We're having a baby! Now what?

I mean this especially for the 3rd tri ladies nearing the end ........ Is reality hitting super hard? Its been about 4yrs since we started trying and yet I feel completely unprepared!!

I'm officially OFF my preterm labor drugs. This kid is coming on his terms now. Anyone due in October or so care to trade due dates? Seriously I feel like I can use another few months to mentally prepare myself - not to mention get prepared in other ways. I have no hospital bag packed .. and the list of things that still needs to get done can go on and on...

Just humor me and say I'm not alone!!

Re: We're having a baby! Now what?

In terms of set up and stuff, I am about 90 percent there. I have most of the must haves, and over the next 2 weeks DH and I will be shopping for the rest.

Mentally, I am NOT THERE YET!!!!! I am terrified of being a first time mom. I don't really even know how to change a diaper. Like you, getting pregnant was a miracle in itself, so I am so grateful to finally have this opportunity to be a mom and have a family. At the same time this is something that I can't just survive. I have to be able to do it well.

Re: We're having a baby! Now what?

You're almost there

Try to pack your bags ASAP; you don't want your DH having to grab stuff while you are dealing with contractions

For the stuff you don't have, but will need right away try to pick it up this weekend.

Don't panic...the nurses will show you everything you need to know. BTDT advise...don't be in a rush to leave the hospital. Take advantage of your stay.

Re: We're having a baby! Now what?

I was the exact same way. Since I went through all of the IF stuff, it never really hit me that I was going to have a baby soon.
Don't stress, it will all come together.

Re: We're having a baby! Now what?

Once he arrived it all falls into place, don't worry about hospital bags and all that nonsense...as long as you have comfy clothes you are fine

Re: We're having a baby! Now what?

Don't worry about anything! The hospital will give you anything you need for the baby and then DH or your family can pick up whatever you need that you don't have. You will be fine - everyone feels that way!

I told my friend that is due next month that there will be a moment when you get home from the hospital and you look at DH and say "what do we do with him?!" - just know that no one knows what to do with a new baby as a first time parent, but it all will come pretty naturally. And luckily your baby won't remember any mistakes you make now, so don't worry about any of it!

Re: We're having a baby! Now what?

you are due the day after me and I just packed my bag yesterday. I probably would have waited but the doctor yelled at me lol

it took me maybe 15 minutes- yoga pants/tanks, breastfeeding supplies, glamourous hanes grandma undies, pads, toothbrush and my cord blood kit. Last time, I showed up with a giant bag and used like 2 things

We're having a baby! Now what?

Wow! You girls are making me nervous!! Lol
our baby shower is in the 17th of august and I was going to have my bag packed the following week. I'm due the 29th of October. am I begin silly and waiting too long?! I figure I'll be like 30 weeks and bag will be packed and hopefully have mostly what we need. Nursery is already painted and we have the crib and dresser!

Message edited 8/2/2013 8:32:13 AM.

Re: We're having a baby! Now what?

I would get a hospital bag packed.
Include your favorite shampoo, conditioner, soap, flip flops (for the shower), slippers, night gown (someone will be up in there every few hours and you will bleed a lot), Soft yoga pants, nursing top if nursing. I brought nice hand soap to have my visitors wash their hands before touching the baby. I would get a set of granny panties and the longest, largest and most absorbent pads you can get. No tampons after delivery.

The hospitals have items for you but you need to ask for them:
Manual pump
Lanisoh
Nursing pads
Nursette feeders (even if you plan to nurse ask for them for emergency or night time use)
Binky
diapers
wipes
disposable underwear

I am not sure if they still give them out - but a gift pack from the formula company.

Re: We're having a baby! Now what?

We're having a baby! Now what?

When they placed DS in my arms after my C-section, I didn't cry hysterically...or feel the greatest love I've ever felt in my life.....

What I did feel was panic and literally said to myself "NOW what am I supposed to do?!?!"

The good news is, it all comes to you.

Re: We're having a baby! Now what?

Just want to say congrats, and I'm so happy for you!

Hospital bag packed or not, there's really no preparing for bringing your baby home. I had a scheduled c-section but DS decided to come early. Even feeling contractions, I didn't believe I was in labor!

Then I couldn't understand how the hospital just let me go home with this little new life that we had to figure out how to take care of...but you know what? You will figure it out! And it will be amazing!

Re: We're having a baby! Now what?

Re: We're having a baby! Now what?

Posted by TyReseGreen



You're almost there

Try to pack your bags ASAP; you don't want your DH having to grab stuff while you are dealing with contractions

For the stuff you don't have, but will need right away try to pick it up this weekend.

