Sympathy Pain

Here’s a list of “What to Pack”from Nina. She is due right on top of our due date…It’s in the water.

The following is a list of things that I found helpful when I was in the hospital delivering Sydney, and things that after the fact - looking back I wish people would have told me to bring.

Hope it helps, but everyone has a different experience so you may find things on this list you don’t end up needing, and other things that you wish you would have had. But, this is what I will be packing.

*Shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, lotion, chap-stick and other toiletries for both you and your partner. Don’t worry about make-up you aren’t going to feel like getting all done up anyway, and people wont care. (This stuff should be like a small travel bag of stuff. You don’t need a lot you will only be there for two nights so don’t pack the whole bathroom. Just do the really important items you use every day, and you might want to go get new ones to pack now so you don’t forget anything last minute and leave your actual stuff in your bathroom at home.)
*Tucks medicated wipes, feminine hygiene wipes, stool softener - VERY IMPORTANT!!!
*Breath mints - VERY IMPORTANT!!! These are not just for you but for your partner as well.
*Sleeping attire. I was told nightgowns, but I hate them so I took sleep pants and breast feeding tank tops (Walmart orTarget has them in lots of colors), slippers and comfortable socks and a robe -For after delivery (You will have to wear the hospital gown during delivery so that they can easily get to the medical equipment and the needle in your back, etc.)
*A change of clothes for your labor partner, and something for him to sleep in. They have a very comfortable couch that turns into a bed in the delivery room that he can sleep on whenever you are able to get some sleep.
*Digital camera (Or video camera if you dare) and cell phone.
*Socks for during the delivery - these might get “dirty” so make sure you don’t care if you have to toss them after the delivery.
*Pillows (Hospital pillows suck!)
*Underwear (Granny panties. The hospital will give you mesh underwear that doesn’t stay on well, so you might want to bring your own, but make sure it is extra big because you will have a huge pad and a huge icepack to put in there for the day or two after delivery. And you will not want to keep these afterward so make sure they are not your good stock of granny panties.)
*One to two ace bandages if you plan to bottle feed. You will want to wrap your breasts as soon as possible to get through the engorgement pain as fast as possible.
*Outfit for your baby, including undershirt, socks, sleeper, diaper and hat
*A small pack of newborn or infant diapers. The hospital diapers suck.
*Baby blanket
*Car seat for the baby (Otherwise they won’t let you take the baby home)
*A loose, comfortable homecoming outfit for you (I recommend sweats. You are not going to want to get all dressed up just to drive home. This is your time to try and be comfortable).
*two tennis balls in a large sock. It is used to releave lower back pain during contractions.

Maybe we can make a Thursday Thirteen packing list for easier packing.