Got Baby? Avez vous un bebe?

[Colleens 40]

Well next week I get to have my 2nd ultrasound, I'm so excited and nervous at the same time.

Anyways, I've been checking out a few things about where to have the baby. I've been advised not to have the baby in the Hospital here since they don't have any type of NICU so it would be better to just go to Little Rock. That's not a big deal since distance wise its all the same, but what does have me confused is what on earth do I really need to bring. to the hospital. I have seen a few list of things to bring with me but heck they have everything under the sun on it. Does the hospital provide anything at all?

OK now my other big concern is the labour itself, I hate needles so bad I had all 4 kids naturally just to avoid the dang needles. Now everything I've read talks about IVs for just about everything. Like you get it whether you need it or not. So to all the mommies who experienced the births of the babies in the US please let me know how it was for you. I know each State will probably be different but at least I will be able to make sure my Doctor knows well in advance how I feel and doesn't try to pull any stunts. I plan on staying home as long as I can so they can't stick me with a bunch of needles.

I think I need to stop reading sometimes lol.

Danielle

I brought a fair bit of stuff with me, and I didn't end up using much of it, but I thought it was better to be prepared and have it rather than not (even though we only live 10 mins from the hospital and hubby could have easily gone home and got what I needed!). Things that I was really glad to have; lifesavers to suck on during labor, chapstick, a couple of bottles of gatorade (at my hospital they don't want you to have anything other than ice chips or popsicles) but I took a few small sips now and then to help a bit with energy. I also packed a bunch of nutri grain and granola bars and other healthy snacks. After 12.5 hrs, I was STARVING. I couldn't eat right away, but as soon as I got the go ahead I was able to have a snack. I didn't get to the post-partum ward and get breakfast till almost 4hrs after the birth and they didn't give you very much for breakfast

As far as baby stuff....they had all the diapers, wipes, receiving blankets for the stay in the hospital. We packed a few things but didn't end up using them. Most hospitals offer tours of the L&D ward, so I suggest you go for one. You can as all the questions as to what they provide there and know for certain, as every hospital is probably a bit different.

As far as IV's go, I would speak with your OB about this. You can refuse any treatment while in the hospital, so if you don't want to do IV fluids you shouldn't have to. I had to be induced, so in that case, I needed to have an IV to have the pitocin administered. Needles don't bother me so it was no big deal.

[Ontarkie 14,133]

Thanks Colleens, that's exactly what I wanted to know. The 2 hospitals I looked at have a list of items to bring, but they made it look like they aren't supplying anything at all. I will most likely go the Hospital that is closer to us well they are about the same distance just one is a more direct route. If this baby is like the others I wont have time to mess around with traffic. Ya needles are something I really get freaked out about, so if I can avoid it I will. I will be talking to my OB about all this but I wanted to see what others experienced so I can figure out if its going to be a battle.

[Colleens 40]

Thanks Colleens, that's exactly what I wanted to know. The 2 hospitals I looked at have a list of items to bring, but they made it look like they aren't supplying anything at all. I will most likely go the Hospital that is closer to us well they are about the same distance just one is a more direct route. If this baby is like the others I wont have time to mess around with traffic. Ya needles are something I really get freaked out about, so if I can avoid it I will. I will be talking to my OB about all this but I wanted to see what others experienced so I can figure out if its going to be a battle.

I know that they sometimes like to have the IV in as a measure just in case you were to need an emergency c-section. It can save valuable time in that event and would probably be less stressful to have it done upon being admitted rather than in an already stressful emergency situation. But when it comes to your health care, you ultimately make the decision as to what proceedures you want to have done or not.

A few more things that I thought about as to what to bring to the hospital. I brought a nice fleecy robe since I tend to always be cold, but didn't end up using it as I didn't want it to end up stained. Flip-flops or slippers are nice to have when going back and forth to the bathroom. The towels the hospital provided for a shower were pretty tiny and kinda rough, so I had packed a better towel as well. I decided to breastfeed and I found that the nursing tank tops were quite comfy for the hospital.

[Ontarkie 14,133]

A few more things that I thought about as to what to bring to the hospital. I brought a nice fleecy robe since I tend to always be cold, but didn't end up using it as I didn't want it to end up stained. Flip-flops or slippers are nice to have when going back and forth to the bathroom. The towels the hospital provided for a shower were pretty tiny and kinda rough, so I had packed a better towel as well. I decided to breastfeed and I found that the nursing tank tops were quite comfy for the hospital.

I was thinking I would need something warm too. I tend to find they keep the a/c way to cold for me. I remember those small towels they had some like that in Canada when I had my other kids. I'm going to have to look for the nursing tank tops, I just used a light sport bra with my other kids. Since I'm not blessed or cursed with large boobs I got away with it.

[Colleens 40]

I was thinking I would need something warm too. I tend to find they keep the a/c way to cold for me. I remember those small towels they had some like that in Canada when I had my other kids. I'm going to have to look for the nursing tank tops, I just used a light sport bra with my other kids. Since I'm not blessed or cursed with large boobs I got away with it.

I hear that Target sells a comfy line of nursing tanks at a very reasonable price. I go on the forums on thebump.com and have read a lot of reccomendations for them there.

[Ontarkie 14,133]

Thanks Colleens, how are you doing and of course the little one?

