What to take to hospital/Birth Center (aka your Labour Bag)

When your pregnant one of things you hear is often “make sure you have your bag packed early, you know, just in case” but what does one pack in your bag (or bags as the case may be)? There are so many lists out there and the lists may seem so overwhelming! I’m 32 weeks now so am starting to put together what I’ll need/want to pack.
I’ve created a couple of lists - what I found useful, what I wished I’d taken and stuff I left in my bag and never used.
What I found useful (& must remember to pack this time)

• a couple of muslin wraps for bub
• a couple of suits for bub in at least 2 different sizes (you never know what size your baby will be). Extra clothes can b brought in to you if needed depending on how long you stay.
• newborn nappies
• comfy pjs
• a couple of nursing tops & some nice, loose pants/trackies for the daytime
• a couple of nursing bras.
• maternity pads - at least 2 packs. Have more on hand at home that can be brought in if needed (& you will need them). I’ll be honest - hospital pads suck!
• Toiletries: deodorant (for a quick freshen up), a nice body wash, hair ties, toothbrush & toothpaste, shampoo & conditioner
• slippers
• Granny pants - a least a couple of pairs - NOT WHITE! someone suggested men's undies - more room 
• phone charger/iPad charger
• birth plan & any hospital papers
• pen, paper & a folder to keep everything in
• old clothes for labour (even though I’ll probably end up nude again)
• a bubby bundle (blanket, onesie, singlet, nappy) to dress bub in after it’s born

What I wished I’d taken

• a labour/birthing kit (I did pack hair ties, a brush & water last time & will again)
• a post partum care kit - especially the moist toilet tissues cause toilet paper hurts
• a journal & pen
• my own pillow
• some lip gloss
• some nice hand cream
• a stash of lollies
• Lansinoh - it was a godsend when I got home
• warm socks
• someone suggested having a nappy bag packed for the trip home, just in case. That way you don’t have to dig through a suitcase
• pregnancy/breastfeeding multivitamins
• spare clothes (& bathers) for your birth partner
• sample size products! saves taking big bottles & takes up less room. 

Stuff I left in my bag

• my laptop - never used it
• books - didn’t really feel like reading (was too out of it from the gas)
• TENS machine - but will pack it again just in case. no drugs this time

DON’T FORGET

• you will need to have an approved car restraint fitted in the car before you go home.
• a garbage bag and towel in case your water breaks on the way

After talking to the ladies in my birth group on FB and here’s some of the suggestions they came up with:

• Tea! The hospital only had gross stuff
• a plastic bag for washing
• soft toilet paper/flushable wipes
• toiletries for your partner if they will be there with you
• packing a bag for siblings who may be staying with others while you have the baby
• Katharine suggested “I had a summer baby so I took lots if maxi dresses with me to avoid anything on the scar, they also made me feel prettier. I bought some maternity nighties from Peter Alexander (also a lovely luxury) and take a cosy dressing gown. I made a point if getting up and dressed every day too. I took high waisted undies (oh so sexy) but really they weren't overly necessary and next time around would spend some money on nice soft (and supportive) cotton briefs like bonds in cute colours. I took some king sized dark towels, washers and floor mats (took one set and Martin would take them home and bring back clean ones every couple of days). Took our own pillows and bring a vase or two for flowers. Oh and I also took my hair dryer which can be used to dry the scar if it's too sensitive as well as your hair. Oh and you cant have nail polish on and I had a lot of free time so brought a manicure set and nail polish for my toes and I was saved the hideous razor as I've had laser but you may want to 'trim'
  Hmm have I forgotten anything? I didn't have support bands or anything but they might help, my dr said he stitched my abs back together to avoid the separation that a lot of women get. Ooh take slippers/thongs and a book to keep you awake during mid night feeding. Um and any little snackies, I was hungry when my milk came in. You may want to pack a few nice things for hubby too - it's really hectic for them too.
  When people visited and asked if I wanted anything, my main requests were fruits a cheese platter and magazines.
  I also found it very handy having an eye mask as hospital lights can be bright when you're trying to nap in the day, particularly as my hospital has wall to wall and floor to ceiling windows (with shades)” (I’d never thought about packing for a c-section)
• iPod or portable CD player for music
• think comfort over looking awesome - you’ve just had a baby! Guessing this would be especially important if you’ve had a c-section, cause you don’t want anything sitting on our scar.

