pregnancy – Luv Bec

(Edit: I wrote this post before an emergency that put me in the hospital at 31.5 weeks. I’m SO happy now that I had this bag prepared when my complications put me in the hospital without the ability to go home again. Having all of these comforts from home prepared and ready in a bag have made all the difference.)

Hospital/Weekender Bag: Under $35!

You guys voted on my Instagram stories that you wanted me to share what’s in my hospital bag. While my situation definitely isn’t the norm, because of my placenta percreta, I’m sharing with you what I’M packing this go-round. With other pregnancies, some of the items may have looked a little differently, but here’s the breakdown of what’s in my bag with our third (and last) baby…

TOILETRIES: Pack the essentials that you’d want from home, in case you have a longer stay than expected. My first child I thought I’d be in and out, but after 39 hours of a labor to have a c-section, I ended up staying there much longer than I’d originally suspected. I ended up wanting my own shampoo and conditioner and all my fav toiletries from home. This time, I just packed some of the essentials I’d want and found these great, little inexpensive toiletry bags so it’s all in there organized and ready for me.

A BATHROBE, SLIPPERS AND COMFY (NURSING-FRIENDLY) SLEEPWEAR:
- While a typical stay for labor & delivery would be around 1-3 days, I can’t anticipate how long I’ll be in the hospital this go-round. I’d say, with any pregnancy, I’d recommend bringing your own robe, slippers (with sturdy soles) and a nightgown or two of your own. Although some people may be comfortable staying in the hospital’s gowns the duration of their stay, (I did with my first pregnancy), I learned that after I’m able to be mobile again, I just want to be in my own comfy clothes. Especially when visitors are coming in and out. The hospital gowns have exposed backs, so there’s no moving around with guests in your room without your bootie hanging out! So, again, it’s personal preference. But my bag contains my own comfy robe, slippers, a couple nursing nightgowns, and a comfy lounging around outfit. (Make sure that your gowns are nursing friendly, if you plan to try to breastfeed. Meaning… the tops are easily accessible.) Below are some of the items I’ve purchased for my hospital bag and for comfy things to wear when I get home…

NURSING BRAS, POSTPARTUM UNDERWEAR, BELLY SHIELD:
- If this is your first child, you won’t believe how enormous your breasts can become in what feels like “out of nowhere”. When your milk comes in, you’re going to want to make sure you have the right bras. You can either pack some sports bras that feel roomie enough to accommodate the new size or invest in some nursing/sleep bras. I like to have comfortable, soft fabric bras that area easily pulled down for nursing. I don’t like underwire or lots of clasps, so I just like to have comfy bras that can be used for nursing.
- Something you also learn about when you have a baby are the BEAUTIFUL hospital post-partum underwear. Oh. My Gah! I HATE these things. Yes, they get the job done. And you don’t want to be wearing your own nice underwear bc they are likely to get ruined those first few days. (If you don’t know what I’m talking about, you soon will.) But this time, I purchased some post-partum underwear of my own on Amazon that were pretty affordable. I also purchased some other ones, that I like a little more, to wear in the weeks after when I get home. If you could have a c-section, or in my case, I’ll be having a c-section/hysterectomy with an incision all the way up my belly, keep in mind to look for underwear that are a soft, breathable material that won’t hurt being on your incision.
- I also linked (in the carousel below) some post-partum belly bands. I used one after my son and it really helped me get back my shape. I started it as early as leaving the hospital, so you may want to consider either packing it or having it for shortly after you get home, if you’re going to consider using one.
  - If you do have a c-section, I found this great belly shield that is supposed to protect your incision from your clothing. I’ve never actually tried it, but thinking it might come in handy this go-round.

NURSING PAD/CREAM: As you’re getting the hang of nursing, there can be a lot of bumps in the road. It’s not often discussed how difficult the journey can be, but there’s lots of help out there to encourage you through the journey. Make sure to reach out to your hospital lactation consultant while you’re there for any questions/support. You can also find local consultants who will travel to your home when you get back after baby. I’ve heard this can be especially helpful, as they can point out the best places in your home to nurse, things to help make you more comfortable, and they’re there AFTER your milk has come in. (Because a lot of times this doesn’t fully happen until after you leave the hospital.) I’ve always used disposable pads, but I won’t lie… I’m not a huge fan. I have some disposable ones in my toiletry bag for the hospital, but I’ve also heard these ones are great, so thinking of giving them a try:

GLASSES AND EXTRA CONTACT LENSES/SOLUTION
A COUPLE PAIRS OF NON-SLID, COZY SOCKS
LIP BALM/CHAPSTICK
EXTRA PONYTAIL HOLDERS/BRUSH: I like my hair up and out of the way when I’m in the hospital.
PHONE CHARGER: I also recommend bringing an extra long phone cord, so that it reaches you from your hospital bed. Since I could be there a while, I ordered this one, in case I’m not very mobile (no pun intended).

PACIFIERS FOR BABY
BABY CLOTHES/SOCKS/SWADDLE BLANKETS/GOING HOME OUTFIT: Normally I would only pack a couple things, but again, because I don’t know how long I’ll be there or how long my baby will have to be there (she’s scheduled to be born at 34 weeks and 5 days), I have a little more than usual packed. I have several preemie sized onesies and footed jammies, several swaddle blankets, a “going-home” outfit and a couple things I might want to use to photograph her in while we’re at the hospital. I have this in preemie size for her to wear home. I also packed a couple cute headbands for her to wear with this and other items (for photos, of course). It’s super soft and comfy and comes in several colors. It also comes in a footed onesie version. Here are some of the items I have in my bag and some other thing I LUV:

COMFORTABLE GOING HOME OUTFIT: Again, think comfort. I plan to wear a loose-fitting top and comfy pants (with a comfortable waistband) home from the hospital. You could also consider a maxi dress or loose dress. Whatever you choose, I’d choose something loose and comfortable.) See the carousel I posted above (for robes/slippers/sleepwear). I posted a pair of comfy pants and a couple t-shirts. I’ve packed the blouse in the first photo below with these comfy lounge pants and easy slide-on sandals.

