This is great news, as it means I will be able to at least attempt a vaginal delivery. If Squish had not turned, we'd be looking at a C-section for sure (which is also fine, but Trey and I are happy that we can at least try for a natural birth).
The other interesting piece of information that we learned is that our baby is BIG! The ultrasound measurements categorized each measurement in the 90th percentile (yes, that includes head size). Baby's current weight is estimated at 7 lbs 8 ounces, and we still have 30 days until the due date. My doctor was shocked because my fundal measurement (the distance from pubic bone to top of uterus), which is used to measure for unusually small or large babies has been exactly average, or slightly below. The doctor says I am hiding this huge baby well. Of course, the ultrasound measurements CAN be off by up to 1 lb in either direction, but the ultrasound technician followed baby's spine from the bottom, curling around the right hand side, and up and over the top. In a thick, Russian accent, he said "definitely not small baby".
The doctor has now said that we will stick with Plan A (vaginal birth), but that I should not take the idea of a C-section off the table, as it may be necessary if baby is indeed as big as estimated. We'll deal with that when the time comes.
You'll have another update soon, as we are at 36 weeks this Saturday! Only 1 week away from full-term! I feel SO ready to pop!
I promised a "what's in the bag" post about packing for the hospital, so I'm including that below. Keep in mind, I am a first-time Mom so I am not an expert here. I have simply gone with various lists I've found online, altered slightly here and there by talking with my friends or other Moms who have recently gone through this. I'm sure we have over-packed, rather than under-packed, but I always feel like that's a good rule of thumb. It reminds me of my other rule of thumb - that it is better to be over dressed than under dressed!
The first thing to note is that there isn't just ONE hospital bag. Mom needs a bag, baby needs some stuff (which I packed in my diaper bag), and Dad needs a bag, provided he is staying in the hospital with you. We also have a fourth bag full of snacks and drinks.
Ok, here goes!
In my bag, I have packed:
- Insurance info, hospital forms and birth plan (I made two copies of each - one in my bag, one in Trey's).
- 1 pair of warm, fuzzy socks and a pair of slippers that can get ruined (for walking the halls before and after labor)
- A warm robe that I don't mind ruining. I found mine at Joe Fresh for $10, which matches the slippers mentioned above.
- 2 maternity bras with no underwire. I found some comfy ones at Wal Mart. They're basically just stretchy sports bra-style and are easy to pull down for nursing. Plus they come in fun colours!
- Nursing pads (this is not a must, as the hospital will provide them. I only packed a few for the last day/trip home)
- Cell phone and charger. I packed my back-up phone charger so that I don't have to think about that when the time comes.
- Camera, extra memory card, battery & charger. Don't forget this! Pictures taken on a cell phone simply won't do.
- Comfortable going-home clothes (make sure they are LOOSE), and flat shoes. I did not pack anything for this. I plan to wear something comfortable to the hospital that I can then wear to go home as well. We live three blocks from the hospital, after all - if I really need a different change of clothes, hubby can run home to grab it. Instead, I packed comfy PJs and t-shirts, which I think I will spend more time in.
- Extra pillow (this is optional, but I hear the hospital pillows are crunchy and awful. We didn't put these in our hospital bags. If we think of it at the time, we'll grab them.
- Bath towel (the hospital will likely supply a small, very thin one)
- Hairdryer, styling stuff. I intend to attempt to do my hair before going in, but there is a chance you're there for 2-3 days so I'm bringing just the basics. There will be photos taken, after all!
- Heavy flow sanitary pads. Too much info? They're provided by the hospital, but you may want to bring a few extra for the trip home or if you prefer a specific brand.
- A few pairs of maternity underwear that can get ruined. Again, the hospital will have disposable pairs. I packed a few Hanes Her Way pairs in a size medium (can anyone say Granny panties??) in case I don't like the hospital ones.
- Nipple cream for irritated breasts (sounds like fun).
- A ruin-able nightgown. Again, I found mine at Joe Fresh for $15. It is actually really pretty so I hope it doesn't get ruined, but if it does it won't be a big deal. Make sure to get it in a dark colour.
- Magazines, iPod (with playlist), and iPad (preloaded with a few shows/movies). I also packed a headphone splitter and headphones so Trey and I can watch a movie together.
- Massage oil. I made mine out of my favourite lotion mixed 1:1 with coconut oil. Smells fantastic and is great for your skin.
- Nursing pillow, if you'd like. You can always just use the hospital pillows to prop baby up, too.
- Toiletries - here is the big list. I used travel sizes of almost everything here, which totally saved on space:
- lip balm
- hairbrush
- toothbrush, toothpaste
- deodorant
- face wash
- face creams
- makeup (just the basics - enough to make you feel camera-ready)
- shampoo, conditioner
- lotion
- headband and ponytail holder (avoid clips, as they’ll probably poke you)
That seems like a lot. It is.
In Dad's bag, we packed:
In Dad's bag, we packed:
- Duplicate copies of insurance forms, hospital registration forms, and birth plan
- Pen and paper/notebook. This one is important. I want to be able to write down information in the hospital, as well as the names of Doctors and nurses we may want to thank after everything is said and done. We wrote in all of our emergency contact numbers and a list of who to call as soon as baby is born in this book, too (as well as programming them into our phones.
- Comfy clothes for 2-3 days (think t-shirts, lulus, sweats, PJ pants, whatever your man is most comfortable in). Keep in mind, if he is staying with you, he will be sleeping on a pull-out chair or cot, so the comfier, the better. Don't forget underwear and socks.
- Flip flops and swim shorts so that he can get into the shower with me during labour, if I decide to use it.
- Lots of change for the vending machines
- Magazines
- A dopp kit with his basic hygiene/grooming products. We managed to pack travel sizes of most of these to save on space.
- His own pillow (again, if we think of it at the time).
In the snack bag, we packed tons of non-perishable foods. Dad will need to eat if you don't want him to pass out. There won't be the opportunity while you are labouring for him to run out to Subway (unless of course you kick him out of the room for a while). I would like for Trey to stay, so we packed everything we possibly could:
- trail mix
- granola bars
- dried fruit
- nuts
- a few treats (chocolate, pop chips, some sour candies)
- sugar-free hard candy or lozenges to keep Mom's mouth moist during labor (candy with sugar will make you thirsty)
- juice boxes, including some coconut water to keep Mom hydrated
In baby's bag, we packed:
- Approved car seat. Well, this is installed in the car, not in the diaper bag!
- A coming-home outfit. We packed two outfits in different sizes, just in case.
- Warm blankets (for the ride home)
- Hat, mitts, socks
- Outdoor gear. Not everyone will need this, but we are due in February so we packed a warm bunting bag for the ride home.
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| 1. Lansinoh nipple cream 2. Flannel PJ pants from Joe Fresh 3. Lace-trimmed nightie from Joe Fresh 4. iPad mini in white 5. iPod classic in black 6. lululemon headband 7. Elle Decor magazine 8. ONE Coconut water 9. Dopp kit for Dad 10. Trail mix/snacks 11. Baby's coming home outfit 12. Babyliss tourmaline hair dryer 13. Fleece robe from Joe Fresh 14. Russell sugar-free hard candies 15. Kate Spade diaper bag |
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