What's In My Hospital Bag!

Here is my "What's In My Hospital Bag" post! 

I'm quite excited about doing this, because after I get home from having the baby, I'm going to do an update as to what I actually used, what I didn't & what I wish I had brought, etc. Since my bags have been fully packed for about 4 weeks now, I thought maybe it was time to actually take photos and document! I've documented everything so far, may as well continue with this! 

So here are the bags I'm using. The one on the left is a David's Tea canvas tote, which is super durable and such a perfect size. Inside of that bag is a little baby bag. The big black and pink one on the right is a bag I bought for luggage in London, On a few years ago at one of those luggage shops in the mall. It has a big shoulders trap too. This one is actually a lot lighter then the David's Tea one!

All the items I packed came from a list my hospital gave me, as well as ideas from friends and family!

So this one is filled with basically clothing. 

Bo's things: 2 shirts, pj pants, swim shorts, socks & underwear. We had slippers we meant to bring but forgot :(

My things: 3 tanks, 2 leggings, 1 pair of yoga pants, 2 open cardigans, 1 zip up hoodie, robe, flip flops, slippers, socks & underwear + my makeup bag which just has the basics in it - bronzer, powder, bb cream, mascara.

I also have our toothbrushes, toothpaste, some q-tips, and my hair brush in this bag. 

I also packed in that bag, the blanket I knit for bebe.. Newborn size diapers and size 1 diapers. The list I got from the hospital said size 1, but since I had a pkg of newborn sizes at home, I wanted to bring them so he can use as much of them as possible, if they fit that is! I also packed maxi pads and nursing pads.

 Each of these bags are packed with things, but the little baby bag fits right into the David's Tea tote. Convenient, so we only need to carry 2 bags total instead of 3!

 In the tote, this is what I have! It's all pretty self explanatory, since I have most of the things marked. 

Gatorade, snacks, baby wipes, make up remover wipes, hand sanitizer, coconut oil. In the travel sized containers, I have body wash, shampoo and conditioner, and lotion. In the big ziploc I have Aveeno Baby body wash/shampoo, diaper rash cream, and lotion. 

Finally, this is what is packed in the baby bag! I actually ended up changing a few of the onesies & added a specific going home outfit, but thats pretty much it.. everything is still the same. 

A soft blanket, 2 receiving blankets, a burp cloth, 4 onesies, 4 sleepers, the hat and slippers I knit him, another hat, a pair of pants, 2 pairs of socks and 2 pairs of mittens... plus a soother with the attachment clip. 

I also ended up bringing 2 premixed newborn formula bottles & 2 little bottles, just in case. 

I probably overpacked... but its better to be prepared then not right?? Like I said, I'll do an update in the future of what I needed, didn't need, wish I had, etc. 

Bump Update - 40+41 Weeks

-40 Weeks-

-41 Weeks-

 How far along?  

Currently 41 weeks... I neglected to post a 40 week bump update and now I have no idea what happened when.. So I'm merging it into one post. 

Total weight gain/measurements: 

Sitting at a whopping 58lb weight gain. Ah well.. whatchya gunna do. I enjoyed every single calorie ;)

Maternity clothes:  

Nothing new. My wardrobe basically consists of underwear and tank tops or Bo's t-shirts.

Stretch marks: 

Oh yes... new ones have appeared. I was sad at first.. but now I don't really care. I guess thats what happens when you gain 58 lbs in 41 weeks. 

Sleep: 

Awful. It is literally so physically hard to sleep. I can't roll over without being in pain. My pelvis and hips ache like crazy. My legs cramp up all the time. Theres no sugar coating this. Sleep sucks. 

Best moment this week: 

Getting an induction date! It's really come to the point where I need this baby out now. Between my pulled groin/aching pelvis pain & these EFFING WRISTS!!!!!!!!! [they are clearly just getting worse and not better] It's nice to have a day where I know things are going to happen. Tomorrow [Sunday] I'll get 2 doses of the cervical gel... & then if I haven't gone into labour yet, I'll be induced on Monday  morning with Oxytocin. I was really hoping to go into labour on my own... but again, watchya gunna do. 

Miss anything? 

Not being pregnant. I miss being able to do anything with my hands, standing up and sitting down,  and breathing like a normal person. I miss not being winded from walking to the bathroom.... Not peeing every 2 seconds. I sound so bitter.. but this is real life right now. 

Movement: 

Yup. Still lots of movement considering he's probably like 10 lbs by now. 
Still hiccuping about 3 times a day.

Food cravings: 

I get cravings for sweets in the evening.