[lilacvioletiris 11]

She weighed 7lbs 13oz and was 19.5" long. They took her for a bath a couple hours ago and brought her back with a super cute red and white striped hat and little white socks with little candy cane appliques...too cute!! I am still a bit numb from the epidural, and I am not sure I am looking forward to it all wearing off!!!

Congrats on your little girl! She is adorable!

[Ontarkie 14,133]

Well I had my ultrasound this morning, and pretty much got the all clear and I'm no longer considered high risk. We also found out we are having a girl

[Canadiandggal 49]

Well I had my ultrasound this morning, and pretty much got the all clear and I'm no longer considered high risk. We also found out we are having a girl

That is awesome news, bet you are happy to know the "high risk" is over with.

Congrats on a girl as well

[OBX 51]

Well I had my ultrasound this morning, and pretty much got the all clear and I'm no longer considered high risk. We also found out we are having a girl

That's great news, congratulations. Any names picked yet?

[Colleens 40]

Well I had my ultrasound this morning, and pretty much got the all clear and I'm no longer considered high risk. We also found out we are having a girl

Great news!!!! I am gld that everything is going well for you. As soon as we found out it was a girl, Simon was out buying litte girl clothes. The clothes shopping is fun with all the cute clothes for girls.

[Ontarkie 14,133]

Thanks everyone

I'm very relieved to be out of the high risk class. We saw so many girly outfits already, I was so hoping for a girl so I can get all those outfits. I would of been fine either way but girls get so much more to choose from. The older kids are happy especially my daughter she sooooo wanted a sister.

We picked the name Alexis I'm not sure on a middle name yet though.

Edited January 5, 2011 by Ontarkie

[OBX 51]

Thanks everyone

I'm very relieved to be out of the high risk class. We saw so many girly outfits already, I was so hoping for a girl so I can get all those outfits. I would of been fine either way but girls get so much more to choose from. The older kids are happy especially my daughter she sooooo wanted a sister.

We picked the name Alexis I'm not sure on a middle name yet though.

Very nice!

[mtlgato 2]

Hi everyone--

I haven't been around much for a while. Congrats, Colleens! And Ontarkie: I like the name Alexis. I considered it for my baby, and can't quite remember why it didn't ultimately make the list.

My baby is almost 3 months old now! We will be flying with her from Vancouver to Montreal for my immigration interview next Saturday. Everyone cross your fingers for us! I'm less worried about the interview than I am about how she'll be on the plane! She can be fussy at times. Also, I wish it were any month other than January, for the love of Pete. It's *freezing* in Montreal this time of year. We won't really be able to go out exploring with the baby the way we would have if it had been spring or fall. Still, we are staying 5 days because I lived in Montreal for many years, and we want to meet up with my old friends. We'll get most of them to come to our hotel.

I had a lot of stress last week because I had to bring my baby with me to my immigration medical--which meant taking her out in a cab at 5:40am, and then waiting around in the dark with her in line till the place opened at about 6:15...then leaving her in the waiting room with my husband while I had the medical. I had been planning to leave her at home, but she suddenly started refusing bottles (I breastfeed, but until recently, she would accept a bottle of pumped breastmilk)! So I had to bring her.

Then I had to bring her on Friday to the passport office. I'd been advised to show up first thing when they opened to avoid having to wait for hours. So the baby and I got on the bus at 6:58 am and arrived at the passport office at 7:29. There were already about 20 people ahead of us, but we did manage to get the whole thing done in about 45 minutes.

Still, it's so stressful having to drag the baby hither and yon for immigration-related stuff. I wish this could be all done already! Do wish us luck...

C.

Very nice!

[Canadiandggal 49]

Hi everyone--

I haven't been around much for a while. Congrats, Colleens! And Ontarkie: I like the name Alexis. I considered it for my baby, and can't quite remember why it didn't ultimately make the list.

My baby is almost 3 months old now! We will be flying with her from Vancouver to Montreal for my immigration interview next Saturday. Everyone cross your fingers for us! I'm less worried about the interview than I am about how she'll be on the plane! She can be fussy at times. Also, I wish it were any month other than January, for the love of Pete. It's *freezing* in Montreal this time of year. We won't really be able to go out exploring with the baby the way we would have if it had been spring or fall. Still, we are staying 5 days because I lived in Montreal for many years, and we want to meet up with my old friends. We'll get most of them to come to our hotel.

I had a lot of stress last week because I had to bring my baby with me to my immigration medical--which meant taking her out in a cab at 5:40am, and then waiting around in the dark with her in line till the place opened at about 6:15...then leaving her in the waiting room with my husband while I had the medical. I had been planning to leave her at home, but she suddenly started refusing bottles (I breastfeed, but until recently, she would accept a bottle of pumped breastmilk)! So I had to bring her.

Then I had to bring her on Friday to the passport office. I'd been advised to show up first thing when they opened to avoid having to wait for hours. So the baby and I got on the bus at 6:58 am and arrived at the passport office at 7:29. There were already about 20 people ahead of us, but we did manage to get the whole thing done in about 45 minutes.

Still, it's so stressful having to drag the baby hither and yon for immigration-related stuff. I wish this could be all done already! Do wish us luck...

C.

I wish you luck.. You will do fine and be with the hubby in now time.

Take care in monteal and try to enjoy the plane ride, I bet she will surprise you and do quite well on the plane.