Hospital Stay - What to Bring?

Due to the fact that what to pack for the hospital is probably one of the only things I will have any real control over during the birth process, I have been spending a lot of my time at work free time thinking about what to pack to make my hospital stay as homey as possible. So, since I like to document anything and everything and because I'm a giant loser, I'm making a whole post about it. It might even be a two part-er.

Really, this post is all for me, so feel free to skip it. Unless you, like me, are a dork who decided after reading so many birth stories in which people forgot to pack important things like fresh clothes or a toothbrush, that making a comprehensive list and guide is super fun and important.

I have a list at the bottom of the post, but the priorities listed just below are SO important that I felt they needed to be front row centre. With pictures.

Priority #1 - Car seat properly installed.

This is an important one because, I'm CERTAIN, this will be the one thing we forget to do when we're waiting for baby to arrive in the hospital. This realization will most likely take place when, out of boredom and because it's such fun, we start making a list of all the things we will or have already done poorly as parents. This list will be a lot more fun to make if at least we have a way of bringing baby home to the unkempt and unprepared life that she will be forced to lead. (Hey, we're new at this. It's going to be a nightmare.)

I also made sure to include the phrase "properly installed" in this priority listing because how embarrassing would it be if our installation failed the inspection and we had to do it over whilst being judged by hospital staff?


Priority #2 - Heating Pad

This was easily the best purchase I made during my pregnancy. I love this thing. LOVE. IT. Between back & shoulder aches, sciatica, and hip pain, I pretty much cuddle up to this thing every evening.

I feel pretty certain that either contractions or post delivery aches will be at least slightly soothed with this guy's help. I also hate hospitals (I know, everyone does so I'm not sure why people mention that either) and find them literally and figuratively cold, so some warmth radiating from my heating pad, be it on my back, stomach, shoulders - wherever - will likely provide me with some comfort and a touch of home. 

For what it's worth, I also love my seat warmers in my car. I use them in the summer. I'm insane.


Priority #3 - Baby Outfit (and scratch mittens!)

This might seem like a total no brainer, but I'm pretty sure it's something I would forget to pack.

Plus, it's going to be her first day or two in the universe - maybe she wants to look special?! Scratch mittens too, because I don't want her to scratch her cute little face. 

I'm having her in September, which in Calgary might mean sweltering heat, or it might mean snow. So, I'm thinking layers. And definitely a cute little hat. I will also be keeping snuggle warm stuff in the car seat in case it's needed.


The Hospital Bag

I'm planning on packing just one bag for the three of us, mostly because Jared's pretty low-maintenance and Baby's stuff will probably take up a fairly small amount of space. I will be bringing diapers, etc, in a diaper bag for her separately, and that's a whole other list of crap. Maybe for another post some day. (Probably not.)

• Insurance info, ID, hospital forms and birth plan - would very easily forget these things. Seriously, who thinks of things like paperwork when your body is trying to expel a baby??
• Pillow - Just seems like a good idea. 
• 2-3 pairs of warm, nonskid socks or slippers - See: hospitals are cold. 
• A warm robe or sweater - I'm thinking my big, ugly, beautifully snuggly grey cardigan which is easily more comfy than a robe. Robes and I have never been friends. 
• 2 nursing bras and a supply of nursing pads - I'm sure the hospital has nursing pads, but I doubt they have comfy bras. Along with the nursing bras I would like to bring:
• 2 nursing tops - May as well be comfortable and make nursing as easy as possible. 
• Lip balm - Not having this could easily send me over the edge. 
• Hairbrush, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, face wash, makeup, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, hair dryer, brush, hair elastics - I've read that you are best to pack whatever you would pack if you were going on vacation (am aware that having a baby is nothing like a vacation.) I'm going to use those little mini toiletries you can get at the store so that I don't even have to think about it.
• Change for the vending machines and non-perishable snacks - because, food. 
• Cell phone (and laptop for potential Netflix usage/Friends marathons) and charger, DVDs, phone numbers of people to call after birth - Jared will not know who to call, because he's a man (no offense men.)
• Change of clothes and basic hygiene products for Jared - because Jared never realizes that he needs some stuff, too. 
• Hoodie, yoga pants, comfy shoes, underthings - I'm pretty sure I won't want to leave in the same clothes I arrived in. Yuck. 
• Comfy nursing T-shirt and PJ pants - Those hospital gowns look crisp and stiff. Not comfy.
• Bath towel - I've never stayed at a hospital but I've also never seen a nice, fluffy bath towel on any hospital visits to friends, either. 
• Breast pump - assuming I'll be able to actually nurse, which would be great, this might come in handy. 
• Scentsy - okay, this one is iffy. It's a hospital, so who knows? But the aroma of sterilized halls is hardly calming, and I love, love, LOVE my scentsy stuff and it makes my insides smile.
• Ipod & Player - soothing, ambient music would be nice.
• Book - it's entirely possible that I'll have no time or be able to focus any attention on a book, but it would be nice to have one anyway.
• Receiving blankets - someone once told me that you can never have too many receiving blankets. I think I'd like to have some handy. Like... 12. New babies seem messy.
• Tissues - It's likely that the hospital will have some, but I imagine I'll really need them. 
• Lotions - There's nothing more annoying than dry skin. 

As my pregnancy matures, I'm sure I'll add more to this list.