Labor-What did you pack in your hospital bag?

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

Some of us are not that lucky. I was changing pads every few hours for 4 months until they did a D&C.

To answer some questions maybe: Tucks will help with inflammation that many woman experience with the stitches and hemorrhoids caused from pushing. They are soothing.

I didn't pack much either. I brought the clothes I had on (which DH took home), one PJ outfit in case my body felt okay to put them on, sweatpants to go home in with a shirt that matched. I did enjoy my own shower soaps etc, chapstick, and toothpaste. The hospital provided everything else. I gave birth a while ago, so definitely ask what is provided.

DH brought all others with him after the birth. We did not know the sex, so we had to wait on outfit etc...

As for food, I can't really get down the hospital food. DH would bring me a meal and or whomever was coming to visit would bring what I asked for.

This has nothing to do with the bag, but you said you were staying the whole time. I had a rule - PLEASE call before coming. Trust me, you may NOT want visitors at times if you plan on staying the whole amount of time.

God Bless and may your labor be quick and easy, and your new journey filled with love, laughter, and the ability to stay calm. It goes by so quick. I was so nervous I missed so much!! So that is always my best advice - stay calm and enjoy!
 
Congrats!

I just had my first baby back in Feb. I way over packed! I decided just to use the hospital gowns because I didn't want to get my own all icky (think of the heaviest period you've ever had, then times it by 10!), I used their sliper socks rather than my own slipers, and I didn't have time to read my kindle or listen to my iPod, if I wasn't awake "playing" with my new baby I was sleeping.

I did like having my nursing pillow though, so I'm glad I brought that!
 
I have 6 kids have been through many births.

I barely pack anything. I wear the same clothes home that I came in with (they give you disposable underwear in the hospital). Wore hospital gowns while I was there. For c-sections or regular births, they are easier to change when they get messy (kwim?) and for c-sections, the nurse wants to come and check out your incision a lot.

I did pack socks and slippers, plus my own shampoo/toothbrush etc. Make sure you bring a camera, transfer cable and a laptop if you want to keep connected with family and friends out of town. I wanted to share pics right away :) The baby book for footprints, handprints. A baby outfit for going home.

At every hospital I have been in, the cafeteria delivered 24 hours a day, any meal you wanted. We never brought food with us.
 
I packed comfy PJS, my nursing nightgown, sweats to come home in, old panties, girl products, nursing bra, socks, pillow, laptop, Nursing pads, Lanion Cream, change of clothes for DH and some PJ's for him as well since he was staying with me, camera, two different sizes of baby clothes (new born and 0-3, remember the baby will probably have a tracking tag on it's ankle that is only cut off right before you walk out of the hospital so nothing with feet), a baby blanket, then of course toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo/conditioner, soap, hairbrush, and a razor. However I only used the nursing bra, Pillow, Toothbrush, deodorant, going home clothes, one pair of socks, DH's PJs and change of clothes. I was also discharged a day early so I never actually showered or got out of the horrible hospital gown. Good luck and congratulations.
 

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.

This was almost the exact same for me. I brought 2 bags of stuff and used almost nothing! I had a scheduled induction (post due date) that ended up as an emergency c section. I couldn't move for 2 days because of all the stuff that I was hooked up to, so i didn't need anything but a hairbrush and toothbrush for the first couple of days. After that I used my own night gown for comfort, and my own toiletries, but everything else was provided for me and baby. Our hospital had great food (the whole family ate at the hospital every day they visited) and had a snack room for us in the maternity wing with drinks, cereal and snacks for off hour deliveries.

My one suggestion is to think about anything you might want your baby to wear in their hospital pics - may or may not be the same outfit you want to take them home in. I had my iphone, but was so worn out that I only used it a couple of times, watched a little tv and mostly rested when the baby wasn't with me. If your DH can go home for things you've forgotten, I'd say less is more. Oh, and our hospital had dvd players. If I'd had a normal delivery and I was interested I could have watched dvds during labor - ask about that!
 
chapstick & lotion, the hospital is DRY
a bathrobe- it can also get cold
non slip slippers
book/magazine
drinks, snacks
small mirror (or not lol)

Things that get left behind the most- CELL PHONE CHARGERS plug it in somewhere obvious so it will not get left behind. Do not store anything in the bedside table drawer. Also glasses get left behind.
 
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.

Same here- they take the nursery picture of the baby wrapped in the blanket, you see the head and part of the blanket. You dress them when they go home otherwise they say in the hospital outfit which I was wrong- its not a onsie---I just took my daughters out and checked and its a t-shirt so they wear a tshirt and diaper and that is all. The nurses change the shirts when they go back to the nursey because one day she has on a white one and another day a pink one.
 
/
Same here- they take the nursery picture of the baby wrapped in the blanket, you see the head and part of the blanket. You dress them when they go home otherwise they say in the hospital outfit which I was wrong- its not a onsie---I just took my daughters out and checked and its a t-shirt so they wear a tshirt and diaper and that is all. The nurses change the shirts when they go back to the nursey because one day she has on a white one and another day a pink one.[/QUOTE

My baby was never in the nursery, they both stayed in our room the home time
 
No Tampons at first. I can't believe your OBGYN didn't talk to you about this.

Mine didn't. And didn't need to. I knew this information, and I was 17. :confused3

I have 6 kids have been through many births.

I barely pack anything. I wear the same clothes home that I came in with (they give you disposable underwear in the hospital). Wore hospital gowns while I was there. For c-sections or regular births, they are easier to change when they get messy (kwim?) and for c-sections, the nurse wants to come and check out your incision a lot.

