7 months and that hospital bag
Home stretch now! I can’t believe I’m 7 months pregnant. In a little over ten weeks, I’ll be holding my baby, not my belly! It’s just amazing. I’m still in awe and feel so blessed with this little bundle I carry with me all the time.
My OB visit last week was fab. The baby’s growing just right. He weighs about 2.2 pounds now. And my weight is on track. This calls for one big WHEW!!! I REALLY thought I was overweight. I’ve gained almost twenty pounds throughout my pregnancy, which is still within the healthy range. H & I also got to hear the baby’s heartbeat again and boy, it was strong. I love this kid.
Growing, growing, growing. While the little one’s growing, so am I. My fingers have started to swell a little bit. One of my rings no longer fits. I can’t fit into my old shoes anymore — my feet are growing sideways! And those ankles? Oh yeah, all gone. I’m just thankful that my nose is still the same size. Fingers and feet I can cover up, my nose I can’t. Heehee.
As this is the third trimester, it’s time to prepare that hospital bag. While it would be ideal to give birth at least ten weeks from now, you just never know, right? I was born at 7 months! So yeah, best to be prepared.
What goes in a hospital bag? I have two good sources for this.
1. Babycenter.com.ph has a great checklist on what to pack for labor, your partner, after the birth and for the baby. (See checklist HERE.) You can print it out and take it with you when you go shopping. That’s what I’ll do!
2. Follow our Plurk thread here. I asked friends for tips on packing that hospital bag and got a lot of great answers!
And now I’d like to ask you — what did you pack in your hospital bag? And where did you buy them? I’m looking for good quality items that aren’t too heavy on the pocket. 
Any tips would be greatly appreciated!
June 5th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Toni thanks for this post! i’ll definitely keep a tab on this for the near future. good luck on your shoppin/packing.
kreezs last blog post..The Spoiled Preggy Lady
June 5th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
We had everything from a CD of classical music to a back massage wooden thingie in my hospital bag – which were totally forgotten in the middle of all the labor-ing frenzy in the hospital
One thing that we forgot to bring though was a bottle of distilled water. My husband had to go rush and buy one at the hospital cafeteria when I asked for water during labor.
Glendas last blog post..Birthday Giveaway!
June 5th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
It is a great feeling to have your own baby!May God makes every thing easier for you
June 5th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
ang dami ko nang pinost sa plurk mo, hehe, but i’ll also suggest: DON’T buy clothes until after your baby showers because FOR SURE people are going to give you so so so many clothes!
re. the bag, i’m also really glad i brought:
(1) extra pillows — lifesaver ‘to esp since i was CS
(2) paper and pen — the lamaze room was under renovation so mike couldn’t go with me into the labor room, so we were able to communicate throughout my labor by passing notes to each other.
rowies last blog post..Flying solo with an infant.
June 5th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
final stretch ka na, woohoo!
1. cellphone charger
2. camera, battery charger
3. going home outfit for you and the bebe (though the hospital may provide you with the outfit and a wrap for the bebe)
4. make sure you give strict instructions to your OB and nurse attendant that you want to breastfeed first! worst case that there’s no milk (usually due to stress, timing rin ito..), they will spoon feed the milk to your baby. (para hindi agad masanay sa teat — mahirap na i-train sa breastfeed once masanay sa teat)
5. maternity pads (usually hospitals provide a pack for you pero in case you need more pa.. mas mahal to buy from the hospital)
6. breast pads
7. wear pajamas with buttons on the blouse, para mabilis mag bfeed.
8. no need for the car seat.. kawawa ang neck and head ng baby.. you can cuddle him all the way home.
9. ingat sa gracco.. we bought the 3 in 1 for A tapos after 6 months, we switched to maclaren. until A was around 2, gamit na gamit yung maclaren..
10. pillows to hold the baby sa stroller para hindi sya mag-roll.. i forgot what it’s called but you can check sa landmark or SM for sure meron sya.
11. lots of lampin! actually, useful ang lampin for the one carrying the baby.. more like sapin to protect the baby from the clothes/skin ng nagbubuhat.. i know this is OA pero trust me, until your kid has more stable immune system e lahat ng kaartehan you’ll do for him/her.
