Baby night baby supplies... <Updated with pic>

Nakatomi2010

Alright, so I'm trying to be a little over prepared on this one... Due to high blood pressure my wife is going to have her labor induced at 9pm on the 20th... Yes, that's this coming Thursday....

What else would the average person have on hand?

The list thus far:

PDA w/ wireless connection
Zune w/ movies & music
Wife's Zune w/ music
Laptop (Bad battery, so more like a mobile desktop, hence the PDA)
Wife's Nintendo DS


Obviously, we have the obvious stuff, change of clothes, clothes for baby, supplies for mother after after birth, etc, etc... I'm looking more so for the "Hey you'll be bored" or "Hey you'll be hungry" or other things that folks in my scenario wished that they'd had...

Improvolone

I assume camera is in the "duh" pile.

Book - something for you to do/use when she is pissed off at you for X. I got yelled at for watching Fraiser.
Bottle of water - your hospital might be fuck awesome about giving you whatever you want, you really need things that are for youyouyou because she might have to go on a liquid diet at first and you are going to want to chow down
A decent pillow, blanket - she will probably be so high on drugs etc that she'll want the room quite cold
Some sort of folder/box to keep everything the hospital gives you so that you don't misplace it.
Anything you want your baby's foot prints on (I just used my gown, some men want it on a t-shirt)

We had to stay longer than plan because of an emergency c-section. I was not prepared for that clothing wise. It was a good thing family was able to be there so that they could run errands for me.

A journal might be neat if you are disiplined to keep up with it. Those days in the hospital are just a blur, and I'm not even the one who had the baby.

Sir Carcass

I brought a ton of stuff to do while we were in the hospital for 3 days. I didn't end up using any of it. It's a lot of waiting, but there will be a ton of interruptions. Sleep is also nice. It really does fly by. The main thing is I was constantly thirsty, mainly because I didn't get much sleep. They had a fridge with little things of juice and whatnot, and those work for a little while, but eventually you're going to want a big bottle of something. The best moments were when I could just zone out watching the tv. I didn't have the energy to concentrate on anything.

Improvolone

Yea, the only time I had time to do anything was when we were waiting for her to eface.
She never did (which is why I had so much time) and we had to get the c-section.



You will not be prepared for merconium.

Sir Carcass

Improvolone wrote: »

You will not be prepared for merconium.

Haha, yeah. She was bedridden from her surgery so I was changing diapers. "Oh god it won't come off IT WON'T COME OFF"

rfalias

Cigar.
That's just me. I'm cliche

Szechuanosaurus

Things to do? I don't remeber a hell of a lot of recreation opportunities when my wife went into labour. In fact, for a large part I recall standing on a small step ladder holding my wife up by the armpits while a midwife yelled at me to keep her of the ground.

If your experience is at all similar to mine, you won't be sitting around twiddling your fingers because your wife will be trying to tear them from their sockets with a vice like grip.

The only prepration I can recommend is plenty of rest in advance and start lifting some weights at the gym to get fighting fit. Try squatting on a step and hold the biggest weight you can lift out in front of your chest for as long as possible. If it starts to drop, imagine you are going to crush your newborn baby's head. It seems to be a powerful motivator.

LewieP's Mummy

OK, maybe I'm a bit biased, being the child bearer, but if LewieP's daddy had tried to do anything other than support me whilst I was giving birth, I'd have been less than charitable towards him! Realistically, by the time you get to hospital, your wife will probably be so focussed on what she's doing, she will be too busy to watch a film/play with her DS, and too tired afterwards (and too busy with the new baby) to want them, either. If I were you, I wouldn't dare play, I'd be too busy supporting her!

Oh, and thirded, meconium is disgusting!

Davehead

We were somewhat fortunate in the meconium department, as our son had decided to take care of getting rid of all of it while still inside. That was due to the stress he was under (he had a cord knot, which no one knew about until it popped out after him), so it was a mixed blessing.

