What I'm bringing to the hospital to have a baby

I have my hospital bag packed! I can't believe I'm already this far along and I'm so excited to have everything ready to go! Thanks for watching and let me know if there is anything else you think I should bring with me.
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A LITTLE ABOUT US:
Hi! We are a married couple from Jacksonville, Florida. We quit our jobs, bought a 30 year old van named Hidalgo and spent 5 months road tripping the US, then went abroad and spent 6 months exploring Europe and Asia. Now we are settling back down into normal life in Florida with our first baby on the way and we're excited to see what comes next!
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[@SychJess]

It may seem excessive to many people, but as a maternity nurse I love when my moms bring in extra toiletries. After birth a little self love for your body after what it’s been through is needed! At first you’ll be exhausted and not want to shower/wash up, but after you’ll feel SOOO much better. This is such an exciting time, enjoy every moment of it!

[@CourtneyZinckgraf]

Thank you!! That’s helpful to know! I will probably want to shower to feel a little more like myself

[@debragould503]

I definitely was happy to take a shower after delivery! Best of luck to you!!

[@CourtneyZinckgraf]

Thank you!

[@anaquasar5228]

Birth vlog. Definitely!! Congrats to both of you :)

[@CourtneyZinckgraf]

Thank you!! I really hope we can make a birth Vlog!

[@christinafindley1300]

Bring the nursing pillow inside, mine became my best friend! Ditch the non-nursing bra. The clothes and robe are perfect! Love the little ones clothes, I love elephants!! After birth, you'll want to shower! Can't eat or drink anything, at least I wasn't allowed to. Will be good for the stay though, my hospitals food was so yucky! Beanies, got to keep it's little head warm. Even if it's nice out. I'd probably ditch the water bottles too, hospital has those with straws. Really I think you did a great job, ultimately it's all up to you and Bryce, having creature comforts will be nice. Just don't forget the beanies! You guys are going to do so well and I can't wait to see the little one! Stay happy, safe and healthy my friend!❤️

[@CourtneyZinckgraf]

Thank you for all the advice! You Stay healthy and safe as well ☺️

[@olgat714]

Wow where did the time go ?! I know this is an exciting happy and scary time for you but everything will be fine and I know you two will be such great parents . I can’t wait I feel like it’s my daughter having a baby !!! LOL and YES I definitely want to see the baby’s birth please make sure you video as much as you can ! 😁❤️

[@CourtneyZinckgraf]

Awww thank you!!! It makes me happy to know that you guys are excited! It will definitely help with the fact that no one will be meeting it in person at first! ❤️

[@LaLadybug2011]

I took a few magazines and a book I was already reading. My friend took a small knitting project. There may be a lot of "slow" time in the early stages of labor. This is SO exciting Courtney! I know y'all's family can't wait for this baby to get here.😊

[@CourtneyZinckgraf]

LaLadybug2011 that’s a good idea! Knitting while in labor sounds funny haha but makes sense!

[@allisonsherman7231]

Love how you have decorated ....behind you in the video.....love it!! It sounds like super plans for the big day. Gonna be awesome❤️

[@CourtneyZinckgraf]

Allison Sherman thank you!!! ☺️

[@cindym5777]

You are so absolutely adorable 🌻 I surround you in light. Have so much fun🌻

[@CourtneyZinckgraf]

Thank you so much ☺️❤️

[@zaty31]

It’s my experience they don’t allow food during labor in case of an emergency c section. But right after you can EAT!!!! I planned my meals that I wanted so they had them ready for me lol.

[@CourtneyZinckgraf]

zaty31 I think i might be allowed to eat depending on the circumstances! I’m sure I’ll be so hungry after though!!!

[@melissasparks7937]

Such an exciting event to welcome baby! Wishing you and Bryce the best experience and look forward to your birth vlog!

[@CourtneyZinckgraf]

melissa sparks thank you! We’re so excited ☺️

[@zaty31]

Bring a focal point. Something to concentrate on during labor. With my first baby it was an ultrasound picture. With my second it was a picture of my first baby.

[@CourtneyZinckgraf]

zaty31 that’s a good idea!!

[@oh.darlindear7789]

Congrats, almost there! Love your videos! 🥰😍

[@CourtneyZinckgraf]

Thank you!!! ☺️

[@gingerware5443]

Witch hazel is good in addition to the perineal spray. Excited to meet your babe!

