Hospital Bag 101: What this First Time Momma Packed

The 48 hour stay of a lifetime?

A trip you know you'll NEVER be the same after..

How the HECK are you supposed to know everything you need to pack in your hospital bag?!

Woosah, sweet mama.

I'll start by saying that I had a natural birth - at a hospital of my choice - with a midwife on call I had met previously (not my personal midwife from prenatal care) & without any serious complications.

These things certainly factored into how I packed & what I ended up using.

So first, I created a list for me, hubby, baby, our hospital staff & miscellaneous.

Because ladies - you KNOW we're taking care of everyone else too, right?

Let's start with the hubby {or your significant other}.

For HIM:

a sleeping bag + possibly a pillow.. he's going to be on a pull out chair or "love seat" next to you. And you know the saying if you man ain't happy - well, he won't be able to function properly. So get the man his sleeping necessities.

comfy clothes + some warmies because hospitals are FREEZING + clothes he can wear while you labor. I had my husband bring shorts he didn't mind wearing into the birthing tub with me.

phone charger

a bag of vending machine change/bills.. you know he's going to want coffee & snacks. Also, some hospitals charge the spouse for each meal had with momma, which is usually cash only (we paid $5 per meal).

pre-workout blend for a mental/energy boost. I knew we were going to be running primarily on adrenaline, but wanted to have some plant based reinforcement. So I stashed some single serving packets of a blend called energize in hubbies bag & he was MEGA grateful!

(message me for info on "energize" - lindseykollar@yahoo.com)

Snacks.. nothing refrigerated, of course, unless you're wanting to share fridge space with the entire L&D floor. Grab some protein bars, some trail mix & maybe some candy to keep him sweet.

A re-fillable water bottle.

Toiletries.

Now let's hash out a list for that sweet peanut.

BABY:

A "receiving" + take home outfit.

I personally only used two pairs of jammies during our hospital stay!

This was partially because our peanut came out newborn size, which was totally unexpected. We actually had to amazon prime NB diapers & order teeny clothing the morning she was born so we'd have stuff when we got home! You might find that you want lots of options with you at the hospital - jammies, outfits, hats & headbands. I personally just kept it minimal.

a nursing pillow - maybe you'll use it a ton & maybe you won't. BUT nursing that baby around the clock while being half asleep & trying different positions - you might really like the comfort & support it offers. Just throw it in the car.

memory book or something for them to put those teeny tiny foot prints on!

I found this gem on Amazon. It's PRECIOUS, y'all.

carseat.. only if you're planning to leave the hospital. ha

bring your diaper bag, loaded with items like diapers, wipes & more for the drive home. You might be thinking "girl, our drive home is only 25 minutes." Let me just tell you - our 25 minute drive home was the most STRESSFUL ride. We made it across the street from the hospital before we had to stop, soothe & nurse our girl again. Have Z E R O expectations. It might go great! Or it might take a little longer than you expect. So just be prepared!

Honestly, if you forget stuff - you'll be okay.

The hospital is going to technically have everything you NEED to survive your stay. Don't stress about making sure you "have it all" for baby! Ultimately what you & your baby need are diapers & boobs!

And last but not least.. YOU!

For MAMA:

Okay, girl. Your list is a little longer. But that's because you got LOTS going on.

Nursing bras.. go for comfort & get a set of those sleep nursing bras! Maybe bring a set of nursing pads too JUST incase you ooze a bit. My friend Meagan gifted me some sleep nursing bras from Target (THESE) that I ended up snagging more of after Reagan was born.

(I also bought these & use them to this day at 7.5 months PP)

NIPPLE CREAM or balm. Hands down. You need it. Those puppies are going through some SERIOUS changes & are in high demand. That cream is sweet relief!

And be aware that the creams that have a petroleum base will leave marks on your bras & tops so maybe take into consideration the colors you wear to avoid circles on your boobs in photos.

(I used this primarily, but would probably just try coconut oil next time!)

Bring some of your personal toiletries - when you do finally get to take a shower, even though it might be 5 minutes, it'll be so refreshing! So snag shampoo, soap & lotion you like.

