Advice *soon to be loss mentioned*

[sandj918]

We're scheduled to induce labor the first week of January. I probably won't make it that far because of polyhydramnios and the build up of amniotic fluid. I've been having real contractions off and on for a week or two now. We've already met with the neonatology team and hospice so everything's lined up in terms of palliative care when Elizabeth's born.

I'm having a very hard time packing for the hospital. Elizabeth will probably not come home with us and if she does it'll be for days at the most. I want our stay at the hospital to be as comfortable and homey as possible. Did you pack anything that especially helped? What did you bring for memory making items (molds, stamps, prints...)? And, is there anything that you didn't have that would've helped?

This hurts so bad.

[fknhostile]

I am so sorry your going through this right now.

I only had 10hrs from we found out we lost Ryker until we went to the hospital to be induced. I packed chargers, socks, a camera, a blanket, pillow, stuffed bunny, and snacks. Bring everything you will need to make memories like a baby blanket or clothes for Elizabeth.

I know it hurts so bad. Please message me if you need to talk. You and your family will be in my prayers.

[professormcgonagall]

I don't have any advice. I went to the hospital and immediately went into an emergency c section. I just wanted to say I'm so sorry. I know how bad it hurts. You will be in my prayers

[aprilz81]

We packed for our induction and honestly, I didn't use most of what we packed. I had started to contract and dilate on my own, but it still was 38 hours of labor between the first round of induction meds and delivery.

We packed laptops, iPads, phones & chargers (tip: bring an extension cord, there weren't plugs close enough for me to plug in my phone to charge and use it at the same time). I barely used my laptop and didn't touch my iPad. I just couldn't concentrate on anything but scrolling through Facebook/Twitter...

I packed a clock radio/iPhone dock to use during labor and it didn't get used until it was time to push. It was nice to have the better speakers but not strictly necessary.

We packed our camera which we did use (my sister took pictures for us) and I wish we had taken more pictures. The ones we got from the hospital were "meh" at best and Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep was a no-show.

I packed hard soled slippers which I did use a little, but not much. I packed pajamas and a robe but I didn't use them. After I delivered I didn't want to put real clothes on until I went home and then I decided to wait and shower at home to have more space. I just put on yoga pants and a sweatshirt to leave the hospital. I took makup and didn't use it, but I did shower during labor about 20 hours after checking in.

I brought my own pillow (don't use a white pillowcase if you bring yours) and I was really glad I did. The hospital pillows were really flat and didn't hold their shape. They were only good to me to put between my knees or to help support my back as I laid on my side.

I was hooked up to IV fluids for about 2 days and I was retaining fluids when we left, so pack some flip flops or super loose shoes in case you swell up.

For Ava we packed a special outfit (hat, dress and booties) so we could have pictures of her in something other than a hospital blanket & hat. We also brought a few special blankets (the crib quilt I made and a receiving blanket MIL made) to take a few pictures with.

We brought a 3D mold kit that the nurses helped us do, along with a clay impression kit. Both were ordered from www.castingkeepsakes.com/. We got the 3D kit that does the baby feet and then our hands... We haven't done our hands yet, but Ava's feet mold turned out beautifully! The hospital provided a memory box and ink footprints for us.

While I'm all for packing light, if you think you will want it, especially as far as memory items for Elizabeth I would bring it.

Be sure to have the phone numbers of anyone who you will want/need to notify programmed into your phone. We also had "point people" who distributed news for us so we could keep people updated without having a bajillion people on a group text.

I'm really sorry you are going through this, it is hard and it sucks so bad. The timing around the holidays also really sucks... (((hugs)))

[peaseblossom55]

I am so sorry. I brought with me the normal comforts of a hospital stay, comfortable clothes, socks with no slip grips on the bottom, phone charger, things to shower, my make up, lotion and chapstick. I had a very small bag.

I wish we had thought of some more unique things to bring with us to remember Anne.liese. We did buy a special blanket for her to be wrapped in, also may be buy a special outfit or hat for her as well. I love the mold idea April used I wish I had done something like that. If you have a friend who is good with pictures have them stop by for some pictures, or use NILMDTS.

[nesstar]

I'm so sorry for what you and your husband are going through.  I will be praying for you guys to find the strength to manage through this difficult time.  If you have a laptop there is a website that you can go too and set your laptop to record for video and pictures and it'll save directly to your computer, the site is webcamera.io/ 

I agree with April the idea of a mold cast for Elizabeth's little feet or hands would also be something you can have treasured.  Bring the essentials like the chargers, cameras, baby blanket, but don't forget to take care of yourself as well, if you are like me and crying results in headaches a warm compress and comfortable pillow of your own will help you as well.  Sending you hugs!