The Hospital Bag!

[WifeofAnt]

I feel like I should (its SO close! 5w3d to 37 weeks!), I feel like I shouldn't (its SO far away... I could easily go to 41 or 42 weeks!). I'm starting my hospital bag anyway. Baby's bag is pretty much packed... or I think it is.

How long is the 'normal' hospital stay? With minor complications?
If you gave birth at a hospital, what did you pack... For yourself? For the baby?
Should Dad have a bag (if he's allowed to stay overnight)?
What would you pack if you had to pack a bag today?
Would you bring a nursing pillow?
What did you pack but find you didn't use?
What 'free samples' did you get (besides formula)?

Did your hospital provide anything during your stay (diapers, wipes, clothes, blankets)?
Could you take any of it home if you didn't use it?

ANY other helpful information?

THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU!

[lunarlady]

I hadn't planned a hospital stay, and went in the ambulance in my birthday suit. So here is what I needed from home for my two night, three day stay.
Entertainment. Hospitals are boring, I don't watch TV, and newborns sleep quite a bit. So books, some DVDs, and my music were important.
My nightgown, sweats, and tshirt.
Favorite shelf stable foods. They had food, but it seemed weird to order room service and wait 45 minutes when all I wanted was a few crackers.
Camera, of course.
Nice clothing and blankie for baby.

The hospital provided:
Hot and cold food on request between 7 am and 7 pm.
Diapers, wipes, pacifier, blankets, hat, and booties for baby, all of which were ours to keep except the blankets.
Gowns and panties for me.
Cold packs and pads for after the birth.

They provided toiletries too, but I ended up asking DH to bring mine from home because I'm picky about that stuff.

My DH went home to shower, change, eat and nap. But we live only 10 minutes from the hospital, so that is easy.

When it is time to leave, don't forget jackets for all and a carseat for baby. Good luck!

[allical1284]

We had DD in a hospital, and we didn't pack anything until I was well into established labor (she was born at 40+3).
We didn't have any complications and we were out of there in a little over 24 hours. For myself, I brought a night gown (w/ easy nursing access), socks, slippers, comfy going home clothes (yoga pants), and a robe. My husband brought PJ's and a change of clothes as well. We all co-slept in the bed together (it was a tight fit). For baby, we brought a couple of onesies, some socks, little mittens (to prevent face scratching), a hat, and a cute little going home outfit.
Other stuff we brought: my own pillow, regular toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, face wash, shampoo, etc...), boppy, nipple butter or lanolin, extra receiving blanket.

One thing that was helpful was to pack a separate labor bag w/ ipod, tennis ball, rice sock, snacks, cameras, etc... When we got there we only brought the labor bag in with us (it didn't do us a whole lot of good b/c DD was born very shortly after we arrived). Once DD was born and we were settled in our recovery room, DH went down to the car and got the rest of our stuff.

The nurses told us that our insurance had been charged for everything in the room, so we took it all when we left Diapers, wipes, chux pads, ice packs, extra onesie, receiving blankets, etc...

[MT Mom]

My experience is the usual hospital stay is 24-48 hours. My hospital did provide diapers, wipes, clothes, and blankets, but I used my own clothes and blankets because they were softer (silly, I know, but it was my brand new baby!) We were able to keep the diapers and wipes, but not the clothes and blankets. You'll also most likely need an outfit to bring the baby home. I would bring your nursing pillow. Even if you don't use it for nursing, it is nice for helping to hold your baby if you're really physically tired. Also, the lactation nurse at my hospital helped me to find a comfortable way to hold my baby for feeding using the pillow.

What I wish I had brought my first time (that I did the second) was a nursing night gown that was comfortable. Once I was done having the baby, I wanted to be in my own stuff. I also appreciated having my own pillow (my hospital recommended putting it in a colored pillowcase, so it didn't look like their pillows) and my own bathrobe. This is sort of weird, but you might want to bring a non tight pair of shoes. A lot of people swell after birth (I did and so did a few of my friends) and my shoes didn't fit after the first time I delivered, so my Mom ran and bought me a new pair before I went home. I know it is really weird, but just thought I'd throw that out there as something to think about.

My husband did pack a small bag with a change of clothes, snacks, and something to read. He also packed a throw blanket and pillow, because my hospital had a chair that turned into a bed. If you're bringing a camera, don't forget to charge it!

