When Every Minute Counts
 
My contractions started at 4 in the morning. The frequency was irregular and so was the "intensity" (relatively speaking, IMO one doesn't know what intensity really is until in the middle of active labor). They became regular at around 6 am coming every 20 minutes. I was excited but was careful not to get my hopes up because I didn't want another false alarm like the Monday before.

Baby Evan has lost his mitten. The nurse suggested that I ask his pediatrician first before trimming his fingernails. I never got around to asking his doctor the 2 times I saw her (at 7:30 in the morning, you tend to forget many things) so we're waiting until his first visit this Tuesday. Since he kept scratching his face and we couldn't find mittens that weren't too big so we used his sock. The other kept coming falling off, the solution? I sewed to make the opening narrower. Evan at 4 days old.
 
I told Tom about the possiblity of him getting half-day time off (again) around 7. I called the office at 8:30 but this time I was puzzled why my contractions were now coming every 10 minutes - they couldn't come that fast, I thought, the earliest I hoped to be the hospital was in the afternoon not 3 hours after active labor started. I told Tom to get ready while I hurriedly changed the crib's bed sheets, put up the bumpers etc. 9 o'clock I checked my watch and contractions were only 7 minutes apart! I waited 20 more minutes to be sure and my watch wasn't deceiving me. I saw Tom prepare to brew coffee in the kitchen,
"Hon, I don't think we have time for that".
 
My poor husband, with a pot of coffee in his hand, was momentarily nonplussed, "Really?"
 
"I'm not sure but I think I'm coming every 10 minutes now", I altered the minutes because the fact was - I still didn't think the contractions were that close already.
 
"Then we should call the hospital already." It took sometime for Tom to get through to the clinic "The hell with it," he swore putting the phone down, "we should go straight to the hospital." But I insisted on calling first and he managed to get through. 

After 5 minutes, we were inside the car and on our way to the hospital. About time, we have so long waited for this day.

to be continued...

What Should Be In Your "Hospital Bag"

Different books have different suggestions on what to pack on this wonderful day. Here's mine:

very helpful: Brestfriend nursing pillow, pregnancy book about labor and delivery, Swaddle Me blanket - I was too tired all the time to figure out how to swaddle a baby using ordinary blankets everytime I finish nursing Evan.

Inset photo: hospital giveaways, a big tote bag full of mommy and baby stuff (sanitary pads included) and a nice diaper bag full of baby formulas and, again, other baby stuff.

wish I had brought: nursing gown (that buttons to the stomach, mine was only up to the chest which was a hindrance) and the hospital gown was a pain to nurse with although on the first day I wouldn't wear anything of my own because there were just lots of blood. extra sheets - hospital sheets was a bit too thin. Hairbrush - left mine at home.

things I brought but didn't use: baby stuff since everything was provided by the hospital (from receiving blankets, down to cap(s) yes plural I got to take home 3 - I was even given a rectal thermometer. The only one I used was the going home outfit). Electric breastpump, we didn't have a problem with Evan's latching. Terry robe, I stayed inside the labor room the whole time plus their room temperature was good.

things I planned to bring and glad I didn't: the labor reliever stuff like popsicles, tennis balls, focal point pictures etc., I would never got around using them. My husband's hand was all I needed. CDs, we just watched tv - yep American Idol right after I gave birth.

things I brought and used: going home outfit, 1 pair underwear (nursing bra helped, I used the disposable undies during my whole stay and even brought extras home), toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, lotion, toothbrush, facial scrub). Pressed powder and lipstick. Camera.

Currently listening to: tv in the background
Currently reading: still baby books
Currently watching: no time for movies