Er. Um. Not really. I do have a bag. Out. In our bedroom. The very same bag that I filled chock full of stuff, love and fears nearly 2 and half years ago when we set off for St. E’s, currently sits in the corner of our bedroom with nothing but a nursing bra to fill it {and really, that would have to be one large nursing bra…}. At 33 weeks, perhaps it seems premature to have our bags packed and ready to go but as things ran ahead with Snowball, I know I should get on my game and get going on packing for our peanut. But this time around, I am just trying to remember what I will even need.
Silly, right? I’ve been there done that…and really, not too long ago. And last time, I took everything but the kitchen sink. Seriously. I wish I had a picture somewhere of the haul Adam and I loaded into the Jeep when we set sail with Snowball. And, if anyone from my graduating class remembers my days of sporting events, over-packing {or rather packing things that just don’t apply to running in circles, jumping into sand, swinging a racquet or setting a vball} has long been an issue for yours truly {but I come by it honestly, have you met my mom?}.
From what I can remember, the list of the load I took with B would have looked something like this:
-Clothes – I seriously think by the time I finished packing, I had enough clothes for a two week vacay. One thing I packed — Jeans. I will definitely not be packing jeans this time. The last thing I wanted to wear after popping out a peanut was denim. Ouch. And I almost believe I packed a dress to go home in {sorry, Rosie Pope, I only take the Preggo in Heels business so far}. Luckily I also packed a sweat suit. And yes, practicality won out {it was February for goodness sake}.
-Robe(s) – Yes. The plurality is necessary. I brought two robes. One was thin, one was a heavy terry type. I brought them for my walks in the halls. Ha! Turns out, when every nook and cranny is hooked up to a monitor, mamma isn’t moving anywhere but the bathroom and is fairly well marooned to the hospital bed. One robe may come with us this time and it will be one that takes no room and is light-weight {although, admittedly, I did get tons of compliments on my very cute, heart-patterned piece so I may need to find something with a little flair}.
– Sports Bra(s) – Not sure how many I packed but I do know that I didn’t have a single nursing bra at the time. While birthing a babe is definitely athletic, I will scale back on these necessities and add in a nursing bra {or 2} for the post-birth days.
– Undies – I honestly recall packing about 17 pair of undies for Snowball’s big soiree. Though we were there for about 5 days, you don’t need 17 pair of skivvies. You’re wearing a hospital gown for a good portion of your stay. And you definitely don’t need any that aren’t full-coverage {IMO}…thongs have no place in the hospital bed with you. Nothing needs to be hugging that area for a good week at least at that point. What you can enjoy are the hospital-issued gauze undergarms. Magical comfort for a new mama.
– Slippers – I packed 3 pair of slippers: 1 pair of regular slippers. 1 pair of hot pink flip-flop slippers {I think you can see, just because you are doing a big deed doesn’t mean fashion has to go to the wayside}. 1 pair of slipper socks. Again, three pair…for roaming the halls {because, you know, one pair might get worn out…er something}. Not necessary. 1 pair will be sufficient for such things. And we shall see which ones win out.
– Toiletries – Full bottles of shampoo, conditioner, hair products, hairspray … I ended up showering ONE time while there. Travel sized suds will be in order this time. And hairspray, really? Okay… while I may pack some, it will be travel tote worthy.
– Hairdryer… Straightener – I make no apologies for this. There’s nothing like getting back to feeling like yourself a bit after birthing for a few days.
– Make-Up – Judge all you want. After receiving the epidural at 5 am, from 5 to go time, I was the most comfortable I’d been since I being admitted 36 hours before. About 30 minutes prior to pushing, I was lying on my left side, monitors on momma and making up my face. No lie. I believed I had at least another half a day in there and might as well look normal while doing it.
– iPod and Dock – Another, imo, must-have. I had made a rather extensive playlist for labor. The majority of the songs were soothing — Enya, Jim Brickman {love him}, Norah Jones — but I had a few surprises like — Daniel Bedingfield’s “I gotta get thru this” and Wilson Phillips “Hold On”. Anyone with music suggestions, pass ’em my way.
