home birth/hospital transfer prep question

[evjolin]

we are planning on a home birth, yay! but i want to pack a hospital bag just in *case* we have to transfer. i know the super long list included own towels and pillows etc.

what would you pack for an "emergency" hospital bag?? i want to keep it simple, but at the same time don't want to leave anything out that i may really want if we have to transfer.....

thanks!!

[sarahn4639]

I just attended a transfer last week and honestly, you don't need much. I would pack a very small bag with something comfy for you to wear after, something for the baby, something for dad, chapstick, money for vending/cafeteria, and grab the camera. Actually, pretty much anything except money, chapstick, and camera can be retrieved by someone later.

Also, a cell phone to call everyone.

[Altair]

I didn't pack a bag and it did make the transfer much harder to consider that in the heat of the moment. Then when I was in the hospital I was annoyed I didn't have the things I wanted. In the future I'd pack:

- comfortable, easy to nurse in clothes
- socks
- nursing bra
- gatorade
- 2 onsies, 1-2 sleepers
- cell phone charger
- camera



and make sure all your medical records/insurance information is in one easy to grab place.

[Sk8ermaiden]

CHAPSTICK
A "coming home" outfit for baby
comfortable clothes for you that do not come near your abdomen (in case of cesarean)
nursing bras
cell phone chargers
camera
RAZOR (I forgot this and could barely sleep because of my scratchyness.)
toothpaste and toothbrushes
deodorant
pajamas, toiletries and changes of clothes for your DH
SNACKS. You will be fed, but generally your DH will not and having food and snack on hand for both of you will save you $$
Money
Insurance card

For me personally, a Belly Bandit. But that is because I know how wonderful it is and if I end up in a hospital again, there is a high likelihood I will be having a Cesarean.

I am of the mind to bring ANYTHING you think you might want. We transferred and I ended up there for 5 days because of high blood pressure. It is very difficult to have others get your things. Even my DH does not know where my (for example) purple dress, granny panties and chapstick are, and the cute onesie for the baby. Not to mention that he refused to leave my side for the first few days.

[camprunner]

Originally Posted by Altair

I didn't pack a bag and it did make the transfer much harder to consider that in the heat of the moment. Then when I was in the hospital I was annoyed I didn't have the things I wanted. In the future I'd pack:

- comfortable, easy to nurse in clothes
- socks
- nursing bra
- gatorade
- 2 onsies, 1-2 sleepers
- cell phone charger
- camera



and make sure all your medical records/insurance information is in one easy to grab place.

This. (I did not transfer but this is exactly what I did pack) I think I stored the baby's "birthday" outfit and the camera in this bag and just pulled them out as we needed them.

[Shazer]

Pack clothing you will want to wear. I had a transfer and hadn't packed anything. DH ended up bringing me a gigantic uncomfortable hoodie to wear and nothing to go underneath it.

The other suggestions are good.

[limette]

I've transferred twice and didn't bring anything other than my purse.

If I needed anything after the birth (like with the c-section) dh just brought it the next morning.

[rhiOrion]

if you have ppl who can go home and get you stuff, i would make a list of what you might want as well as where to find it... and then pack the bag with immediate need type stuff.

[MoonStarFalling]

We threw together a bag at the time of the transfer. Clothes, purse, toothbrush, camera, baby outfit. Everything else was provided by the hospital.