What was one item you wish you had for YOURSELF after labor & delivery?

[Octoberbeauty]

The hospital I gave birth at also had a complimentary candlelight dinner for the new parents. Of course I didn't get it for two days after giving birth due to a C-section, but it was nice when they finally did let me eat.

Hmmm, that's a hard question. Two babies were enough for me. Could have done without the mil antics but oh well. The staff was awesome and it was a great experience. Warm pj's, thick socks, comfy slippers? Flowers don't really go in a bag, but I would have liked more flowers. I love flowers. And we only got balloons.

 

[Pin Wizard]

Originally posted by Davids-Coco
Where do you find a hospital like that?!?

Boca Raton, FL

 

[Pamlur]

Second time around, I took a six-pack of canned Cokes and a big package of peanut-butter cracker snacks with me.

 

[Stepharoonie!]

Originally posted by Annette_VA
A real meal!

 

[ckmommy]

I have already asked DH to bring Skyy Coolers??? For me at the hospital. No, I am not a drinker, but with the weather getting hotter and hotter, I really want one right now.



Also a really nice outfit to go home in!!

 

[Mishetta]

The hospital I worked at & gave birth in also used to offer the steak/candlelight (no champagne) dinner at one time but due to budget cut backs...that was one of the first things to go! But what they did replace that with was a special menu & you could order anything off that menu (like ordering room service at a hotel) from 8am to 7pm. My DH could also order & eat complimentary. (They did have steak on the menu but they are required to cook all meats well done & that just didn't appeal to me. I like to see at the very least, some pink meat!)

 

[tmfranlk]

Any and every snack you have been craving, especially if you couldn't have it during your pregnancy. I sent DH across the street to a convenience store to buy chocolate and Diet Dr. Peppers. Nice comfy pajamas (I really wish I had some with me). Comfortable pillow - won't fit in a bag, I know, but worth carrying.

Tia

 

[Alice28]

You know, I brought this with me and didn't use it....my make-up! And I wish I had, even just a touch.

A good book- I know this sounds silly. But my DS2 had some health problems and they kept him in the nursery the first 36-40 hours...so I sat in my room most of the time, twiddling my thumbs. They also kept him an extra day, so I was in the hospital for 3 full days post partum, after a vag birth. I sent DH out one afternoon to buy me a book. Even magazines would be good.

 

[wdw4us]

After a C-section I pretty much had broth and jello. When I came home my hubsand bought my favorite cookies - Pecan Sandies and a cup of tea. I was in heaven.

Still love those cookies!
denise

 

[Piglet]

I think some magazines, snacks and lotion would be great. I could have used a club to whack my DH to get him awake in the middle of the night when the baby was crying and I was trying to get up to get her, but was moving a bit slow. Of course he didn't hear a thing!!!! Should have been a clue to me that I would doing most of the middle of the night feedings!!!!

Melinda

 

[CookieGVB]

Slip-on shower shoes. The only shower in our hospital is the "public shower" down the hall from the room on each floor. But make sure they slide on - you really DON'T want to have to try and bend over to put on those "aqua socks" shoes.

And I can't imagine waiting until I got home to take a shower.

My hospital did the filet mignon dinner the night before I went home.

 

[Minnesota!]

Great thread - I am getting ready to pack my bag since little one could appear at any time!

I am going to get some cheap, comfy PJ's that I will not mind if they get ruined, some thick socks, a boppy, and bring my own pillows. I toured the maternity ward the other night, and the pillows all look so small and thin ( I used 3 king pillows at night and a fleece one).

And, I have already informed my DH that as soon as I give birth, I am sending him to Caribou or Starbucks to get me an iced chai, then I want a whopper from BK..

 

[Celluloidgal]

Gift certificates are good. Even homemade ones for babysitting/a meal/etc.

When I bring a meal to someone who just delivered, I bring it in a disposable dish. What a drag to have to worry about which dish goes back to who. I also include paper plates/napkins/sodas or juice boxes. Who wants to do dishes postpardum?!

