I am a big believer in being pro-active and being prepared, so when the start of labor came to fruition, I wasn't too worried about being ready. We already had a regular size luggage packed two months ahead and accompanied us everywhere we went in the trunk space of the car, a constant reminder that we were looking forward to his arrival. The Baby Center app had a checklist of items to include and the following are what we found most helpful: a comfy robe, plenty of toiletries, snacks galore (including fresh-baked muffins that I snuck in there last minute), gatorade, shorts (it was so hot in the hospital room and I am notorious for getting super hot all the time (my sisters call me menopausal LOL), a "coming home" baby outfit, soft gel nipple shields, hand sanitizer, clorox wipes, a notebook, comfy slippers, a portable outlet with usb ports. pen/pencils, a children's book to read to JJ pre- and post-arrival, my Jesus Calling Devotional, and our water hydroflasks.
What do I wish we had packed? Towels! The hospital provides you with these tiny little towels that are more like thin hand towels, and I like to enjoy my hot showers and step out into total warmth (at home we have gigantic towels) and there is nothing more disappointing than having to step out of the shower shivering. A floor towel would have been nice to have, too. I don't like cold feet either. :) Everything else not mentioned here was provided by the hospital, but I would make sure to check with your hospital orientation notes to see what is included.
The night before, I was praying the rosary as I was falling asleep, a great practice and meditation technique I highly recommend, and as I was about to knock out I saw a light appear at the top of my vision and a cross with Jesus on it hovered over in the light. I remember thinking, "I bet JJ will be born tomorrow." So the next morning after I remembered the vision and in anticipation, I packed up my medicine bag, extra cash, placed my laptop and charger in my backpack, and had pulled out our hospital orientation and breastfeeding class notes to also bring along for reference. What a relief that all that was all prepared when my wife announced her pop.
So what I focused on for the next hour was placing everything in the car: the diaper bag, my backpack, nitrile gloves, I laid down a towel in the front seat in case she leaked or suddenly went into emergency labor, the emergency labor kit I ordered, our newly purchased BB Gun (again, here's my apocalyptic thinking-more on this later-lol), the water hydroflasks, and the 3 Hallmark Angels I placed in his carseat that we played every night to JJ in the womb (Michael-archangel who protects us and sings "This Little Light of Mine;" Gabriel, archangel who communicates God's messages and prays the "Our Father" in both English and Spanish; and Raphael, archangel who heals and is the patron saint of travelers and recites the "Now I Lay me Down to Sleep" prayer.) On a side note, my sister C bought us Gabriel first and he was our guinea pig when we practiced with the carseat, stroller, crib, etc., so there was no way I was going to forget to bring them in this monumental moment. #noangelsleftbehind
What do I wish we had packed? Towels! The hospital provides you with these tiny little towels that are more like thin hand towels, and I like to enjoy my hot showers and step out into total warmth (at home we have gigantic towels) and there is nothing more disappointing than having to step out of the shower shivering. A floor towel would have been nice to have, too. I don't like cold feet either. :) Everything else not mentioned here was provided by the hospital, but I would make sure to check with your hospital orientation notes to see what is included.
The night before, I was praying the rosary as I was falling asleep, a great practice and meditation technique I highly recommend, and as I was about to knock out I saw a light appear at the top of my vision and a cross with Jesus on it hovered over in the light. I remember thinking, "I bet JJ will be born tomorrow." So the next morning after I remembered the vision and in anticipation, I packed up my medicine bag, extra cash, placed my laptop and charger in my backpack, and had pulled out our hospital orientation and breastfeeding class notes to also bring along for reference. What a relief that all that was all prepared when my wife announced her pop.
So what I focused on for the next hour was placing everything in the car: the diaper bag, my backpack, nitrile gloves, I laid down a towel in the front seat in case she leaked or suddenly went into emergency labor, the emergency labor kit I ordered, our newly purchased BB Gun (again, here's my apocalyptic thinking-more on this later-lol), the water hydroflasks, and the 3 Hallmark Angels I placed in his carseat that we played every night to JJ in the womb (Michael-archangel who protects us and sings "This Little Light of Mine;" Gabriel, archangel who communicates God's messages and prays the "Our Father" in both English and Spanish; and Raphael, archangel who heals and is the patron saint of travelers and recites the "Now I Lay me Down to Sleep" prayer.) On a side note, my sister C bought us Gabriel first and he was our guinea pig when we practiced with the carseat, stroller, crib, etc., so there was no way I was going to forget to bring them in this monumental moment. #noangelsleftbehind
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