Did I forget anything? Did you pack anything when you had children that you didn’t use? Anything you wish you’d packed?

Postpartum care kit

So now you're ready to give birth because you have your birthing/labour kit ready, what about after the birth? That's what the Postpartum Care Kit is all about.
Things you might like to include:

• some lactation cookies - there are heaps of recipes out there
• lactation tea
• Perineum Spray -  take a empty spray bottle and fill it to the top with witch hazel. Then add about 40 drops of essential oils. Do some research into which oils are ok or ask a qualified aromatherapist
• a nipple cream. 
• DIY Witch Hazel Pads -  buy a box of maxi/maternity pads, take your prepped perineum spray and spray the pad with the mixture. Make sure it is nice and damp then wrap the pad up in aluminium foil and throw it in the freezer.
• at least one good quality nursing bra. Try and get fitted before you give birth BUT allow for some expansion of the boobs once your milk comes in.
• Epsom salts - great for a relieving bath when you get home (or if you are lucky enough to have access to a bath)
• at least 2-3 packs of maternity pads, maybe more
• nursing pads because you will leak
• moist toilet tissues - not scented. much kinder on your lady parts

Have I forgotten anything?

Maternity Fashion

I’ve just put up a post on my other blog - Nightwolf’s Den about winter maternity fashion. Would love for you to check it out :D

DIY Birthing/Labour Kit

One of the things I keep seeing around to pack in your hospital/birth centre bag is a birthing/labour kit. I'll be doing a separate post on the hospital bag and what I found I did and didn't use last time (& what I wished I'd had in my bag) but today I'm focusing on just the labour kit - something specifically for mum (& her support person) for use during labour.
There are some cute ones out there you could buy but why not make your own (or maybe make one for a friend who's pregnant!)
You will need:

• a cute bag or box to put it all in
• snack foods - barley sugars, muesli bars, fruit roll ups
• notepad & pen
• lip gloss
• hair ties and/or headband
• mints
• something to drink (bottled water/Gatorade)
• face wipes
• a hair brush
• a heating/cool bag
• some nice massage oil
• some warm socks and/or thongs (not the type you put your bum in)

I'm sure there are heaps of other things you could add. Have I forgotten anything that you needed/wanted during labour?
Look out for another post soon on making up a Postpartum care kit

Growth scan & parenting class

Went and had our growth scan yesterday. All is going well. Bub is measuring about 2-3 days ahead at 37 weeks. Bub is positioned head down with the spine on the left hand side and feet in my ribs on the right. Have a nice bruise on my right hand side.
Popped in to see Andrea and she looked at my blood sugar levels and is very happy with how things are going, so another positive :)
Off to see Dr Dennis tomorrow so will report back tomorrow night.
The Practical Parenting class was interesting. First up we went and watched a newborn being bathed. He was very cute and I think we both learnt a bit. We discussed going out with bub, feeding, sleeping, having pets and introducing pets to bub and a couple of other things. Most of it was stuff we had discussed in other classes.
Not much else to report at the moment. Will hopefully have some more pictures to share this weekend of my purple mini binder & my bub journal. I’ve started a Word doc so I’m doing a bit of journaling in that while I work on the pages.

