Labor-What did you pack in your hospital bag?

[minniebride]

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

Thank you-this is a great list and I'm so glad I asked on here!!

Sanitary pads??? Will my period come back that quickly? That is something I didn't even think about!

 

[minniebride]

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.

Thank you-our birthing class is in 2 weeks-an all day Saturday class. Just trying to get organized in case she decides to arrive early

 

[Janepod]

Thank you-this is a great list and I'm so glad I asked on here!!

Sanitary pads??? Will my period come back that quickly? That is something I didn't even think about!

Not your period. Google Lochia. It is much worse than a period. Don't pack your nice undies.

 

[minniebride]

Make sure someone has a camera!

Good call-thank u!! I am going to have my husband find ours and charge it this weekend!

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.

Didnt think about socks-thank you!

Why no lip gloss with petroleum products??

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.

Are you serious? Bring my own ink? Wow!

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.

Yikes, I can't believe they charged for a Tylenol!

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!

Thank you!! I'm hesitant to just rely on a gown, because we might have lots of visitors and I wouldnt want to flash anyone lol!!

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.

Thank you-great ideas, especially the shampoo and conditioner!

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.

Goodness, I am going to need a bigger bag than I thought!

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

Thank you-this is a great list and I'm so glad I asked on here!!

Sanitary pads??? Will my period come back that quickly? That is something I didn't even think about!

As a previous poster stated, it isn't technically your period. To be perfectly honest, honey, your body is about to go through some serious changes - some good and some bad. For me, I got to experience some of the most disgusting stuff that I wasn't even aware the body was capable of.... But it was all worth if for my beautiful little girl.

 

[dislal]

Yes it's going to be a little worse than a period and I think it can last anywhere from a few days to a month or more.. So make sure you have a nice little supply of pads at home, so you are prepared.

Also when I was in the hospital they gave me two gowns one to put on backwards like normal then another one to wear like a robe so you don't flash anyone.

 

[Janepod]

My hospital gave me a squirt bottle so I could rinse off the blood without getting in the shower. Very handy; make sure you get one.

 

[minniebride]

Wow-good thing we decided to sign up for this birthing class-I had no idea!!!!! Just pads, no tampons right?

 

[dislal]

Wow-good thing we decided to sign up for this birthing class-I had no idea!!!!! Just pads, no tampons right?

Nope no tampons for at least 6-8 weeks

 

[happygirl]

Wow-good thing we decided to sign up for this birthing class-I had no idea!!!!! Just pads, no tampons right?

No Tampons at first. I can't believe your OBGYN didn't talk to you about this.

 

[NY Disney fan]

I went to the hospital to give birth really early (not expected) and did not bring one thing with me!! If I were to do it all over again, I would pack:

PJ's / Robe
Snacks / Water
Sudoku book or light entertainment
slippers
Towel
Baby Clothes

I really didn't need much. My mom ended up bringing me a bag after I had my baby.

 

[Casperina]

Sorry, I have got to joke around a bit!
My "hospital bag" consists of... my house. Yippee!
But seriously now, I need to get a waterproof sheet so I don't let loose the waters on this poor bed, because it is the comfiest bed ever!

Good luck to you and your family!

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

Sorry, I have got to joke around a bit!
My "hospital bag" consists of... my house. Yippee!
But seriously now, I need to get a waterproof sheet so I don't let loose the waters on this poor bed, because it is the comfiest bed ever!

Good luck to you and your family!

Braver than me. I wanted to be in a hospital where there was lots of morphine!

 

[Katieinwonderland]

This thread has been great! I still have a few more months to go, but I did start thinking about what to pack and I've gotten some great suggestions from here. I never would have thought of sanitary pads (I googled why and ) and I didn't realize some hospitals don't supply ink for little hand and foot prints. Thanks everyone!

 

[Casperina]

Braver than me. I wanted to be in a hospital where there was lots of morphine!

Oh, I sure know that I am going to regret it and will probably break poor DH's arm off or something! But, I felt that it was best for my family to go this path.

Hospitals are nice; you can go there, have your baby, and come home not having to worry about the "mess" or safety.

 

[aprilgail2]

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

Holy cow-i went with the clothes i was wearing and once i gave birth had someone bring me another pair of sweats and socks. Outfits?? The hospital puts them in onsies and thats how they stay till you get home here. Hat?? What the heck for?? Blankets the hospital provides. Sanitary pads i had no use for-small spotting for a few hours after giving birth and that was it (i assumed everyone was like that but guess not). And as far as what some other person said about salami tucks-no clue what or why one would use that lol.

Once the baby was ready to come home i had soneone run out and buy an outfit to bring her home in since the smallest i had was 0-3 and those were way to big. And had someone bring the car seat up. I dont like to pack unnecessary things even when i vacation so i pack light. If i wanted a snack the hospital would give me sonething, no need to bring it from home but either way the LAST thing on my mind giving birth was "i think i"ll have a snack" lol

 

[bjscheel]

Well I definitely needed snacks with- I was in the hospital 2-3 days after delivery with each due to problems and the "healthy portion" hospital meals were NOT enough. I figure extra snacks provided by the hospital would cost more than bringing my own.

 

[happygirl]

Holy cow-i went with the clothes i was wearing and once i gave birth had someone bring me another pair of sweats and socks. Outfits?? The hospital puts them in onsies and thats how they stay till you get home here. Hat?? What the heck for?? Blankets the hospital provides. Sanitary pads i had no use for-small spotting for a few hours after giving birth and that was it (i assumed everyone was like that but guess not). And as far as what some other person said about salami tucks-no clue what or why one would use that lol.

Once the baby was ready to come home i had soneone run out and buy an outfit to bring her home in since the smallest i had was 0-3 and those were way to big. And had someone bring the car seat up. I dont like to pack unnecessary things even when i vacation so i pack light. If i wanted a snack the hospital would give me sonething, no need to bring it from home but either way the LAST thing on my mind giving birth was "i think i"ll have a snack" lol

People there don't dress there babies for pictures

 

[mjkacmom]

People there don't dress there babies for pictures

I don't think I was allowed to dress my babies. It was much easier on the staff to have all the babies in diapers/undershirt/blanket. For the baby picture, it was taken behind the scenes, just the face wrapped in a blanket.

 

[Janepod]

We didn't dress our baby for pictures. He wore what the hospital provided until it was time to check out. Didn't do hand/foot prints either. 7 years ago at Mt. Sinai in NYC.