hospital bag « Back to Group Discussions

[jessmn]

What are you packing in your hospital bag? I've found a few lists, but I want to know what's been useful for you in the past, or unique things that I might be overlooking.

[Lisanne]

I haven't even thought about the bag yet. I had a home birth last time so it's not something that was on my to do list. Guess I'd better get started on that. 

[firespiritmelody]

Even if you're planning a homebirth, it's a really good idea to put a bag together anyway just in case you end up needing to transfer. Transferring is often traumatic enough so having some of your own supplies can help minimize that. I wont be packing a back exactly, but I am going to have all my comfort items in a basket and I also plan on gathering any items that I would want to take with me into one area so they'll be easy to gather if we were to end up having to transfer.

Besides the obvious toiletries and clothes, I would highly recommend Peppermint Oil. Taking a deep breath of it can completely take away nausea. As a doula it's my #1 must-have and I use it at every single birth.  You can even take it in the operating room if you have a c/s/

[BeanBean06]

This is our first so I don't know if I'm missing anything important... But ours are packed and in the car!

I have (aside form the obvious toiletries and such)

A comfy outfit to wear during visits and one to wear home.
My pillows (with bright colored cases so they don't get mixed up with hospital pillows)
A cozy blanket from home
My sound machine
Flip flops for the shower
Slippers
An eye/sleep mask
Snacks
Headphones
Camera with extra battery and the charger
iPad and charger
Some nursing/sleep bras
Some old "granny" panties
A couple pair of fuzzy warm socks

My DH brought
The basics as well as his swim trucks (in case I labor some in the shower he can come with)
Flip flops for the shower
Snacks
BREATHE MINTS!

For baby we have a few outfits (different sizes premie/ newborn) since we don't know when she'll come and how big she'll be... A few diapers, some wipes and some cute hats and bows and such lol there's more in her bag but I can't remember now lol

We are also gonna be taking a cooler of my favorite foods (since I have food allergies I don't think there will be much of a selection available for me at the hospital)

[TIFF4NY]

Bring your own toiletries! That is one thing I wish I had done with DD. They give you these tiny little packets of shampoo/soap and well... those are annoying. Also, something to wear on your feet during labor and afterwards. Comfortable outfit and nursing bra/tank for sure. I stayed in the gown for a stupidly long time. 

I have more and really need to make a list. I will have to revisit this.

[bmcneal]

Oh, yeah! I should probably be thinking about packing a hospital bag! 

[Cali2SC]

Originally Posted by firespiritmelody 

Even if you're planning a homebirth, it's a really good idea to put a bag together anyway just in case you end up needing to transfer. Transferring is often traumatic enough so having some of your own supplies can help minimize that. 

We had to transfer to a hospital with a 3 day stay, after thinking that we would just be at the birth center for a few hours.  We did have somethings with us, but wish we had some other things that we left behind, or just did not have.  I think this would be an even better idea for a home birth, as at least we had a few things packed at the birth center.  Not to say that anything will go wrong, but in that rare instance, less stress is better, I think.  

That said, I am still sad about a bag of things that we left behind at the birth center and went missing before we were able to collect them, including my favorite set of sheets.  (Sigh)  Off topic, I know, but still. 

I was just thinking that I need to pack a bag, soon for this baby.  Any suggestions from those who have BTDT for a NICU stay.  I plan to be camped out with my babe as much as possible.  Thanks!

[Oliver's Mama]

Originally Posted by BeanBean06 

This is our first so I don't know if I'm missing anything important... But ours are packed and in the car!

I have (aside form the obvious toiletries and such)

A comfy outfit to wear during visits and one to wear home.
My pillows (with bright colored cases so they don't get mixed up with hospital pillows)
A cozy blanket from home
My sound machine
Flip flops for the shower
Slippers
An eye/sleep mask
Snacks
Headphones
Camera with extra battery and the charger
iPad and charger
Some nursing/sleep bras
Some old "granny" panties
A couple pair of fuzzy warm socks

My DH brought
The basics as well as his swim trucks (in case I labor some in the shower he can come with)
Flip flops for the shower
Snacks
BREATHE MINTS!