DON’T FORGET TO BRING BABY’S CAR SEAT: Finally, don’t forget to have baby’s car seat ready for going home. Hospitals will make sure they check the baby in the seat and make sure it covers all safety standards before they let you go home. We always have the car seat base setup and ready in the car when we know we’re close to baby’s due date. You’ll bring the actual seat in the hospital with you the day you’re ready to take baby home. Our car seat/stroller:

Everyone’s idea of what they consider necessary for a hospital stay can be different. I’ve just learned I like to have the comforts of home, and being prepared makes the experience much less stressful. This is simply what I’ve decided to pack, and I hope it helps give you a little direction when packing your own bag. Whatever you pack, my heart is with you as you prepare for the most exciting journey of your life… All my LUV…

Tell me in the comments below what else you pack and anything else you’ve learned with your hospital experiences. Feel free to ask questions, too!

For more on baby gear I have ready when me and baby come home, see this post:

Must-Haves for Baby List: Gear & Favorite Items

*Affiliate links were used in this post. Which means I receive a commission when you purchase items at my recommendation. Thanks, as always, for your support.

Well, surprise! If you’ve been wondering why it’s been so quiet over here on my end, here it is!!! It’s been a crazy 3 months, but we’re finally so excited to share that we are pregnant with Pfeiffer Kid #3, or as my dad endearingly calls she or he “PK3”.

If you’ve been following along, you may have read my very personal blog post about my devastating loss a few months ago. After speaking with our doctor and doing some personal reflection, we decided that we would continue to try the following month. I understand this topic is a very personal one, and each family probably has their own opinions about when they decide to try after a loss. But, it was very early on for us, and we decided we were emotionally ready to keep trying.

So here we are 3 months later, 3 months pregnant! I’m just now at the end of my first trimester, but boy oh boy has it been a rough couple months! I’m now remembering why I thought I was done having kids after my second pregnancy. I’ve been feeling pretty sick, extremely exhausted, and due to some complications, I’ve been instructed to lay pretty low. So it’s been lots of unplugging and resting and trying to keep this baby cookin’! But we’re OVER-THE-MOON with joy and gratitude that God has blessed us with this miracle!!

We’ve now seen the heartbeat a total of 5 times, so we’re feeling pretty good about the progress of little PK3, and we should even find out the sex within the next week!

I’ve been pretty open about our journey, and I plan to continue to be, as I hope that our story can inspire even one person. After having 2 kids, we decided we were both done, and my husband had a vasectomy. Fast forward 4-5 years later, my youngest was going to school full-time, and I started majorly second-guessing that decision. I just didn’t feel like I was ready to be out of this chapter yet. Life felt so good and I wondered why we made such a big decision at such a young age, and I started questioning completely if we’d made a huge mistake…

After lots of discussion, pondering and PRAYER, we decided to move forward with doing a reversal. Going into it, we weren’t sure what the outcome would be. We were told that statistically we were the perfect candidates for this procedure, as we as a couple have had 2 healthy babies together, we did not have a history of fertility issues, we were both still “young” AND it had only been 5 years since the original procedure. Still though, there were no certainties, so we had to go into it unconditionally with as much hope and faith as we could muster up.

The very first month we were able to try I had a positive pregnancy test around when my period was due. However, within 24 hours I got my “period”, and I learned that this is typically considered a “chemical pregnancy”. I’d never even heard of this before, but I felt a mix of emotions that day. On one hand, I was pretty disappointed once I realized I wasn’t actually pregnant. But, on the other hand, I felt optimistic that we showed signs of being able to get pregnant again so quickly, so I was also very hopeful.

Over the next several months after this I had my own personal health scare that postponed our baby journey completely. While I sorted out my own health, we had to put the idea of a baby on hold, which was extremely difficult after everything we’d been through. But several months later, we were ready to try again! (Maybe I’ll share more on that another time…)

The early miscarriage was more devastating than I could have ever imagined. But after the almost year-long journey from the reversal to now, I can honestly say it makes me even more full of gratitude for this blessing God has given us now. I know that my story is unfolding as it is supposed to, and God will continue to answer my prayers and teach me through unanswered prayers that He is in charge and that I can plan as much as I’d like, but some things are simply outside of my control.

With that, I accept this journey unconditionally. I pray for health and happiness and that this baby is the perfect completion to our little family. The kids are gleeful that they are going to have a baby brother or sister, and that makes my heart explode even more! When I consider how lucky I am in this world to be surrounded by so much unconditional love, it only seems right to consider adding another soul to our loving circle.

I so appreciate all of you coming on this journey with us. After my last blog post, I was flooded with the most kind, caring, considerate messages from so many of you, I couldn’t even believe it. While we can all knock social media and the issues that it can cause, it is also be the most incredible forum for a bunch of strangers to come together for so much good. Your support has meant the world, and I hope that you know that I’m here for each and every one of you who may have a similar story or ANY story of your own! Please feel free to comment below, and I’d LUV to connect with you!

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**Amazing photography by Kristin LaDriere Family Photography! If you’re in the Tampa Bay area, check her out! She’s done our photos for many years, and she rocks!!!

What’s in My Hospital Bag

All Good Things are Worth Waiting For (Our Unexpected Journey to Have Another Child) <3