motherhood // preterm labor & our hospital bag

as i lay in bed with my feet propped up and a cool fan on my face, i am noticing that this sweet babe growing in this belly on mine must be taking a nap, for he or she is usually full of spark, kicking here and there, even rolling across my stomach visible for all to see.  but now, it's late morning and all is calm.  i'll take the calm.  it's a welcomed change of pace.

i am currently thirty three weeks along, and these past few have been a whirlwind to say the least.  because perhaps life in the springtime brings on a season of doing and planting and prepping and such, or being that i get to chase a little boy who loves to eat dirt around all day, my pregnant body has been favoring pre labor contractions for quite some time now.  it has been a bit uncomfortable and rather worrisome, given that we've been down this road of delivering early before.  there has never been a reason as to why i deliver early, other than that is just what happens.  and i suppose if one were to really analyze why my body has been contracting so soon for awhile now, one would eventually chalk it up to because my body just does.  because after drinking all the water and taking all the rests and doing everything my doctor has said, i have been having about four to five contractions an hour.  every hour.  for about a month.  so as of last week, i went in for some steroid treatments to help baby's lungs and tests (fetal fibronectin) that were able to tell us that i would probably not be delivering within the next week or two.  such beautiful news!  alas, i was sent home with strict instructions to "take it easy" aka "bed rest" with minimal to no stairs, no exercise, no lifting, no difficult chores, no getting out of breath etc.  which is easier said than done for a busy body who looks after little ones from sun up to sun down.  but if we can keep this baby cooking for another month, i'll do anything.  so i am cheerfully abiding and while accepting help from anyone that will offer it.  oh you want to bring over street tacos for supper?  okay.  i suppose.  :)  just don't forget the hot sauce. 

much to my disbelief at how fast this all has gone in these final weeks, we are nearing the end of this journey and are so close to meeting this sweet baby of ours.  since i delivered early at 35 weeks with both stella and theodore, packing our hospital bag is my first step in recognizing this is happening.  the bag sitting there by our nursery says, "yes, this is all very real and you are prepared."  i think every new parent, no matter how many children they have, go through a stage of nervousness before meeting their little one.  i think it would be silly not to!  taking care of and raising a little human is an extraordinary responsibility and believe it's a good thing to want to have all your ducks in a row before bringing the new baby home.  my internal mama monologue has been steadily whispering, "are we ready for this?  can i handle this?  three is a big jump from two, because hello...we will be outnumbered!"  but of course we are ready.  i am ready, and quite giddily so.  we cannot wait to stare into the dark eyes of this little one, to breathe in his or her sweet newborn scent, to wake in the middle of the night to nurse and cuddle.  yes we are ready, but keep on baking little bun, we want you to be healthy and strong when you come into the world!

in packing a hospital bag, i am taken back to the time that i didn't have one when we delivered stella.  i laid there on the couch laboring, mind you after my water had broke on a patio when we were out for burgers here in kanas city, and andrew went about in a new dad frenzy shoving things here and there in a duffle.  we forgot nearly everything as i laid there, mid contraction fatigue, telling him, "don't forget the baby clothes!" and "grab me a comfortable skirt to wear!"  not only did we pack far too many things we did not need, but andrew laid out black pencil skirt for me to wear in the thick of this laboring madness.  he was sure that was what i would have wanted to deliver in, never mind the narrowness of said schoolmarm skirt.  we still laugh at that today, him asking me if my pencil skirt has been washed and ready to go for the big event.  and white panties?  no, no, no.  do not bring those either.  

this time around, our third adventure of delivering a baby, we are starting things a little early at thirty three weeks and doing our best to stay ahead of the game.  we will be staying overnight in the hospital with a possibility of having our little one come early, so the contents of this bag are rather substantial to what you may consider.  in keeping with the essentials, plus a few extras to make our hospital stay more comfortable, here is what i have thus far to help me though labor, delivery, and everything to make my recovery in the hours afterward a smooth one.  *some items below are linked to things we have purchased and are going to use, other's not linked are most likely hand-me-downs or do not have a source.  

for mama:

- a few comfy pillows from home
- a soft, stretchy robe
- slippers and a pair of warm wool socks
- lip balm
- a few nursing bras that are comfortable enough to sleep in
- nursing pads
- many pairs of dark underwear 
- two loose fitting tee shirts
- comfortable feminine pads (the ones they give you are practically diapers, and while that's all and good, they are not the most pleasant while walking around)
- body balm (i am making mine and will share the recipe in my oils post)
- one pretty going home shirt (you'll be a bit swollen, or at least i always am, and something pretty helps me feel extra nice on that last day in the hospital) 
- a pair of button down pjs (to make it easy to nurse or pump in the night)
- normal toiletries (i am keeping mine in a bag in the bathroom, ready to go whenever but also ready for everyday use, and don't forget shampoo and conditioner and minimal makeup) 
- two pairs of stretchy, cozy pants (such as yoga pants or thick leggings)
- a warm cardigan for walking the cold hallway
- face towelettes (i love the sage and cucumber made by burt's bees)
- essential oils (i will be doing a post on this later this week about the specific ones i am bringing and why)
- massage oil (i am using ortho ease to help with pain after delivery)
- oil diffuser for delivery and after to calm 
- camera, chargers, and computer
- two warm and comfortable outfits for your husband (hospitals are freezing at night!)
- a few snacks and mints 
- a heating pad for back pain

for our little one: 

- a few cozy and soft onesies (we love the ones with the open bottoms to make changing easier, and if your little one is in the nicu, it helps keep the wires from tangling)
- a soft hat and pair of booties
- a paci (we used this in the nicu for comfort when we were not able to hold our little ones)
- baby blanket
- a few books to read to your babe (we loved doing this with both babes whilst in the nicu)
- two swaddle wraps, one thin and one a bit thicker for layering in the nicu crib 
- a warm and comfortable going home outfit
- approved car seat

i like to gather everything up and wash it all with our baby detergent before packing it away.  for the things that you use everyday, like toiletries and such, make a list and leave it somewhere easy to find, like the top of your night stand or in the bathroom cupboard.  that way, when it is time to finish packing essentials and head towards the hospital you or your husband, depending on who's doing the packing at that point, can remember what else should be included!