Depending on how the labor goes, you may have some time to kill with activities you bring with you, or you may not. We had a little of both. We'd rented a couple DVDs to watch while waiting for things to progress, but the player in the room was broken so we just watched some TV. Actually a lot of TV. We also spent a lot of time at the start of the delivery wandering the halls of the hospital. Until it came time for the epidural of course. Then it was back to watching TV, and trying not to be impatient. My wife had been very adamant before we went in that she did NOT want to catch me playing any video games while we were in there, so the DS stayed home. I did bring my laptop for Internet (the birthing center had free wifi) and we both got a lot of mileage out of that.

The stuff you mentioned in the OP sounds like a pretty good list. You might also consider bringing along a book or two if you're into reading, at least one of those baby books you've probably got lying around the house. Some DVDs the two of you like (or at least that she likes) if the hospital, or you, are equipped for that. Whatever you bring, though, make sure your wife is okay with it, and know that she may change her mind on any of it once things get started. She's going to be a different person once the contractions really start to get going, and if the induction progresses to the Pitocin level they're going to be even worse. Your primary focus while you're in there needs to be her - her needs, her wants, her whims. Your job as the support person is to support her, and keep yourself in good enough shape to continue doing so.

Nakatomi2010

Improvolone wrote: »

I assume camera is in the "duh" pile.

Yeah, I've got a picture taking camera and a camcorder... My wife is an understanding person when it comes to me and entertainment, she knows that I'll drop it when she asks, so I'm not worried about that... The liquid thing is half a problem since I have interstitial cystitis (Pee a lot), honestly my wife's mother is probably going to be slightly more integral than me, not because I don't want to be, but because I'll be spending a good chunk of time going to and from the bathroom, while trying to keep track of what's gonig on...

We're both hoping that a c-section can be avoided, though honestly I have a feeling that if he's not born by the end of Friday that they're going to get the knife...

iMatt

Don't take too many gadgets - you simply won't have time. I took my DS and the 42 classic games cart and the wife found that quite relaxing very early on in the day.

They fed and watered my wife but didn't give me jack. So I'd take some snack energy bar type items. Magazines for both you and the wife were good too - especially if it ends up being a long labour.

This will be the last time you and your wife spend together as a 'duo' - make the most of it! I quite enjoyed the whole experience!

Sir Carcass

A c-section isn't that bad. The recovery time is longer, about 2 weeks, but the procedure is quick and easy, and you have the side benefit of your baby not looking like an alien at first.

Improvolone

Nakatomi2010 wrote: »

Improvolone wrote: »

I assume camera is in the "duh" pile.

Yeah, I've got a picture taking camera and a camcorder... My wife is an understanding person when it comes to me and entertainment, she knows that I'll drop it when she asks, so I'm not worried about that... The liquid thing is half a problem since I have interstitial cystitis (Pee a lot), honestly my wife's mother is probably going to be slightly more integral than me, not because I don't want to be, but because I'll be spending a good chunk of time going to and from the bathroom, while trying to keep track of what's gonig on...

We're both hoping that a c-section can be avoided, though honestly I have a feeling that if he's not born by the end of Friday that they're going to get the knife...

Don't count on this. Just... don't. Petocin (I can't believe I remember all of these names) is designed to induce labor READY OR NOT HERE I COME style. My ex was in labor for damn near 20 hours before the doctor said "look, we have to do a c-section, we can't wait any longer" because she just wasn't efacing enough. Going in with negative feelings to a c-section is temping fate and being too attached to a birth plan can leave a new mother feeling really depressed about not having the birth experience she wanted.

Have you toured the hospital? Ours had bathrooms in every room and a murphy bed in the post-delivery room.

Kistra

Yeah, induction isn't fun. And it won't be like natural labor where you will be waiting around for about 24 hours after it starts. The books and DVDs are needed suggestions for non-induced labor (although most hospitals are getting better about sending women home if the baby isn't coming for 24 more hours).

And a c-section isn't that bad. If you are going in for BP reasons there is a decent chance that your wife will end up with a c-section b/c labor can spike BP too. Have you ever seen vidoes of c-sections? My dad made it through a vaginal delivery just fine but passed out at a c-section delivery. You will get teased about that for the rest of your life. Don't be afraid to sit down if you feel at all light headed. And c-section babies still look alien, just for different reasons they are all pale and shiny.