I would call the hospital that you're delivering in and check with them as far as things they recommend. Mine didn't give anything, but the generic bag from Similac or Enfamil, which was good for an extra diaper bag, but not much use otherwise. Good luck!!!! I hope this has been some help!

[MyFullHouse]

Originally Posted by WifeofAnt

How long is the 'normal' hospital stay? I've done anywhere from 32 hours to 48 hours after delivery. My 32 hour stay could have been shorter, but I delivered after midnight and chose to stay and catch some cat naps before going home. My regular hospital is not opposed to discharging within the first 24 hours. With minor complications? I would think it depends on the complication. My third was being watched for mec inhalation. Maternity was ready to discharge me at 24 hours, but Pediatrics asked us to stay another 24.

If you gave birth at a hospital, what did you pack... For yourself? For the baby? Me - light food, camera, phone, chargers, 2 comfortable outfits and 2 nursing pajamas, personal hygiene items, 2 nursing bras, lansolin, nursing pads, paper and pens (though I don't think I've ever actually used them, lol), and a book or two (that I never read). Baby- nail clippers, mittens, going home outfit, Boppy pillow, and I think that's it.

Should Dad have a bag (if he's allowed to stay overnight)? My husband doesn't pack one, but he usually runs home 2x/day to walk and feed the dogs, and he entertains himself with his phone.

What would you pack if you had to pack a bag today? All of the above, plus cloth diapers this time. With #4, we waited a few weeks.

Would you bring a nursing pillow? Yes

What did you pack but find you didn't use? Paper and pens and books. But I'll continue to pack them just in case! Oh, and underwear. I'm a fan of the mesh panties!

What 'free samples' did you get (besides formula)? I don't remember from the first 3, but I declined all freebies with #4. Every giveaway in my hospital comes from formula companies, and I don't want to support that.

Did your hospital provide anything during your stay (diapers, wipes, clothes, blankets)? Diapers, wipes, blankets, pacifiers, nose suckers, hair brushes, and kimono shirts.

Could you take any of it home if you didn't use it?
Yes, they encouraged it. I was told they can't reuse open packages of diapers or wipes.

ANY other helpful information?

THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU!

The only things I would be really upset to find myself without are personal hygiene items, clean clothes for both of us to go home in, and a camera. Everything else is secondary, imo.

I usually buy travel items for personal hygiene so they can be packed in advance and I don't have to worry about scrambling in the bathroom while in labor. I also don't have to worry about leaving anything behind in the hospital shower. Plus, it all takes up less room in a bag and lessens the risk of leaking.

[nia82]

I packed my bag when my water broke at 37 weeks.... Lol.... I brought t-shirts to labor in (Cosco men shirts), snacks and drinks (isotonic sports drinks), my cosmetics (aka shampoo, shower gel, face cream), nursing pyjamas and nursing bras, socks and a set of maternity clothes, my pillow, the oral vitamin K drops, phone charger and phone, camera...

The hospital provided:
- their gowns (didn't touch them)
- clothing and blankets for DS, he was too small for size newborn stuff (they keep that of course)
- Pampers Swaddlers size 1 (is all they had) and Pampers wipes
- nose sucker for us to keep
- really boring video about car seat safety (yeah I know that most people don't know how to put them in, but the hossy had a car seat fit station!)
- Johnson & Johnson baby wash, yuck
- food for both of us
- cool packs for the perineum, sanitary pads, Tucks pads, local pain reliever cream (Dubocain), peri bottle

Our hospital didn't have pacis, cause they are certified baby friendly. I guess they provide formula, but we nursed and they did provide the Medela SNS system and several bottles and the pump throughout our stay. The SNS and bottles was ours to keep in a little cooling bag.

This time, my bag will look similar, but also contain cloth diapers and wipes and several post partum items as we'll be in the birthing center. We have to stay one night within city limits before we can go back home (2h drive) in a motel... So I might buy some Depends, can't really bring my frozen pads with me, but prolly will make due with the ice cubes at the motel stuffed into a one time use glove and position it somewhere in the Depends panties (don't wanna mess around at the motel, prolly will bring my own sheet for safety, cause they don't always change them, yuck!)...

