Hospital Bag Checklist

With the impending arrival of our little guy, Parker has been begging/pleading/ordering me to pack my hospital bag for the past 2 weeks. He asks me about 749 times per day if I packed the darn thing, to which the answer is always "nope!". I have a list on my phone of the necessities and figured packing would be quick, so I put it off. 

Well, this weekend I finally stopped being so darn stubborn and packed the silly thing. Since I am officially 9 months pregnant, it was time, right? I wanted to be careful not to bring everything but the kitchen sink. Whatever I pack, I have to unpack when I get home with a newborn, so I went the minimalist route. My twin sister is also a postpartum nurse and just had my nephew in September, so she gave me the rundown of what I absolutely needed and what the hospital provided. 

So, here's what made the list (or bag, in this case)!

FOR BABY:

Going home outfit- my son will be going home in the same outfit his 5 month old cousin went home in. It's a sweet little footie outfit that says "Welcome to the world".

Mittens- something to protect his face from those razor sharp fingernails!

Baby book- for his little foot and handprint. Writing in it will also give me something to do if labor takes a sweet forever!

FOR MOM:

Phone and charger

Laptop and charger

Vaseline- I use this every night to prevent chapped lips

Toothbrush and toothpaste

Face wash/body wash/shampoo- I think it will be nice to have my own stuff

Comfy shorts

Comfy t-shirts

Nursing bras/socks/underwear

Nursing tank top

Robe

WHAT DIDN'T MAKE THE LIST AND WHY:

Baby blankets- I hear the hospital's blankets are just fine, so that's what we will use while at the hospital.

Baby clothes- Other than an outfit to go home in, he can just wear the little hospital t-shirts while we are there. He will be swaddled 99% of the time anyway, so no use dragging his entire wardrobe to the hospital. 

Breast pump- I highly doubt I will have to pump in the hospital, but if I end up staying that long or needing to for another reason, someone can run home and grab it for me. 

Mama friends, I would love to hear any suggestions you have for packing the hospital bag! Did I forget anything big? Unfortunately the hospital said I can't pack Jenny... that was a bummer! ;)

Things I Want To Remember: Week 35

Week 35 has been another good week! As I sit here writing this, I am trying not to throw up from the indigestion while simultaneously really craving a cookie. It's not always glamorous over here, but pregnancy is still going well!

I forgot to mention this last week, but nausea is back. I haven't been nauseous in weeks, so that was unexpected! I just get nauseous when I need to eat, and it's so much more manageable than first trimester nausea. It's just strange that it's back. 

I had another ultrasound this week, and our guy is still looking good! He's grown even more since last week, now measuring 7 pounds 6 ounces and in the 97th percentile overall for his gestational age. His head and abdomen are measuring greater than the 99th percentile! He's perfectly healthy, just big! The ultrasound tech actually caught him smiling on the screen- it is the sweetest sight! We are obsessed. :)

My amniotic fluid levels increased since last week as well, so I will be doing twice weekly non-stress tests to measure reactivity until I deliver. So far, he has done well at each test. They also told me to monitor movement closely and call if he doesn't move five times in an hour. He's always been a mover, but it definitely brings out a little paranoia having to count kicks and movements. So far, he's moved plenty and hasn't given me any cause for concern. 

The biggest surprise was that I am actually 2 cm dilated. The doctor said this isn't too uncommon considering my amniotic fluid levels are high, but 35 weeks is early to be 2 cm dilated. They will check me again next week. If I am any more dilated, they want to give me a steroid to slow things down. Even though he is big, the doctor would still like to see me make it to 38 weeks for respiratory development. Basically, it's a waiting game at this point. 

I gained 3 pounds since last week, bringing my total weight gain this pregnancy to 26 pounds.

Most of my shirts (even maternity shirts) are belly shirts now. It's just hard to find something to fit this big old belly, so I rotate between the same couple of shirts every day. Parker came home the other day, looked at my outfit, and said "so are you going to wear that shirt every day?". Yes, yes I am.