Labor-What did you pack in your hospital bag?

[Shanna-like-Banana]

It may sound like a lot of items all listed out, but really, I just used a large cosmetics case for all the "goodies" ppl are recommending. a great idea is putting all your goodies in a hang up fold out cosmetics case, with the clear view compartments, so when you ask DH for something, he dosen't say "where is it" or " I can't find it " (in the dumb man voice, when they can't see something right in front of them, lol )

A few things I didn't see were :
a roll of lifesavers or breat mints, you'll want something to wet your whistle while all the he-he-whhooooooo is going on.

Something to drink ! My hospital provided nothing outside of their standard meal, which is for the mother only. If you're thirsty, they just handed you a cup of luke warm tap water

I second, the Tylenol. Poor DH had such a bad headache, and they wouldn't give him a thing, because he "wasn't a patient".

A word to the wise. Take the bag in with you when you get there, lol.

I was in such pain when we arrived with DS#2, that we didn't even bring the bag in. I had 2 previous very llooonnnngggggggg labors and expected to get all settled in and then DH would go back out to the car and get everything. WRONG. This labor was fast as lightning. so fast there was no way DH was going anywhere. Our first baby pics were texted to us from the super sweet nurse who took them on her cell phone

 

[aprilgail2]

Forgot to say Peds phone number to make 4 day old appointment.

didn't your pediatrician come to the hospital while you were still in there to see you and the baby? Funny thing was I had picked a pediatrician that I thought I liked- when my hospital room mates pediatrician came to see her and her baby I realized that I liked her better than the one I chose. Once I got home I checked up on her and actually ended up switching to her. It worked out better anyway because I had chosen a male Dr at first not knowing if I was having a boy or girl and ended up having a girl so I really wanted to go with a female Dr at that point.

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.

exactly right- I ended up being knocked out for my c-section and it was a big deal because I had just eaten before going to the hospital (my water broke over a month early and she wanted OUT!)

 

[Nancy]

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.

No, you are not alone. I basically had my personal care stuff, undergarments, 1 nice nightgown and robe (for picture taking time and when people visited) and the outfit to bring baby home in. I wore the same clothes home I went in with and baby wore the hospital t-shirt type thing they put them in. They supplied all diapers, pads, food drinks etc.

So, it was one very small light bag and that was it.

 

[Nancy]

YES! Hahaha! Freaking ice chips.

Oh but those ice chips were sooooooooo good, weren't they? I think after pushing out the baby anything was welcome and those were some of best ice chips I ever had.

I couldn't even get the ice chips after DD #2. I was bleeding pretty heavy and they said if they couldn't stop it they'd be rushing me into surgery and nothing for about a half hour till they were able to get me slowed down and just normal after delivery stuff going on,.

 

[mjkacmom]

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.

Well, if you had a c/s, it's totally different. I certainly didn't need tucks, but if you imagine a cantalope exiting your hoo-ha, you can probably figure out what the tucks are for! Also, with a c/s, they kind of clean you out, and therefore you don't have a month of heavy bleeding (I think I had more than normal c/s women with my twins, since there were 2 of them, but not nearly the amount I had with my regulation deliveries).

 

[chloelovesdisney]

didn't your pediatrician come to the hospital while you were still in there to see you and the baby? Funny thing was I had picked a pediatrician that I thought I liked- when my hospital room mates pediatrician came to see her and her baby I realized that I liked her better than the one I chose. Once I got home I checked up on her and actually ended up switching to her. It worked out better anyway because I had chosen a male Dr at first not knowing if I was having a boy or girl and ended up having a girl so I really wanted to go with a female Dr at that point.



exactly right- I ended up being knocked out for my c-section and it was a big deal because I had just eaten before going to the hospital (my water broke over a month early and she wanted OUT!)

Yes, the pediatrician came to see the baby in the hospital. The appointment is to check their weight and see how they are doing after discharge usually when they are 4 or 5 days old. Jaundice doesn't usually develop until around day 3 or so and the babies are usually discharge by then. The pediatrician doesn't make their own appointments when visiting, you have to call the office to schedule it. Everyone I know has had to do this, you can't schedule it ahead of time unless you are having a scheduled c-section.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

It may sound like a lot of items all listed out, but really, I just used a large cosmetics case for all the "goodies" ppl are recommending. a great idea is putting all your goodies in a hang up fold out cosmetics case, with the clear view compartments, so when you ask DH for something, he dosen't say "where is it" or " I can't find it " (in the dumb man voice, when they can't see something right in front of them, lol )

A few things I didn't see were :
a roll of lifesavers or breat mints, you'll want something to wet your whistle while all the he-he-whhooooooo is going on.

Something to drink ! My hospital provided nothing outside of their standard meal, which is for the mother only. If you're thirsty, they just handed you a cup of luke warm tap water

I second, the Tylenol. Poor DH had such a bad headache, and they wouldn't give him a thing, because he "wasn't a patient".