4 weeks to go

OMG!!!!!!! 4 weeks!!!!! Had my baby shower yesterday but more about that later.
Had an appointment with the OB & Endo yesterday. Endo is very happy with how things are going so is the OB. My hip pains are just the results of ligaments etc stretching and the cramps are practice contractions. My fundal height is 36cm and the heartbeat is good. Also had a CGT so they are very happy with that and got the expressing kit so I’ll start doing that tonight (well try anyways lol) So all is good in the eyes of the hospital :D
Onto the baby shower……
It was a great afternoon with lots of games and lots of pressies. We received… clothes, nappies, a baby bath, towels, cot sheets, mattress protectors, a crocheted rug, books (which is awesome cause we both love reading & want to read heaps to bub), bibs, toys, a photo frame, a Hawks football (see it has no choice in what AFL team it follows LOL) and much more. Ate way too much, especially the marbled chocolate cheesecake slice *yum*
Got to catch up with my cousin & her new little one who were up from Hobart for the week which was awesome as I haven’t seen her for ages.
Hubby ended up coming out to mum & dad’s and we had pizza for tea. Was nice not to have to cook LOL
Next week I have a couple of appointments – one with the OB (they are weekly from now on I think), a growth scan, and a practical parenting class.
So much is going on around home now too. We’ve emptied the back room and are up to the stage of plastering the joins (hubby & FIL are doing that today). The sanding will prob get done Sunday (giving the plaster a day & a bit to dry) then we’ll paint hopefully Monday and pick up the new flooring on Tuesday to be put in Wednesday. Hopefully Monday or Tuesday morning will see the new door go in as well. Thursday is Dad’s birthday so I doubt we’ll do anything then meaning Friday we’ll move computers.
Saturday & Sunday will most likely be spent plastering up holes in the nursery (where computer cables have been moved from), doing paint touch ups, steam cleaning the floor & setting up the cot & moving the wardrobe in. I’m sooooo looking forward to that bit :D
Anyways enough from me. Off to do update our to do list & then have some lunch.

A car capsule, a dietician & a belly

We’ll we ordered our cot & mattress on the 6th, so it should get here this week. It’ll stay in it’s box though until we get the nursery empty (& steam clean the floor). Hopefully that will be next weekend. Looking forward to finally getting the room set up.
We picked up our Unity capsule on the 7th. OMG I love it. It’s so light and easy to take out of the cradle. A big hanks to my little bro for buying it for us. Looked into the price of spare bases to for both sets of grandparents (I know Mum & Dad will buy one) - $119.from Babyland in Launnie.
Had the appointment with the Diabetes dietician. She suggested I should try having my meals at more regular times (instead of whenever we eat) to see if it helps make my levels a bit more even. So I’m trying to get up a bit earlier and do my fasting bloods about 8, breakfast about 8.30, morning snack bout 11, lunch around 1, afternoon snack bout 4ish and tea bout 6.30. managing to go ok so far. also means I’m not staying up super late to take my last lot of bloods. Did ok on Friday & yesterday but today we slept in so I didn’t do so well on keeping my times this morning (but caught back up at lunch). Apart from that I need more dairy in my diet (I’ve been drinking less milk lately) so I’ve got to have some small glasses of milk with either my meals or snacks & I’m going to try & have some yoghurt at least once every second day.
Finally… here’s the first belly shot for 2010.
So we’re at 35 weeks now – not long to go now and we’ll b onto baby photos :D

Happy 2010 & updating

First up just wanted to share this cool quote I found
My opinion is that anybody offended by breastfeeding is staring too hard. ~David Allen
gotta love it!
Wow we’re into 2010 already & we’re just under 6 weeks to go!! OMG where has the time gone?
Still really haven’t got anything bought. My bro is buying us the Unity capsule. We’ll probably get the stroller just after bub is born.
The in-laws are buying us a cot & mattress. I think we’ve finally decided on a cot…

a Grotime Lara 4-in-1 cot.
Mum’s being buying heaps of clothes still. Got some great bargains too. Like a brand new Bub2B (kmart brand) top from a second hand store for $5!! It’s never been worn and still has the labels on it.

I’ve nearly got my labour bag packed – all I need to do is chuck in my purple mini folder, our birth plan, some pkts of barley sugar, some deodorant for both of us and some change. I’ll chuck the camera and mobile in just before we leave.
Suitcase is nearly packed as well, just need to grab 2 pairs of pjs from mum, a notepad so I can write stuff down (won’t take my laptop as there will probably b no net access :( ), my 2010 journal (will put that in just before we leave), and some disposables for bub.

GD is going well. The diabetes nurse is happy with my levels so we haven’t put my insulin up (yay). I should have at least one more scan AND if all things continue to go well they won’t induce me and I can go to term (& possibly slightly over).

Mum’s coming in either tomorrow or Friday to give me a hand with some cleaning up. Nice to have an extra set of hands, especially when hubby doesn’t seem motivated & would rather watch DVDs *sigh*

Have a breast feeding class on Thursday & an appointment with the dietician so will probably post again then.

