So many of the blogs I read have been talking about what to pack for the "having a baby" hospital trip. And the lists are looong. Packing everything you'd need for like.. a vacation, not having a baby. I haven't commented on any of them yet (because.. I don't know.. there aren't words), but I swear, if I read ONE more like that..
I know everyone's experience is different, but for me.. Sigh. Honestly? When I went to the hospital to have my first child, it was scheduled- so we knew when we were going (even if they did only give me about 8 hours notice). They presented it like I would come in at night, they'd start the Pitocin, and then I'd just rest up, sleep, whatever.. and have a baby the next day. So I just brought a small bag in with me.. magazine, some cards, camera, and a muffin I had started eating on the drive to the hospital.
The first thing they did was wrap a monitor around my belly and said "oh, um, actually, you're already having contractions." Oops.
For the next 24 hours, one nurse or another was next to me the entire time. No one let me eat even a crumb- just ice chips and popsicles. So, snacks? Good luck with that.. hope you aren't going to the same hospital I did. Slippers? For what? Once I had laid down on that first bed, other than getting up to pee a couple of times pre-baby, they just slid me from bed to bed for about 36 hours. Computer? Funny. I was in so much pain.. and so exhausted (and unable to sleep) that I just spaced out to the tv on the wall. For about 23 hours- with contraction pain so unreal, I just wanted to leave my body. Then I had a c-section. Which I wasn't even awake for.
Afterwards? Snacks? There was so much food being shuttled into my room 3 times a day, I felt like I could barely finish one meal before I had to prepare for another one. Anything resembling entertainment? No no. No. When I wasn't caring for my new child, I was trying to sleep for 10 minutes.
Child #2 was a scheduled c-section. I walked into the hospital with my license, insurance card, and phone (no bag, no wallet, etc). My husband had a camera and his phone. I hadn't consumed anything since midnight, but thought surely once I got there I'd get to have some ice chips? Nope. Sip of water? Nope. At least rinse my mouth out so my tongue stops sticking to my teeth? Nope.
After that.. I had my clothes, paper & pen (in case I needed to write something down), and toiletries. No computer, no other entertainment. I never would have used it. I didn't even turn on the in-room tv. Not once.
The thing about having a baby is that there are people in and out of your room constantly. At least 3 or 4 times a day (especially with a c-section) someone brings you medication. Someone brings you food 3 times a day, someone else takes your food away 3 times a day. Your doctor checks on you every morning. Your pediatrician checks on your baby every morning. At least 4 times a day a nurse came in to take my blood pressure and temperature. Cleaning staff came in once a day to clean the bathroom and mop the floor. And then there's the actual BABY. Who, while sleeping quite a lot, also needs you nearly constantly.. to eat, to have its diaper changed, to just be held, etc. They also want you up and walking around the unit 3 or 4 times a day as well.
Oh, and .. visitors?
[The second time around I also got sent around the hospital for testing- which kept me busy for a few hours. (I also learned there are people whose sole job it is to ferry patients around to different places in the hospital- at alarming speeds.)]
When are the giant spans of time you're going to need something to entertain yourself? I'm not sure. Any "extra" time I had I spent trying to sleep or.. just being still for a moment.
Here's my advice- walk into the hospital with as little as possible.
- Your ID and whatever official info the hospital will need from you.
- Your phone (if you have an iPhone or similar.. you're all set for email, internet, music, taking pictures, video, etc).
- A camera (most decent cameras can take video as well).
Done. If you can sleep- do it. It will be the last time you can for the next 20 years. Otherwise, focus on what's happening to you, have some ice chips. Watch tv and talk to the friends/family that are there with you- it will probably be the last time you can for the next 20 years. If you think I'm kidding.. just wait.
If your hospital has separate labor and maternity units, everything else can stay in the car for your "person" to bring in later.
- Bring your own toiletries if you want, but the hospital will have a lot of what you need.. soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc.
- Medication, if applicable.
- T-shirts/tank tops, stretchy pants, sports bras, and underwear. (Or just wear the hospital gowns). And a robe/cardigan/sweatshirt to cover up or if you get cold. (I wouldn't bother with pads.. maternity units have a never ending supply)
- Pen & paper. Something will happen one way or another.. and you're going to want to write it down.
- Weather appropriate clothes to bring baby home in. Don't waste time/suitcase space bringing clothes for their hospital stay. Newborns spit up so much/often, and need to be changed, that it's silly to dress them in anything other than the hospital shirts, blankets, and diapers.
- Car seat. Obviously. But that can stay in the car until baby is ready to leave.
- An extra bag or plenty of room in your suitcase (I recommend one with wheels)- a good hospital will load you up with diapers, formula, etc.
The cool thing about maternity units and their staff (in a decent hospital, anyway), is that they will do and get just about anything for you- from the housekeepers up to the head nurses. Especially if you are hooked up to things or bedridden.
- For my first post-baby meal, I hadn't been able to fill out a dinner request, so they brought me a general meal- which happened to be fish. As a vegetarian, I couldn't eat it. The woman took it right away and 5 minutes later had brought me something else the kitchen staff put together on the spot for me.
- The morning after Noah was born there were 3 or 4 nurses in my room at the same time. Taking my temperature, my blood pressure. Dosing out medication. Fetching liquids and apple sauce to take medications with. Changing my c-section (and otherwise) dressings. Even helping me wash up and putting toothpaste on my toothbrush. Whirlwind.
- When I was finally able to take a shower, and my husband was nowhere to be found, the head nurse on duty, took my baby up to the unit's front desk to watch him for me while she did paperwork.
- In the middle of the night, when Noah had pooped and then peed all over me while I was trying to change him.. I called for a nurse. She came immediately, picked him up, changed him, cleaned him up, and then helped clean me up.
To review.. 1) pack as light as possible, 2) even a half-way decent hospital while treat you like you're at a spa, and 3) enjoy it while you can, because all those nurses and aides don't go home with you..
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