New Moms: Hospital Bag Checklist

I've had new moms asking questions on what to prepare in their hospital bag before delivery. So here's to you. When the time comes to go to the hospital, every mom wants to be fully prepared. Packing for labour and delivery is not like packing to go on a big trip. Pack a bag with everything you think you'll need at the hospital, so that you're ready to go as soon as you baby's ready to arrive.

When do I start packing?
You certainly don't want to do any last-minute scrambling worthy of a sitcom script (it won't be nearly as funny if it happens in real life). My suggestion would be when you're around 34-weeks pregnant. Yes, weeks before just in case your baby decides to make an unexpectedly early appearance just like myself, welcoming my baby at 36 weeks.


How much should I take?
It's tricky - you don't know how long your labour will last and therefore how long you'll be there. Most first time mums stay in hospital for at least one night or you may even have to stay several days.


For your partner:-

• A camera or video recorder
  Someone has to document the big event. You'll want to immortalize every moment of those first few hours with your new baby. Don't forget the chargers and extra memory card. But check with your hospital first. Some hospitals don't allow videotaping of the birth itself.
• Cell phone and charger
  Be sure your partner has a cell phone when you head to the hospital. He can call friends and family to update them on your progress and announce the big news when your baby arrives.
• Snacks and something to read or watch
• Toiletries
• Some clean t-shirts to change
• Important contact number of family, friends and office mates
• Blanket or sleeping bag

For yourself:-

• Bra and nursing pads
  Once baby is born, she/he will need to be fed several times while you're at the hospital
• Socks
  Bring several pairs of warm socks; delivery is no time to get cold feet ;P
• Toiletries & Personal items
  Hairbrush, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, face wash, shampoo, conditioner, lotion. (remember: travel-sized products are your friends)
• Extra Bags
  To put all the goodies from the hospital. You're bound to have a lot more luggage coming out than you did going in.
• Eyeglass (if any)
• Headband or ponytail holder
• A few pairs of maternity underwear
  (The hospital will have disposable pairs, which some women find handy)
• Your MP3
  (Loaded with your favourite tunes)
• Slippers / Flip flops
  Get the slip on ones where you can wear your socks at the same time. Your feet are too swollen to fit into regular shoes.
• Homecoming outfit
  Make sure to pack a comfortable outfit you can wear on the way home. Don't expect to pull on your jeans. You won't fit into your pre-pregnancy clothes just yet.
• Snacks
  After many hours of labour, you're likely to be pretty hungry and you may not want to rely solely on hospital food. So bring your own crackers, fresh or dried fruits, nuts, granola bars or whatever you think you enjoy.
• Maternity Pads
  Sanitary pads will help away any unnecessary leaking during the first few days after giving birth.
• Nipple Cream
  If you're planning to breastfeed, a lanolin breast cream will help prep your nipples for their new permanent accessory - your hungry baby.

For Baby:-

• Swaddling Blanket
  Keep baby snug on the way back home
• Scratch Mittens
  Baby skin is delicate, so prevent your little one from scratching themselves.
• Nappies / Diapers
  Make sure you buy nappies for newborns. (some hospitals provide nappies, for example while other don't. These are the sort of things you need to know)
• A going-home outfit
  Your baby will need an outfit to go home in, including socks or booties if the clothing doesn't have feet, and a soft cap if the air is likely to be cool.

To make-all-the-difference extras:-
Here's some of the things you could do to make the whole hospital birth experience a much more pleasant thing

• A hairbrush
  For brushing, combing & mussing before the regulation 'happy mum & baby' photos
• A water spray
  For dampening you down during hot and sweaty moments during labour. You can spray it all over your face and neck. Really refreshing.
• A hot water bottle
  For soothing backache during contractions. "Surprisingly great for pain relief"
• A pillow/duvet
  For a little slice of extra comfort
• Something for your midwife
  To show appreciation and say thank you

.x.o.x.o.

Approaching labour

I've been putting off this post for months.

On the 3rd of February around 10.30 pm, hubby and I was happily going for supper at McD when..
I suddenly feel a little leakage down there which was not normal. 
Having the sikap "tidak apa" that time, we actually went to McD to have our Chicken Mcdeluxe and Sundae Fix *burp*
After complaining and asking stupid questions, hubby got so worried and asked me to call up my sis just to ask whether it's normal to have that.
So I did. She then panicked and asked me to go straight to the hospital for a check up.
I was thinking, why.. maybe its nothing serious because there wasn't any pain; plus I am only in my 34 weeks.
So I took my time, dilly dallied and slowly pack up my stuff in my hospital bag which I prepared a couple of days before. 
(I haven't finished packing coz I thought I still have a month to go before my estimated due date)
So to make everyone happy, I dragged myself to the emergency unit that night.