CoJoeTheLawyer

Here was our list of things in the "baby bag"

- Changes of clothes for everyone, including pajamas and slippers for both of you;
- Toiletries bag for both of you (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, aspirin for you, shaving kit, etc);
- Laptop with charger;
- Cameras: Video, Digital and a backup one-shot;
- Cell phone chargers;
- About $5.00 in quarters;
- About $50 in cash;
- Blanket & pillow for me (I got to sleep on a chair, and they didn't give me jack);
- Wife's MP3 player
- Snacks for me and various other people (we ended up having my parents and two of her friends with us for most of the night)

As for recreational things, I brought a book, but we were so excited that I didn't read more than 10 pages. We turned the tv on for background noises (though The Simpsons was the one where they told the story of when Maggie was born...very appropriate) and we spent most of our time talking with nurses and family/friends and just hanging out waiting for babies.

Best advice I can give is be prepared to be mobile. We switched rooms 3 times in 3 days, so it's best not to be carting around too much stuff.

rockmonkey

We just had our first 4 months ago and I'll echo what some others have said by saying.

Take a book or ds with a game or two, but really don't worry about needing lots to do, unless it turns out she is going to stay in the hospital for more then a couple days.

She went into labor in the afternoon and we ended up heading to the hospital that evening. and between 7pm and 3am (when the baby was born) I eat dinner and talked with my wife and took a nap knowing that I'd be up all night.

Once the baby comes you'll be spending time with your wife and family and going ooh and awe over the little one. Any downtime will likely be consumed with sleep and food.

My wife was in the hospital for 7 weeks during the pregnancy then at home on bedrest for 3, and she went into labor 3 days after she was off bedrest. So I understand the need for things to do in a hospital. I slept every night but one up there in her room, but you sound like what you've already got is overkill.

Count Funkula

I would highly suggest bringing a sleeping bag or air mattress if you have one. When my wife and I had our baby last year, the hospital gave me a cot to sleep on. It was the noisiest, most uncomfortable thing I have ever laid on. Anything would have been better. I'm not comparing my discomfort to what my wife was going through, but if there is any quiet time where you are both resting, actually getting some sleep would be a great thing.

FafnerMorell

Current phone numbers for her & your relatives & friends. Email addresses too if you want to email out photos (I suppose if they've got modern cell phones, you could use that to send pics).

Nakatomi2010

FafnerMorell wrote: »

Current phone numbers for her & your relatives & friends. Email addresses too if you want to email out photos (I suppose if they've got modern cell phones, you could use that to send pics).

Ironically enough the Omnia II comes out on Sunday, so a couple days early for the modern phones thing... I'm hoping I can e-mail through the PDA so I don't have to use the laptop... I'm really trying to shoot for mobility, and a device who's battery is essentially shit is kind of a downer...

Be awesome if I could upload to my sever via the PDA, but something tells me that's unlikely... but I can fix that after the fact....

RiemannLives

Bring some over the counter pain killers, anti-acid tablets (if you are not checked in as a patient most hospitals will not give you so much as an aspirin) and food / water for yourself.

If things take a long time you don't want to have to leave because you are starving. And you don't want to distract her from the main event because you have a wicked stress headache.

Basicially, think about things that might go wrong for you that would be a distraction or annoyance and bring supplies to counter these problems quietly and discreetly.

Edit:

Oh yes and the change of clothes thing is a great idea.

As for general advice: don't get so attached to a birthing plan that changing your mind about something will be a major thing. EG: it's all well and good to talk about not using pain killers but if it turns into back-labor things change.

elfdude

Aren't most electronics are prohibited in most hospitals because they can mess with the machines? I mean you're probably not going to be sitting in the waiting room by yourself really at all and I doubt you'll have much time to wait together. A zune or a game player while you wait for your doctors to get ready might be ok but after that it's very doubtful you'll have an opportunity to use them.

For after you may want some basic toiletries, a change of clothes and pain killers (be sure to ask the doctor if it's ok to give her some though). Phone/camera if you want to take a picture/call family (no cellphones in the patient's room though). Other than that I'd just go.

Ninyu

elfdude wrote: »

Aren't most electronics are prohibited in most hospitals because they can mess with the machines? I mean you're probably not going to be sitting in the waiting room by yourself really at all and I doubt you'll have much time to wait together. A zune or a game player while you wait for your doctors to get ready might be ok but after that it's very doubtful you'll have an opportunity to use them.

