Someone mentioned starting a new thread for this so here we go...

I would bring a case of make up and hair stuff....over the couple days you are in there people will want to take pictures, and you'll feel better if you put yourself together! Definitely pack snacks for DH, and also for you....if you don't need a special diet afterwards you'll be looking for something better than hospital food! Also don't forget a tooth brush and change of clothes and deodorant for DH if he's staying over. And I also agree with the bringing your own pads. I felt much better using my own!!

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Faith, great suggestions. Once baby is born, u'll begin to think about what u look like again.

I would also bring a pillow and some warm socks. Ur socks will be the only thing u can keep on & u'll appreciate having them. And hospital pillows are terrible. Also, some hospitals might be different, but I had to take even my wedding ring off. Make sure to bring something to store your jewelry in or leave it at home.

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I read today that its a good idea to take some vaseline for your lips as they dry out and you're not allowed any fluids, I noticed that SILs lips were very dry and chapped.

Carol - Im so glad you said pillow. Im such a fussy sleeper and there's nothing more comforting to me than my pillow. I was debating whether to pack it!

Can we cover the basics here aswell? I dont want to miss anything obvious!
Dressing gown, slippers, PJs, toiletries, disposable knickers...

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Maya and Lucia born 25th may 2006

My birthing suite has a place for DH to sleep as well. We both always take our own pillows. Plus I'm sure DH will take his portable DVD player and movies and I can just see us rolling in there now with a big suitcase like we are going on vacation. LOL

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Tg, that's cute. U wouldn't be the 1st.

Jodie, I love my pillow(s) too. Every month I seem to need another one, thou. I now use 3 regular pillows & my body pillow! Vaseline/chapstick is a great idea!

Don't forget the outfit to take baby home in! And carseat (are those required in Spain?).

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Carol - They are indeed a requirement. DH and I have been looking at twin prams (I swear, I think I will need a degree in order to sort them out, they look so bloody complicated! Its gonna take me about an hour to put the thing together everytime we get in/out of the car! lol) Anyway, yeah, prams (Oo.. erm, do you call them buggies? Strollers? Argh, well, you know what I mean! ) Well, they come with car seat included, but THEN we embarked on the whole new mind boggling aspect of the car itself! Jeez. We're basically gonna have to trade in and get a new one. Coz we have two big dogs aswell, so we need room for them, the twins, the sodding massive buggy/pram contraption, car seats, shopping, and us, presumably! My mind is getting squishy just thinking about it! Sorry, this is sposed to be a list thread, not an "Agh, what a mess thread"! Just got carried away!

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Maya and Lucia born 25th may 2006

Jodie, there's just so much prep work involved. I can see why you might want a larger car 2. 2 car seats would take up a lot of room. I saw some double strollers (prams) when we did our registry, & they really are large. Thank goodness its twins & not triplets! You'd have to buy a school bus. We already have a mini van, so it won't be a huge problem 4 us. We traded our SUV in for it which would have been awful--it's huge, but it's so high off the ground, it would have been hard to get a baby in & out of.

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Very, VERY important: something to put your hair up with.

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snacks???? DH's cousin had a baby 1 week ago and on sat when we visited her she had a huge bag of granola bars gummy bears chocolates etc. !

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Chapstick. Big comfy undies - because they give you these horrible netted things immediately after birth. It's like playboy gone WAAAAYYYY wrong. Make the undies black so no staining from bleeding. Slippers. You walk a lot in labor. An MP3 or disc player with your favorite relaxing music. Your favorite body wash and shampoo and conditioner and lotion. Nothing like that first shower after many hours of sweaty labor.

Ladies - I will swear on this one . . . get a full pedicure a couple days before you are due!!! I had my toes done both times, and I just felt a little more put together. Funny, I never brought a lick of make up though - I could care less.

Have your car seat strapped in the car 2 weeks before you are due with your bag, diaper bag, and DH's bag in the trunk and packed. Trust me on this. Have a few towels also, cause if you are somewhere and your water breaks they come in handy.

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~Meagan
Mama to 3
DS Rolando - 12
DD Soleil - 7
DS Joaquin - 10 months

and, if you feel contractions & have time to delay hospital a little bit....shave your legs cuz it'll be awhile until you can do it again

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have a happy day :0) Theresa

Oh yes, canter is right! Shave those legs. I even did that well into labor once before going to the hospital. Hey, you'd be surprised what you can get done between contractions!

Bring a list of phone numbers of everyone DH is supposed to call and spread the good news!

Bring a camera, for God sakes bring it!

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~Meagan
Mama to 3
DS Rolando - 12
DD Soleil - 7
DS Joaquin - 10 months

Good suggestion, Meagan. I read in The Girlfriend's Guide to make a list of phone numbers in the order that DH should call, with your mom at the top (hey you are her baby in a lot of pain)--this does seem important as DH likely won't think twice about calling a long lost second cousin before his MIL if that's the order you have it. In my case, my bro will be at the top.

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Meagan - I got so laughed at for getting a pedicure before I went in the hospital!!! Not only did it feel good for my feet, but I at least felt some part of me was pretty! haha!

I was induced last time so my legs were shaved and ready to go - this time I'm definitely going to make sure I shave even if I am in labor!! I already started scheduling bikini waxes too, since I can't quite see that area to take care of myself anymore and I want to be neat when I go in!!!

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anyone seen any good lists on any sites?

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http://www2.fertilityfriend.com/home/b77c9

I got a bunch of info from my Dr. this morning and they had a list of things to take to the hospital. One thing on the list that I hadn't seen before was to take your baby book so they can do the footprints for you. I thought that was a good idea.

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I cut and paste everyone's advice and saved it as a word document. I'm going to have a great baby file by the time I get pg. I already have the address list typed for the invitations to the shower.
I was cracking up at the shaving the legs thing, but my friend's said they did it before they went and some of them did it again in the hospital after giving birth.
But what I really want to know is ....... when I go into labor, do I have time to stop at WhataBurger and eat on the way to the hospital??? I know you can't eat once you get there 'til after giving birth, and I'm sure I'll be on a diet as soon as I get home from the hospital. I can't wait to be pg so I can eat hamburgers (and so I can have a baby).

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Karen~ I'm bumping this for you. Hope it helps. BTW: Don't forget your camera!

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