This is a great mama spray for your lady bits! While I was at the hospital, I took advantage of the GINORMOUS crotch ice packs they had & used them around the clock - making multiple shameless trips to the desk to ask for more. But once I got HOME, I used these panty pops and they were LIFE. At Reagan's first pediatrician appointment, the doctor came in the room & said "wow it smells great in here - like a spa!" I smiled at Nate as we walked out & said "you know she was talking about my panty pops, right?" They WORK & keep you FRESH fresh fresh! HERE is the link to my panty pop recipe!

ALSO.. because there is literally no such thing as TMI in the world of pregnancy, childbirth & motherhood -- pack yoself some stool softener to start popping after baby. I didn't have any tearing during birth BUT I still didn't envy the idea of having to push ANYTHING out of my body after baby. Go to the store, grab a bottle & run through the self check out!

Comfy undies. You might be surprised how much you like those sexy mesh hospital grade panties after delivery. But once you're showered, you're going to want something a little more snug. I'd definitely recommend some black or navy colored boy shorts!

Water bottle & hydration blend. You'll need to be chugging water during labor & after delivery while you're trying to get your milk to come in. I personally drank an electrolyte blend called "hydrate" to help with this process while avoiding extra sugar from an alternative like Gatorade. Life saver!

(MAMAS: message me for info on "hydrate" lindseykollar@yahoo.com)

Glasses & contacts.

If you use prescription eye wear - I'd recommend bringing both!

Chapstick. You will want this ESPECIALLY if you're having a natural birth & are breathing through each contraction.

Tinted moisturizure.

Maybe you want to fully "glam" while you're at the hospital. Or maybe you're like me & you have the intention of throwing on some makeup, BUT in reality you end up just using your tinted moisturizuring to get a bit of a glow.

You'll be chilly & then you'll be HOT. So be sure to pack some sweats or lounge wear.. because the night sweats are intense while your hormones are on the rollercoaster of a lifetime & you're going to want all the comfy options while your body is recovering. I personally found that a zip-up jacket (old navy for the win!) was easy to take on/off + nurse in! I also wore light sweats because I wasn't ready to wear shorts & be so exposed during the day with visitors or staff in & out.

FLOPS.. because three words. Hospital floors & showers. Nuff said.

Snacks - you'll go from starving to completely forgetting to eat. Pack some snacks that are healthy & maybe even a treat for yourself. Hospital food is BLEH. So have a few options stashed in your bag! So what did I have? Cliff bars,  fig bars, trail mix, twizzlers & my ole faithful shakeology {a nutrient dense meal replacement that REALLY helps with digestion + natural energy, mamas}!!

Birth affirmations or inspiration - for me this was some scripture verses that Nate & I chose. Before I started pushing, he read them to me. It was the confidence from Jesus's promises in the bible that got me through that last phase of labor to hold my sweet girl in my arms! I also had some phrases that I ran through in my mind over & over again that I pulled from the Hypnobirthing book I read!

*I STILL have my pregnancy scriptures on cards next to my bed to this day*

What I forgot?

Essential oils! Would have DEFINITELY utilized these postpartum!

You can also use these during the labor process, but I didn't pack any because I labored at home until my contractions were 2 minutes apart.

Something I opted out of using?

Music. I wanted a quite, dim environment. BUT, you might LOVE having some of your favorite tunes playing! Make a playlist & put it on your phones.

And all of those other important, random items!

Miscellaneous:

Birth Plan. HELLO! So so important, I believe, to have a written list of your goals + preferences in the form of a birth plan.

(Here is the link to the PDF I used. SO easy to read, streamlined & focused)

your CAMERA!! For obvious reasons.

Also bring a back up battery.. you're welcome.

Ditch the purse, but bring your wallet with your IDs!

Goodies for your nursing staff!

Some of those ladies just go ABOVE & beyond. And you can't go wrong showing a little gratitude. PLUS, a few little gifts also can soften the staff up a bit to the list of personal preferences you may or may not have for birth/postpartum recovery/baby :) I personally brought some dark chocolates & healthy chocolate muffins for the break room + some starbucks gift cards for each shift nurse that took care of us!

(recipe to these DELICIOUS healthy muffins HERE)

 

I hope this helps you, mama to be!

Add or subtract to this list.

But at least it'll give you some bones to work with.. some ideas!

