The Hospital Bag

[dearmama22]

Sorry, I'm to lazy to search for this much talked about topic!

I got out of the shower and immediately started packing our hospital bag. I don't know why, I just started getting nervous! I mean, I was literally walking around naked packing the bag.. i don't know..

anyways- I have two bags. One for me and DH, and one for baby.

So far in my bag I have:
- camera
- hair/face stuff/lotion/chapstick ect.
- sweatpants for me and hubby
- sports bra/underwear/two pairs of socks/socks for hubby
- a few comfy t shirts
- relaxing CD
- book

for baby I have:
- a couple blankets
- two sleeper outfits
- a few onesies
- a couple pants
- socks ( who knows what he will wear!!???)
- Diapers


What else am I missing?

[javilu]

camera charger? cell phone/charger? toothbrush, glasses/contacts, phone numbers, a hat for the baby if it's cold where you live...

[eewieew]

i started packing mine last night as well. i just sort of have a feeling...

for baby i've got:

a couple of blankets
a few side snap tees
hat
sleeper gown
socks


for me, so far, i've got:

breast pads
toiletries - shower crap, tbrush/paste, face lotion, minimal makeup, CHAPSTICK!!!
2 sports bras...one for in the tub, one for not
granny panties
comfy sweats
nursing tank
camera
phone
laptop - both my camera and phone can charge via laptop. i technology!
*also, all of my music is on the laptop.
book
trail mix
gatorade
essential oils and sweet almond oil for massage

i've asked b to bring:

swim trunks
change of clothes
whatever else he wants

[BnInTheOvn]

Well, you have good starter lists!! Here are some things I took the first time, should have taken, wished I had, had and didn't use... etc.

ABSOLUTELY BRING:
Several pairs of comfy underwear. Cotton full coverage undies. The hospital gives you mesh ones that do just about..... nothing. And for a little while, every time you stand up, there will be a very large flood. The mesh are good for the first 12 hours after birth when there is an immense amount of drainage when you stand (otherwise you'd change undies 8256462 times) but after that you may want reg undies.
Your own pads from home or if you prefer, depends (I personally used pads, but recently heard someone say they used adult diapers) in case you don't like the hospital given ones.
An outfit for baby that is most likely premie/newborn, even if you have a full term baby. The 3 day old NB is not the same size as the 2 week old NB that fits into the NB clothes. Annalise was 7lbs and wore premie for about a week. Make sure you have socks/hat for baby also.
Fuzzy snowsuit or something for baby in case it is freezing. Or lots of blankets to cover with in carseat.
nursing bra or tank for going home, + for in hospital if you like under your gown.
breast pads!! although I didn't get my milk til we got home so I didnt leak in the hospital really, you never know!!
camera
toothbrush
hairbrush
makeup if you want it
pony holders!! and bobby pins, if you have shorter hair that needs to be pulled back. I was very irritated by my hair during labor.

SOME GOOD IDEA XTRAS
Baby book to put footprints in, or other keepsake
A special blanket or stuffed animal that you want to have for baby
Phone list of people to call
a book
picture of other children (if you have others)

[mom2p.m.]

dearmama22, I would say to pack a nursing bra and nursing pillow if you plan to use one and snacks. Those were things that I forgot with my first in the hospital and people had to go get for me.

[candynut]

Hard candies to suck on - minty ones for DH!

You might want your own pillows and maybe keep a couple of towels in the car just in case your water breaks suddenly.

It certainly can't hurt to pack everything, and I seem to be in the minority, but when I was at the hospital, I was happy to use all their stuff. I stayed in hospital gowns the whole time, mesh underwear and all. Things were a mess and I didn't want to ruin my stuff. DS wore his hospital issue onesie and hat (we brought one sleeper to take him home in). The hospital has diapers, unless you are CDing from Day 1. And they have snacks and drinks and things.

[herins]

Definitely don't forget the snacks and drinks, for both you and hubby. Also, if you're on medication, don't forget to bring it with you. I was also happy to have my robe and slippers. I think everything else on my list has been mentioned.

[oldaussie]

Second what everyone says about food - I am always STARVING afterwards (like, eyeing off other people's food sort of starving), I bring nuts/trail mix and get family to bring in heaps of fresh fruit and treats (my "binge basket" of all the things I can't eat while pg). My mil is bring me a lobster!

[baileyandmikey]

I want to add this.... don't think I am a nut, But throw a big trash bag in there, if you are headed to the hospital and your water is broke, you don't want the car seat wet, so I like to take a trash bag to throw down on the seat. And if we are in a hurry, I don't wanna have to go looking for one!

[marieangela]

Originally Posted by candynut

It certainly can't hurt to pack everything, and I seem to be in the minority, but when I was at the hospital, I was happy to use all their stuff. I stayed in hospital gowns the whole time, mesh underwear and all. Things were a mess and I didn't want to ruin my stuff. DS wore his hospital issue onesie and hat (we brought one sleeper to take him home in). The hospital has diapers, unless you are CDing from Day 1. And they have snacks and drinks and things.

I'm with you on this. I wore all of the hospital stuff, too. Not even sure what I took when I had my second son. He came 2 1/2 weeks early and I just threw a few things in a bag before I headed off to the hospital. I do want to take a book and my ipod for after the baby is born.

[liliaceae]

If you want to bathe the baby with soap at the hospital (you don't have to!), you might want to bring your own. The hospital will probably use the Johnson's shampoo or some other nasty stuff.

[hippiemommaof4]

I still need stuff for mine but this is what I will take
my digi cam
toiletries
outfits for baby both I have preemie shirt and pant set in case he is a peanut and n/b if average size
nursing shirt and sweats for me
nursing bra and underware
nursing gown
socks for baby and me
breast cream
breast pads
magazines
snacks and drinks for after
one of my boppys
my sling
nursing cover
cloth dipes and wipes

I think thats about it

[Xiaguan]

Something that I have not seen on these lists that I love to have are:

Slipper Socks or houseshoes.

Also flip flops if you are planning on a shower The floor makes me feel icky Too many germs LOL!

My list is hort because I don't want to be there long

Coming home outfits for both of us
Socks
toiletries
breast cream
undies

camera
cell phones
baby book for feet prints(gotta buy one this week )


I don't plan on a long labor as a matter of fact I hope to get there before the baby is born! I had a great dream the other night where the baby was born on the kitchen floor & then later my brain made it happen in the bathroom. My DH still made me go because he did not want to cut the cord. At least I would not be laboring in the car

Melissa

[Malva]

Originally Posted by baileyandmikey

But throw a big trash bag in there, if you are headed to the hospital and your water is broke, you don't want the car seat wet, so I like to take a trash bag to throw down on the seat. And if we are in a hurry, I don't wanna have to go looking for one!

Yes, a large garbage bag to cover your seat and a towel to put over it. My waters broke when I was ready to push both times but it could have happened in the car.

[liliaceae]

Thought I'd bump this up to see if anyone has anything to add. I'm trying to get everything together for my hospital bag and don't want to forget anything!

[javilu]

During our class they reminded us to bring some shorts/trunks for your partner if they plan on getting into the tub with you (if you're doing the tub thing). Apparently, at our birth center, they were having a few issues with naked dads-to-be and some uncomfortable/surprised nurses!

[cyrusmama]

dh and I have a couple different card games in ours too. I am not planning on being there long, but you never know and its nice to have something to help pass the time.

And a hand held massager.