– DVDs – I had little to no desire to watch much of the boob tube once the ball got rolling {or I got on the ball} … and having Sex and The City the Movie playing while the nurses came in and out {think Samantha watching her nakey neighbor} was a poor choice.
– Magazines, books, notepads, anything else you think might entertain you – I had a stack of gossip mags. I have a picture of me reading one the first night we got there. From what I remember, that was the extent. Turns out, giving birth is less of a spa vacay than I knew.
– Snacks – We took oodles of foodles. Not just for me, of course, much of it for Adam but once I checked in, I didn’t get to eat for about 20 hours so … some of the booty could have stayed behind.
– A bag of coin – Every list you see recommends having a bag of change with you for vending machines. I’d have to ask Adam if this was necessary. I was otherwise engaged.
– A dozen roses – My sweet sweet sweetie had given me a dozen b-e-a-utiful bouquet which I decided to transport to and fro. Though I love my sweetie bear, toting a vase with water sloshing about an hour each way was a lot more fuss than needed.
– A cake – No. You did not just misread that. We took our own cake. A very delicious cake called “Wedding Cake” made at an eatery in Omaha, we ordered it once we knew the plan, toted it down to Lincoln and housed it for two days as we waited for Snowball’s Birth Day. After Snowball rolled in and became Barrett, we had a Birth Day celebration in the hospital room. {In full disclosure, I must admit that I am obsessed with this cake and would make excuses all day long for reasons we should order it}.
– My Birth Plan – I wish I still had a copy of my birth plan. It was a small novel on the idyllic conditions under which I hoped to welcome Snowball into the world. Once again, I didn’t account for the house arrest they put you under when you are technically high-risk and I didn’t think that once they broke my water I would immediately patiently request {ahem.} narcotics so much of the birth plan went out the window. And that’s… okay.
– Pillows – We each brought our own pillows from home. I was told by a dear friend that I would want a comfy pillow. But really, after so many different pillows being brought in for props, we would have been just fine without ones from home. I also didn’t realize that I’d only be sleeping for 35 minute increments {oh Fentanyl… I haven’t missed you} so it didn’t really matter what pillow I had. In those conditions, you could fall asleep on a bed of porcupines if necessary … it would pail in comparison to the pain of contractions.
– 1 pink, 1 blue – We brought one pink and one blue outfit for taking the babe home as was suggested. What I didn’t realize is that we only took clothes for past-prime peanuts so… those were out the window. Luckily, our parents purchased some sweet preemie picks and we were able to put B in something other than the St. E’s swaddle blankie and knitted stocking cap. We have made one pink purchase and one blue so far for this time around {I totally heart them} and when we know we’re past the point of preemie, I will go pick out something new to take.
– What to Expect When Expecting – My recommendation? Leave the dictionary of doom at home for delivery. When they told us B was being tested for Spina Bifida, I read from this book and wanted to launch it against the wall.
– Tennis Balls, Back Massagers, etc – Yes. Yes and more Yes. No… you won’t have a lot of time to hit the turf while at the hospital but if you experience back labor {heck, I am guessing no matter what you’re experiencing} these tools of the trade can be extremely helpful.
– Diaper Bag, Diapers, and all that jazz – I think I will leave this at home this time. The hospital provides so much loot these days and I plan to take full advantage.
– Carseat – This is a no-brainer. Must. Take.
I am sure I’m leaving out a few other things I found to be essential at the time… camera, flipcam, etc… but regardless, you get the gist… I was packing heavier than Lee Harvey Oswald. But. I’m thinking revisiting my bulging baggage for my last birth will help me have a little more perspective for packing this time. I think the major difference is that for the second trip to St E’s, even if I walk in with only the shirt on my back, modern medicine ensures that we will have a beautiful babe. Everything else is just icing on the cake {and you’d better believe we’ll have that cake again}.
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