Take what to the hospital???

We had been advised to pack a bag and have it ready to go. In the weeks just before the birth we had solemnly refused to do any such thing. But for some reason, just a day or two before the bubble burst, we had put a bag together.

What was in it?

Pajamas... nice soft flannelette PJs, a little oversized with an elasticated waist. Drawstring waist would have been fine. Nightie would have been fine. In fact, the only thing I can recommend you consider when selecting what to wear in the hospital bed is that whatever you choose will probably end up in countless photos and be sent to people (by zealous email forwarders) who you don't even know... so for the sake of vanity it is probably important that you look good!

Facial creams, tummy butter and so on. Iris loves her potions, and going to hospital is no exception. In fact, it presents perhaps even more of an opportunity. Iris used Loreal Skin Genesis, Aveda Rosemary Mint shampoo and conditioner, and Palmers Cocoa Butter formula for stretch marks - among other things!

We had someone tell us to take a stereo and an ipod. When we first arrived at the hospital I felt like a complete ning nong carrying a portable stereo. But in fact whoever told us to bring a stereo was giving us good advice.  Once Iris was moved up to the antenatal ward, I set up the stereo. The music was very relaxing and provided an important link to home.  During the pregnancy we had played a few CDs quite a bit. One that we really liked was the ABC's Classical Music for Babies - (ABC = Australia Broadcasting Corporation, for anyone outside Australia wondering where that TLA - three letter acronym! - might stand for!)

Food. I recall we took a few snacks - but nothing very serious. The food that was provided by the hospital was fairly low in standard. However, we were fortunate that there were several good food shops nearby the hospital. Our favourite was the pasta shop. But the sushi shop was also excellent (and of course Iris had not eaten raw fish since she found out she was pregnant).

Baby clothes! Don't forget when you come home from the hospital you'll be three (or more!). We had two changes of clothes. They seemed ridiculously large. We also had some spare nappies - both disposable ones that we'd been given and cloth ones that we'd purchased online.

I was able to make a dash home for a few other things that we though we needed over the few days we were in hospital. I was fortunate that the hospital allowed me to stay over each of the four nights we were in. The couch bed was awfully uncomfortable but it was good to be there and I wouldn't have changed it for anything!

Anything else you think you should take? Comment and let me know!