Nope. I was able to use all my devices in the delivery area.


Take advantage of the hospital nursery while you are there. Don't feel bad about shipping the baby off in between feedings so you and your wife can get some sleep. Once you leave the hospital your sleep is not guaranteed for quite awhile.

Szechuanosaurus

Electrical equipment is generally only prohibited in areas where people are on life support machines and whatnot.

Giving birth is generally a pretty low-tech procedure. Cellphones aren't usually an issue during the delivery or after in the ward. Just ask a nurse or midwife if you're unsure and if the person in the bed next to you starts suffering arrhythmias to the beat of your Baby Got Back MIDI ringtone when your mum calls to see how things are going make for the nearest exit, stat (as they say in the hospital profession).

t_catt11

As a father of three (with number four coming at the end of September... what CAUSES these things?!?), listen to me, youngling:

Take a nice supply of quarters with you, as well as plenty of one dollar bills. You will want to hit the vending machine, likely more than once, and the vending machine likes quarters. It may take dollar bills, or it may be an accursed hunk of metal that laughes as your wrinkled paper. It will happily engorge itself upon your quarters, however.

If you do not do this, you will find yourself attemptign to get change at some godawful odd hour, and there will be none to be found.

DjCalvin

My Wife was Induced 2 weeks early at a pre delivery checkup. Talk about not ready...
I raced back home and got the essentials while they were getting her setup..
For her:
Change of clothes (comfy.. baggy.. warm)
snacks and apple juice (wife is type 1 diabetic)
portable DVD player with about 6 movies.

For me:
a pillow
A crapload of pain meds as they will not give them to you..
PSP with a crapload of games.
change of clothes

Standard:
Video camera
cell phones + chargers
baby clothes and car seat.
$100 in cash and coins


We didnt use the psp or the portable dvd player. - that was a waste of weight. I had everythign in 1 large hockey bag.

We were there 2 days before my wife's water broke from the induction. another 2 days later and we were home. Baby clothes didnt fit, had to go buy a new set at the nusury shop.

If you wife is going to be induced.. be ready for a long journey.. not all babies want to come out before they are due.. my daughter sure didnt. During the very slow times (a good 2 days worth of downtime) I would run errands for her, inform her work of the situation, inform my work of the situation, feed our pets, check in on the house etc..

Just do whatever your wife asks, and stay by her side no matter what when that water pops.. (you can hear it *pop* if she is on the ultrasound machine.. its neat)

Nakatomi2010

Lots of nifty info here.

Pretty sure I'm set for this thing, cell phones are definatelly allowed as the last two times I've been in there my wife, myself and her mother were all on our phones... While talking to my mother I learned that my sister was getting swamped and frustrated with phone calls, as a balance to this I've setup a Twitter account to update my family and her family in an effort to dodge calls from so many people looking for updates... Her family is huge so this ought to benefit us, not to mention that my family is in Canada and one of her cousins are in the Netherlands...

I'm going to shift my plan a bit and ditch my Zune & PDA in favor of just using the laptop and two cameras... Since my cell can SMS to Twitter I'll be making my updates that way. Suppose I should start making a list for tomorrow night's packing before loading everything into the car in the morning... Still gotta locate that charger for the DS though...

Should be interesting to see how things go...

rfalias

As an aside, Pics or this birth never happened.

Nakatomi2010

Pics for you guys? Of course... Though it'll be once he's cleaned up and such... I doubt you guys want to be involved in the play by play...

Improvolone

Decide now if you are going to cut the cord or look (for both vaginal and c-section).

Nakatomi2010

For those that wanted to see:

http://tinyurl.com/ne8owe

Ethan James <Last name Redacted>

Improvolone

I recognize that hospital blanket... they are everywhere!

PracticalProblemSolver

congratulations!

what are the stats on that kid? looks huge

Nakatomi2010

7 pounds 10 ounces. 19.5 inches.

Nakatomi2010

Also, for the record if anyone is interested, the live Tweeting of the hospital visit was a huge hit among our family as I was updating it frequently and accurately, honestly I'd recommend it to anyone who's having a kid in a big family where bunches of people will be asking questions...