essay on autism spectrum disorderWe have welcomed our sweet girl and I wanted to share what I packed this round in a simple little list! Even though this is our second baby and hospital stay, I searched and searched for things that I needed to bring and things I needed to leave behind. When we had Paisley, I remembered bringing too many unnecessary items and over packing. Add in more items from the hospital, flowers, gifts, two car seats, and a new baby in tow and we have a car full! I love simplicity and the extra baggage can be too much. I hope this list helps some of you first {or second} time mamas.
For Mama
- Toiletries — At our hospital, they supply some toiletries but these are items that I like to bring on my own. They make me feel more at home and well, more like me. Items I included are shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste, shower pouf, toothbrush, face wash, hair dryer. I bought travel sizes in these so I didn’t have to lug around that much more weight and take up more space in my bag.
- Labor necessities — Lip balm, hair brush + hair ties. Munching on ice chips and breathing labor pains out can make your lips really chapped. Be sure to pack your favorite balm-mine is Burt’s Bees or EOS.
- Comfy clothing — I had a quicker labor this round and the first thing I wanted to do once they took Scout to do her blood work was hop in the shower. It’s probably the last thing most want to do but for me I felt 100 times better once I was able to wash up and feel refreshed. Also, I never dreamed I would want to be up and walking. I was very fortunate with an amazing recovery, especially right after popping out a 9 pound baby.
- Tops (2-4): I stuck with mainly wearing tanks that were paired with my lounge sets. They were easy to wear and maneuver while I was trying to breastfeed because they unsnapped down the middle. I recommend bringing a nursing tank or two and something that is soft and stretchy.
- Bras (2): You need to make sure you have bought a couple of good breastfeeding bras if you plan to do that.
- Pants or shorts(2-4 pair): I recommend a yoga type paint that is super stretchy. Gap Pure Body are some of my favorite to wear. I am also hot natured and we had a summer baby so I ended up wearing my lounge sets that were paired with shorts.
- Robe or Sweater: Hospitals tend to be cool so I would bring a robe or sweater. I have had so many questions about my floral one that was in our birth story post. I bought it off of Etsy.
- Slippers- I packed my Ugg house slippers and so glad I did for comfort.
For Baby
I packed a diaper bag but you really don’t need one. As bad as you want to-don’t bring it.
I packed a diaper bag but you really don’t need one. As bad as you want to-don’t bring it.
- Swaddle Blanket + Beanie — Yes, the hospital provides them but I wanted to bring my custom hat and beanie I had made from Fawn and Clover. So glad I did because it was so sweet in her pictures and hospital blanket.
Sleeper, socks, + a pair mittens — I packed a sleeper that I had personalized with her name here from Etsy just to wear while we were loving on her in the hospital so she wasn’t cold. I love gowns because they make diaper changes so much easier.- Take Home Outfit — I picked a simple eyelet outfit from Baby Gap for her take home outfit. Totally your preference on what you want to bring. :)
For Dad
- Lounge Pants, tees, + Personal items — He brought two sets along with his own toiletries.
- Slippers — Those hospital floors are cold.
- Snacks — Our hospital cafe closes early so this was something we needed in our room.
Don’t Forget
- Cell Phone + Charger
- iPad, Camera + Chargers
- Insurance card/ID/etc: —We had already pre-admitted so they had everything on file which was nice but just in case, bring them.
- Boppy or other nursing pillow (if you’re breastfeeding)
- Car seat — Be sure to already have it all installed and that you know how to use it. I know it should be simple but some may be confusing and it’s a smoother + quicker departure when you already have it figured out. For first time moms, I would recommend to have someone inspect it to make sure it’s installed correctly. I am huge on car seat safety. Still shopping for one? I would recommend the Britax B-Safe. I will forever be a Britax buyer. Their safety ratings are outstanding and they have a lot of padding and cushion for baby.
Items You DON’T need
- Care Items for Baby + Mom — Along with the diaper bag-leave these goodies at home. The hospital literally provides everything and even sends you home with a bunch of stuff to start with. We had diapers, wipes, swaddles, snot sucker, lotion, etc given to us. I had plenty of pads, peri bottle, dermaplast spray, nipple cream/pads, BREAST PUMP etc. waiting on me as well. Keep those you’ve bought for when you get home.
- Underwear — Trust me, you don’t want to wear your own after delivery. You will more than likely bleed for the next couple of weeks and you really will the next day after delivery. The hospital will provide you with mesh ones to wear and toss and that is the only way to go. No need to ruin your good ones.
- Entertainment items — Other than Pinterest on the iPad during early labor, I didn’t have a lot of time for books, magazines, etc to spend my time on. You have a new baby and probably a lot of guests visiting! When you aren’t nursing or visiting, you will want to (need to) be sleeping.
I hope this post is helpful! I am a notorious over-packer and always worry about forgetting something or not packing enough but in reality the bare minimum is best!.
Is there something that you had your bag that you used and wasn’t in this post? Let me know!
My mom brought Paisley to the hospital around 9:00 and we had a “big sister Bag” waiting for her when she walked into the room. She was so excited to meet her sister but worried about mommy’s “owies.” You can see the post about her bag 
Around noon, the contractions were really strong and started to make me anxious. I was at a 5 but felt like I had a long way to go. I got an epidural with Paisley but it didn’t help when I needed it. I was going to try to go through labor this round without it but the pain was getting a little unbearable. The nurse came in and gave me some pain medication through IV and that was some of the craziest stuff ever. I felt like the room was spinning and it made me really drousy but helped take the edge off of the contractions a little bit. I decided that I would go ahead and try the epidural but wanted to wait until I progressed a little more.
I can’t imagine going through childbirth without my husband. He was so kind and encouraging and never left my side. He prayed over me constantly and I know that prayers and going to the Lord is what got me through this labor. I am so blessed to have him.
I got the epidural around 2:00 when I was at a 7 and it was more painful than I remember. I was hoping that it would take away the excruciating pain but it didn’t much at all. I don’t react to medication well and honestly believe I got it too late because after it was in we progressed fast. I could still roll over, move my legs, and everything. It wasn’t until after I delivered that I started going numb.
Before I knew it I was at a 10 and it was time to push. I don’t remember how long I pushed but it seemed like an eternity. I tried to focus more on the count down than the pain but it started to be too much. I literally felt like my pelvis was breaking and then both Scout and I’s oxygen started to drop. They put my mask on and I just remember feeling like I was going into shock. I saw Zack’s face come over me and hearing him say that we were so close-just two more pushes and we could meet her. 
I will always remember the feeling of that last push. The instantaneous relief and adrenaline of meeting your child makes the pain literally cease. Tears started to flow as I heard her first cry and Zack whisper that I had done it-our baby girl was with us.
June 17th, 2015 at 5:02 in the afternoon, our lives changed forever. God blessed us with another daughter-a beautiful 9 pound 20 inch baby girl with a head full of hair. 
After 39 weeks and 3 days of pregnancy, Sawyer Scout Ashcraft had finally arrived. And, she was so worth the wait.
Immediately after delivery, we had an hour of skin to skin before the family came in. I loved this time of just us getting to know our sweet girl. 
Her daddy is pretty smitten by his girls.
I am so glad that other than us and our parents, we didn’t let anyone come in until Paisley got to meet Scout and have her special time. I will never forget the look on her face when she walked into the room and Zack placed Scout on her lap. The face of pure joy and love for her sister brought me to tears. One of the sweetest moments I’ve experienced.
We are so excited to announce the birth of our sweet girl, Sawyer Scout!
We are so blessed and cannot wait to share her story and photos from her birth. Below is the video that my sweet friend Aubrey captured for us.