Don't panic...the nurses will show you everything you need to know. BTDT advise...don't be in a rush to leave the hospital. Take advantage of your stay.

Message edited 8/2/2013 9:15:29 AM.

We're having a baby! Now what?

Breathe. You're gonna do GREAT! And don't worry about "what you need". All you need is baby. ;)

Re: We're having a baby! Now what?

Posted by DiamondGirl

Once he arrived it all falls into place, don't worry about hospital bags and all that nonsense...as long as you have comfy clothes you are fine

We're having a baby! Now what?

Yesterday it hit me hard because its August now, so without a doubt I will be having a baby this month. I'm actually thankful now that I was put on bedrest 3 wks ago because I don't know how I ever would have gotten anything done. DH kicked it into high gear putting furniture together and washing clothes, sheets and blankets. I packed my bag 2 wks ago, but just realized yesterday that I only have 1 nursing tank, no nursing bras! I also just rcvd my diaper bag in the mail yesterday. I keep thinking about all the little things I'm missing and how I'm not fully prepared, but I think mostly I'm just really nervous now that its so close. I'm just really hoping for a healthy baby and a speedy recovery. I tell myself that everything else will work itself out.

Re: We're having a baby! Now what?

You're not alone.

Getting things done like packing the hospital bag, having all my FMLA paperwork submitted, and registering with the hospital is helping. It makes me feel like I have some type of control over this lol.

However, the nursery is a hot mess and no where near being finished and we still aren't 100% sure on a name.

I can't believe i'm 35w tomorrow. Heck, I still can't believe I'm pregnant and am going to be having a son in only a matter of weeks!

Re: We're having a baby! Now what?

Technically I was as ready as I could've been, I had everything done months in advance. Mentally is a different story lol. The night before my induction I told DH I need a few more months, and I actually cried!! Gotta love the hormones.

Re: We're having a baby! Now what?

Definitely pack your bag ASAP, but as far as everything else, no matter how "prepared" you are you're still totally unprepared when the baby gets put in your arms!! Just enjoy the ride.

We're having a baby! Now what?

I agree with all of the above..my crib, etc. came when I was in the hospital and I always said, "A baby needs food, a place to pee and poop and a place to sleep." If you've got that, you're great...as for your bag..I had a robe (which I practically lived in), they gave me thick pads and I took some home but had Always at home, lip balm (cannot live without), wisps (for when I wasn't allowed out of bed yet), toothbrush, etc..comfy undies and comfy pants and shirt for coming home (still maternity stuff)..and swedish fish (I had an awful craving but only AFTER I had the baby..haha)

We're having a baby! Now what?

I went into labor a few weeks early and didnt have a bag packed. I showed up at the hospital with only the clothes on my back and was perfectly fine!!!!

Re: We're having a baby! Now what?

Wow, thanks everyone for your responses! I had a mini freak out last night thinking of the things that still needs to get done. After so many years and so much heartache, it hasn't sunk in till recently (although in many ways STILL hasn't sunk in yet!) that yes we will be bringing a baby home. Finally!

I can't believe that the day is coming closer and we'll get to experience life on the other side of this crazy road. Having said that - my goal for the weekend is to have my bag packed and to have his sheets and clothing washed and ready! I feel like getting myself more organized and being (physically) ready will help mentally too.

Now I'm just afraid of getting him out. This is the part of the pregnancy I wish my surrogate could take over for and when I tell her that, she disagrees.

Re: We're having a baby! Now what?

I've had my bags packed for like a month. Everything set up. Clothes all washed. For weeks.

I was due yesterday. On Tuesday I did a final scrub down of the apartment and am off work now just killing time.

I'm getting more uncomfortable but I can totally handle that -- it's more of a mental thing at this point. Knowing it's coming at any time now. Evaluating 'signs' of labor coming. Essentially not sleeping at all despite wanting to.

Have stuff lined up to do that's optional stuff.

Little projects that can fill up your time at the end otherwise you'll go nuts lol. My husband is at work and I want to go out and walk this baby towards wanting to come out -- but know I shouldn't go too far by myself. Everyone is at work. I wish my family weren't out of state so my mom or grandma could come over and just kill time with me.

I'm going out later to get some stuff to bake/cook, etc.






You guys will be just fine. No one is ever 100% prepared. Everyone, not matter how much experience you have with kids -- has learning to do.

You'll be fine. Now... let's race

Re: We're having a baby! Now what?