Hospital Bag

I think this was my most searched item on Google. I always like to hear what Mom's think & any helpful advice they can pass along! So now that I have had my trip to the hospital I figure it's a good idea to make a post of my own on this topic. Considering I had never had a hospital stay or a baby this was all so foreign to me! 

I had thought that I had been prepared with my bag for about 2 months. It's funny, the day I went into labour I had come home & added more things to the bag! I felt like I didn't have enough things & didnt want to be sending my husband home to pick up a million things (we are lucky where we live our hospital is about 7 minutes away). Here are my helpful tips below:

• A fan (you don't realize how hot you will get, could be a combination of hormones or maybe the fact you are having the most intense workout of your life! They tend to keep the hospital quite warm a well) 

• Cozy pajamas or lounge wear (you want to be in something that isn't constricting & comfortable)

• Snacks (depending on what time of day or night you go into labour you want to be able to have something to eat after. Luckily my sister had brought me Gatorade which was fantastic to replenish my electrolytes after the fact)

• DSLR camera (I really wasn't interested in having photos in the delivery room. My sister decided to use our camera halfway through the delivery to capture the first moments with our baby. These are photos I know I will cherish forever)

• Flip flops (you don't know what's on the floor & they are easy to slip on & off, plus you can wear them in the shower) 

• Pillow (you want to be as comfortable as possible so any comforts like this from home make it much better)

• Boppy or Nursing Pillow (I had forgotten mine at home & regretted this deeply! My back was killing me within no time. Do yourself & your back a favor by propping your baby up on the nursing pillow)

• Lip Balm (it's amazing how fast your lips can dry out, stock your bag with your favorite lip chap as you will be constantly applying it)

• Baby Sleepers (I had brought the sleeping gowns for the baby, so easy for changing during the night & it also has long sleeves. Our baby wasn't the Swaddle type so she wanted her arms out at all times, this way I didn't worry about her cooling down too much) 

• Shampoo & Conditioner (I wanted to shower as much as I could so these were nice to have as the hospital only provided some foaming soap to use) 

Overall the hospital does provide a lot of care items for the baby. These are mostly items to make Momma's feel more comfortable. I hope you find these tips helpful. 

Melissa xo 

38 Weeks!

Well I didn't anticipate we would be at 38 weeks so quickly but there was a change in the due date. I guess from having 3 different doctors & having the ultrasounds done it wasn't caught until last week. We are currently at 1 week & 2 days left until our new due date! The feeling that I constantly have these days is butterflies. I go to bed every night wondering "will she come tonight?" Then I wake in the morning to ask myself the same question. The waiting period is hard especially when you are nocturnal. I've never in my life had an issue with sleeping until about the past 2 months. Nobody warned me about that... That's okay though, I have had a few weeks off to enjoy some "me" time. Which was much needed.  Feeling anxious about labour as I'm sure that's normal. How bad is the pain? Will it really be as bad as everyone makes it out to be? It's the fear of the unknown.... All worth it in the end to meet our girl. 

The baby wasn't quite in the right position as of the doctors appointment yesterday. We have another check-up next week to see where she's at. She is the size of a watermelon right now & don't I know it! I can thankfully say most of my clothes fit up until last week. Thank goodness! She's weighing in at approximately 6.5 lbs & between 19-22 inches long. Funny to look back to around 18 weeks, I thought I had a "big bump" then! I can't wait to see her face for the very first time & hold her. We are ready to meet you sweet girl! Wishing you a safe entrance into this beautiful world. 

I don't have a lot of photos but a bathroom selfie will have to do for now:

Melissa xo 

22 Weeks!

It seems strange to see 18 weeks to go now instead of having more weeks ahead of us.... We are getting there! The weeks seem to be going by so quickly! Every Sunday we have the "changing of the fruit" which means our "What To Expect" app changes to a new fruit or veggie... Big day around the Coulter household. 

Baby is the size of a papaya this week (8 inches, 1.2 lbs) & active as ever! Babe is starting to put some chub on starting now. I am feeling so much movement, melts my heart. Even Chris can feel her too which is quite special for the both of us. She is more active during the day rather than night (fingers crossed we have a sleeper). Starting to feel really good, more energy & I think the morning sickness may have passed... I don't want to curse myself. Booked our prenatal classes/ hospital tour last week. Things are really getting real around here! We will be seeing a new doctor next week who will hopefully be delivering baby Coulter. 

Photo credit to my patient husband who spent the time capturing these moments while sick. 

"Carrying a baby is the most rewarding experience a woman can enjoy." 

- Jayne Mansfield

We love you already Baby Coulter.

Melissa xo