The birth of your baby is a hectic time in the life of a family. There is quite a bit to plan and work out before you head out to the hospital.
And, unless you have a planned induction or cesarean section, the actual date you are going to deliver is just a mystery. Your doctor may be able to tell you within a week or so of when you should deliver but moms have been known to deliver a week or two early to a week or two late. That’s a four week difference!
The last minute preparations for delivery of your baby cant be too planned. Its best to start with a list of things that should be accomplished and add to the list when something new pops up.
It may be an ugly rumor, but its fairly common for women to have trouble with short term memory during pregnancy and immediately afterward. Lists help to keep you going down the right road.
First on the list is to take care of commitments you already have, such as older children. When you are leaving in the middle of the night (because you know that your water ALWAYS breaks in the middle of the night) you should have someone who can get to your house within 30 minutes to stay with your other children.
Actually, water doesn’t always break in the middle of the night it just seems that way.
Have your children’s schedule organized for the new caregiver so your children and the caregiver don’t have troubles while you’re in the hospital. Make a list of foods your children like, allergies they have, medications they may be on and a list of things they cant do so the caregiver isn’t left to their own devices and you aren’t worrying about the other children while bonding with the newest little addition.
Once you have your children’s schedule worked out think about what meals you might be able to make ahead of time and put into the freezer. When you come home you may have friends who bring meals and you may not but in either case you’ll want to pull meals directly out of the freezer and bake them up quickly. Cooking will probably be last on your list of want to dos when you are exhausted.
There are many meals that work well directly from the freezer. And most upscale groceries also have some wonderful frozen meals that are perfect for a family. The traditional pasta dishes that do well from the freezer are lasagna and manicotti. You can freeze chili into individual containers or into family size containers. Add some chopped onions, shredded cheese and saltines and you have a hearty meal. Chicken breasts can be pounded, stuffed and breaded before freezing. Put them in the refrigerator the day before cooking and pop them in the oven; add rice, salad and a vegetable and you have a quick meal.
In your list of things to do you should have notified and worked out your maternity leave with your boss. Unless you are having a planned delivery your work will have to be planned around a quick exit from 2 weeks prior to the delivery day forward. Don’t take on extra work that you may not be there for the next day. When you are within 2 weeks of the delivery date go home each night as if you wont be there the next day. Put your things away, deliver your reports, put your desk in order. You very well may not be at work the next day.
If you are an entrepreneur and own your own business things may be a bit more difficult. Never assume that you’ll be ready to go back to work in the first three weeks. Even though you work at home you’ll still be tired and worn out. Your brain wont be functioning optimally and your creative juices will need some serious recharging.
Get rid of the idealized fictional version of you working at the computer or sewing machine while baby sleeps comfortably nearby. When baby is sleeping you should be too because when baby is awake at night you will be too! Find yourself virtual assistants and hire them before your third trimester. This will help you acclimate them to your business and your way of doing things before you go flying off to the hospital.
Once you have the food ironed out and work settled you’ll want to pack a suitcase for the trip to the hospital. Have this packed and ready to go about 2 weeks before your due date. You can have it packed and in your closet ready to grab and go. Take your favorite things that will make you feel pretty and good about yourself. Make sure the clothing and nightgowns are loose fitting. You’ll be delivering your baby and losing weight immediately but you wont gain back muscle tone for some weeks to come.
If you have a few extra make up pieces you use for travel pack those as well. A well placed stroke of blush, lipstick and mascara can do wonders for those pictures taken immediately after baby is born. Also pack make up removal, moisturizer for your face and body and facial cleanser. You’ll want several underpants, nursing bras and an outfit you can travel home in. You wont be ready for non-pregnancy clothing but you probably wont want to get right back into your pregnant clothes. Pick out a pair of loose fitting pants with elastic and an over shirt that has easy access for nursing.
Your last minute preparations for delivery of your baby actually begin in your second trimester when you are working either inside or outside the home. That means literally every woman! So don’t put this important task off to another day. Make your list, check it twice and get moving!
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