Now go get that bag packed.. which is actually more like 4 bags.. & put them in a GO spot with a LIST for whoever is grabbing everything before you head out the door to the hospital.

Good luck!!

As always, feel free to share this with a friend!

Thoughts & Tips for Natural Birth: Part Two

Hey friends,

Last time, I wrote an introduction post with my personal thoughts on Natural Birth.
If you missed it, feel free to read part one HERE.

Today, I'm sharing with you part two, tips from my own personal experience.

Again..
I do NOT have all the answers.
I'm a first time mom, & therefore, NO expert.

However.
I BELIEVE in our bodies.
Because I know who made them.

I know what worked for me.
And I know what I plan to do the next time.
Because babies are like pringles & it's hard to just have one :)

So here you go..
& feel free to share if you think it'll help a mama to be!

_________________________________________
{in no particular order}

1. Make sure you TRUST your provider..

Not just "feeling comfortable" with them, but truly trusting that they understand & respect your plan & goals.

This might mean seeing SEVERAL people within a practice - and that's A-OK!

This is a special LIFE moment that you will want to feel supported & understood in.

Ask questions.

Trust your gut (as always).

Find your PERSON.

I will tell you from my own experience, that I saw an OB for almost the entire first half of my pregnancy with Raegan. He had helped me at the end of my miscarriage previously, so I definitely had a certain level of trust established with him. However, when I asked him some "interview" type questions regarding his C-section rate, his beliefs/philosophy on natural birth & a few other things - I left KNOWING that I needed to find someone who would without a doubt be my advocate. He wasn't bad by any means, but he wasn't my person.

That's when I started seeing midwives.

I found my favorite, whom I chose to see for nearly all of my remaining appointments.

I made an effort though to meet the other two midwives in the practice, incase one of them happened to be working overnight the day I gave birth.

Low & behold..

My midwife of choice was coming off her overnight shift from the previous evening the day my water broke at my appointment with her (THAT sure was an exciting & eventful day - start reading my birth story HERE).

Another midwife who I fortunately had already met & shared my birth plan with checked on me & "caught" Raegan.

I would have loved to see my primary provider, BUT everything ended up being totally fine - because I was familiar with her, she knew where I stood AND I had... a birth plan!

That brings me to #2..

2. Have a birth plan!!

Does that sound daunting to write out?

Good news!

It's not at all!

I actually used a template I found online {check it out HERE}.

It helped me stay on track & keep things very streamlined + organized.

Here's the deal.

You might catch some kick back if you mention this plan to others.

I know I sure did when I posted about mine on social media.

I didn't even share the details, because it's not really anyone's business.

Just the mention of it seemed to rouse opinions, for whatever reason.

I think some people have a hard time with the concept of planning something like birth.

But why the heck WOULDN'T you?

I mean gosh, we plan our meals & daily schedule.

Yeah, things change & we adjust.

Why don't we view birth the same way?

I digress..

Here's what people need to understand.

A birth plan doesn't just have your ideal "scenario A," documented.

It also doesn't mean you're naive or living in a dream world.

Although, YES, focus on what you hope for!

A birth plan means you have focused goals & personal wishes.

Which is AWESOME sauce.

A birth plan DOES also include "scenarios B & C."

For things that COULD arise - like an emergency C section, interventions, if the baby has any major issues, complications during afterbirth & so on.

Make multiple copies of your birth plan & be sure your partner {or doula/birth coach} is very familiar with it - they will more than likely have to be your voice at some point during the process while you're LAZER focused on the "task" at hand or totally engulfed in that precious new arrival.

If this seems like overkill, I promise you that it's not.

Finally, share one of those five copies upon your arrival with the staff members!

You can even have it sitting out in your room.

Unfortunately, some of the hospital staff may be annoyed as well with your birth plan or how prepared/knowledgable you are for your experience. I'm not sure exactly WHY this is the case, but it really DOES happen.

No fear. There's always something you can DO.

We buttered our nursing team up a bit - a team that was actually WONDERFUL!

I planned a goodie bag of items a couple of weeks before my due date. I got everything ready & the things I couldn't have sitting out, went on my "go list" of things to grab before we left the hospital.

