What should my wife bring to the hospital when she pops out the kid?

[commander bunnypants]

Thanks in advance.

:scared:


CB

[miss_american_pie]

1. Will she be attempting a natural delivery

or going for the drugs? Hospital or birth center?

[commander bunnypants]

2. hospital

and probably a c-section

[LaurenG]

4. C-section?

Well she won't need stuff to do beforehand then, she'll need it afterwords.

[Bunny]

6. Is it a planned c-section? If so, she won't have to deal with being

in labor for three days or anything, so you won't need a lot of time-killing activities like books, playing cards, etc. If she's going to try labor, bring along things to do to occupy the time.

I did not have a c-section for either of my kids, so I don't really know what the aftercare will involve, or what she might need to be more comfortable. Good luck! When is the big day?

[miss_american_pie]

7. That'll rule out the tennis balls

;)

That's a three day stay, right? She may want something to keep her occupied, or she may just want to rest.

Cute outfit for the baby. Maybe something nice for her to wear if she cares about how she looks in pictures. I wouldn't bother taking her own nightgowns, just an outfit to come home in.

Snacks maybe for after the delivery.

[Divameow77]

17. I was so much more comfortable

in my own nightgowns, I would recommend bringing some loose fitting nightgowns and a loose fitting outfit to wear home.

Bring some lotion, I had cramps in my legs and my ex-husband rubbed them for me, really helped.

[Lyric]

28. After a c-section you can't have food

for a day or two, because your bowels are traumatized by the surgery and need time to recover without the stress of digesting food. Post-caesarean patients are always on liquid diets for a day or two afterward.

Bring her lots of sugar-free popsicles, some comforting items from home (pillow, blanket, nightgown, etc.), socks and/or slippers, and a large package of baby wipes (Not for the baby--for your wife. Bathroom trips after a C-section can be a bit...messy. Baby wipes will help her feel clean until she's allowed to have a real shower again. This does LOADS for the morale of the Mommy.)

Books are also good, but she'll be sleeping a LOT due to the post-surgery pain meds, and her "awake" time will probably be spent snuggling the baby and counting toes. Bring a book, but don't be surprised if she never actually gets around to reading it. Congratulations!

/C-Section Veteran Mommy

[Duppers]

60. they let me have food 6 hrs. after my C-section

and the hospital supplied the Popsicles.

[Lyric]

61. That's rather shocking, to be honest.

It took 6 hours just for the spinal block to wear off, for me. I wasn't permitted food for 2 days--just popsicles, Jell-o, broth, etc. They said it was standard operating procedure after any abdominal surgery.

Was yours done recently, or more than 10-15 years ago?

[Maine-ah]

67. I had c-sec 3 weeks ago.

epi wore off in about an hour after. this was unplanned btw, was in labor for almost 24 hours, hadn't eaten in almost 30 hrs. Came out of recovery abt. 4 am, c-sect had been done at 11:30 pm. They were encouraging me to eat not long after that.

To the OP, the only things I actually used that I brought, was my chapstick (very important item btw) hair brush, and deodorant. I ended up wearing home what I went to the hospital in. They supplied toothbrush, tooth paste. She won't be able to take a shower for a couple of days, just sponge baths. If she wants her own gowns, bring something she wont care about getting blood on.

edited for typing one handed while bf'ing baby....

[Duppers]

68. 19 yrs. ago

And it was soft food, if I recall. Not just liquid, but not not meat & potatoes either.
They wouldn't let me leave the hospital until I had a b.m. which took 5 frikin' days! On the fifth day, they brought my hubby & I a steak dinner & wine (YES, they did! I kept the empty bottle as a souvenir! Shocking too because I was nursing!) During that dinner I had to get up and go and go and go.

[miss_american_pie]

65. Liquid diets?

Yikes. Thanks for the info. :hi:

[radwriter0555]

14. Vicodin and Martinis.

Although, if your budget isn't destroyed, a lovely 18K gold bracelet would be nice.

[Bullwinkle925]

58. WHATEVER YOU DO - AFTER THE 'C-SECTION' - DO NOT, I REPEAT

DO NOT MAKE HER LAUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I SPEAK FROM EXPERIENCE!

