Motherhood Monday: Packing for the hospital Part I

Packing my hospital bag was something that I started planning and preparing for during the first few weeks after I discovered that I was pregnant. As someone who finds a certain thrill in drawing up lists, this was one of my favourite lists to date. I asked mommy friends what items they felt were essential, I tweeted to find out what my followers suggested, I put a poll on Facebook... it's safe to say that my list of 'what to pack' for my hospital stay was one of my most thought-out lists ever. Packing my bag and my baby's bag was also one of the most exciting tasks ever, but it can be overwhelming too. I busied myself with concerns such as, 'will I have time to read in the hospital? Should I take a book?", "How many outfits should I pack for him for each day?", and "How many bags of nappies should I pack?", among many other questions. What follows below is my personal list of hospital essentials.

3 sets of comfortable nighties

Preferably front-opening nighties or ones that you can easily lift, for breastfeeding purposes, and one for every night that you'll be in hospital. Also, stick to breathable fabrics, such as cotton. I took a super-luxe, silk nightie that I wore for about ten minutes before I got so hot and bothered that I simply had to take it off again. It could just be me, but I felt incredibly hot most of the time for the first couple of days after I gave birth. It was the middle of January, but I'm sure there must be some weird biological reason for this too?

5 or 6 disposable knickers

I distinctly recall standing in front of the disposable panties at Clicks and asking my husband why on earth you'd need these horrendous knickers, when you could just use a couple of old panties from your own wardrobe. Surely they would be more comfortable? They're not. Believe me. I got a pair at the hospital and promptly made my husband buy me more. Maternity pads are hideous things, and I found that these disposable knickers were the only things that really kept them in place. Trust me on this one. 

Maternity pads

Vital. Do I really need to say more? Just buy a pack or two (and get the disposable panties to go with them!) and take my word for it. I found that one pack of maternity pads and a pack or two of regular night-time sanitary pads were sufficient, but some women bleed more than others, so rather safe than sorry! 

2 or 3 nursing bras 

Love them or hate them, nursing bras are essential items and if you plan on breastfeeding for the foreseeable future, you may as well get used to them now! Fortunately maternity bras aren't what they used to be and there are loads of pretty options available in stores like Edgars, Woolies and Cherry Melon (my favourite maternity store at Canal Walk). 

Breast pads

Again, do I really need to explain this point any further? Be sure to toss a tube of nipple cream or two into your shopping basket while you're at it (and as my gynae recommended about a week before I was due to go in for my c-section, try tanning topless for a couple of days to help toughen up your nipples).

Magazines or books

People laughed at me as I happily packed a separate 'magazine bag' to take along to the hospital, but I have never been more thankful for a stack of glossies than when I was in hospital. I checked in to hospital the night before my son was born, and since my hubby couldn't stay overnight to keep me company, I was relieved to have InStyle and Vogue on hand to keep me busy. Even more so the following morning, while strapped to a machine to track contractions but before I had any idea of when my little guy might make his appearance (I was convinced that I was in false labour and that I was going to be sent home right up until 15 minutes before they wheeled me in to theatre).

Toiletries

I had a c-section so I had to wait until the following day to have my first shower, but it was so worth the wait. That first shower after having my baby and being bedridden for a full day was arguably the best shower of my life. I packed my usual shampoo and conditioner, my cleanser, serum and moisturiser (a pot of La Mer that I'd kept aside for this very reason - it was a special occasion after all!), toothbrush, toothpaste and my favourite body wash. I also packed some deodorant, but ended up not using it after reading that strong smells could interfere with your breastfeeding during the early days. (Put that fragrance back!)

Lip balm

I actually packed a separate 'labour bag' before my c-section was confirmed, just in case I ended up having a natural birth. This bag would accompany me to the labour ward (make sure that your husband or birthing partner knows which bag is which), and contained a few essential items that may help to make a natural delivery more comfortable: a facial spray from Vichy, Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream to prevent dry lips, two clean face cloths, one of my husband's old shirts (to wear while labouring), an iPod full of my favourite songs, a magazine to help pass the time, and a headband. I ended up having a c-section, but Elizabeth Arden's 8 Hour Cream was still on my list to keep dry lips at bay. 

Hair brush

This should really fall  under 'toiletries'. I also took my flat iron (yes, I did use it! There's nothing quite like smooth, sleek hair to perk you up when you've just undergone major surgery!) and a can of dry shampoo, just in case I didn't get round to washing my hair. 

Pair of loose trousers, two loose tops and a going home outfit

Although I packed a 'going home' outfit for myself (a loose-fitting red dress from Woolworths), I didn't think to pack another outfit or two for during my hospital stay. I found that I wished that I'd packed something other than pjs, particularly when I had visitors pop in to see me and baby up to three times a day. I was lucky enough to feel pretty good after giving birth and I wasn't in too much pain, so I was itching to get up, walk around and chat to guests - and seriously lamented the fact that I didn't think to pack regular clothes. But be warned: you do not go back to your pre-pregnancy body overnight. I looked about five months pregnant after my c-section, so found that my maternity dresses and trousers played a big role in my post-baby wardrobe (at least for the first couple of weeks!)

Small makeup bag with all the essentials

Something else that had many friends and family members in stitches, since so many women find that they don't even think about doing makeup for the first few days after giving birth. I am not one of those women. I felt horrid immediately following my c-section, but I woke up the next morning and couldn't wait to sit up, have a shower and do my makeup. I packed Bobbi Brown BB Cream SPF35, Benefit Coralista to add some colour to my cheeks, a felt-tipped liner from Smashbox, mascara and a selection of lip glosses. It felt really good to be able to have a shower, wash my hair and put on some makeup after just having given birth, so if you think that it's something that will make you feel good, do it! 

Vitamins

Your body has been through a lot - not only during the past nine months, but in the hours leading up to birth as well. It's important to look after your body by eating as healthily as possible, drinking plenty of fluids and taking your vitamins - more so if you plan on breastfeeding. 

NB: Camera, phone, video camera and all the necessary power cables, chargers, etc.

I didn't add these to my illustrated list above, but a camera, phone and video camera (if you wish to film the birth, or even just the hours leading up to birth) are must-have items. Don't forget to pack the chargers and various power cables for these either. We weren't planning on videoing Bean's birth but we borrowed my dad's video camera at the last minute, and I am so glad we did. My husband filmed the nerve-wrecking minutes before I was wheeled into theatre, and left the camera rolling in the corner of the theatre while the birth took place. You can't see any gory details on the video, but you can see me and my belly, my husband, and my doctor as she performed the c-section. We can hear my heart rate, which was going at about 200 beats per minute (ok, not really, but I was streeeessed!), I can see how gentle and loving my husband was towards me, I can see what my surgeon was doing, and I can relive the moment they pulled my son from my uterus over and over again. My husband and I have watched this video twice since Bean's birth and we've cried the whole way through each time. I'm so grateful that we have these moments captured on video. We also have loads of photographs, which my husband took before, during and after the birth. I do regret not filming the first few hours after Bean's birth - something that only crossed my mind a couple of months after his birth.

What are your hospital bag essentials for mom?

Today I'm doing my first link up with Kaitlyn from Wifessionals, and I plan on doing a few more link ups in future. Pop on over to Kaitlyn's gorgeous blog if you're keen to join in the fun, too!