Another GD update

Well I’m on insulin now, 3 times a day atm. before meals. The Diabetes nurse & doc were concerned about my levels – when they are high, they are very high *sigh*
so this has caused an argument between me & hubby. He thinks I shouldn’t b on insulin but after discussion with the diabetes nurse I can see why they want me on it & if it works well & good. I said that to hubby & told him what the nurse said but I don’t think he’s convinced *sigh* so I said to him – I’d rather b healthy & have a healthy baby and if it means taking insulin just to be on the safe side (I mean it’s only for another 6 weeks) then so be it!
Onto other news….
We have decided which capsule & stroller we’re gonna get:
the Safe N Sound Unity capsule

and the Steelcraft Profile Stroller – it’s much lighter than the original Eden we looked at (& cheaper too). I feel I could handle this stroller much better – even took it for a test run in the store lolStill looking at cots, I really like the Love N Care 3-in-1 Vogue.
Ok well I guess that’s all atm.

GD Update

Well the clinic went well. There was me, hubby & one other lady. We learned about the different types of diabetes, had a quick meeting with the nutritionist and then learned how to monitor our blood sugar.
We have to report our levels once a week so they can keep an eye on how we are going. So far my morning levels have been just over the level they want and my others are pretty good – unless I drink Coke, so no more Coke til after bub is born.
Also need to exercise more. I’m trying to motivate hubby into starting to go walking with me each night. I’ll probably start swimming next week.
Ok better go take my post breakfast bloods and then get myself ready to head into town – gotta call into Diabetes Tas to get some more testing strips & sign up for the NDDS then off to the hospital to report in (since I’m in town anyways)

A new look

What do you think? I love the templates that Gisele does. You can see her free templates here. Will slowly add my sidebar thingies back over the next day or two.
Now onto the updates.
I have gestational diabetes. Off to the hospital tomorrow for a three hour clinic. According to the letter we’ll learn about GD, risks to the mother & baby, aims of care, healthy eating plan and blood glucose monitoring. So I’ll be keeping an eye on my blood sugars for the last 2 months on my pregnancy. Will be interesting to see if this means more scans. Chatted to one of the other girls in the ante-natal class who has GD and she said this means I don’t see Team any more (until the wolflet is born) but will see the diabetes team now *sigh*. Got an appointment with the endo on Christmas Eve and then another two appointments in early January (one with the diabetes nurse educator and one with the dietician). Will all b interesting.
The wolflet is moving around LOTS. Mainly of a night time now and early in the morning, or if I get up to go to the loo.
Was playing around with the camera the other day and took this pic of one of the wolflet’s bears – thought it looked like the bear (who’s name is PJ) was looking at the star ornament.
Went shopping yesterday with mum. Was nice to have a girl’s day and get some shopping done. Bought some more goodies for the wolflet to wear and some bits & pieces for me while I’m in hospital plus a couple of gorgeous new tops and a couple of new bras (not sharing pics of them lol). So now the lounge has piles of baby clothes all sorted by size. gonna take a bit of getting used to ;)
and finally a new belly pic

Hmmm

Got a phone call this morning from the hospital. seems the sugar levels in my test were a little high so I have to go back and do the 2 hour test *sigh* looks like I might have gestational diabetes. And then I got a letter today suggesting my iron levels are low. Well it’s the first health issues I’ve had this pregnancy so I can’t really complain.
Would explain why I’ve been so tired lately. Have to start taking my preggie vitamins again :)

Packing my hospital bags

well not really. just planning at the moment. We discussed what to bring with us to hospital on Wednesday night, so I’ve decided to start a list here. It was suggested we take two bags to hospital with us – one to take into the labour ward and one for when we’re in the ward.
In my labour ward bag I’ll pack:

• at least one old t-shirt to wear during labour
• a bubby bundle (blanket, onesie, singlet, booties, beanie, nappy)
• mp3 player (will do a separate post on music)
• camera & batteries (must make sure memory card is empty – it’s 4gb so that should b plenty of pics – i haven’t filled it yet)
• drink bottle (one for me & one for hubby) and prob juice
• packet or two of barley sugar
• shorts for hubby (just in case)
• packet of pads
• some granny pants
• thick socks
• mobile
• massage oil or mango butter and massager
• TENS machine
• toiletries – deodorant for both of us, lip balm, hair bands
• my purple hospital book
• our birth plan
• change

and then in my suitcase I’ll pack:

• some pjs (most likely button up tops & boxers)
• slippers
• Preg Journal
• books
• something to wear during the day
• more pads & granny pants
• breastfeeding bras & breastpads
• clothes for bub
• something to go home in for both me & bub
• toiletries – hairbrush, toothbrush & toothpaste, shampoo & conditioner

Have I forgotten anything? Anything you took you didn’t need?