Hubby dropped me in front of the emergency unit and asked me to register while he finds a parking spot. But knowing me, a person who hates hospital visits, I sat and waited for him to come.
After registering, the nurse told me to wait in a room while they prepare for my documentation.
Feeling weird and sleepy, I waited for 45 minutes before they transferred me to the labor unit in a different building. 
Next thing I know, there was a wheelchair waiting for me. 
I told them I can walk but the nurse insisted I should relax and rest in case of emergency.
It was my first time sitting on a wheelchair.
Laughing, smiling and giggling, everything seems funny.
I was asked to change to the hospital attire.
I thought everything was funny until they put me in the labor room and started to stick all sorts of wires on me.
Even worst when they started checking how far dilated I was at that time.
I did not feel any pain right until the midwife did the procedure.
Then...
I started bleeding non stop.
I can't explain how painful it was. The vaguely uncomfortable part about the procedure is the fact that the midwife is sticking a hand up in your vagina. I don't know about you people but I find it painful and don't start about the feeling of discomfort.
I seriously regret going to the hospital that night.

As my progress was really slow, the midwife told me to go for walks along the labor room corridor to speed up my labor. 
So there I was walking like a crazy 'mak buyung' in the middle of the night alone up and down the labor unit.
Surprisingly it didn't cross my mind about how scary hospital can be especially the labor room. haha
 I guess I was too scared of what's coming - giving birth that is!
Hubby left to get something from the house because we thought the baby is coming soon.
So I called up my parents in the wee hours to inform them.
A few rounds of check up and monitoring, still no progress. 
It only adds up the pain and bleeding.
Looks like there won't be any baby coming that day.
Although we did not get any sleep that night, I am so thankful hubby was there beside me all the time while I took short naps in between. 
Doctor came the next morning and told me to hold it in for another week or so.
She gave me some meds to relax and told me to come back on Friday 8 Feb.
That was the highlight of the day. Went home with a happy heart.
At least I got some time before the arrival of my bundle of joy.
It means more time to prepare and more time to rest.
That very morning..
It was really good to be back home on my bed. 
Nothing beats the feeling. 

Stay tuned for more labor stories.

Superheroes Theme Baby Shower

Sorry for being away for too long. I have my reasons. Hehe
Will write a full update in the next few post. For now here's the update on my baby shower.

12.1.2013

Hubby, the in-laws and my family organized a Baby Shower for me.
It was a last minute planning. Nevertheless, they are so sweet and thoughtful.

 The party was held at our place. I hope everyone enjoyed the good food and dessert served.

The cool invitation card designed by Me! :)

Thanks to everyone who came over to celebrate. 

We had a great time catching up and eating all the good food.

These are some of the pic I took from my phone. 

36 weeks pregnant

My pillar of strength and best friend.

My girls.

Good friends.

High school friends and Sara Qisya

The Handsome cake from Hubby

Cute babycakes just like my little boy.

For sweet tooth.

Door gifts and invitation card.

Some of the presents for baby. Oh so cute. Thanks guys!

Bloated and watermelon tummy. Somehow I miss being preggo!

.x.o.x.o.

Productive Monday

Yesterday was a very productive Monday for me and hubby.

After coming back from the office, we started doing the first batch of baby laundry.

Hubby helped me with the washing and rinsing. All I did was hang everything up.

We didn't want to use the machine or the dryer.

Ahh feels good to actually complete a task.

Now I can get my hospital bag ready. 

Yesterday during lunch, I bought a few stuff for my hospital bag.

I think it's time for me to prepare and get everything ready in case of emergency.

After dinner at Madam Kwan's, Empire, we did some shopping at the grocery store.

Came back home excited to try making my first rice krispies treats.

Voila! It was a success. 

Simple and in no time we got to indulge ourselves with yummy dessert.

The taste is exactly like the one selling in supermarkets.

Give it a try and let me know how it goes!

Rice Krispies Treats

Prep time: 10 minutes

Total time: 30 minutes 

Servings: About 15

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons butter

4 cups miniature marshmallows

6 cups rice krispies cereal

.x.o.x.o.

Insomnia and discomfort

Lately I've been suffering from Insomnia. 

How unfair that what I needed the most, I can't get it. 

At 32 weeks pregnant, with all the hormonal changes, the midnight treks to the bathroom, the leg cramps, the heartburn that won't quit, the fact that I can't get comfortable when I'm in bed with a watermelon tummy and the anxiety I'm feeling about the impending birth of my baby as time is approaching.

I can't find the perfect words to describe how I'm feeling.

I hope everything goes well for me and the baby.

Worrying is pointless but I can't stop myself from having all the crazy thoughts.

Although I still have a few more weeks to go, please pray for me.

Nothing beats getting doa's and prayers from all of you. 

Can't Wait To Be Fit & Fabulous Again.

Today is the last day of my second trimester.

I seriously can't wait to be thin and active again.

I want my 2004/2006 body back.

I shall work hard to get back my confidence and body shape.

Getting a baby is not going to be an excuse for me.

This, I promise myself!

.x.o.x.o.