I read the blogs and downloaded the packing lists. I researched what items the hospital had so I wouldn't over pack. I selected the perfect gender neutral "coming home" outfit for baby. What I forgot was that I would have an internal wound about the size of a paper plate. I forgot that newborns need to eat every 2 hours. I forgot that in order to breastfeed you need to be in a constant state of undress.
So let me start by providing you with a REAL packing list and some info behind each item. (This list is assuming you are going to attempt breastfeeding....I know that's a terrible assumption to make but it was my experience so it's what I have to go from)
Packing List (Incomplete but helpful):
1) Your favorite pillow and blanket
Hospital beds, pillows, sheets, blankets, etc are terrible. Next time I'm bringing pillows AND blankets.
2) Bathrobe
Forget real cloths. If you are considering breastfeeding your boobs will be out 24/7. You wont want a bra or really anything in the way.
3) Slipper Socks
My feet were cold and swollen. I didn't want to put on shoes to walk to the bathroom.
4) Ipad/chargers (EXTRA long cords)
$13/day for TV in your room. My TV was 10 inches and got about 15 channels. Did you know that Ozzy and his son had a show on the History Channel? Yup that's what I paid $13 to learn. So bring your own device and get some extra long cords. The plugs were very far from the bed so I had to get up to plug in my phone. Getting up with stitches in your lady bits is just about the worst.
5) Mesh Undies
This is one of those items that the hospital will give you but many people love them thus they try to take home as many as they can. As a result they had me on mesh undie rations. They sell them on Amazon. Next time I'm bringing extra.
6) Nursing Dresses
Think comfy and flowing. Forget pants....ok maybe sweatpants....extra baggy. I didnt want to just wear a robe with visitors but "real cloths" were not happening.
7) Hairbrush and ties
I looked like crap most days even with access to the shower. I didn't blow dry my hair so it was a free-for-all.
8) Dry shampoo and your favorite soaps, shampoos, etc
Again, I looked like I was hit by a bus most days but that was partly because I was using hospital shampoo. I didnt want to over pack and I knew they had these things. Dont be like me.
9) Receiving blankets, onsies, and hats
The hospital will have these things but there is just something nice about bringing your own. First of all they are waaaaaay cuter and second my stuff was softer.
10) SNACKS and a BIG water bottle
Holy hunger. Hospital food is actually not bad but my hospital cafeteria had terrible hours and I wanted to snack pretty much all day and night.
11) My Brest Friend
Again, if you are nursing you will be doing so AT LEAST every 2 hours. On top of that I was pumping in between. I highly recommend this fancy pillow with its lumbar back support. Great for snuggles and your tired body.
12) Hand held fan
HOT FLASHES.
13) Towels
See number 1. Hospital towels are a nightmare. Use for your first shower and then switch to your towel from home.
Things to leave at home:
1) Your Husband/Wife/Partner/Etc
Some Hospitals are not very welcoming to your other half. Let them go home and sleep in their own beds. You will need them to be well rested when you escape the nightmare that is the hospital.
2) Cute outfits (for you and baby)
Just don't. Even our "going home outfit" was a bust because he needed preemie sizes. I tried so hard and I put on one outfit and immediately took it off after the visitors left because it was soooo uncomfortable. Bring going home outfits if it's important to you but don't panic if it doesn't go as planned.
3) Leggings (ouch)
I bought these cute nursing tops and soft maternity leggings. Everything hurts. I dont know what I was thinking but tight clothing is a big old NO. Get a super relaxed nursing bra and stick with comfort.
4) Breast pump
The hospital pump is better than yours anyway. I didn't even take mine out of the bag.
5) Your Dignity
Just when you think the most embarrassing parts are over...a nurse will help you shower...and go to the bathroom...and whip your boobs out to check latch....yup leave the dignity at the door.
Ok So a little backstory for my Hospital stay:
1) I did not have a good experience at my hospital. My Hospital received government funding through their "Breast is Best" initiatives. No they do not call it that but it is what they practice and preach. Although I disagree with this particular agenda, I didn't think it would become an issue because I did intend to breastfeed if I could. Well, it became an issue. I almost wish I had said "I intend to combo feed" so that these nurses and lactation consultants would have maybe treated me like a human instead of a dairy cow. It was so invasive and so stressful. Day 1 as a new mom and I felt like a failure. So ... maybe check into that before selecting your Hospital.
2) Numerous shift changes makes it impossible to connect with any of the staff, doctors, etc. The only person I saw more than once was the NICU doctor from CHOP. (Oh and one evil lactation consultant but I'm trying to block that out)
3) As stated above my hospital was not "Partner Friendly". They wanted them gone and you could feel it in every conversation, in every look, and every printed sign posted around the room.
4) My Hospital has STUNNING birthing rooms which the proudly display on their tours. It has hellishly outdated maternity rooms. Things were missing and broken. The light turned on by itself one night (AT 3AM) and we couldn't turn it off. They had to call someone who came around 4AM and he had to REMOVE the light. It was directly over my bed.
5) No where to go. We were discouraged from leaving the room. This gross room with terrible TV and a broken AC unit. Oh did I forget to tell you the AC was broken?
6) Rooming in. Ok I know this one is a bit controversial because there is good science behind why "Rooming in" (Which means that the baby stays with you instead of going to the nursery) is a good thing. HOWEVER; this meant that if I wanted to SHOWER or GO TO THE BATHROOM I had to call a nurse. On my last night there I was failing miserably at breastfeeding so I was pumping after every feed. This meant that I had maybe 30 minutes to sleep at a time. So I asked a nurse if she could take the baby to the nursery for a while so I could close my eyes. Now listen, I realize that's real life. When you get home there is no one there to help you. You cant just send your baby away for an hour. But in that moment I just needed an hour of not freaking out and she made me feel like a complete failure.
So although my doctor (OB) was great and my birth experience was good, my stay afterwards was a nightmare. I truly do not know if I will go back to the hospital again. I will certainly research alternatives. If nothing else, I will be sure to speak my mind and turn away all offers to assist me with breastfeeding. I am even looking into hiring a midwife next time mostly to advocate for me. No one should feel bullied by their hospital and that was how I felt with in hours after he was born.
So that is everything I wish I had know about my 3 days in pure hospital hell.