Anything making you queasy or sick? 

Not eating every couple hours. 

Gender:  

A stubborn boy. 

Labour signs:  

Lost my mucus plug Tuesday night.
Nauseas and vomitting for like 10 minutes Wednesday night. 
That's pretty much it. 

Symptoms:  

Aching lower back and belly. 
Burning wrists joints.... I woke up this morning and one of my fingers on each hand was completely locked up.
Lightning crotch.
I'm 41 weeks and feeling like a hippo.... you can guess my symptoms at this point. 

Belly button in or out? 

Out

Happy or moody most of the time: 

Moody! 

Looking forward to: 
Getting this baby earth side! 

 My birthday - Baby H's Due date

Bump Update - 39 Weeks

How far along?  

39 Weeks + 1 day

Total weight gain/measurements: 

Weight gain - 58 lbs... oy
Belly is at a total of 47 inches around. Another oy. hahah!

Maternity clothes:  

Nothing new... just the same 3 shirts, which have all been a bit too short for a couple months now. I think I've said this before.. but.. long torso problems!

Stretch marks: 

I think theres a couple more on each side of my lower belly... Maybe like, 6 total now. 

Sleep: 

So uncomfortable. It's so hard to turn from one side to another, especially with the awful pubic bone pain. Some nights I'll get a really good sleep with minimal pain, but those nights usually include me waking up every couple hours to go pee.. Cant win em all!

Best moment this week: 

Best moment of the week was also the most nerve wracking. I had an OB appointment on Friday.. Just a typical prenatal appt.. But while we were there, we discovered that my blood pressure was super high compared to what it has been the whole pregnancy. I've been at a pretty constant 116/80, but that morning I was at 140/100! So she sent us to the Labour & Delivery ward at the Saint John hospital, which is where I'll be delivering Baby H when it's time. There, they wanted to do blood work and monitor the baby for a little while.... and if things didn't get any better, they were going to induce me!
 Turns out, everything was fine. The resident OB there came back to talk to me and said the baby was PERFECT and my blood work came back PERFECT. My blood pressure also dropped while I was there. That was so nice to hear.
They also checked my hands and feet, which have been concerning me, and they said it was normal. I knew it probably would be normal, but it was nice of them to actually acknowledge my concerns, as my regular OB tends to brush off every single concern I have.
In the end, I was obviously super relieved that everything was ok [which I knew it would be], & it was kind of nice to go there and do a "practice run". We had all our bags packed and in the trunk of the car just in case they needed to induce me. We did all the tests right in the Labour & Delivery ward, so it was nice to see that, and exactly where I'll need to go once its actually go time! Plus the staff was all so incredibly nice! Which is obviously a huge bonus!

Miss anything? 

Normal sleep. I miss being able to roll over & lay on my belly. 
The other day, I finally said the words "I'm ready to not be pregnant anymore...". I really miss having my body to myself. I know I'm still going to have to share, with breastfeeding, but at least I'll be able to hold him on the outside of my body! I think I managed to keep patient for a really long time, considering I got a million symptoms, and quite a lot of them were painful symptoms!

Movement: 

Still squirming away in there. I can tell his living quarters are getting a bit small for him. Any time he moves, he hits a nerve somewhere around my cervix, which sends a shooting pain all around that area. "Lighting crotch" is putting it mildly. I've noticed he has started to calm down a bit more too. Still moving lots, but not as much as before. Which I believe is quite normal at this stage of pregnancy. It also kind of feels like his legs have moved to the other side of my belly? I used to get kicked a bunch on my right side, now its more on my left. Bo says "well, as long as he's still upside down!" haha which I guess, technically, would make him right side up, since he should be staying head down!

Food cravings: 

Creme Eggs! Mmmm I still haven't gotten my hands on a Creme Egg McFlurry... Soon! 
I also had a serious craving for bannock and jam yesterday... but it didn't last long. 
I've also really been wanting chicken caesar wraps!

Anything making you queasy or sick? 

Nope

Gender:  

Boy!

Labour signs:  

Im going to say no. I literally don't feel any different! Besides him being low, theres no change. 

Symptoms:  
Heartburn 
Lightning crotch
Lower back & belly pain. 
Possible Braxton Hicks? It's so hard to tell if you've never had them before... It's always just been a guessing game for me when it comes to Braxton Hicks. I had a crazy pain in my belly yesterday. My whole stomach tightened up and it felt like it was burning! Everyone says that BH or real contractions  feel like period cramps, but this pain most definitely did NOT feel like that... and it only happened twice and stopped.  
I also had a couple days where I got, what felt like a running cramp, right at the top of my uterus? Maybe that was Braxton Hicks? I have no idea. 