[LaurenG]

3. It's going to be hard work so she should bring happy things to occupy her mind

during the waiting times. Crossword puzzles, magazines light reading maybe.

[Omphaloskepsis]

5. Someone that doesn't refer to child birth as, "pops out."

Fuck if I know.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

9. Oh please...

:eyes:

[commander bunnypants]

13. I just ignored that post

No sense of humor

CB

[Omphaloskepsis]

18. Me or you?

[commander bunnypants]

21. I will give you one guess?

CB

[matcom]

8. the father?

:hide:

[tigereye]

10. patience

make sure you get some sleep if you can and maybe someone to drive YOU home afterwards if it goes on a long time.
And snacks for dad - my husband was totally beat after the delivery.

[MorningGlow]

15. Seconded on the food

When we had MorningGlow Jr., DH lived on vending machine food. Ick. On our last day we saw a pizza delivery guy going down the hall. Why didn't anybody TELL us we could do that?!

[underpants]

11. We didn't use anything that we brought

Not the music not the corn nothing.

Take a pillow and take a book for yourself. And tell her to get the pain meds going IMMEDIATELY there is no reason to suffer any more than you have to.

[Bunny]

16. You brought corn?

:shrug:

[underpants]

19. Popcorn

All the classes tell you to have popcorn (in the original sealed plastic bag) to freeze and use on pain spots.

Rice in a sock can be microwaved and used as a heat compress.

[Bunny]

22. Ahh, I see. I hadn't heard of the popcorn thing when I was birthing

my two. I think they were into the tennis balls or something at that time. I really didn't bother with any of that stuff - I was sure that hard drugs, early and often, would take care of any problem areas. Boy was I wrong!!

[youthere]

12. I would say...

something personal and feminine.

In the hospital everything it's easy to feel overwhelmed and kind of 'lost'. All of a sudden, in a just a couple of moments you are no longer "Jill" or "Ann" or "Barbara"...you are "THE MOMMY"...and that's okay, but I think most women want to be reassured that even though they are now "THE MOMMY", that they are also still "THE WIFE" and still "THE WOMAN"...at least I did.
AND I would just add, that it wouldn't hurt, no matter what you get her, to tell her how beautiful she is, even if she really 'isn't' at that particular moment.:thumbsup:

ON EDIT: TOTALLY MISREAD YOUR OP:
I thought you were asking what kind of gift you should bring her. SOrry..not enough coffee yet.

She should bring: An outfit for going home in (something comfortable and loose fitting) maybe a nice robe or pajamas for pictures. I'd also reccommend a notebook and pen.
Usually the hospital has all kids of giveaway bags full of 'stuff' and that usually keeps most new moms busy.

[hedgehog]

24. Don't be afraid to throw out stuff from the goody bag.

If you can't use it and/or don't have a place to put it, get rid of it. The last thing new parents need is more clutter to deal with.

[youthere]

42. Good point...

life with a new baby is hectic enough without slipping on a pile of coupons, samples and brochures.:thumbsup:

[Lochloosa]

20. A small coffee pot, coffee and filters.

I had to run downstairs all night during my wife's 30 hour labor.

[hedgehog]

23. Here's my list for afterward:

Soap
I always took a lightly scented version
Shampoo
A gown you can walk down the hall in
Several nursing bras for sleeping in - sometimes Mother Nature does incredible things with bosoms!
slippers
Books
List of phone numbers
Clean set of maternity clothes to wear home - things don't pop back into place overnight!

A gown and diaper to bring the baby home in!

Don't forget the infant car seat!

[Phentex]

31. MAKE THAT TWO!....

Two outfits for baby in case he pees on the good one... and has to come home in a paper hospital gown.

:cry:

[trof]

25. Miz t. wanted a Margarita and I brought her one.

No drinkies and no salt during pregnancy.
Even way back then.

[Bunny]

53. Good man, trof!

:thumbsup:

The father of my oldest daughter smuggled in two cans of Budweiser for me. I'd gone nine months without a beer and I damn sure was ready for one! :D

[likesmountains 52]

26. Her own pillow...hospital pillows are....bad

[philosophie_en_rose]

27. Portable DVD player and some movies?

A robe that's comfortable.

