First baby (and of course, can think of nothing else through the entire 3rd trimester). I'm just wondering-what others have packed in their "take to the hospital" bag (how many days of diabetes supplies as well as other stuff). I'm a serial over-packer and it will no doubt look like I'm moving in! (its not planned to have a c-section but I guess one should plan for worst case scenarios)
I will write a more comprehensive list later, but before I forget:
A couple liters of fruit juice for lows in the first days!!
A bendy straw for easier drinking while holding a newborn
I'm want to be in on this discussion too as I guess I should be thinking of my go-bag. Looking forward to seeing your list Kirsten :)
Juice is very important. I had a lot of lows following my son's birth. As for diabetes supplies, it all depends on whether or not the hospital will let you monitor your own diabetes or monitor it for you. The first hospital we were in when my son was born I was allowed to monitor things myself but when they moved us down to the children's hospital in the city I had to fight with them to get the freedom to monitor things myself. So that would be good to check into before hand, just to know.
Slippers and a house coat. Those were my staples. A book, because being in the hospital is boring, or something else for your own entertainment. And baby clothes of different sizes since you don't know for sure how big your baby will actually be.
It's so exciting!!!
Some things that I'm glad that I had or wish that I had:
- a breast feeding pillow (this made it easier to breastfeed while sitting on the bed - I recommend this style - I didn't have that brand, but something similar)
- shirts where your breasts are easy to access -- I actually found that nursing gowns and nursing tops were NOT easy to breast feed with in the beginning. Rather flexible tank tops or shirts that I could lift up and just expose my whole chest. You will both be learning to breastfeed and it's easier to have as few obstacles as possible.
- a MP3 player case to wear my pump on my arm (at least this was the most comfortable place for me to wear it after a c-section)
Picture here -- scroll down to third photo
- SPI belt as another option for pump wearing
- lots of snacks and food for raising your blood sugar
- Your endo's phone number (if he/she is not at that hospital)
- I brought an excessive amount of diabetes supplies ( I always do) -- I think it was about 10 infusion sets, 5 cartridges, 3 vials of insulin.
- LOTS of test strips -- I tested A TON on birth day (even with a c-section -- with vaginal birth I guess it would have been even more. I think that I tested about 30 times on birth day.
- disposable underwear (this is common in Hungary -- it is nice because it doesn't put pressure any on the incision if you have a c-section) -- even if not disposable, underwear that is high cut (c-section incision is below the bikini line)
- incontinence pads for really heavy bleeding in the first days
- heavy overnight pads for later days
- washcloths/ towels for using while breastfeeding or to catch leaking breast milk
- sandals / slippers
This is all that I can think of for now -- hopefully some will reply that had a vaginal birth. Mine was a scheduled c-section, which probably changes the packing list some.
Definitely take at least 4 days worth of diabetes supplies, in case you have a c-section. Personally, I was fine wearing/using the hospital stuff--I wore the hospital gown and footy socks, and I used their disposable underwear and pads, towels, and diapers. But since you're having a vaginal birth, you might feel more up to wearing your own clothes quicker, I don't know. Juice is a good idea. Also snacks for your partner. And definitely pants with a soft, stretchy waistband if you have a c-section (or maybe even if you don't!) A warm blanket to put over the baby in the car seat on the way home (unless you live somewhere warm). Oh, and if you're planning to email people the news, it's helpful to already have a list of those email addresses compiled so you don't have to think about it when you send the news.
Oh, and your pediatrician's phone number, since they often want you to make the first appointment before being discharged.
Just a note it isn't always a c-section that causes a longer stay - my baby was delivered vaginally but he arrived at 35 weeks so we stayed in the hospital for 6 days until he was ready to come home. He had to be on the IV until his insulin production adjusted to normal and had some jaundice but also couldn't latch to breastfeed so I was pumping and supplementing with formula. (It actually took 10 1/2 weeks until he finally latched!). I would suggest packing enough medical supplies to cover a week stay and one or two extras in case something fails. If you have a partner able to bring you stuff it helps. Check in with your local maternity ward as to what they supply and what you need to supply as well (my hospital supplied pretty much everything but I got my husband to bring me extra snacks and glucose).
Of course you also need the stuff every new mother needs - nursing bras/camis/tops, disposable underwear or old sets of granny style ones that you don't mind chucking as they will probably get stained, lots of overnight, heavy flow maxi pads, pyjamas or a night shirt (would bring a couple as you tend to sweat a bit after giving birth and when you shower you will want to put something clean on), socks and slippers, your own skin care, hair care, deodorant etc, nursing pillow, outfit to wear home for you and baby (and outfits for baby for in the hospital if they don't supply those), also if your hospital won't provide them you need to have nappies, vaseline, wipes etc. as well. Plus of course your camera, books, cellphone etc. you can divide hings into a couple of bags - your labour and delivery bag which you take to the hospital with you, and your hospital stay bag which someone can deliver to you once you are set up in your room afterwards. Plus make sure your infant car seat is all ready and set up before hand :)
There are other less fun things too - you might need some hemorrhoid cream (developing these in the last stages of pregnancy or during childbirth is common), a small squirty bottle for rinsing 'down there' when you go pee (another thing hospital may provide), If you live nearby and will have poeple coming to visit don't stress too much though as anything you forget can be brought to you. I have to drive 5 hours away to deliver and last time my husband had to come back to work for a couple of days as one of his coworkers died suddenly so I was kind of stranded and glad I had packed everything :)
I think I actually overpacked for the hospital and didn't use half of the things I packed! I ended up wearing the hospital gown for the first few days (I had a c-section so was in there longer). I don't think it was until the last day that I actually put real clothes on!
I packed enough diabetes supplies for 2 weeks, just to make sure I had enough extras. I always have glucose tabs on hand, but I didn't pack much for food because our hospital had a snack room on our floor with plenty of juice and other snacks, so my husband could always go there and get me something. The hospital also provided the disposable undies, pads, etc. - as well as extras for me to take home with me. The only things I really needed were clothes for the baby and an outfit or two for me. But, I'd rather overpack than underpack! Good luck!