If they have older kids, some coloring books/crayons (to keep them occuppied while Mom is taking care of newborn).

My treat to myself is nailpolish. So maybe some fun color nail polish, nail remover pads, clippers, file, etc.

 

[coliebird]

Someone to shave my legs for me. I had severe edema/borderline preeclampsia. I gained 53 pounds, 40 of which were water. I looked like the blueberry girl from Willie Wonka. Needless to say, I couldn't get anywhere near my legs. They were disgusting.

 

[TinkBoo&ElliesMum]

I've been sitting here thinking about this one for the last 15 minutes.

With DS I was home 4 hours after he was born, the only thing I would have wanted more of was film for the camera, we ran out two pictures after he was born! Aside from that we stopped at Burger King for a chicken sandwhich on the way home and life was fine!

With DD I was discharged 18 hours after she was born (my request) but while I was there I could have used a club for the horrible day nurse that showed up, she was one of those types that treated everyone like they didn't have a clue what was going on! I had a full room service menu to order from (limited selection overnight - didn't matter, still had a milkshake and cookies at 3am!) so DH and I ate well! We were sent home with a gift bag with sparkling cider, desserts, bread, pasta, and sauce. It came with a card too - it was very nice!

I never used my own jammies - I decided if I was going to make a mess on anything it was going to be their gowns! I did change to sweats the next morning. I don't think there was anything I needed at the hospital. Once we got home it was the simple things like lots of drinks, quick foods. Breast pads, LOTS of girly pads, tucks pads.........pads, pads, pads!

This time, who knows! If we need anything DH or my Mom can run over to the grocery store. I'm just remembering to pack extra film and memory cards for the digital and lots of batteries!

Oh, and a pre-paid phone card to call anyone out of area! DH bought one for pretty cheap to call his parents with, then the goof tried to hand me the phone I don't speak french!!

 

[Cruise04]

I would have loved to have had a REAL Diet Pepsi - not caffeine free. But instead I got to go right to bed, which was just as nice (I was in labor for 2 1/2 days so a good sleep was well worth it - well, except it was 4:30am before I could go to sleep and had to get up at 6 BUT it was the best 1 1/2 of sleep I ever had!!!).

The hospital I had my dd in also treated the parents to a steak candlelight dinner with champagne (or other optional drink if you didn't want champagne) the night before leaving the hospital. Although it was 14 years ago, they still had you stay in the hospital up to 3 days and that was the best thing that could have ever happened to me.

 

[browneyes]

An I Love Lucy VHS tape (I didn't own a DVD player when I had my kids).

 

[castlegazer]

Originally posted by Pin Wizard
You guys gave birth at the wrong hospitals. LOLOL!

The hospital I worked at treated the OB patients very well...they had to keep up with the competing hospital on the other side of town. Ha! Parents got a steak dinner, candlelight, champagne, and matching bathrobes.

Oh man! That is royal treatment!

I know this is too big for a bag but the idea to bring your Boppy is a really good one - especially if you are going to nurse. It is very hard to do while having the nurses watching you, fluffing pillows to help you get the baby to the right height, looking to make sure the latch is right - it would have been a bajillion times easier had I had my Boppy with me and left that stupid birthing ball at home!

 

[matjef9091]

with real cream cheese frosting and chopped nuts on top of that. I would have eaten the whole thing I was so hungry! lol

 

[onecoolmama]

I brought my playstation for the delivery room. It took my mind off the pain until i had to push. I also rented plenty of movies and brought my VCR. And flip flops for the shower w/ my shampoo/conditioner.

Things that I will bring this time: presents for my kids from the baby. Camera, Dh always goes out for Outback and Don Pablos..so I am set there. Fianally, I think I should bring makeup. I have a ton of family in the area and I think they will stop by at some point and see me. So hopefully I look halfway decent.