I can shuffle around in. (also great for the shower if you're a germaphobe).
Nursing Bras: My boobs get HUGE when my milk comes in. I'm talking G cups here people. So I end up wearing a nursing bra 24/7 for several weeks afterwards even to sleep. Make sure you buy at least a size up from where you are at when you hit your 3rd trimester. You'll thank yourself later! If you've got big boob issues like I do go to ebay when you're looking for nursing bras. Best deals out there and in every size imaginable.
Nipple Cream: While we're on the boob subject. I hate lanolin. I'm sure its a wonderful product but I can't get past the fact that I'm smearing rendered sheep sweat onto my nipples. It just grosses me out. And I know logically that I'm being silly. I mean, I know what honey is (don't look it up if weird things gross you out) and I love honey. I just can't get past the sheep sweat for some reason. So I found an alternative that doesn't contain lanolin and it is WONDERFUL. I still have the jar that I bought before Miss P was born 3 years ago but I'm going to get another one just in case. It's Earth Mama Angel Baby Nipple Butter. It smells SO Good. Like chocolate. And feels wonderful going on the skin and doesn't need to be wiped off prior to nursing. It's a MUST HAVE. (P.S. it also works great on baby rashes).
Nursing Pads: I'm pretty sure this is the last boob thing. When my milk came in I leaked like a cow all the time for the first week. I love the idea of the Milkies Milk Saver and I'll probably invest in one but those first few days I'm just trying to keep from drowning in my own milk! Nursing pads keep you dry and fit nicely into your nursing bra. I'll use the milk saver at home when my body finally regulates and knows how much milk I need to be producing. My fav. are the Lansinoh brand. They were the most absorbent of the few brands I tried and they were the most comfortable too.
Individual Cans of Pineapple Juice (not from concentrate): I was wrong. One more boob thing. Pineapple juice is the nursing moms saving grace. Firstly its an anti inflammatory which means it'll help you from getting clogged milk ducts. That alone will make you want to wear one of those beer hats filled with pineapple juice. Secondly the pineapple juice will help your milk taste just as sweet as can be. If you've got a baby that is resistant to nursing for whatever reason this could be the game changer for you. Lay off the asparagus and get on that pineapple juice.
Robe: If you don't bring a robe you have to put on an extra hospital gown to cover your rump when your walking the floor, getting up to use the bathroom, or whatever else you need/want to do outside of your hospital bed. A robe is going to be a lot more comfortable. I didn't do this last time and I regretted it.
Nightgown: Don't bother with pajama pants because they are too much of a hassle when the nurse wants to check your incision again and again and again. Also you're not going to want anything tight around your waist. I'm going to bring a nightgown that has easy access for nursing. Either with a bunch of buttons down the front or with a criss cross front I can pop my boobs out of when I need to. Remember loose fitting is better!
Dry Shampoo: That first shower doesn't come soon enough honestly. Especially with a c-section. Dry shampoo is great so you don't have greasy hair in every picture before your shower. You can make it really easily if your crafty like that or get it on amazon for pretty cheap.
Toiletries: Travel size everything for the win! Really its so much easier than lugging all your good stuff to the hospital and they are super cheap. Body wash, toothpaste and a disposable toothbrush, deodorant, lip balm, lotion etc. The lip balm could have its own line really. I didn't think I'd really use it but delivery/surgery just sucks the moisture right out of you. DON'T FORGET YOUR LIP BALM. Also a few hair bands if you need them. You're bound to lose at least one so bring extras.
Power Strip: Are you raising your eye brow at this one? The hospital has maybe one or two plugs that aren't being used if your lucky. Now think of how many things you need to plug in: Your phone, Your SO's phone. tablet, SO's laptop, camera, camcorder, etc. Don't fight over what gets charged first. Be smart, bring a power strip. Oh and don't forget your charging cables. Duh.
ID Cards and Info Sheet: I don't bring my purse to the hospital with me. Not even my wallet if I can help it. Its just extra stuff to lug home later. Get a little coin purse and put in your drivers license, insurance card, and fold up a sheet with important info they may ask for. This way even if your sleeping you SO can still relay pertinent information to your nurses. Phone numbers, address (mailing address), social security number, your chosen pediatrician (our hospital wont let you leave without choosing one), etc. Even a credit card number with expiration date might come in handy. Then give that to your SO and tell them to keep it safe.
Towel: You're going to be in the hospital for at least 3 days. The towels at the hospital, God love em, are thin, scratchy, which I could live with but they also just don't dry you off well at all. Bring a towel from home, or pick up a cheapy from Target to use.
Mints: Yah you'll want one, but honestly you'll want to offer them to the friends and family that have been in the waiting room sucking down coffee while they wait to see you. After a c-section you're going to be woozy and a bit nauseated. Coffee breath does NOTHING to help. I puked. Then I felt bad that someone else's bad breath made me puke, like I had offended them somehow. You just can't win. Bring the mints to avoid this situation. Here is what I plan on saying every time everyone comes in the room "Take a mint! No offense but I'm nauseated and everyone's breath is making it worse. Its just the medicine and NOTHING Personal. THANKS!" Then everyone will just eat a damned mint and get on with oogling my cuter than cute baby.
Going Home Clothes: I'm sure I'm repeating every hospital list out there when I say this but it bears repeating: DON'T BRING YOUR PRE-PREGNANCY CLOTHES. I felt so Stupid packing my favorite pants and having to send someone home from my maternity yoga pants. Yeap, I was that girl. Instead do yourself the favor and bring a very comfortable pair of yoga or stretch pants that DO NOT Have a tight waist band. Also you're going to want a big pair of granny panties. Get them a size bigger just to ensure there is no pressure around your incision or waist band. Then pack a flowy top. Nothing confining. Big T-shirt? Yes! Flowy cotton summer top? Yes! Tight tank top? NO! OUCH! Or even better wear one of those cute cotton maxi dresses home. That car ride home, with the seat belt and the bumps and turns etc. is uncomfortable enough, don't make it worse on yourself!
For Baby: The hospital is going to provide just about everything for you. Hats, blankets, shirts, diapers, wipes, etc. Things they didn't include were baby socks, Weird right? So pack a few of those because even in July baby will get cold toesies. You'll also want any cute picture outfits and a going home outfit. At our hospital there is a lady that comes by and does a newborn photo session right in your room so having a few outfits to choose from (in varying sizes) is a smart choice. Also don't forget to have your car seat installed before you head to your c-section appointment. That'll be one less thing for your SO to do before you go home. I like to have mine checked by the fire department to ensure its in correctly and when you leave the hospital (at least where we go) a nurse will come out with you to ensure the baby is buckled correctly.
For Your SO: We're not bringing much for Burly. We are only 15 minutes from the hospital and he's got to go check on the dogs every day so he'll just get what he needs from home. Our hospital doesn't provide snacks for dads so we'll bring something for him and probably some cash for the cafeteria but other than that he's okay.
Things I might bring but might not use:
Nursing Pillow. With Miss P I was so engorged with milk the only way I could comfortably nurse (for both of us) was on my side. No two babies are alike though, and I suppose my milk supply might be different this time. I'm still on the fence about it.
Receiving Blankets: The hospital provides receiving blankets for baby but we have so many cute and soft ones at home, it might be nice to use them at the hospital. Then again I just love looking at Miss P's hospital pictures and seeing the cute hospital blanket. It was a special time. I'm considering it but it'll probably be a no. Same with baby hats.
And that's about it. This is my list. Anything you think I should add? What did you bring to the hospital with you for your c-section?
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