Convenient food - granola bars or whatever she likes.

On edit: I agree about the hospital pillows. I've never given birth, but I've had minor surgery. Hospital pillows are terrible.

[commander bunnypants]

29. thanks all

great ideas

CB

[Lars39]

30. Burt's Bees for her lips.

:)

[RubyDuby in GA]

32. Here goes:

I just had a baby this past June so I'm working off fresh memories:

Something very comfortable to wear for mommy
Oneies for the little one and a cute outfit if you are having hospital pictures taken
Pillows - the hospital pillow suck and if she's anything like me (once I got my epidural) - I slept through my entire labor and literally didn't feel a thing during the delivery. Drugs are good, m'kay!
Something for you to read or fiddle with - lots of downtime and you will be bored stiff.
Toiletries - they made me take a shower before I crawled into the delivery bed for the duration.
And snacks for you. Once she gets the epidural, don't let her eat. My doctor is the only one in our entire county that will let her patients eat (according to all the delivery nurses) and every one of her patients gets sick (I did), i.e. throws up.
A jacket for you - everyone but the mommy will be cold. They keep the rooms very cold.
List of phone numbers to let everyone know the good news afterwards.

Best of luck to you guys! It truly is worth every second of it.

[Horse with no Name]

33. Her sense of humor

That is always the first thing to go.
Seriously, most hospitals have disposable panties that are wonderful during this time--I highly recommend using them instead of her own at least for the first couple of days.
I recommend using a hospital gown for the first day as well.
The second day she will be able to shower, get her catheter out so I recommend a comfortable outfit (make it button up if she is breastfeeding--or make sure she brings a well fitting bra if she is not)and some stuff to make her feel pretty (body gel, lotion) I recommend she not use perfume because it can break the baby out if he/she happens to be sensitive.
Throw a robe and slippers in as well.
A comfortable outfit AND shoes to go home in. Then of course all of the baby stuff.
I recommend you purchase her a nice gift (flowers or a wreath for the door are nice) and also some cigars or bubble gum cigars to hand out.
Make sure you tell your wife how much you love her. Several times a day while she is in the hospital and even more when she goes home.
Ask for information on postpartum depression before you leave the hospital.
Ask the nurse for explicit directions on how to take care of the cord and a circumcision if you choose one.
What you do in the hospital isn't nearly as important as what you do when you get home. That's where she needs you to step up.
Make sure the house is clean before she comes home and make every effort to keep it that way so she doesn't feel compelled to do it.
Good luck and Congratulations!

[youthere]

43. I'm with you..

on using the hospital "underwear" but...(and please pardon me for asking this, I'll try to be delicate) is there the same 'need' for them after a C-section that there is after a natural delivery? I had my three via natural delivery so I don't know about the surgical side.

God I hate how stupid I sound asking that.

and the housecleaning advice...BEST ADVICE YET!

[Horse with no Name]

56. To answer as delicately as possible

Yes, they are needed.

[Kali]

34. Her own pillows and a bottle of teqila.

Her own bed clothes/nightgown/robe.



Just kidding about the tequila, champagne is more appropriate.

[reyd reid reed]

35. What to bring?

Don't worry so much about a nightgown, they'll just get ruined. Socks. Maybe some slippers, but definitely socks. Something loose and comfortable to wear home. Baby clothes and blankets. Baby wipes (for your wife) or Tucks. A book (she probably won't read it, but it'll be nice to have just in case). Toothbrush and hairbrush and the usual stuff like that. A box of Kleenex because her hormones are going to be on a roller-coaster and the ones they have in the hospital are like sandpaper. Lotion. If she knits or crochets or stitches, find some little something for her to work on to keep her hands busy.

Chocolate.

Congratulations and good luck.

And post pictures.

:hug:

[BikeWriter]

36. Don't let her take anything she can kill YOU with!

[reyd reid reed]

38. Heeee

Or the doctor. When I went in to have #2 son induced (it didn't work and they sent me home...talk about an ugly weekend), there was a woman in there who slugged the doc.