Belly button in or out? 

It's trying so hard to come all the way out hahah! I'm going to just go ahead and say that it's out... Theres a little part of the bottom that doesn't stick out, but the majority of it is out there :P

Happy or moody most of the time: 

This week was happy! Still quite emotional though... My mood changes on a dime!

Looking forward to: 
Meeting this baby boy! Friday was quite the eye opener when we realized we could have been induced that day if my blood pressure didn't go down, or if baby was in distress. Now I'm in SERIOUS nesting mode, making sure everything is ready before he does decide to make his arrival.... Which is kind of hard to do because I'm feeling super pregnant, & it almost feels like I'm bringing on contractions when I start to move around a bunch, like I did yesterday. On Friday, we were supposed to go to Saint John kind of ASAP... but we still had so many last minute things to do! So now I'm trying to get on top of it all, because guess what? You're really not pregnant forever. The baby eventually comes out! 

Oh I also think I'll be doing a "What's In My Hospital Bag" blog post.... You know, now that it's completely packed. Haha! 

Look at how swollen those feet are... Gah! 

Bump Update - 38 Weeks

How far along?  

38 weeks!

Total weight gain/measurements: 

Weight gain, I'm not sure.
Measurement around my belly is still 46 inches 

Maternity clothes:  

No new ones

Stretch marks: 

Just the same 2 on my lower belly

Sleep: 

I seem to only wake up once a night to pee! I wake up multiple times because turning over is no easy task with this belly, broken pelvis [not really, it just feels that way], & carpal tunnelled wrists.... but I usually fall asleep right away, once I get into a new position.

Best moment this week: 
Getting the car seat and stroller!!!! Woooo!!! 

Getting almost ALL my things for my hospital bag nice and organized! Just waiting for a package from my mom & I'll be all set to get that bag packed! I have things in ziploc bags and travel containers all nice and labeled, and ready to go. Ahh organization <3 

Oh I also got all the things for my baths again - epsom salts & bubble bath... plus I got these bath bombs from a local soap store. OMG smells amazing and feels so nice! 

Miss anything? 

Laying on my belly.. Although I've been able to kinda lay on my belly in the tub, which has been helping. I also miss being able to bend over... or walk without my feet hurting. 

Movement: 

Like crazy! 
Click here to see a video from last week!

Food cravings: 

I actually don't think there has been any cravings this week! Having said that, I did just say that I wanted a donut. Which is weird, since I don't like donuts....oh and Creme Eggs.. Which is also weird. Today I am on a mission to get the Creme Egg McFlurry.

Anything making you queasy or sick? 

I WAS sick for like 3 days. I would get sick for about an hour a night.... but that stopped.

Gender:  

Boy!

Labour signs:  

He's dropped again, so there's lots of pressure!
I was sick for a few days, which made me think my body was starting to get ready.... but like I said, that stopped.

Symptoms:  

The restless legs have gone away THANK GOD... but they've been getting pretty crampy in the middle of the night, which is kind of uncomfortable, but as long as I wake up fast enough, I can stop the serious cramp from coming on.
Wrists are progressively getting worse...
My feet and hands are swollen! I hardly even have knuckles anymore!

Belly button in or out? 

Almost all the way out!

Happy or moody most of the time: 

Happy! Although, rather emotional. I cry at least once a day... but usually more then once.

Looking forward to: 
Getting packages from my mom! I know theres 2 coming & it's like Christmas waiting for them. Haha! 

38 Week Photoshoot!

Here is my 38 week self photo shoot! It dawned on me today that this is probably going to be the last "shoot" I do before he's actually here! The next photo session I have, will have Baby H!!! That is so exciting! 

Again, I take all these photos with my iPhone or the webcam on my MacBook, so it's not the best quality, but it works for me! 

Well that's it for now! I'm quite impressed with how these turned out. It always amazes me how a simple edit can change the whole photo! 

It's actually kind of sad now that I think about it... How these are probably my last baby bump photos [besides the couple weekly bump shots that are left].... but the belly photos will be replaced by BABY photos!!! That'll be so amazing <3 Soon!!

Pregnancy Questionnaire #2 - 37 Weeks

I thought I would do another, different pregnancy questionnaire then I normally do, now that I'm full term! I found this one and thought it would be a nice addition for this week :) I still did my regular one because it would feel wrong to have a week missing!