[@CourtneyZinckgraf]

ginger ware I’ve heard that! I’ll have to add that in

[@hhleannem5237]

You should get the hydroflask cap with the sip straw lid. Game changer when I bought it to change out the lid it came with. lol

[@CourtneyZinckgraf]

Yeah I probably should haha it does sound really nice

[@ItsSimplyAngela]

So exciting! Can’t wait to pack my hospital bag. Check your hospital’s visitor policy to see if your husband can leave to go to the car should you want the nursing pillow. My hospital isn’t letting the visitor (support person) leave the hospital at all during the stay.

[@CourtneyZinckgraf]

Ohhh interesting!! Thank you, I’ll check on that! When are you due?

[@ItsSimplyAngela]

@@CourtneyZinckgraf I'm due in August, so I have some time, but I just found out my hospital is putting a COVID unit so we are not looking into switching locations. So much changes so quickly!

[@amberjohnson8162]

Prayers with you all. 💜💜💜

[@CourtneyZinckgraf]

Thank you ❤️

[@heatherkuehn9216]

I wasn't allowed to have food or water during labor...ice chips only

[@pranavkumar9877]

Stay Home Stay Safe

[@sylviainfante4360]

Time goes so fast! Good luck be ready to go wear your mask 😷 and gloves. Can’t wait to beat him or her! ♥️

[@CourtneyZinckgraf]

Sylvia Infante yeah that’s definitely an addition I wasn’t anticipating! Haha we can’t wait either!

[@cathytauscher6760]

Bring some fresh fruit to the hospital as well. Exciting times❤️!

[@CourtneyZinckgraf]

Oh yeah good idea! Maybe some bananas!

[@cathytauscher6760]

Lol I brought pickles, strawberries and watermelon all things I craved!

[@bethanneschendel5139]

I always brought a banana and coconut water for immediately after delivery...you will be ravenous!

[@CourtneyZinckgraf]

Bethanne Schendel coconut water is a good idea!

[@craigme2583]

So exciting! The one thing people forget when going to hospital is that the REAL event isn't the birth, it's when you get home with your baby! That's what you need to plan for. Getting home with bub, that's when it all starts. Think about how that will work for you and what you'll need and do at home - other than sleep ha ha. Congrats it's an exciting time! Feeding, avoiding mastitis, getting sleep, are first on the agenda. Knowing what home services and assistance you can get would be a good idea before you go to hospital in case of feeding and mastitis problems, or baby breathing and temperature problems. Amazing time in your life! Babies are much easier than people will tell you.

[@CourtneyZinckgraf]

Thank you! I think we’ve got everything we need for when the babe comes home ☺️ we’re so excited!

[@kilawattkidd]

If you don't want to go to the hospital, just call "The Stork"!😊😁😁In Disney movies, he doesn't even charge😊

[@CourtneyZinckgraf]

Haha good idea! Didn’t even think of that!

[@analevak9858]

Dear Courtney, please please please never give your baby a pacifier! They can cause all sorts of issues, including prevent your baby from learning to latch onto your breast properly and ruining breastfeeding for you. There's lots of information about it available online. I don't mean to lecture you, I'm offering this advice as one mom to another from the bottom of my heart. As a vegan, follower of low-waste philosophy, minimalist and someone who's in touch with nature, please think about it: does sticking a piece of rubber or whatever it is in a baby's mouth really sound right to you? I have two kids. I gave my son the pacifier because it's what everyone does right? We ended up having terrible issues with it, and it was unbelievably hard to wean him off it. When my daughter was born five years later, I decided I was never ever giving her the pacifier and I never regretted the decision once. I remember being out in the park with her once, I don't know how old she was exactly, but she was beginning to walk, and there was this girl who was a little bigger than her, and she had a pacifier in her mouth. All of a sudden, this bigger girl's mom starts lecturing her, telling her, see this other girl (my daughter), how come she doesn't have a pacifier, and you have to have it all the time, blah blah... I couldn't believe my ears... So this woman gets her daughter addicted to the pacifier, and then criticizes her for it?! I'm a very peace-loving person but I honestly wanted to smack that woman. Sorry for the long post, but please do your research on this, it's really really important!

[@CourtneyZinckgraf]

Hi! Thanks for your input, I do understand how it could be negative. I never thought I would want to use a pacifier because it doesn’t seem natural, but since being a nanny I decided I would be using them. Of course, if there is ever an issue I would rethink it, but if it runs smoothly and there’s no nipple confusion or anything, I’m going to use them ❤️

[@debmarie55]

Hairbrush. After labor, brushing your hair will feel good.

[@CourtneyZinckgraf]

Good idea!

[@katgeraghty4081]

Perineal: pear ah kneel

[@CourtneyZinckgraf]

Ohhhh ok!!