For baby we have a few outfits (different sizes premie/ newborn) since we don't know when she'll come and how big she'll be... A few diapers, some wipes and some cute hats and bows and such lol there's more in her bag but I can't remember now lol

We are also gonna be taking a cooler of my favorite foods (since I have food allergies I don't think there will be much of a selection available for me at the hospital)

That's a pretty comprehensive list, you sound prepared!  the additional necessities I have are:

nursing pillow

nursing butter (I'm allergic to the lanolin types the hospital hands out)

belly binder. 

me:

robe

pants

nursing tank/tee

1 pair granny undies for heading home in (even though the hospital issue disposable ones are kinda funky, I'd rather not deal with the bloody laundry, so I just use theirs until time to go)

socks for heading home (same thing- I prefer using the slipper socks the hospital gives out.. don't want to take all those gross germs from the floor home with me!)

baby: 

onesie

one-piece outfit (not footed, so size won't matter much) with built in cuffs so I don't need mittens

socks/booties

hat

pacifier (just in case. I also don't like the nuk's that our hospital hands out)

hair bows, diaper cover, nice blanket  for photo shoot

swaddleme blanket (I hate fussing with traditional swaddling when I'm that tired)

for labor-

exercise ball

vitamin water

music

camera

I usually pack 2 bags; one for labor and immediate postpartum, and the other has the less urgent things that I send dh back to the car to get maybe 4/5 hrs after delivery when we're settled in the post partum room, so that way we're not hauling luggage all over. And it gives dh a good excuse to get a few minutes of fresh air :)

remember the hospitial will provide a lot of stuff, as long as it doesn't bother your personal preferences.  Stuff like clothing/blankets/hats for baby, diapers, wipes, suction bulb, pacifier if you want, toiletries and disposable undies for you, slipper socks, nursing ointment and pads. And I hear some hospitals will give you a belly binder.  

[magpiemind]

Lots of great suggestions already! I'd just like to add a couple more things I found useful:

- Battery-operated fan. There were times during labor when I was unbearably hot, and my little portable fan became the most wonderful thing in the world. :)

- Depends absorbent underwear for post-delivery. The hospital-provided disposable underwear and thick pads were fine, but had their limitations; it was hard to get comfortable in the bed because I had to be very careful about how I lay. (Otherwise, the pad would not be in an optimal place to catch the blood. Messy.) Once I got home, I switched to Depends, and they were great. For my next delivery, I plan to take some with me to the hospital.

For my going-home clothing, I took a comfy shirt and loose maternity jumper-type overdress. Since I didn't know what size I'd be immediately after birth, I took something I knew would fit without relying on my waist or hips to hold it up. It had the added bonus of not putting any pressure on my abdominal area. 

Hope you have an awesome birth experience!

[TIFF4NY]

For some reason I can't seem to get this done. I have a bag started and things planned to put in it but I just can't get it completely ready. What is my issue!? I keep worrying it won't be ready when the time comes but I still don't finish it. Argh.

[bmcneal]

Originally Posted by TIFF4NY 

For some reason I can't seem to get this done. I have a bag started and things planned to put in it but I just can't get it completely ready. What is my issue!? I keep worrying it won't be ready when the time comes but I still don't finish it. Argh.

Me too, except I haven't even started the bag yet. I know what bag I'm going to use, though. That's a start, right? :P

[jessmn]

Originally Posted by TIFF4NY 

For some reason I can't seem to get this done. I have a bag started and things planned to put in it but I just can't get it completely ready. What is my issue!? I keep worrying it won't be ready when the time comes but I still don't finish it. Argh.

Me too!!! I keep referencing this thread (I started it afterall!) but I cannot get one started. I made a list...that's something, right?! I think I am in denial that I have such a short time left...and real babies will soon be here!

