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I’m 26 weeks pregnant and trying to figure out my leave. I live in NJ and work at PwC, any fishes know the policy for NJ and PwC? The leave center has not been much help and I want to plan NOW not like 60 days before. I was told NJ gets two weeks before due date and PwC gives you two weeks as well.
Looking for push gift suggestions.
Did you/would you get booster during pregnancy?
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I ended up using very little of what I brought. The things I did use were my own pjs, all my skincare products, phone charger, cute baby outfit for hospital pics, and going home outfits for me and the baby.
The peri bottle and those big panties lol.. i didn’t bleed that much so i went back to regular pads and panties after a day.
Rising Star
Not much haha
PJs for day 2/3 in the hospital, I gave birth in the hospital gown and a bra. My toiletries, although I didn’t shower until I got home. I ate all the snacks we brought after labor. And nipple cream. Charger. Two baby outfits. Our own wipes because the hospital uses dry ones. My partner uses the pillow and blanket we brought, I thought the hospital ones were fine. One pair of disposable undies for going home.
The hospital pretty much gave me everything - peri bottle, disposable underwear, nipple cream etc so I didn’t use what I ended up bringing. Would definitely recommend bringing shower / skincare stuff and your own blanket - my husband used it
I had an emergency C-section so found it very hard to move - didn't change into my pyjamas at all. We ran out of baby clothes as he was bigger than expected and had blowouts every ten seconds (remember you will probably be quite bad at nappy changing haha). I ate all the snacks
My first c-section I never changed out of the hospital gown, but I couldn't remember if I had even really brought PJs or not. I just remember it was hard to do anything, can't imagine putting on pants of any kind
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Not much, I was in a daze.
- comfy clothes
- shower/ hospital sandals
- toiletries
- snacks
- extra long phone charger
That’s about it. Hospital will give you a lot of essentials
Rising Star
- Eye masks for sleeping (ended up being totally clutch with the hospital lights and constant interruptions at night / need to nap during the day)
- Pillow from home
- Long phone chargers
- Toothpaste and toothbrush
- Lip balm (the hospital is so dry!)
- Hair brush / hair tie for labor
- Nursing bra (and wish I had brought a pumping bra)
- Going home outfits for me (was told to pack the size I was at 6 mos pregnant which was close enough to accurate) & the baby (brought in NB and 0-3 and ended up only using the NB size)
- I put on the high waisted postpartum underwear I brought over the mesh underwear the hospital provided while packing to help hold in the ice pad and wish I’d done that sooner
Totally not what I expected to use. I didn’t get to shower - the hospital didn’t provide towels - and I did not end up washing my face or even removing my makeup. I was pretty immobile and didn’t change out of the hospital gown and hospital socks during my stay.
My own nightgown and a charger, and whatever I needed for the baby (clothes to go home, blanket). The nightgown was great because I didn’t want to wear the hospital gown but also didn’t want to wear pants for when the nurses checked me.
A few outfits, a stroller fan with the charger (so sweaty and hot postpartum), some baby outfits and swaddle, phone chargers, a boppy pillow and toiletries.
Comfy nursing bra, blanket and pillow from home, extra long phone charger.
I overpacked for my first, but here is what I ended up using that I brought in my bag:
- shower shoes
- shampoo in travel container
- toothpaste/toothbrush
- hairbrush
- hair ties
- 2 comfortable nightgowns that were breastfeeding friendly
- lounging robe
- pumping bra
- breast pump
- 2 outfits and 1 blanket for the baby but this was mostly for photos and not out of necessity
- makeup basics (again not a need but for photos and also to feel a little more like me postpartum)
- phone charger
- sound machine (very helpful for me)
- eye masks for me and partner (hospital rooms can be bright)
- snacks (out of personal preference over some hospital food)
- going home outfit for me + baby
Everything else I used what had been provided by the hospital. Good luck!
In addition to the above, I brought both my own pillow (amazing!) and my Breastfriend pillow for breastfeeding, which is so much better for newborns than the Boppy. Every lactation consultant could tell I was a 2nd time mom since I had the gear.
Things I didn’t think I would need but actually did and liked having: Nursing pillow, Velcro swaddles (actually sent husband home to grab a bunch after blowouts in the two I brought).
I added items I used after leaving the hospital to help with vaginal birth recovery (I had an unexpected episiotomy so am super glad I was over the top and ordered a bunch of herbal ointments):
-My own gowns and blanket, snacks, basic bathroom essentials especially for your first shower etc
-Frida Mom disposable underwear (I actually ordered extra pairs to hold me over for two weeks)
-Frida Mom ice packs (lifesavers)
-Frida Mom perineal cooling pad liners (these were amazing, the foam was meh)
-Earth Mama organic perineal balm (another lifesaver)
-Honeypot organic herbal infused pads (had a cooling effect)
-Motherlove sitz bath spray
-Mebo herbal ointment (German made)
FTM and I wish I had brought my own pump as well
pillow, charger, Bluetooth speaker
Just the comb to squeeze between contractions, water, and almonds. Mine was at a birth center so only was there for a few hours