Labor-What did you pack in your hospital bag?

[minniebride]

I am not due for another 4-5 weeks, but I'm starting to prepare my hospital bag. I am planning to stay the maximum 2 nights and 3 days.

So far, I have: 3 sets pajamas/comfy clothes for me, undergarments, toothbrush & toothpaste, deodorant, lotion, baby's going home outfit, baby book for hand and footprint.

What am I forgetting??

Thanks!

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

I am not due for another 4-5 weeks, but I'm starting to prepare my hospital bag. I am planning to stay the maximum 2 nights and 3 days.

So far, I have: 3 sets pajamas/comfy clothes for me, undergarments, toothbrush & toothpaste, deodorant, lotion, baby's going home outfit, baby book for hand and footprint.

What am I forgetting??

Thanks!

Hair ties, light make-up(if you're the kind who wants to wear it for pics)..Things to do to combat boredom.

If you are formula feeding, I have heard that some hospitals no longer provide free formula...Maybe check on that.

 

[mjkacmom]

I had pre-ordered my birth announcements, and had the phone number of the company at the hospital, so DH could let them know name and stats. Envelopes were all ready addressed and stamped, and my announcements were mailed out within a week of delivery.

Pack food - not only is hospital food gross, but you don't know what time you will give birth. I was always starving at that point, but at 3 am, you are SOL regarding food. If you are a coffee drinker, you might want to pack a caffinated beverage - hospital coffee is decaf.

Oh, and we always had a cooler with beer - lol - for after delivery (best beer ever!). We also planned a "romantic" dinner (DH would bring wine and food from Whole Foods), figuring it would be the last time we'd be able to use the hospital nursery for an hour or so.

 

[minniebride]

Thank you-these are great ideas!! I am planning to breast feed for the first month.

Please keep the ideas coming!!!!

 

[disneyfan123]

Some of the things I had in my bag in April were:

- snacks for hubby and I
- Gatorade
- Outfits for baby ( hospital did not provide, so you may need 3)
- shampoo and soap
- sanitary pads (heavy flow), the hospital may provide those
- receiving blankets
- diapers (hospital will give if you need them)
- slippers for walking around
- baby hat
- Personal comfort stuff (pillow, cds, magazines)
- Nursing bras

 

[Ginny Favers]

Make sure someone has a camera!

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Your camera!

I also took a book. I ended up with a c-section and jaundiced baby and was there longer than expected. I had a book of short stories that kept me company through the night.

Oh, and do you have a nursing bra? I also went early and that was not something I could send DH out to get so a girlfriend lent me one until I could get to the store.

 

[Maggie Lizer]

I never used my comfy PJs - it was easier to use the hospital gowns because things were, um, messy for a few days anyway.
My hospital had T-shirts and blankets for the baby, and sanitary napkins for me.
We changed the baby into a cute outfit to bring him home, but that was the only time he wore the clothes I packed.
I wore one real outfit to come home.
I do agree that hair notions are a good idea.
I brought a ton of stuff I never ended up using. I am not lugging nearly as much with this one.

Have you done the birthing class at your hospital yet? They usually let you know what the hospital will provide and what you should bring. Mine gave us a suggested packing list.

 

[abdmom]

Popsicles or your beverage of choice! I got the Breyers fruit kind (I forget exactly what they're called) for my second one. My first was a 18 hour labor. As soon as the baby was born, dh left to get some sleep, I was weak and totally out of it, except for the fact that I was exceedingly thirsty. I was so zonked that I didn't think to look for the button to call the nurse, and they didn't come check on me for a verrry long time.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

Make sure someone has a camera!

With our first, DH had to run home and get our camera. I went insanely fast (not complaining!) and was afraid he'd miss it. (And, more importantly, the camera would miss it, just kidding.)

I know everyone has cell phone cameras now, but bring a "real" camera too to get some better quality pics.

 

[pumpkinmomma]

These are things I haven't seen listed yet

Extra socks- my feet were freezing during labor and delivery.

Nursing pads

Lansinoh

cell phone charger

lip gloss- check the label, it can't have petroleum products in it.

 

[bittybabygrower]

For the labor room...socks and chapstick are a must! I would also check about the snacks and drinks, so hospitals are picky about what they let laboring moms eat or drink. We only allow clear fluids in case of needing an emergency C-section. For hand and footprints, you might need your own ink since most hospitals don't do this anymore.

 

[dislal]

I didn't take a whole lot with me when I had my kids never thought to pack a bag. But by the third baby I got smart and put a bottle of Tylenol or some kind of painkiller in my purse.....with my first two it was like pulling teeth to get something for a mild headache then when I got the bill and saw what they charged for one pill I never asked for pain pills in hospital again


So my tip is to take some kind of headache medicine

Now I'm wondering if I'm the only person who had three kids and never took anything with me to the hospital.......I just wore the same clothes home that I wore to hospital......the hospital supplied toothbrush /toothpaste/shampoo/sanitary needs......my husband just brought any old outfit to

hospital for baby to wear home. Hhhmmmm

I was lucky that I was only in hospital less than 24 hours after delivery with each one.

 

[dislal]

I also wouldn't think that the hospital would want you to wear anything other than a gown, cause they are always checking to make sure everything down below was "looking" ok. I think pj's would get in the way of that.

Just wanted to add I hope you have a fast, easy birth and a very healthy baby!

 

[blana]

I never used my comfy PJs - it was easier to use the hospital gowns because things were, um, messy for a few days anyway.

I'll say that having my own nursing GOWNS rather than PJs was a good plan on my part. I felt better wearign real clothes rather than a hospital gown, and I could push the back end up to keep from staining them. Also, with all the chekcs they did in the nether regions, the gown gave the nurses freer access to what they needed.

I will say that I was SO happy with DD that we were released ~26 hours after birth because I HATED staying in the hospital with DS. Hope to do that with this little one, too.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

I packed my own shampoo and conditioner, as well as body wash. For me, I felt disgusting after having my daughter and then sleeping without getting a shower. That first shower, with my own items, was the best shower ever! I also took face toner and lotion. I wanted to feel feminine again (but without taking forever on my hair and doing full blown makeup) and those went a long way. Also, think about some socks. It is common for your feet to get cold during labor. I made sure to pack pajamas where the shirt buttoned, too. That made it easier to nurse.

 

[luvmy3jewels]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is Tucks pads (little round cotton things with Tucks medicine on them). A wonderful nurse recommended them after I had my first child. She told me to line the pad with them the way you would make a salami sandwich The hospital didn't provide them, but my dh brought some to the hospital for me and they helped ALOT with the pain and inflammation!

I also agree with the pp that said drinks and ibuprofen.

 

[skuttle]

I just had my third on the 13th.

This time I brought a comfy cotton skirt and tank top to wear after delivery. I wore the hospital gown the day I delivered until I was able to shower. I felt so much better wearing my own clothes.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

My friend just went through this. The two things she said she was glad she brought were a bathrobe and her husband's laptop (the Skyped and watched DVD movies during downtime).

 

[Janepod]

As little as possible. You have to shlep it all home at the end, along with gifts, flowers, formula samples, diapers, a car seat. Oh, and a baby.

I definitely recommend the hospital gowns. And try to snag a few extra pairs of their mesh undies.