We are quickly approaching baby week! Ryne, Quinn, and I are all getting so excited to meet, hold, snuggle, and kiss on baby brother! Of course, with all the excitement comes some nervousness about labor and delivery. I’ve spent a lot of time praying that baby and I will have a smooth, healthy, and fast delivery. I had a cervical exam at my OB appointment yesterday and found out I am 1cm dilated and 50% effaced, which is right on track for 36.5 weeks. If he doesn’t come on his own sooner, little guy will be here 3 weeks from yesterday! We have narrowed down the name possibilities to two options, but haven’t come to a decision yet. Nothing like leaving it to the last minute 😉
I thought I’d share a list of what Ryne and I will be packing in each of our hospital bags. It’s been a struggle to keep everything in the bag with Quinn unpacking everything when I turn my back. I’m sure I’ll show up to the hospital and realize that all my underwear are missing.
- Nursing bras with a little extra room in them for when your milk comes in.
Comfy robe. I love the floral pattern on this one. - Black sleep set or nightgown. The sooner I can get out of the hospital gown and into my own clothes, the better!
- Black underwear.
- Socks or slippers. To avoid falls, hospitals require that your slippers have hard soles if you intend to wear them during your hospital stay.
- Lanolin.
Toiletry bag (toothbrush, toothpaste, face lotion, dry shampoo, hairspray, chapstick). - Comfortable outfit to wear home. A maxi dress would be perfect for summer. I plan to wear home my maternity leggings with tennis shoes and a flowy shirt that is a size larger than what I’d normally wear.
For Baby:
- Hats
- Swaddle blankets. These deluxe muslin swaddle blankets are the softest things on earth. I love the solids and fun patterns alike.
- Pacifier
- Coming home outfit
For Daddy:
- Extra pillow. The hospital will provide one, but it’s nice for dad to have a few comforts of home too.
- Comfy clothes. Joggers and super soft t-shirts so that baby can snuggle up to him without getting a button to the face.
- Snacks. I’m sure our family will take pity on Ryne and sneak him some food while I’m laboring. But just in case they forget about him, the kitchen is closed, or he is ravenous during a mid-night feeding, Ryne’s bag is packed with protein bars and uncrustables so he has some quick, go-to options when he’s hungry.
Extras:
- Cord blood banking kit if you plan to collect cord blood or tissue. Ryne and I decided to collect both for Quinn and will do the same for baby brother. We hope it is a huge waste of money and we never need to use it, but feel a sense of security knowing we have it if they need it.
- Boppy
- Camera!
- Chargers
- iPad
- Carseat
The hospital will provide all the other essentials like diapers, pads, and those super sexy mesh undies, but I will have our fully loaded diaper bag with us just in case. I also have a chux pad/puppy pee pad in the glove compartment of our car so that I don’t ruin our seat in the event that my water breaks on it’s own before our scheduled induction.