I did pack socks and slippers, plus my own shampoo/toothbrush etc. Make sure you bring a camera, transfer cable and a laptop if you want to keep connected with family and friends out of town. I wanted to share pics right away :) The baby book for footprints, handprints. A baby outfit for going home.

At every hospital I have been in, the cafeteria delivered 24 hours a day, any meal you wanted. We never brought food with us.



Completely agree. I see no need to make this some sort of packing extravaganza. They rush you in and out. You have no time, or need to be doing crossword puzzles, or reading books. Or eating. You're not supposed to eat, when you're in labor. :confused:

To each their own, but a baby out fit, a change of clothes and some lip gloss did me just fine.
 
I brought -

Two nursing gowns - you will not want pants near your whoha at that point ;)
A robe that matched both gowns
Slip on slippers in a size larger than usual because my feet were swollen

Hair brush, pony tail holder
Usual toiletries plus lip balm

Clothes to wear home

Two piece take home baby outfit (neutral because we didn't find out the gender ahead of time)

A pillow, inexpensive from target just so I knew I'd always have an extra
A blue pillowcase and a pink pillowcase for the postpartum room, it looked great in the pictures (again since we didn't know the gender I had both but only used the blue).

Camera, extra battery, charger
Cell phone, charger

I did not bring food but knew my friends/family would bring stuff and they did.

Car seat

An extra large tote bag to take home supplies from the hospital

In the hospital they gave me disposable underwear and pads and enough to take home that lasted two weeks.
They also sent me home with a numbing spray for my whoha, an extra squirt bottle, sitz tub, lidocaine cream again for my poor whoha, three tubs of witch hazel pads to line maxi pads with, a padded donut pillow to sit on, endless trial sizes of ointmint for sore nursing nipples, all sorts of nursing supplies, suction bulbs, thermometers, baby wash, and enough diapers that lasted ds exactly 4 weeks from the day we got home. Plus a stack of chucks pads which were helpful, I put them where I was sitting in case I leaked.

I also got several receiving blankets, baby hats, and those great side button shirts with the long sleeves with the part that covers the hands so he didn't scratch himself by accident.

Don't be shy, if you need supplies ask for them. The disposable underwear and sitz tub was a savior when I got home.

I also had the nurse show me how to use the hospital breast pump which was a huge help when I got home. It was not exactly the same, but very close and otherwise I would have been lost. I was also not the standard size phalanges that came with the pump and the nurse was able to get me the correct size to take home, otherwise my nipples would have been sore from the pumping and it wouldn't have been as effective.

The other thing is in my hospital you have to request the lactation consultant, they don't automatically go to everyone. I had her come both days and it was a big help. You want to be sure you have the baby in a good position with a good latch before you go home. Even bring your nursing pillow if you would like.
 
My first was very early. I had a lip gloss, my wallet, and car keys. After our son was born and I was settled in my room I asked my husband to bring a nightgown for me.............he returned with a black see-through negligee:rolleyes1. The nurses definitely got a kick out of that :). Congrats!
 
Or eating. You're not supposed to eat, when you're in labor. :confused:

To each their own, but a baby out fit, a change of clothes and some lip gloss did me just fine.

Actually that's no longer the norm in many places. Eating and drinking during labor is important for keeping your stamina (if you are hungry that is). It is no longer a safety risk (and really never was if you read medical reviews on aspiration) because they don't put you under.
 
I would reiterate what a pp said. Along with all of your things, pack a change of clothes for hubby. My hubby and I were both at work when I went into labor. After I was admitted at the hospital, he went home to change clothes.
 
Actually that's no longer the norm in many places. Eating and drinking during labor is important for keeping your stamina (if you are hungry that is). It is no longer a safety risk (and really never was if you read medical reviews on aspiration) because they don't put you under.

Well, that's not fair. If myself, and the rest of the mom's had to suffer for hours, starving, mothers today should, too! :rolleyes1

I remember being SO hungry, when I was done - both times. That's good to know.

Nevermind - bring snacks. ;)
 
Well, that's not fair. If myself, and the rest of the mom's had to suffer for hours, starving, mothers today should, too! :rolleyes1

I remember being SO hungry, when I was done - both times. That's good to know.

Nevermind - bring snacks. ;)

:lmao: I agree.

My first was born at 9:30 p.m. I had nothing to eat all day and was starving, ice chips just didn't fill me up, but the cafeteria was closed. DH found a vending machine sandwich and a Dr. Pepper for me about 11 p.m. That was the best Dr. Pepper ever.
 
:lmao: I agree.

My first was born at 9:30 p.m. I had nothing to eat all day and was starving, ice chips just didn't fill me up, but the cafeteria was closed. DH found a vending machine sandwich and a Dr. Pepper for me about 11 p.m. That was the best Dr. Pepper ever.

YES! Hahaha! Freaking ice chips. :furious:
 
Kteacher said:
My first was very early. I had a lip gloss, my wallet, and car keys. After our son was born and I was settled in my room I asked my husband to bring a nightgown for me.............he returned with a black see-through negligee:rolleyes1. The nurses definitely got a kick out of that :). Congrats!

Oh my word!!! This is my biggest fear that my hubby will have to go home to get something and come back with lingerie!!! Lol!!! :)
 
Actually that's no longer the norm in many places. Eating and drinking during labor is important for keeping your stamina (if you are hungry that is). It is no longer a safety risk (and really never was if you read medical reviews on aspiration) because they don't put you under.

Strict no eating policy at all of the hospitals I have delivered in (my last birth was 2 years ago though). Probably a good thing. I had a major complication during the epidural placement, stopped breathing completely and was rushed for an emergency c-section on a ventilator.
 

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