As for staying: I was discharged after 48 hours, DS a day later, but we were put on "boarding" to stay. He was mildly jaundices which is why they kept us, also he weighed very little and they wanted to make sure he didn't loose too much. Basically, the peds held us hostage for another bilirubin check on Friday when we went home (DS born Tuesday).

[Annemarie42]

I think a lot depends on how far away the hospital is and what your specific plans are. We live quite close to the hospital, so I have a few things packed for labor, a bag for my husband to bring postpartum, and a bag for the baby:
labor: comfy shirt, (will add pillow), fleece socks, mp3 player, camera, phone, RRL tea. I hope not to be there too long...
PP for me: bathrobe, toiletries, book, maternity outfit to wear home. I'll use the disposable pads, mesh panties, etc. and likely wear a gown while I'm there...
PP for baby: going home outfits for either gender, a few gowns in case I get the urge to dress up the baby, and a blanket I made. Carseat. Cloth diaper/cover to wear home.
Big kids: a bag with a full outfit, a toy, a book, and a pair of pajamas each.

I packed the baby bag a while ago (when I washed clothes) and didn't really do anything else until after 37 weeks.... and still haven't really finished (38.5).

[jennifercp8]

How long is the 'normal' hospital stay? With minor complications?
I had a 'normal' vaginal birth early on a Wednesday, and went home Friday morning. No complications.

If you gave birth at a hospital, what did you pack... For yourself? For the baby?
I packed a going home outfit for me (a maternity skirt and shirt), some capri lounge pants, a large t-shirt, a couple of nursing tanks, a pair of slippers, and some socks. For baby, I just packed a coming home outfit, and a couple of onesies. And blankets.

Should Dad have a bag (if he's allowed to stay overnight)?
My DH did pack an overnight bag - just a couple of t-shirts, underwear, and some deodorant.

What would you pack if you had to pack a bag today?
Pretty much the same stuff.

Would you bring a nursing pillow?
I did, and I would do it again.

What did you pack but find you didn't use?
Not much... I think I could have done without the extra extra clothing I brought.

What 'free samples' did you get (besides formula)?
I didn't get any formula samples. But I got vaseline, peri bottle, extra mesh panties, pads, diapers, gauze pads, and whatever else was left over before I left.

Did your hospital provide anything during your stay (diapers, wipes, clothes, blankets)?
Mine provided everything. But we did end up using our own blankets, and I think we used our own onesies. I was too excited not to.

I also brought a sling, camera, cell phones (of course), and some chapstick. I also brought my own water bottle (I was using it while laboring at home). We lived very close to the hospital, and my mom was staying at the house. She brought us meals, some tea bags for me, a couple of DVD's (our room had an entertainment center), and anything little like that. Oh - I also packed my own toiletries.

I had DD in a FSBC, and I wish I had packed more snacks and things to eat immediately following the birth. I had my DS in the hospital right around breakfast time, so I was fed very quickly after delivering. A handful of pretzels just wasn't cutting it after I had DD, so I made DH stop at Dunkin Donuts on the way home to get a bagel.

[rparker]

How long is the 'normal' hospital stay?

We left after about 16 hours with our first (not normal) and 30 hours with our second (I wanted time to recover sans toddler and it felt looong, but our doctor viewed this as the low end of normal). Both were uncomplicated vaginal births of healthy, full-term infants.

Should Dad have a bag (if he's allowed to stay overnight)?

It might be nice for him to have a change of clothes even if you're planning on leaving ASAP (birth is messy). If the hospital is within 15 minutes of your house I wouldn't stress about a bag for dad though.

Would you bring a nursing pillow?

No. Maybe if I knew the birth was likely to end in a c-section and that I'd have abdominal stitches to deal with? Otherwise, no... in my experience the nursing pillow becomes more useful as babies get heavier.


What did you pack but find you didn't use?

laptop (no wifi), cell phone charger (battery didn't die), non-maternity clothes


What 'free samples' did you get (besides formula)?

This time... um nothing? Last time we got some diapers and breast pads.

Did your hospital provide anything during your stay (diapers, wipes, clothes, blankets)?
Could you take any of it home if you didn't use it?

To keep: pads, mesh underwear, disposable diapers, wipes, nasal bulb syringe, Lansinoh, plastic travel cup, dermoplast, peri bottle, sitz bath, t-shirt with hospital name and formula logo endorsing bottle feeding, manual breast pump, pacifiers, formula

To leave: baby clothes, baby hat, hospital gowns, pillows, blankets,

(The above lists are combined from 2 different hospitals.)

