10 "Must-Haves" in the hospital bag

I have a lot of friends who are pregnant, trying, or thinking about trying so I thought I would do a quick blurp about things to bring to the hospital. Some of these I brought and some I wish I would have brought. Here are the 10 must-haves that I came up with.

1. Your own pillow: pack 2 for the hubby and a comfy blanket. The hospital supplies are horrible and you will want to be comfy.
2. Sweatpants and a T-shirt: You are so exhausted when you go home, there is no use in trying to fit into jeans. Plus you are sore and recovering if you know what I mean. Loose is best.
3. Clothes for your hubby: He won't want to leave, so make sure there are a couple days worth of socks and underwear.
4: Big granny panties: Not attractive, but you will need them.
5. Toiletries: The shower was my friend...it is the best shower you will ever take. Bring soap, shampoo, conditioner, and make-up for visitors.
6. Snacks: hospital food=nasty
7. A preemie outfit and a newborn outfit (include socks and a hat): Kinley was too small for newborn outfits, so a preemie outfit was a must. She lived in the same 2 for the first week.
8. A swaddle: The hospital provides a blanket, but the swaddles are so much easier to use and really snug. Kinley had a cheetah print one that she LOVED! The nurses all knew who she was and called her the cheetah burrito. Great memory
9. Notepad and pen: for gifts that arrive. Trust me you won't remember who got you what
10. Camera and CHARGER: no description needed

Catching Up

LABOR STORY

Ike and I arrived at the hospital a little before 7. I was to be admitted at 7:00 a.m. We pulled up and sat quietly in the parking lot. Ike asked if I was ready to go and I immediately burst into tears. I was scared...what was I scared of? EVERYTHING! I had been a very careful child (or as I like to call "graceful") and I had never experienced stitches, much less the hospital. The only exposure to the hospital that I had was all bad. My mother being really sick or my family members passing away....this was the only memory of the hospital that I had. So, what was I scared of?

1. The needles-I was the child that the nurse chased around the room while I screamed bloody murder...yeah I was "that" child.

2. Contractions

3. Pushing 

4. Kinley getting stuck

5. Water breaking

6. Bodily functions (girls know what I am talking about)

7. People seeing my naked...I don't care if you do this everyday, this is MY body

8. Breastfeeding

9. Recovery

Now before you read on, I will tell you that I am not the norm. Some things were better than normal and some things were worse than normal. If you don't want to know than STOP READING NOW!

When I was admitted I was asked to put on a gown and nothing else. The nurse just looked at me...I was thinking "privacy would be nice." Little did I know that goes out the window in about 3 seconds. So I went to the bathroom and changed. The nurse started to hook sensors up to me to monitor the baby and me. I felt like I was a science experiment. She then began the IV which is horrible. Sorry not going to sugar coat it...it stung! I looked at the nurse and said "check that off my list!" She said, "you have a list?" "Yes a list of all the things I am scared of." WOW it's the teacher coming out. Anyway, the fluids and Petocin was started. 

About 30 minutes later that doctor came in to check me and broke my water. I was having very small contractions but no biggy. She checked and I was at a 4 (have to make it to 10), which is rare. You usually show up at a 1 or so. I was so excited I was well on my way! The doctor took a minute to break my water and I checked another thing off my list. Not a horrible pain, but not comfortable either. MAN I am telling you it wasn't 2 minutes later and a huge contraction hit! I thought I was going to die! I have never experienced a pain like it. Your whole abdomen and back radiates sheer pain. As I told my family I would have rather been shot, punched in the face, or sat on my a sumo wrestler. Maybe all 3 at the same time. I looked at the nurse and asked when I could have my epidural. She said as soon as the bag of fluid was done. I looked up and not even a quarter was gone yet. I thought to myself "ok I want a C-section...i'm done with this." Not even 3 minutes went by and another one hit. "Oh Lord please get me through this!" I caught my breath and boom...another one.....45 minutes pass (I swear it was like half a day to me) and the fluids were done. Epidural here I come! The guy walks in and I tell him he is my best friend. He has me lean over in a sitting position and lay my head against the nurse's chest. He says, "let me know when you are having a contraction" I look at him and say I am having one all the time! They are so close together I can't tell when one starts and one ends. Now remember I am the psycho who is so afraid of needles that I have to have my hand held when I get a flu shot. I was in so much pain that I didn't care...stick that big ol needle in my back!!

I am telling you it was NO big deal. I didn't even feel it. What was my biggest fear should have been my least. 

After the epidural you are in heaven. It's a cake walk! I was as happy as could be....family even came in to say hello. They all made bets on how long it would be. An hour goes by and they check  me. I'm at a 6. The nurse tells me that if I feel pressure let her know and she will check again. Another hour goes by and I feel like I need to go to the bathroom...like NOW! I buzz her in and she is shocked to see I am at a 9. 30 more minutes and I am ready to push. It's not all dramatic like you see in the movies. It's actually rather calm. 45 minutes of pushing and she was out. 1:03 p.m. 7 lbs 8 oz and 19 1/2 inches long. After the birth my daughter was handed to me and everything else went fuzzy. Nothing else mattered...I remember looking at her and crying. They took her to measure and I began getting really sick. I was shaking uncontrollably and felt the need to throw up. It was so bad I couldn't hold Kinley. My family came in and I don't really remember much. I was completely out of it. During this time they remove the needles and moved me to my recovery room. It was a blur, but it was over. I SURVIVED!!