Labor and Delivery Care Package?

[SarahandPaul]

My sister is set to be induced Friday morning as she is a week overdue. This is her first baby and I don't have any of my own. I would love to bring along a care package for her to use in the hospital...during labor or perhaps after. Therefore I need help from all you mom's out there! We are very close sisters and have no boundaries on personal products if you all swear by them, so bring on the ideas. TIA!

 

[Hidden_Mickey]

Oh, what a nice idea! Bring her a nice big shake from McDonalds... That's what I wanted! Not junk food, but something with a lot of protein. Hospital food is usually icky . Maybe some trail mix or granola bars? Bottled water? Hand sanitizer for visitors? Her first brag book? One of those hand massagers? Not too much stuff though, as she will only have to lug it home when it's time to leave, along with flowers, gifts, and oh yeah the baby carrier . Maybe make another package for home once she gets there with little diapees and wipes, baby wash, Dreft, tea for her, more trail mix or snacks with protein in it, especially if she is nursing. Some frozen home made dinners? Gift cards to local takeout places? Gift cards for the baby store? Baby books, rattles... OK I better stop now Congrats on being an auntie! Oh, and for the personal products, the usual "monthly" supplies, and some Cottonelle wipes would be good.

 

[devonsmommy]

Once I got to the hospital, I wasn't allowed to have anything to eat or drink besides ice chips.

I would suggest a fan (not a plug in one, a hand one, KWIM), Ipod with soothing songs, a massager to rub her back, a washcloth (to get wet and put on her forehead).

For after she has the baby...slippers, snacks, face wash, hair ties, hmmmmmm, I'll think of some more!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Food. A gigantic bag of food. After she gives birth she will be starving. Then when she goes to her room she will be starving. They never ever feed you enough in a hospital.
Food. That is what I would want.

BTW- Congrats!

 

[Judy from Boise]

Ok, speaking as a nurse who did a lot of post -partum.........she will want Tucks to line her maxi pads so if the hospital does not send her home with a big supply, they would be godsend. Also a good nursing bra with some disposable pads to contain leakage.A&D ointment to sooth those sore nipples, a big bottle of ibuprofen for aches and pains, maybe some pre-moisted flushable wipes to replace toilet paper for a while. For the baby some nice nuetrogena products (I highly reccomend avoiding the scented products like Johnson and Johnson) people lather baby scented products on a newborn....and wonder why their child develops allergies later in life !

 

[SarahandPaul]

Thanks for all the great ideas thus far....keep them coming. I will be there during the whole labor as her husband is a weak stomach,so ideas to entertain us a bit in the early labor stuff would be great too!

 

[ahutton]

What I didn't see listed above - Personal care items like nice shower gel, shampoo, conditioner... I sweat like nobodys business when I was done to get all that fluid out and nice bath stuff was really nice. They make travel size bottles at Bath & Body Works.

 

[MaumeeMom]

We had all kids of stuff with us to use during labor with DS#1 but didn't use any of it. One thing I would have liked were slipper socks. Fuzzy warm ones with grippers on the bottoms & this may sound gross but preferably in a dark color like maroon that won't show any ickies if you know what I mean.

I agree with a PP, don't bring anything too big or bulky to the hospital unless you plan to have her open it and then you lug it to her place to have it waiting when they get home.

Maybe make sure to get the newspapers from the "birth" day. I was happy that my DSis remembered to do this for us because we were distracted.

 

[Bee]

a journal- I have one for each of my girls. I started writing in them when I found out I was preg.

Never too late.... they are now going to be 15 and 13 and they love reading my letters to them. I started as dear baby, then when they were born... wrote dear tori, or dear dani.

I also had my grandmothers write in them... because,by the time the grow up that person will no longer be alive.. but, the letter to them always will be.

The other things are nice as well... You could write out some coupons, like good for one free dinner- that you will bring or make at her home... laundry coupon, nap coupon.. you get the idea..

Also, dont forget to think about moms who are having their second, third so on child... now they have others, and a new baby... I think WE as a society often fawn over the 1st and dont help as much when the others are born..

Hope that helps.

Bee

 

[Ohiodislover]

A nice fuzzy pair of socks, or maybe 2. Bare feet in those stirrups make a lady feel even more vulnerable. Expect them to be thrown out if they get yucky though- that is what the second pair is for.

Also some snacks- like others have said. You are starving after labor, and hospital food just doesn't do it. My favorite was a pot pie from KFC- kind of hard to pack in a basket, but if you go visit.

 

[golfgal]

Get her some lip moisturizer--the air is VERY dry in hospitals. No one told me I would need maxipads after delivery. The hospital will give you some, get more. I was very sore through my shoulders and upper back and they couldn't give me a heating pad unless the dr' prescribed it. It was the middle of the night so I wasn't going to have them call my dr for that. They did bring me some warm, wet towels in a bag though.

Get some handheld games, crossword puzzles, etc. Most hospitals L/D rooms have DVD players so movies. If they don't you might be able to hook up a portable DVD player to the tv in the room.

I would recommend NOT bringing in pretty PJ's, bathrobes, etc. It is just one more thing she will have to deal with when she gets home. Let the hospital do the laundry. If she wants her own pillow bring it in a patterned pillow case so they don't mix it up with the hospital ones.

 

[WL Fan]

I second the warm socks, nice and cushy and let her know she can just pitch them if needed. Then another pair to take their place! Lip balm, too.

Congratulations to both of you!

 

[laurafergie]

Four kids here!
During labor itself, I didn't use really anything, not even my focal points. Just the slipper socks so I could walk around.

I agree VERY much about the snacks and food being available after the delivery. She will be starving!

If she has any allergies, or takes any meds, make sure you have them - even Tylenol and Benedryl and the like. It is an act of God - or a doctor's order (and you'll get charged for it) to get anything extra in the hospital.