Short list of stuff that it's nice to bring: bagged RRL, other tea bags, Depends, travel size toiletries, your own pajamas, cloth diapers, warm socks, small snacks

[elmh23]

My first and third were hospital births (2nd was a homebirth.) I've also had three pph's and my third child was Coombs positive (a risk for jaundice.)

How long is the 'normal' hospital stay? With minor complications?-- I hear 24-48hrs is normal. With dd, we stayed for 3 days because of my pph. With ds2, we stayed for 30hrs because my pph was minimal and I was doing great and ds2 was way under the guidlines for jaundice.

If you gave birth at a hospital, what did you pack... For yourself? For the baby?-- for me, I always back basic toilitries, a change of clothes and slippers. for baby, I pack a going home outfit and wipes cause I hate the ones the hospital gives. NURSING PADS!

Should Dad have a bag (if he's allowed to stay overnight)?-- With dd, he wasn't allowed to stay (fight for it!) With ds2, we packed a change of clothes in case he got messy while I was in labor but anticipated him going home to visit kids or if I wasn't doing well that his mom would bring him a change of clothes. Also basic toilitries would be good.

What would you pack if you had to pack a bag today?-- everything above

Would you bring a nursing pillow?-- I did with both of mine. I used it a lot with dd, but never touched it with ds2. If you have a c-section, a friend says it is a MUST.

What did you pack but find you didn't use?-- I never touched my toilities, lol. With dd, I was just to tired so I slept all day while dh was there and was with her all night (and the nurse wouldn't take the baby for me to take a shower ) and with ds2, I might have brushed my teeth, but didn't really feel like showering in the hospital.

What 'free samples' did you get (besides formula)?-- there was stuff but I really can't recall right now. Ds2's hospital gave us a lovely diaper bag that would probably suck as a diaper bag, but makes a nice purse for dd

Did your hospital provide anything during your stay (diapers, wipes, clothes, blankets)?
Could you take any of it home if you didn't use it?-- Diapers, wipes and blankets for sure. They had a kimono style shirt for them, but I don't remember if we took it home. They actually told us to take everything because they have to throw it out if it's opened, even if you didn't use any (I ate the hospital wipes, so I bring my own.)

[Twinklefae]

I would contact the hospital and find out if there is a list of what they expect you to bring. My hospital recommended 3 bags - a 'birth' bag, a hospital stay bag and a Dad bag. They recommended you leave the second two in the car until after to birth.

There was also a detailed list of what they expected you to bring (including diapers, and pads for mom) which was very helpful.

[Adaline'sMama]

I went into labor at 37 weeks 1 day and I was not packed. My husband and I packed when my water broke, and before my contractions started. I took:

Baby:
2 recieving blankets that i never even touched
Apricot oil for her skin and my perinnium
A package of Huggies Naturals NB diapers (we didnt use cloth until 3 weeks)
Seventh Generation Diaper Wipes
Earths Best baby soap
2 sleepers that I never touched b/c they were too big
an outfit to take her home in that we never wore (too big)

For me: (I went in a skirt and shirt, which I labored in)
BB chapstick
3 pr yoga (pj) pants
crocs
tennis shoes
Moby wrap (we used it for laboring , the hospital would not let us carry her outside out room)
3 shirts
Belly Binder
Hair dyer/ brush
massage oil
massage roller
shampoo
conditioner
soap (the last thing I wanted was to smell like a hospital)
toothbrush
toothpaste
Radio
Ipod
Down Comforter ( we slept on this, bc i was determined that we were all going to sleep together as a family, so we threw it on the floor and used the hospital blankets on top of us)
2 pillows.
Camera, extra batteries
cell phone charger, ipod charger
2 odwallas, 2 diet cokes, 2 bottles of water, and 4 cliff bars...only drank the water
Hubby used all my stuff, we brough him a pair of flannel pj pants and a shirt and he brought a book that he never touched

Things I would suggest, you own towel. The towels they give you (if you are using the shower for laboring) will not fit around your pregnant belly. It is cold. For that matter, I could have brought my own shower too, bc theirs never really got hot enough.