You might have heard it mentioned: FOUR of the Style Lush writers are pregnant right now ... and I'm one of the blessed ones! We are expecting a son in October. We are so, so thrilled for the arrival of a little brother for our Sydney (who will be 2 years, 2 months when he arrives), and just can't believe we've struck the jackpot: a girl and a boy!
Most women who have the good fortune of a pregnancy can expect to spend at least a little time in the hospital. I am one of those women. When I gave birth to our daughter in August of 2008 I had an unexpected c-section. I remember naively shopping for pajamas for the hospital, browsing through matching tops and bottoms at Target, imagining how cute I would look in the hospital in my jammies. If you've ever had a c-section, you know about having that incision and about how often you have your gown pulled up to have everything checked out. Pants are not an option! My matching top and bottom pajama sets stayed in my hospital bag the entire five days I was there. I wore the provided hospital gowns from the time I checked in until I was finally discharged to go home (and the going-home outfit I packed? Well that's another post entirely. Disaster!).
Now that I'm a "pro" I know exactly what I'll need in my hospital bag to wear while in the process of having this baby boy: my favorite Adidas slide sandals and a backup pair of rubber flip flops for the shower, ONE nursing bra, and a gown of some kind ... to name a few! I have been searching for a modest-yet-cute nursing-my-baby-and-hospital-friendly gown of ANY kind to wear while I'm at the hospital this fall. Ladies, I give you Annie & Isabel!
These gowns were created by two sisters who are nurses and their goal is to improve patients' hospital experience. What a wonderful mission! The gowns meet hospital standards, snap at the shoulders (great for nursing!) and wrap completely around the back and tie at the side and neck. As a bonus they have pockets, fall to mid-calf, and, well, ARE CUTE! These gown are not exclusively for baby delivery ... they are perfect for any woman who spends time in the hospital for any reason. They also would make a great baby shower gift! I hope to take two to the hospital with me this fall (and my two favorite designs are the Annie and the Evelyn - size L - in case anyone is wondering, AHEM).
I don't know about you, but while I was at the hospital I just accepted the fact that people were gonna see my fanny (and, well, everything else). Don't get me wrong: my hospital experience while having Sydney was WONDERFUL. I loved our hospital, the staff was amazing, and I was so blessed to leave healthy with our healthy girl in my arms. I happily wore gowns that were missing snaps and ties and proudly displayed my new baby for photos while wearing them (while my cute but totally un-functional pajamas took up space in our bag). This time around I'm excited to pack my bag like a veteran and I look forward to being able to wear my own gown from home.
What little comfort do you recommend for a hospital bag (while having a baby)?
My four "little comforts" I required were these: my own pillow for sleeping (or "sleeping," as there was a newborn involved), a boppy for nursing and for post-c-section holding of the baby, a fuzzy blanket for myself (like a lovey, really, but more socially acceptable), and lemon wedges so I could drink the gross water and feel nice.
Posted by: J. | May 28, 2010 at 12:05 PM
Manda! We are so happy you found us and we know you will have a wonderful experience in your Annie & Isabel gowns! Your beautiful write up on us was PERFECT! We hope to help women feel better, look amazing, and recover faster! Annie & Isabel will be covering some other necessities in the future... watch out for flip flops (your right about that one.... those showers... ugh!)... pillow cases for your own pillow.. and gowns for men and children too! We feel blessed to be nurses alone, but now are so happy to help patients take back their dignity in the hospital!
Anna & Selena
Posted by: Selena Srabian | May 28, 2010 at 03:21 PM
Manda, so glad you wrote this! I haven't even thought about my hospital bag yet.
Posted by: La Petite Chic | May 28, 2010 at 06:42 PM
I had my csection 4 weeks ago and had packed a few of these swimsuit coverups from Target
http://www.target.com/Xhilaration-Juniors-Cover-up-Twist-Polka/dp/B00335JO8S/ref=sc_qi_detaillink
I wore them with this nursing bra underneath, since the top is kind of skimpy by itself
http://www.target.com/Gilligan-O%E2%80%99Malley-Nursing-Sleep-Bra/dp/B000KKX3FE/ref=sc_qi_detaillink
Kind of odd choices, but it worked out really well for me! I felt WAY better in my own clothes than I would have in that scratchy hospital gown.
Posted by: HollyLynne | May 28, 2010 at 10:06 PM
That's too cute! After being with my dear friend at the hospital last week for her baby's birth I can suggest a few things (it's been 10 years since I had my daughter, so the memory's a bit rusty, lol): Bottled Water! Your own pillow(s), comfortable socks and slippers, in addition to flip-flops, peppermint foot/body lotion, comfortable "granny panties", hair elastic bands. Bringing your own blanket(s) is a great idea too - not just for comfort, but hospital blankets are really itchy! Congrats!!
Posted by: Tammy Moore | June 02, 2010 at 04:10 PM