A new bubby bump pic

finally.
slowly getting bigger. we’re 28 weeks now.
and check out this gorgeous nappy bag hand made by one of mum’s friends.
It’s massive and has three pockets on one side. I love it!!
No appointments this week apart from our ante-natal class on Wednesday. 

A 3D wolflet

Went and had the 3D scan yesterday at Launceston Ultrasound for Women. They are awesome! The team there are super friendly and the lady who did our scan was wonderful. She explained lots and pointed out all the different bits. We also got a disc of all the images taken during the scan. so without further ado here’s the wolflet……

 

(how cool is that! an arm, a leg & some internals lol)

(blood flow thru the placenta)

 

(another face pic)

Another ante natal class last night. Got to visit the labour ward and see all the bits in the room and checked out the rooms in the maternity ward. It’s nice to see what the rooms are like and gives us a better idea of what to expect.

Another class

Had another class last night. This time we looked at the stages of labour, the role of the support person & natural pain relief. then we watched a short video about labour.
got to go visit the premmie ward last nite too. OMG they r soo tiny & sooooo cute. I’m really looking forward to our little wolflet arriving now – but I don’t want him/her to turn up til Feb :)
Lots of activity happening atm. can actually see my bump move occasionally, it looks awesome.
me thinks it is time for another bump pic – I feel huge but feel I’m gonna get bigger :D
okies back later with a pic for you all :)

Just a quick update

Had another team appointment yesterday. All is good. I’m 26 weeks (& 3 days today). We’re now in the third & final trimester (OMG!!!)
Will hopefully be able to start sharing some changes to bub’s room soonish. Will share a pic of what the room looks like now in the next day or two (mainly so you can all see what we have to move out of the room first LOL)
Went & saw my doc today. Just to say g’day and to update him on how it’s all going (even thou he gets the reports from the hospital) and to get a referral to get a 3d scan. so we’re all booked in to have a 3d scan next Wednesday!!!! talk bout quick. thought we’d have to wait for ages to get in.
Off to another ante-natal class 2morrow night so will pop back in with a report either when I get home or on Thursday. Until then *hugs*

Ante-natal classes

Woohoo. started ante natal classes last night. Looks like we will learn allot.
There are about 7 or 8 couples (including me & hubby) so it’s a nice size group. We get a different midwife each week for the next 6 weeks. Last night we had a quick intro into what the classes are about, discussed the good & not so good things about being being pregnant, warning signs and problems, when to ring the hospital, where to come into the hospital. We were meant to go visit the premmies ward but they had two admittances last night so our tour was postponed.
I hope those who checked in last night are ok & their bubs are healthy.
Next week we learn about what to expect when we go into labour & pain relief.

New bubby bump

OMG I look huge lol

25 weeks in a couple of days. all is progressing well.

New bub shots

Had our latest scan yesterday and bub behaved beautifully. The tech got all the shots she needed, even when bub decided to play up when she was taking shots of the heart. The funniest thing happened thou, we were chatting away while she did the scan and she turned and said to me “did you feel that too?”. Yup bub kicked the bit she was scanning and you could see it. so bub’s taking after mum & dad and doesn’t like being photographed.
This was one of the best tech’s we’ve had so far, she was chatty, explaining everything. She was saying the first EDD is what we should go by & only 5% of babies arrive on their EDD. so bub is due approx 12 Feb. I’m 24 weeks today and the scan ave suggests I’m about 5-6 days off that. The tech even explained how they work out the date thingy from each scan.
Had both mum and James’ mum there too which was nice.
Anyways on to the newest pic of our little one.

I’ve got a head cold. was worried it might have hurt bub with all the coughing I’ve been doing but all is well & bub is looking healthy :)
Until next time *waves*