{Yes, I was MEGA organized. I'll post another time about how I prepped!}

I brought some superfood packets they could shake up in water for a quick meal.

I had healthy homemade muffins in the freezer that Nate grabbed on our way out the door.

We came locked & loaded with two big bags of dove chocolates.

& we had about 6 starbucks gift cards sitting in our room to give to our nurses - we had two per day during our stay.

Maybe it's a little shameless bribery.

Or maybe it's a token of true appreciation.

Actually, it's both.

Whatever it is..

It works!

But girl.

The moral of this LONGGGGG tip is:

Have a birth plan.

No explanation needed for the naysayers.

This is YOUR experience.

Be prepared - for the best & "worst" case scenarios.

The birth of your baby is kindddddddd of a big deal.

3. Get familiar with your body & the process.

Being familiar with the physiological part of birth & knowing exactly what is going to happen or has to happen for that baby to come out, means fewer surprises {and therefore, fewer reasons to be anxious} during the process.

Knowledge is power.
And if you do your due diligence, you will know the mountain ahead of you.
And you will be prepared to conquer it.

My GOSH was this helpful..

I understood what my body was doing in the weeks leading up to giving birth - my hips loosening, seeing my mucous plug, etc.

Nate & I understood the stages of labor.
I actually had him read some with me & he took his own notes so he knew what to expect + how to help me (he was my birthing coach, BTW).

We both FULLY understood the birth process & what needed to happen afterwards.

Gal, you have MONTHS to prepare for that baby coming.
Don't just let the time pass & twiddle your thumbs at the end.
Empower yourself with knowledge.
I PROMISE you'll be so glad you did!!

4. Exude true CONFIDENCE.

You better be confident..

In the woman you are.
In the important role you play.
In the task you are fully equipped to accomplish.

CONSTANTLY remind yourself..

Your body was created to do this.
It is SO natural - don't for a second doubt your abilities.

Women have been giving birth since the beginning of time.
Before hospitals. Before modern prenatal care. Before lamaze classes.
Women were giving birth. Like bosses.
You're in great company.

God fearfully & wonderfully made you to be a child-bearing machine.

Take some time to read birth stories to get yourself excited!!

I personally LOVED that the first 100+ pages of Ina May's Guide to Childbirth was full of natural birth stories.
Not just picture-perfect stories, but REAL LIFE stories where midwives helped support mommas & GUIDE babies into the world.

5. Stay active!!

Most women don't realize that 30 minutes of daily activity is actually RECOMMENDED for expectant mothers!!

This activity can range anywhere from taking a walk to doing crossfit every day.

Let me explain this a bit.

What you did BEFORE you got pregnant - you can maintain, unless your provider recommends otherwise.

So.

If you were lightly or rarely active before, then how about 30 minutes of walking 5x a week.
If you were taking gym classes regularly, several days a week - don't stop.
If you were religiously crushing weights or cross fit - go for it, girl.

The heart rate rule that I'm sure you've all heard/read at one time or another is mostly out the window nowadays. Just make sure you BREATHE freely, can talk while you're exercise (usually a good indicator that your body isn't too stressed) & stay VERY hydrated. If you feel like you need to rest - rest. Be intuitive!

Once you're into your second & third trimesters, you will likely need to begin modifying various movements to be sure you are staying balanced & not overworking your core.

Questions?

Google it!
A WEALTH of information & resources are available!

& always feel free to chat with your physician.
But DON'T be scared to stay active.

I was finishing a bootcamp style program when we FIRST conceived Raegan.
Then, I did a kickboxing program the whole rest of my first trimester.
I'm not sure if anyone would ACTUALLY recommend that, BUT I felt very comfortable because I was purposefully VERY active before getting pregnancy.

(EQUALLY as important, but a whole other post..

Take those prenatal vitamins & eat healthy, ladies.
Pregnancy is NOT an excuse to indulge constantly.
There seems to be confusion in the extra calories needed.
You aren't eating for two humans, you really only need a few hundred extra daily calories!
And those extra calories don't need to be from cheeseburgers on the daily.