An obstetrician should Always have a gentle touch. This man didn't. And he pumped me full of pitocin and then sent me home. I didn't feel at all sorry for him.

[BikeWriter]

40. When my ex went in for her neck operation she pointed me...

...out to the surgeon. "See that mean looking bastard?"
"Yes."
"He has a gun in each boot and he's sworn an oath to kill you if anything happens to me!"
When they pushed her into recovery she looked up at me and said, "Kill the #### ####!"
I asked her if it were okay if I waited an hour or so, and they had her up and walking by then...

[youthere]

44. GOOD POINT..

After the birth of our first child, I warned my husband before I went into labor with my second:
"If you are tempted to say anything you think is cute, charming, or funny...DON'T"

When you're seven centimeters dialated and the contractions or less than a minute apart, cute, charming and/funny is not appreciated-don't worry the sense of humor returns once the hormones ebb.
In fact, you should try to draw as little attention to yourself as possible.:D

[CTyankee]

49. I nearly threw hubby out of the room when he started babbling

about the baby furniture. That was with the first child and I entertained thoughts of "natural childbirth." After that awful experience I said "The hell with this" and went for the pain killers. Childbirth became cool.

[youthere]

52. ..

Natural childbirth! :rofl:

Get this...when I was preggers with my first one, and the doctor wanted to discuss pain relief for the impending delivery I said (oh god your going to love this) "I don't want any medication, women have been having babies for centuries. I know it will hurt but it's nothing I can't handle"

swear to God I actually said that.

Let me tell you, after three hours of a Pitocin drip and hitting 5 centimenters I was screaming at anyone who would listen to get me drugs. I didn't care if they came from the hospital or the alley behind the supermarket.

[CTyankee]

66. The problem is when the doc wants you "wait and see" about

the epidural. My daughter was told that with her first. Well she waited and saw that things were getting rough and she'd have the epidural now, if you please. No dice, the doc said, "It's too late." She had some incontinence problems following childbirth because of it. With her next pregnancy, the baby was in a hurry, but she had made the doc (a different one) SWEAR to give her the epidural when she asked. This doc then said "You've only got 1 hour to go tops." She burst into tears and wailed "But you promised!"

P.S. she got the epidural and 45 minutes later, her second little girl was born. For the third, and last, she scheduled herself to be induced with the epidural all ready to go and the champagne on ice. It was safe, easy and comfortable. Baby and mom just fine.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

37. One of those:

[hedgehog]

46. I have no idea what that is.

But I'm not afraid to ask.

[Left Is Write]

39. A husband who doesn't use phrases like "pops out the kid" while she's actively

popping out the kid.

Trust me.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

41. Nutritious food.

I had my second in a birthing center. They made us bring a meal to have after delivery. Giving birth is hard work, and your wife will need a good dose of protein afterward.

And gourmet chocolates from Dad wouldn't hurt, either. ;-)

[Redstone]

45. Morphine.

Redstone

[leftofthedial]

47. she should bring lots of snacks for you

it's hungry work hanging out waiting

[JVS]

48. 12 pack of suds

[Sequoia]

50. A camera and champange.

[MsKandice01]

51. CAMERA, robe, toothbrush, change of clothes, going home outfit for the baby...

Nothing else got used.

No need for diapers and stuff for the baby, the hospital has all that covered.

JUST DON'T FORGET THE CAMERA.

[InkAddict]

54. The winning lottery ticket. n/t

[chknltl]

55. How about the "unpoped out" kid?

Just trying to be helpful... :blush:

[Gormy Cuss]

57. A paintball gun.

She'll know when to use it. :silly:

[Duppers]

59. "the kid"??

jeebus! be more sensitive. you're becoming a father, it your BABY!

[WritingIsMyReligion]

62. Courage?

:shrug:

:P

Congratulations!

[Lady Freedom]

63. List

This is just off the cuff, it is what I can remember that my sister's WIC couch has told her that she may want to pack:
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Nightie(s)
slippers
hairbrush
extra pair of glasses (if she wears them)
CD Walk-man
CD's
a favorite book

[Deja Q]

64. An XBox 360

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrBDSqLzSl8&NR