How far along are you now? 
37 Weeks 

Did you have morning sickness?  
I had REALLY bad morning sickness during my first trimester. Up until I was 14 weeks, I was sick basically every single day. It was actually quite terrible. I would wake up in the morning and instantly throw up in the bin beside me. I could only eat/ drink Lipton Chicken Noodle Soup. I was prescribed Diclectin but it really didn't help much. 
The worst part was having to drive from Southern Ontario to New Brunswick when I was 11 weeks pregnant. I had such a hard time making that drive [16 hours]. It took me 4 days! When I originally moved from Northern Ontario to Southern Ontario [26 hour drive], it only took me 2 days! It's amazing how that first trimester knocked me down!

Did you have any cravings?  
I get random cravings every now and again, but my MAIN craving throughout the pregnancy was apples! Sweet apples like Honeycrisp, or Red Delicious... Mmmm... Oh along with Simply Fresh Pressed Apple Juice. 

Did you have any mood swings?  
Oh did I ever. I would say mostly in my third trimester... My first trimester was rough due to all the sickness, but I was also exhausted & took a lot of naps. In my third trimester, I'm quite tired again, but I'm so uncomfortable now, that I can't nap, therefore, quite moody!

Are you a high risk pregnancy? 
Nope. I've been lucky to have quite a "normal" pregnancy!

Any complications?  
Nope! Another thing I am very thankful for. 

Formula or Breastfeeding?  
Really really really hopping to breastfeed. I told a friend of mine that if I could have one thing go my way with the pregnancy, labour, birth or anything afterwards, it would be to be able to successfully breastfeed. 

Have you bought anything for the baby yet?  
Theres still some things I need to buy, such as shampoo, lotion, nail clippers, etc. I have the basics & necessities for now. Were slow buyers. 

When did you start to show?  
I was about 9 weeks when I first noticed a belly poking out!

How long could you wear your regular clothes?  
I'm still wearing my regular clothes! At 37 weeks, I'm thoroughly impressed with myself. There are some jeans that definitely don't pull up past my thighs anymore, but I have other pants that still fit! There are also a few shirts that no longer fit, but for the most part, I can wear almost everything I had pre-pregnancy! 

Will you keep the baby’s clothes?  
Yep! I'll for sure keep his clothes & anything else because we plan to have baby #2 pretty close to the first one.

Home or Hospital?  
Hospital! Although I do joke around that Bo should brush up on his midwife skills, just in case I can't make it to the hospital for some reason haha!
I wouldn't be against a home birth, if I was closer to a hospital, for a back up, just in case. Were currently an hour and a half from the hospital I'll be delivering at... So that is way too scary to think of, if something was to go wrong with a home birth. 

Natural or Medicated birth? 
Natural. My OB told me that Fentanyl was a pain relief method she would recommend while I'm in labour. The thought of that drug being in my veins & going to my baby absolutely terrifies me. I fully believe my body is capable of birthing a baby without any dugs. I'm hoping I can keep this mentality all the way through the labour. The pain won't last forever... right?

Who will be in the delivery room with you?  
Bo for sure... & possibly my mom if she's here.

Do you think you will need a C-section?  
I really really hope not. I don't want my first surgery to be a C-section! I really hope to have a vaginal birth.

Will you cry when you hold the baby for the 1st time?  
Oh, guaranteed. 

What’s the 1st thing you might say to the baby?  
I'll probably say "Hi" haha! Then I plan to sing Happy Birthday to him <3

Will you let anyone video tape the birth?  
I would LOVE that... but I doubt that'll happen. I'll need Bo for support, & not holding a video camera. 

Are you excited?    
Of course!

Who will help you with the baby after the birth?  
My mom will hopefully be here for a few days... Other then her, it's just Bo & I. 

What is your favorite thing about being pregnant?  
Feeling him move around & learning his little personality already. 

What is the worst thing about being pregnant?  
The feeling of my pelvis shattering, & my wrists burning. 

What’s one thing you miss doing since being pregnant?    
Drinking wine.... & sleeping on my stomach!

Any days you wish you were not pregnant?
No.. never. 

Are you ready for a baby?   
Yep!

How many kids do you want?  
2, possibly 3. 

Do you talk to the baby?  
I ask him to get his feet out of my ribs & to stop head butting my cervix. He doesn't usually listen.

Do you still feel attractive?  
I've literally never felt more confident about my body in my life! 

Have you had your baby shower yet?  
I had one back in Red Lake with my mom & a few aunties. 

Do you like kids?  
Most of them! haha!

Here are is some pregnancy humour that I thought was quite comical and super accurate lol!