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Saturday, April 3, 2010

My bags are packed, I'm ready to go...

I think we're officially ready for these babies to make their debut! The nursery is done, I have a fresh manicure and pedicure, there are enough homemade meals in our freezer to feed us for nearly two weeks, Mr Bibliosaur and I went out to see a movie and have dinner last night, and my hospital bags are packed and stashed in the trunk of the car.

I found it really helpful to read what other ladies packed for their hospital stay, so I'll post a list of what's in my bags as well. Like my birth plan, this is a very pared-down list compared to the examples you might find online - after years of traveling, I'm all about packing light! And there was a lot of stuff that I either didn't think I'd use (like magazines/books - I can always chat to Mr Bibliosaur or ask him to get me a few magazines from the maternity waiting area if I get desperate) or simply wasn't interested in (like an iPod since I genuinely don't care about music during labor and delivery, or my own clothes for laboring in since I'm fine with a hospital gown).

Plus, if we can stay at our local hospital - more about that drama here, in case you missed it - it's only 10 minutes away from our house. So if at some point during early labor or in the days after delivery I realize I missed something critical, Mr Bibliosaur can easily run back home to grab it. If we have to go to a hospital further away and I realize I missed something that we can't buy, then oh well - I'll survive.

I've separated things into two bags - my bag, which will be the one Mr Bibliosaur will bring up when we first arrive at the hospital, and the babies' bag, which can stay in the car until after they're born:
MY BAG
For Labor
hospital paperwork (health care card and the special card used in Australia to record maternity health - these are both always in my wallet)
birth plan (several copies)
massage oil/lotion
hair ties
change of clothes and a sweater for Mr Bibliosaur
snacks and change for the vending machines

For Post-Birth
nursing tanks (I'm holding off on buying nursing bras until I get a better idea of what size the hooters will be post-birth)
yoga pants
granny panties
slippers
maternity pads
breast pads
toiletries (travel size): comb, soap, shampoo, conditioner, lip balm, deodorant, toothbrush and toothpaste
Lasinoh cream
pen and paper/notebook
going home outfit (a loose fitting top and maternity jeans)
plastic bag for dirty clothes
cell phone and charger
camera w/ spare batteries/charger

BABIES' BAG
disposable diapers and wipes (yes we're still using cloth, but not for the first 6 weeks or so and most hospitals here don't provide disposable diapers)
preemie outfits (Aus. size 00000) x 4
newborn outfits (Aus. size 0000) x 4
socks x4
hats x2
muslin wraps

OTHER
nursing pillow - I have this one, which is specially designed for feeding twins

We're taking two sizes of baby outfits because I'm unsure which ones will fit our boys. While there's no doubt that they'll be born earlier than the average baby, they're also larger than the average babies are at this age, so they might fit the newborn clothes vs the preemie ones (I've read that with the footed onesies, this is largely a matter of length, not weight).
 
Do you think there's anything critical that I missed? I'm not worried about the little optional extras or luxuries - I just want to make sure I haven't left out any of the necessities.

15 comments:

  1. It sounds like you got it all! I don't think I was this prepared when I brought home my twin boys 13 years ago! Congrats and safe birthing for all of you :)

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  2. Happy Birthing! I wish you an amazing birth Stopping by from SITS

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  3. Stopping in from SITS!
    your list sounds great!!!! Congrats!

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  4. Looks like you are well-organized. Way more organized than I was! Congratulations!!

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  5. Just a quick suggestion - take a pair of track pants or loose fitting pants; just in case something goes wrong and you end up with a c-sections. Jeans are not fun to get into when that happnes. Take my word.

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  6. Ask your hospital if they provide disposable diapers hon. I'm pretty sure they do. Mine did, at the Royal Women's Hospital here in Melbourne.

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  7. @ Anon - good point! I'm packing one pair of yoga pants, but I might toss another in there. :-)

    @ Tina - they told us flat out at the hospital prenatal class that they don't provide disposable diapers or even any baby wipes. Budget cutbacks, I guess. :-(

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  8. You sound so organized. The foods prepared in advance is where I needed to be more organized. Stopping from SITS!

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  9. you sound wonderfully prepared! I wish you the very best of luck..may you have an amazing birth experience!

    I am stopping over from SITS!

    mindy

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  10. Hi following from SITS so excited for you so loving your blog going to follow hope these babies are here soon

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  11. i think you pretty got everything covered. good luck pushing! it's going to be wonderful, oh and i hope you'll be able to post pictures soon.

    shuttling in from SITS :)

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  12. stopping by from SITS - may I suggest chapstick or equivalent... The one thing I found was that my lips were really dry after labour...

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  13. You sound like you are ready! I can't wait to read about your birth as I have been following you since I found you on SITS!

    Oh, I put your button on my site too :)

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  14. visiting from SITS! I wish you a happy and speedy labour whenever it comes.

    Good luck with your twins :)

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  15. okay, I would have to say to bring night gown or loose fitting shorts for sleepwear as well as using sweats, loose fitting cotton pants to wear home...trust me, you won't want ANYTHING clinging too tightly or rubbing the wrong way down there! Ouch! I'd bring a blanket too, just in case you or your husband needs it if you sleep there.

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