12. handgel.
these are all i could think of now.. God bless, toni!
tins last blog post..Amelie Moments #3
June 6th, 2009 at 12:10 am
Hey Toni,
Wow! Malapit na! Here’s some things I remember bringing to the hospital:
1) a nightgown or blouse that’s easy access for breastfeeding
glasses
2) mp3 player
3) books (or if you have a gameboy or something to pass the time)
4) extra pillows
5) massager
6) cellphone
7) socks cause it can get cold
For the baby
1) clothes of course. I don’t know if they take hospital pictures there. If they do, bring something cute. hehehe…
2) receiving blankets, burp clothes
3) diapers (although the hospital will probably give you these)
4) swaddling blankets
5) diaper wipes
6) beanie to keep the baby’s head warm
Last but not least, I know Tin said not to bring the car seat but I really disagree with that. You have all the time to cuddle your baby when you get home and safety is the #1 priority. I don’t know if that’s mandatory there to have a car seat but here in CA, they won’t allow you to take your baby home if you don’t have a car seat and it’s not properly installed. I leave it up to you but I highly, highly recommend having the car seat. Connor was small obviously when we took him home so you may want to roll up some of your receiving blankets to put on either side of his head in his infant seat or they sell those things that you can put under the baby’s head to cushion him. As always, I’d be glad to chat with you if you have other questions.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:34 am
For you:
- a front closure night gown or just a robe for easy breastfeeding.
- comfortable slippers.
- your own underwear (stick with maternity undies for now)
- menstrual pads (high absorbency ones)
- an outfit to wear home (your most comfortable maternity outfit is best)
- nursing bra
- toiletries
- something to read
- music
- camera/batteries/film or clear drive
- a framed picture of the baby’s ultrasound or some other picture or talisman to focus on during contractions
For baby:
- a going-home outfit
- a blanket
- diaper
- baby car seat – SAFETY FIRST!
For H:
- a change of outfit
- something to read
- some money for meals
I think that’s it. I’m sure you’re ready. I’m so excited for you, my dear!
Nenettes last blog post..unfinished projects including my un-hot ass
June 6th, 2009 at 10:49 am
hi toni,
i frequently read your blog and i would like to share two advises i got that i found tremendously helpful.
1. “no interns please” – i gave birth in st lukes and i think all hospitals will honor your request not to be bothered by interns. only the essential medical personnel had access to my room. i had a c-section and wanted to recover as much strength as i could before heading home and not being bothered by interns helped a lot. you have all the right to act diva-ish
2. rooming-in – a lot of mom-friends advised me against it. try to get as much rest as you can so you’ll be strong when you get home. you can visit your baby in the nursery anyway, as much as you want, especially during feeding time. bear in mind that once your baby is taken out of the nursery, he won’t be allowed back.
June 6th, 2009 at 11:35 am
Oh wow, your site is like info haven!
keep it rollin’
A little invitation if you may, I hope you can bounce by my site too!
=) see you around!
June 6th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
just to react to what anne said re. rooming in i think there are really pros and cons for both, but i personally was really happy that i chose to room in rafa right away. i’d do it again, and i’ll room in my next child too.
rowies last blog post..Flying solo with an infant.
June 6th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
oh one more thing: remember that ATMs have a maximum amount that you can withdraw per day, so it’s a good idea to withdraw most of the money you think you’ll need before you even go into labor.
rowies last blog post..Flying solo with an infant.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:48 am
I never had the chance to prepare my hospital bag…
While at work, I didn’t feel good, so I ask my supervisor if I could my doctor which is just a few blocks away during my lunch break. I had my work reports with me at that time which was due that day, and I was suppose to drop them off at our new office. But I didn’t get the chance. As soon as the doctor saw my BP, I had to confine myself because the baby was under stress already.
JOs last blog post..SpeakOutFriday: Money Matters
June 9th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
I also packed the baby book (the one for all the souvenirs and mementos of the first year or so). I gave it to the nursery after the baby was born so they could be the ones to get the footprints and handprints of the baby.
June 11th, 2009 at 5:59 am
Hmm … just what was really needed I think.
Kays last blog post..my facebook addiciton
July 28th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
just got to bloghop today, whew! i agree, car seat is mandatory even here in sydney.. but i guess you really have to get a good rear facing car seat otherwise kawawa ang head and neck ng baby.
in singapore kasi 2 years ago, we prepared gracco’s 3 in 1 for amelie but ended up cuddling her all the way home from the hospital coz i was for fearing for her neck.
buti na lang it was just a few mins ride home. so…. i’m not encouraging you NOT to get a car seat.. 
.-= tin´s last blog ..Who’s in Charge? =-.
August 8th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
wow nice website where we can get good information