Special things you're taking to the hospital

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I literally laughed out loud at that list. I never do that on DCUM, so I salute you, list maker.

And you had the good sense not to copy the entire post in your reply.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I literally laughed out loud at that list. I never do that on DCUM, so I salute you, list maker.

I don't know if it's pregnancy hormones, but that list made me laugh so hard I cried. Especially in regards to mixing up some Labourade in a blender.

[Anonymous]

When are you sitting around playing cards or games? I must have missed that part during my first labor/birth. Also, I think someone must have written that in the 90s. Camera film? Phone cards?

The first shower was the most glorious thing ever. I felt so GROSS after everything that goes with childbirth, I could not wait to get in the shower to get clean.

My one must have was soft toilet paper. I brought my own Charmin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When are you sitting around playing cards or games? I must have missed that part during my first labor/birth. Also, I think someone must have written that in the 90s. Camera film? Phone cards?

Yeah, I never really got that either. If you're so bored and have the mental bandwidth to play games, then you're probably not in active labor yet and you should just go about your business as usual - take a nap, take a shower, go for a walk, finish up whatever laundry is lying around, cook a casserole. . . you definitely don't need to be in the hospital yet if your labor is so boring.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the list, doula, it was thoughtful to share. i will add many of those items to my list.

[Anonymous]

I'm still giggling about that list.....and redecorating the L&D room with notes and poster board.

[Anonymous]

Was thinking the same thing re games/puzzles, if you have the mental bandwidth to play, you got to the hospital way way too early. Most women are using all their mental energy to deal with the pain, or if they have pain relief -- they are just trying to sleep/relax until it's time. And who are you playing games with? Even if mom is doing ok, do most first time FATHERS have the mental bandwidth to play games? Even if they look ok, many are internally freaking out and can at best make light conversation or stare blankly at the tv.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Was thinking the same thing re games/puzzles, if you have the mental bandwidth to play, you got to the hospital way way too early. Most women are using all their mental energy to deal with the pain, or if they have pain relief -- they are just trying to sleep/relax until it's time. And who are you playing games with? Even if mom is doing ok, do most first time FATHERS have the mental bandwidth to play games? Even if they look ok, many are internally freaking out and can at best make light conversation or stare blankly at the tv.

I don't know - I had a colleague who said once she got the epidural it was TV and game time for a few hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I literally laughed out loud at that list. I never do that on DCUM, so I salute you, list maker.

I don't know if it's pregnancy hormones, but that list made me laugh so hard I cried. Especially in regards to mixing up some Labourade in a blender.

OMG, me too and I was gasping for air when I saw the one with the bolding. My husband thinks I've lost it. Miso soup?! Showing up to the hospital with a blender? I can't...

[Anonymous]

I'll just suggest one thing-- if you take something super sentimental, make it someone's priority to make sure it comes home. With my first I brought the teddy bear I had since my youth, and somehow we left it at the hospital and they never found it.

[Anonymous]

Seriously, people. Have any of you had kids before? Bring a toothbrush.

[Anonymous]

Oh help. Please do not bring your own meds. We will give you meds. Too much Advil/aspirin inhibits clotting. We may want to know if you have a fever. Hospitals have one of every med imaginiable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh help. Please do not bring your own meds. We will give you meds. Too much Advil/aspirin inhibits clotting. We may want to know if you have a fever. Hospitals have one of every med imaginiable.

But they don't have Laborouade!!!! So, yeah. The blender and rabbit foot is coming WITH.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seriously, people. Have any of you had kids before? Bring a toothbrush.

OP here - yup, this is my second. I still think a body wash I like, a food I can't have currently, and my beloved retinol isn't an insane list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh help. Please do not bring your own meds. We will give you meds. Too much Advil/aspirin inhibits clotting. We may want to know if you have a fever. Hospitals have one of every med imaginiable.

If you weren't so tight with the Colace, I'd consider it.