My Hospital Bag

On the list for this week (according to those once cute email newsletters I thought would be fun when I first found out I was pregnant) is packing the hospital bag.

My hospital bag is already packed. If you know me at all, you know I actually HATE packing so i like to get it out of the way as soon as possible. Oh, and I buy all new things so I can call myself completely done instead of having this awful task looming above my head. I hate packing.

Did I mention these online lists people have come up with seem absolutely ridiculous? I mean, who really needs to show up to the hospital with 4 suitcases, pillows, blankets, and a diaper bag? That would be a nightmare for me. Again, I hate packing. So after compiling a massive list with everyone's suggestions, I removed a bunch of things that seemed a little overboard. And then!! And then I found a lady's realistic list on her blog that made so much sense! Hers was some post talking about how to pack for the hospital with one bag - similar to those how to pack a week's worth of clothes in a single carry on posts.

Genius I tell you. This woman was genius.

Reality Check #1: Don't bring anything to the hospital you would mind throwing away. Whether it ends up ruined from various things (I'll spare you), lost, or accidentally tossed by the cleaning staff, chances are, you won't be going home with that super cute custom hospital gown that either costed you $60 to buy or took Aunt Suzy 14 hours to make. Okay, so cross the hospital gowns, pjs, and expensive therapeutic socks off the list.

Reality Check #2: Stock up on millions of snacks and you will end up eating none. This actually is true with just about any trip/vacation you take. Everyone goes overboard and spends so much money on favorites, only to return with them and have them sit on your counter for months as occasional snacks. I know Phillip likes certain things, and I know I like certain things. However, adrenaline kicks in, hormones shift, and cravings happen. So instead, we'll be bringing money for vending machines and/or food runs made by our family and friends. Besides, why would Phillip pack a few bottles of warm Dr. Pepper when he could go down the hall for an ice cold one? That takes a load off our bags. Cross those off the list and add cash in their place.

Reality Check #3: No one needs a diaper bag at the hospital or for going home. Yes, our diaper bag is the most adorable bag I have ever owned. And yes it will be stocked full of every single thing I could possibly need from extra diapers to a sewing kit. But what could we possibly need between the hospital and home? Maybe she'll need an emergency diaper change in those 30 minutes? It's possible. Thankfully, hospitals give you the leftover packages of the diapers and wipes you used during your stay (see next reality check). And all of those extra outfits they tell you to bring? Elayne does not need to go through her entire wardrobe in two days. The hospital provides baby clothing. Even if it isn't cute, it's convenient and someone else washes it instead of us returning home to an entire load of baby clothes to wash. Scratch that off the list. Instead, a going home outfit and an outfit for the first round of pictures are placed in a  giant ziplock bag, along with scratch mittens, socks, and pacifiers we've already been told our hospital does not provide. And probably some swaddle blankets in case we get a sudden cold front or something. Let me tell you how little room that takes up in my suitcase.

Reality Check #4: The hospital provides a whole lot - oh and you're actually paying for all of that with the sky high bill you're paying. Again, this goes hand-in-hand with reality check 3. No need to bring nail clippers, aspirators, baby lotion, diaper rash ointment, a dozen swaddling blankets, etc. And there is also no need to bring your own towels, shampoo/conditioner, and wash cloths. Are these people having babies in remote cabins? Our hospital (as most do) provides all of that. And while it might not be my Grade A expensive products from Ulta or our super soft plush towels we got for our wedding, I think I can handle a couple of nights. I'll survive for the sake of having a single suitcase instead of needing a moving truck. After all, we're paying for all of this stuff!!! More thinks to scratch off the list.

Reality Check #5: Magazines, thank-yous, puzzle books, regular books, etc. will be left untouched. I've heard several people say through the inter-webs that your mind is so exhausted and unable to focus that you won't have time at all to dive into these things. I mean it's hard enough to find motivation to write thank-yous and you want me to suddenly find that motivation in between contractions and/or when Elayne falls asleep for the first time?? You guys are crazy. I won't even be bringing a laptop either, because it's such a hassle. And let's face it, with today's technology, I'll be content with my cell phone and iPad. Plus, we are going to have so many visitors coming in and out that I'm sure we won't be bored. Scratch all of those off the list too.

You must be thinking: Okay Ashley, then what's left? Haha. Actually, not much! That's how I'm already packed! I have some outfits for me to wear in case the hospital gown becomes too uncomfortable and if we happen to need to stay longer for unforeseen reasons. And then basic toiletries I know they won't have (like toothbrush). Some special items I am packing are dry shampoo in case my oily hair gets nasty before I'm able to shower, brush-ups in case surprise visitors come before I am able to brush my teeth or I can't make it to the sink, sleep mask and ear plugs, and other recovery-related unmentionables that I will need. But not much else. Oh! I am bringing an extension cord. That was another incredible idea. Because hospitals never have enough outlets and they're always across the room from where you need them. But this makes for a small carry-on sized suitcase that rolls.

Beside my small suitcase, Phillip will have a bag, we'll be bringing a boppy billow for the princess, and I'll pack my ultra protected pillow in the car in case I need it. Packing light will feel nice if/when we need to rush out the door during labor. Plus I really didn't want to have to make two trips to the hospital room with a bunch of crap. And it'll be nice returning home without mounds of unpacking to do.

Look forward to my upcoming post on my birth plan. You think THIS sounds like a minimalist? To give you a little bit of a preview - my birth plan consists of 3 bullet points.