A word to the wise. Take the bag in with you when you get there, lol.

I was in such pain when we arrived with DS#2, that we didn't even bring the bag in. I had 2 previous very llooonnnngggggggg labors and expected to get all settled in and then DH would go back out to the car and get everything. WRONG. This labor was fast as lightning. so fast there was no way DH was going anywhere. Our first baby pics were texted to us from the super sweet nurse who took them on her cell phone

My hospital had a food/beverage room on the unit that was open at all times for snacks and beverages. You could also put your own food and drinks there if you wanted.

 

[CandleontheWater]

If you are planning on nursing, I would bring nursing bras, your nursing pillow, lansinoh cream, and look for the gel pads like these (they even make fancier ones that go in the freezer and can also be heated up), but they are a lifesaver for sore nipples.

I also brought lollypops, because they let me have those even after I wasn't allowed to have real food.

 

[aprilgail2]

Yes, the pediatrician came to see the baby in the hospital. The appointment is to check their weight and see how they are doing after discharge usually when they are 4 or 5 days old. Jaundice doesn't usually develop until around day 3 or so and the babies are usually discharge by then. The pediatrician doesn't make their own appointments when visiting, you have to call the office to schedule it. Everyone I know has had to do this, you can't schedule it ahead of time unless you are having a scheduled c-section.

Once the dr saw my daughter i did have to take her in the next week but the call for the appointment could certainly wait until i got home-no need to call from the hospital. She did have jauntice but they stuck her under some lights in the hospital.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

Once the dr saw my daughter i did have to take her in the next week but the call for the appointment could certainly wait until i got home-no need to call from the hospital. She did have jauntice but they stuck her under some lights in the hospital.

My peds office holds the first morning appointments for newborns so they aren't exposed to all the sick kids coming in, but once it's filled you get what is open. It was just as easy to call from the hospital and I knew I had the 1st appointment. Our office wants newborns in no later than 5 days old, preferably 4 days old and we were discharged at 2 days old, so I didn't want to leave it for the day before to call.

It was just a suggestion.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

If you are planning on nursing, I would bring nursing bras, your nursing pillow, lansinoh cream, and look for the gel pads like these (they even make fancier ones that go in the freezer and can also be heated up), but they are a lifesaver for sore nipples.

I also brought lollypops, because they let me have those even after I wasn't allowed to have real food.

They should have the cream and gel pads for you in the hospital and give you extras to take home.

 

[HamTown]

My favorite supplies after delivery were the pads that contained a cooling gel. They were the super pads and you popped them like an instant ice pack. Very soothing on inflamed post-partum tissue.

OP, when you take your birth classes, the hospital should give you information on things like food availability and what type of things they supply. The hospital where I did my OB nursing rotation provides 24 hr room service for labor and delivery. There is also a snack station with drinks (sodas and juices) as well as applesauce, pudding, crackers and Popsicles.

I would definitely recommend using the hospital gowns so you don't mess up your nursing gowns before you even get them home. You may be able to find a bed jacket that you can wear over the hospital gown if you have company. They are short so you don't have to worry about leaking on them but some are very pretty and feminine and may make you feel a little better about appearance (if you care about that).

It does worry me a bit that you didn't know what to expect from your body after delivery. You may want to have the nurse explain the basics to you at your next appointment. Delivery can be a very messy experience and for some women it stays messy for a while.

 

[ahutton]

A boppy pillow or nursing pillow - even if bottle feeding. It will save your arms.
Socks

 

[sookie]

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. The nurses definitely got a kick out of that . Congrats!

Hahahahahahahha!!! This makes me laugh!

 

[focusondisney]

I brought -


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.

Amazing they gave you all that. I have been a maternity RN for over 27 years. We have supplies for you while you are in house. We will give you the disposable supplies in your room & the baby's crib to take home, but no way can we give 2 weeks of pads & a month of diapers to every patient. And any linen (blankets, t shirts, gowns, etc) are to be left in the hospital, just as any other hospital patient would do. We have about 260 deliveries a month. The hospital would go broke!

 

[littlebit0863]

When I went in for my scheduled c-section I looked like I was moving in to the hospital! I had a suitcase full to the brim with pjs and clothes for leaving day, and a diaper bag full to the brim. It was ridiculous. I brought my flat iron. I brought food, I brought baby formula. Lol, I think I used one pair of pjs and my basic toiletries.

 

[sookie]

Amazing they gave you all that. I have been a maternity RN for over 27 years. We have supplies for you while you are in house. We will give you the disposable supplies in your room & the baby's crib to take home, but no way can we give 2 weeks of pads & a month of diapers to every patient. And any linen (blankets, t shirts, gowns, etc) are to be left in the hospital, just as any other hospital patient would do. We have about 260 deliveries a month. The hospital would go broke!