Now, if you're having terrible morning sickness & can only eat baked potatoes for a few weeks - then do what you gotta do to get something in your belly, gal. Otherwise, don't you dare just let it all go. You deserve better.. and so does that sweet baby inside of you. Go for 80/20 - have your whacky treats/cravings here & there, but try and stay disciplined 6 days a week! If you need tips, email lindseykollar@yahoo.com)

6. Begin stretching diligently.

(like a month before your due date at least)

I had a list of a few stretches I did every night, the month leading up to my due date, before bed & right before I practiced my breathing. Nate actually stretched WITH me to ensure that I did it. I know, He's the BEST.

These stretches helped certain things looses up & made me more flexible for birth!

Do them.

7. Practice breathing.

For reals.
Like this might be in the top two tips.

Set an alarm each night to practice your breathing techniques.
Then use a timer on your phone, close your eyes & focus.

Anddddd if your spouse is your partner/coach, they need to practice with you!

I used these techniques the ENTIRE time I was in labor!!

My midwife & nurse actually told Nate during the couple of hours before birth, that I had some of the most control they had ever seen.

Methodic breathing made ALL the difference, helping me working WITH my body.

8. Visualize your birth.

Calm down.

Although a foreign concept to most, this isn't weird at all.

Some of the most SUCCESSFUL people in the world make visualization & affirmations a part of their daily routine.

Because what you TRULY believe/focus on/think about does often impact your reality.

Just close you eyes & try for a moment.

Picture your labor.

Picture the birth of your precious baby.

{my momma hormones are making me almost cry just thinking about this again}

Here was a short example of mine:

I see a strong woman embracing labor - breathing WITH each contraction - opening & stretching freely as the baby moves down - pushing intuitively - staying focused & confident. Bringing a HEALTHY & aware baby into the world.

Being empowered & elated.

Accomplishing the greatest task of my life.

9. Have a coach.

Whether it be your significant other or a hired doula - get yourself a coach!

A coach is "simply" an individual PREPARED & knowledgable, who will support you & be your advocate.

You better trust them too, just as much as your provider.
Because they are going to go through more of your labor with you than your OB or midwife!

When considering your significant other as a coach or interviewing doulas, remember what you will want & need..

Someone who will stick with you when it's hard - who will remain focused & calm - who will remind you of the prize ahead - who will empower you!

Shout out to my husband, Nate, who was ALL of these things and more.
We planned for MONTHS to have a doula.
But as we entered the third trimester, we discussed doing it just the two of us.
We prepared together & Nate took his role very seriously.
He was AMAZING & I wouldn't have wanted it any other way!!
Love you, sweetie.

I'm going to beat a dead horse here.
Make sure your designated coach is aware of your birth plan & personal goals!
If you're saying "I know, I know." Good!

If you choose your significant to be your coach, be sure they do some reading/research.
Dog ear pages as you read, for them to check out later!

It's important for them to have a grasp on what's going on, rather than just trusting the information you may have shared.

To prepare for our experience, Nate read bits about what was going to happen to my body + the stages of labor (so he knew what to expect & what to tell me was coming up next) from each of the books I read myself.

Another way we were ready that's worth mentioning..

At the suggestion of our wonderful midwife, we had a code word that we created the day my water broke for the CHANCE that I changed my mind about medication or anything else during birth & wanted to deviate from my birth plan.

Nate & my midwife knew I could ONLY use that word when I was not in the middle of a contraction - so I wouldn't be compromising my goals for temporal discomfort or fatigue.

We didn't choose this word actually until AFTER my water broke, because we both knew the chances of using it were slim since we were both so determined.

BUT, we still had one, since you just never know & we were committed to being prepared!

10. Have liquids {& food} available.

During stage two, since I took the "express route" & basically skipped stage one, of labor at home, I ate a little watermelon for energy & a little sugar.

During stage three, the hardest part, I didn't want food at all.

So I drank a decent amount of water for hydration & apple juice for energy & sugar!

Shout out to my mom who made all of my beverage runs. Love you, momma!

My midwife had actually recommended clean snacks like Larabars & plain fruit or popsicles, which we had packed just in case.

Trust me - you need your strength & energy.

And if you're going natural, being able to eat & drink is a "perk" you'll want to take advantage of!

11. Labor in the position that's most comfortable.

For me, that was on my hands and knees on the floor or bed almost the entire time!!