[mayday]

Originally Posted by bmcneal 

Me too, except I haven't even started the bag yet. I know what bag I'm going to use, though. That's a start, right? :P

I haven't done my bag yet either, and I'm 37+4. I do know which baby clothes I want to bring, but it just doesn't seem like a priority...though I'm sure I'm jinxing myself, I told my partner that it'll be the one thing I can do while I'm in early labor!

[cagnew]

Haven't packed mine either. I most likely still have 3 to 4 weeks to go, so I have time.... I really ought to wash the baby clothes though, so that I have them ready. 

Oh my... I'm adding another person to my laundry load now. I hadn't thought of that yet. Oh boy...

[firespiritmelody]

I don't have anything packed either. We're planning a hb but I'd intended on putting together a "in case of transfer" bag.... should probably do that.

[bmcneal]

Well, I don't feel so alone, now! :P I'm hoping to get baby stuff washed and dried today, and *planning* to start on my hospital bag after that, also sometime today. We shall see.

[JennJenn84]

I got fthe first load of baby girls clothes done. Just have to put them away. I need to wash her first outfit then I can get started on her bag, then mine.

[MaineCoastMama]

Viva this thread!

I am 37 weeks +4 days and just starting to think I need to have this stuff together.

So far we have ready to go:

*Carseat

*Video camera/tape/charger

*Going home outfit: one piece with snaps & feet, a hat and mitts in case we need them

*Blanket

*Nursing Pjs for me (how likely are these to get stained? They are kind of cute ones from Motherhood, in red with white polkas)

*2 nursing bras

*My face lotion I can't live without, I can take all other hospital toiletry substitutes

My hospital provides basic toiletries, disp undies & pads, a snack cupboard, newb clothes, blankets, diapers/wipes... I don't plan on CDing till I get home, just to give me one less thing to worry about this first time around.

[Cali2SC]

So last night I had a dream that I went into labor and wasn't packed and I had to go to the hospital without my bags.  Then when labor was over (the dream totally just skipped that part) I had to go back home and pack my bag for our NICU stay and was separated from our baby for about 5 hours.  Other weird dream stuff, like sheep in the road (we do have a farm with sheep) and I was packing in my old room at my dad's house in California instead of South Carolina.  And my dad had installed a pool so I went for a quick swim and couldn't find parking.........

So this morning when I woke up, I took it as a sign that at 38 weeks and 2 days, it was finally time to make our list and pack some bags!

Just incase anyone else is still procrastinating on this, here is my list:

Birth Bag:

• Birth Plan
• wallets w/IDs and insurance cards
• Birth ball and pump
• yoga mat
• music and player
• massage oil
• heat pads
• peppermint and lavender essential oil
• chapstick
• deoderant
• toothbrush and toothpaste
• pillows with bright colored cases so they do not get lost
• my digoxin and zofran (meds that I will need)
• comfy clothes to wear during and immediately after labor
• honey sticks 
• beverages (hydration for me and soda or coffee for hubby)
• snacks
• maybe cookies for staff ;)
• cammera
• phone and charger
• my notebook and pen (for any baby medical stuff that we will need to write down)

Post-birth/ NICU stay bag

• pads frozen and unfrozen
• nursing pads
• baby clothes
• baby blankets
• blanket for DH and me for napping
• clothes for DH and me
• belly wrap
• nipple ointment
• shower supplies
• hand lotion
• vitamins
• nursing pillows and extra covers
• laptop and charger
• lactation tea, water bottles, snacks

Now off to pack and see what I am missing!

[IronMam]

Originally Posted by firespiritmelody 

I don't have anything packed either. We're planning a hb but I'd intended on putting together a "in case of transfer" bag.... should probably do that.

I started my "just in case bag" - but I haven't finished it. Plus, there are a few things I DON'T want packed into it, because I want them ready for the HB (like the video camera). 

Of course, I also don't have our HB box of supplies all gathered yet either. :/      DH keeps having to work late, and I'm so exhausted, and just, *sigh* - things just aren't getting done.