I've done pediatrics and nursery for a long time. We couldn't do this either, unless people were walking out with hospital linens / or are hiding supplies and asking for extra. I have truely needy patients that I have to beg for supplies for - a blanket here, a set of special formula here, or a cab ride there. What is bad is that I can rarely get social services to get me what I need for the ones that do need it. So I'm really surprised to hear that.

 

[focusondisney]

I've done pediatrics and nursery for a long time. We couldn't do this either, unless people were walking out with hospital linens / or are hiding supplies and asking for extra. I have truely needy patients that I have to beg for supplies for - a blanket here, a set of special formula here, or a cab ride there. What is bad is that I can rarely get social services to get me what I need for the ones that do need it. So I'm really surprised to hear that.

Yep. We say "she's shopping". And we limit what we'll give then: only 1 or 2 diapers at a time, give a t shirt & collect the dirty 1. It amazes me that anyone thinks the hospital should give them clothes & supplies for their baby for at home. It's your child: you feed & clothe it!

And then they wonder why their health care/ hospital bill is so high!

 

[Nancy]

Amazing they gave you all that. I have been a maternity RN for over 27 years. We have supplies for you while you are in house. We will give you the disposable supplies in your room & the baby's crib to take home, but no way can we give 2 weeks of pads & a month of diapers to every patient. And any linen (blankets, t shirts, gowns, etc) are to be left in the hospital, just as any other hospital patient would do. We have about 260 deliveries a month. The hospital would go broke!

I had all 3 of mine at Suburban and they gave me whatever was in the little portable bassinet drawer that was disposable, so it was just 3-5 diapers a few of the little bottles of formula and not much else. For me, I got the lovely blue egg crate thing to sit on and those nice ice packs. No pads, linens or anything else. I really didn't need the diapers or formula since I was already set at home but the nurses insisted I take them.

 

[MrsPete]

You really don't need to pack much. During labor you're not going to need anything, and during your short stay after the baby's born you'll alternate between visitors and sleeping -- very little else.

The number one thing to bring is your camera.

Don't bother with your own gowns; as other people said, things will get messy. You don't need to worry about flashing people -- getting up and down will be a bit of a challenge for the first day or two, and you're going to stay in bed. Pajamas are just a bad idea all around. Nursing gowns are great for people who've firmly established the habit of breastfeeding (once you've learned how to breastfeed, you'll be able to walk around the house or eat your own lunch while feeding the baby) but you might find them cumbersome while learning.

The hospital will provide sanitary supplies during your stay, but you should have a couple packs of BIG pads under your bathroom sink at home. Get the extra long, super-absorbant with wings style. If you overbuy, so what? You'll use them eventually. With my second, I bought one package of something similar to adult diapers -- but thinner. They came up to my waist, but it didn't matter under a loose nightgown. I felt more secure wearing those because I knew I wasn't going to mess up my gown or bed. They were a great deal like surgery underwear.

Do bring a pretty, loose outfit for yourself to wear home -- the baby will be the star of the show, but you'll be in all those pictures too!

Don't worry about the baby book footprints. I had children in two different hospitals, and both gave me footprints on STICKERS, which I could take home and put in my books. If you don't get the footprints at the hospital, just do them the first week at home.

Snacks are a good idea, but don't over-do. Your husband can run out to get you something from the hospital cafeteria or a nearby restaurant -- he has to eat too. The nurses will bring you water and juice constantly.

If you need something from home, remember that your husband will be able to go home and get it for you. He'll be a bit stir crazy in the hospital and will appreciate a reason to leave just for an hour or two.



A couple things that haven't been mentioned:

A breastfeeding pillow. With my first, I just used a bed pillow. With my second, I bought a breastfeeding pillow at a yardsale -- oh, my, how wonderful it was! It's just the right size and shape, and it saves your back. Breastfeeding doesn't come as naturally as you might think; it does take effort to learn, so give yourself any little edge to help get a good start. Two other hints: Take advantage of the nurses' help. They were invaluable in showing me how to position the baby; it made all the difference in the world. And every time you feed the baby, drink something -- you can't produce liquid if you aren't taking liquid in.

Your car seat. You should go ahead and strap it into your back seat now. When it's time for you to check out, the nurses will ask your husband to bring it into the hospital -- they aren't allowed to discharge a baby until they KNOW that he or she is going home in a car seat.

Pack a large flat-folding tote bag -- a big shopping bag would do. People will bring you gifts in the hospital, and you'll go home with some diapers, formula, etc. You'll need a way to get it all home.



Really, the hospital is easy as far as packing goes. You should put more effort into preparing your home for your return. As your due date approaches, keep up with the laundry, stock your pantry and freezer with quick-to-cook things, buy a good supply of diapers. People will be on hand to help you in the hospital -- you'll be on your own at home.