I actually think this, combined with methodical breathing through contractions, quickened my progress & shortened labor!

For reference..
My water broke around 9:30am.
My intense labor began around 4 or 5pm.
We left for the hospital at 8:45pm.
I gave birth to my sweet Reagan at 1:51am the next morning.

I took a warm bath at the hospital for a little while (this is what I thought I'd most prefer), but it was really really intense & made me progress even more quickly than I was already.

So I got out & got back on my hands & knees. 

Everyone is different!

Be open minded.

Listen to your body.  

12. Rest.

I know that probably sounds CRAZY.

But I promise..

Rest BEFORE - in the weeks leading up to your due date.

{I know you're probably mega pregnant reading this & thinking does she REMEMBER what it was like trying to sleep being this pregnant?! Ha, yes I do. Try harder.}

And rest, if you can, during early labor to save your energy for when things get a bit "intense."

After my water broke, and after I did 45 minutes weight lifting, Nate & I went to lunch.
Boy was that fun trying not to leave puddles.. HA

Then, with a partial full belly of food, we came home & took a 30 minute nap together before my contractions (which were previously very regular braxton hicks - or so I thought) really started.

I KNOW that rest was important!

13. Control what you LISTEN to.

People.

Yikes.

People LOVE to talk about their experience.

Which is fine.

Except for when it's not.

And when you're a soon to be momma, preparing for birth.

You do NOT need to hear horror stories.

There's a time to openly share those.

But that intense season of prep right before your due date is not the time.

But people often don't have a filter.

So YOU have to filter things & control what you listen to.

Bless their hearts.

They might mean well.

But this is NOT helpful.

Take it from me - and LOTS of other women who are more versed in this field - it is WISE to begin to filter what you take in.

Because what you FOCUS on E X P A N D S.

So if someone starts to share a negative experience with you, consider saying something like "I'd love to hear more about your story sometime, but right now I'm really staying positive and trying to focus on my ideal experience for a positive mindset."

There ain't NOTHIN' wrong with that, gal.

Because mindset really does matter.

You're educated on what COULD happen.

You have a birth plan for A, B & C.

But you need to focus & visualize plan A..

Staying positive, optimistic, empowered, confident + focused!

14. Scripture!

I encourage you to have several scripture verses picked out that you can refer back to during pregnancy & then later during labor + delivery.

I personally kept {& still do keep} several of my favorites on index cards, taped to the side of my nightstand.

Verses about God's faithfulness, not being anxious or fearful & His peace.

Here are just a few of mine that you're willing to look up & use.

Philippians 4:6

Colossians 1:16,17

Psalms 29:11

Isaiah 26:3

Joshua 1:9

Nate wrote out some of BOTH our favorites on index cards that he kept with his

notes for labor.

He read a few of these to me between the final part of delivery, while I was pushing.

You could even make a play list full of praise music to keep on softly in the background!

There's nothing like being able to draw strength during such an intense time from truths & promises directly from the One who created you.

Talk about powerful!

_________________________________________

PHEW.

Is anyone still reading this?

I hope that was helpful in some way.

I could have kept typing, but I had to stop myself when I realized that my tips were growing from 5.. to 12.. & then 14.

If you want to chat more, feel free to find me on Facebook HERE & reach out!

Lastly!!

Many of you have asked what I read to prepare for our natural birth.

Books:

I LOVED "Hypnobirthing: the Monogan Method" (I didn't follow visualization process very much, BUT the breathing techniques I did to a T and there was SUCH great info about the process in that book).

Also, "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth," which I mentioned above, was also WONDERFUL!!

It had AWESOME, empowering stories for the first 100 pages that gave me loads of confidence in my body, followed by lots of good info afterwards!

As I read, I bookmarked certain chapters for my husband Nate to read.

If you reach out, I'm happy to share with you what those were.

Essentially, it was any of the chapters on what he could do to help me

& what we could both expect out of my body during the process.

Okay.

That's REALLY all for now.

If I think of several more things, maybe there will be a part three to this series!

HA

But listen, ladies..

DON'T you DARE doubt yourself or your body.

You are so incredibly capable!!!!

I hope you have a wonderful & incredible birth experience.

Please feel free to share it with me.

Blessings!