What to pack in your hospital/birth center bag??

[Periwinkle]

For those of us birthing in a hospital or birth center, what are your not-so-obvious must haves on your list of things to pack?

Here are mine:

* Lactation support tea
* Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers
* 18 nursing gowns (well maybe not 18, but as many as I've got)
* Crossover nursing bra for quick access and comfort 24/7
* Chocolate bar (or two) for a little soothing and energy all in one
* Gatorade to drink during labor
* Electric razor. Lord don't make me bend over to shave my legs in that tiny stall shower.
* Going-home outfit (yet to be purchased) - looking for something easy, warm, but cute (and gender neutral)
* Digital camera!
* Ankle-height slipper socks with non-skid soles (so I can just leave them on in bed, instead of having to search desparately for my other slipper so I can go pee! LOL... can you tell this was a trauma from last time?!)

[wtchyhlr]

you actualy worry about shaving your legs in the time immediately following birth? I'm in awe..... I think mine might get shaved like twice a month at this point. too much trouble to do all that bending...lol. course it helps that i'm rather fair.

[HelloKitty]

I'm with Joy - shaving my legs is the last thing I think about after birth, my poor DH :LOL

On my must haves:

Birthing ball and tennis ball for labor
CHAP STICK - my lips get sooooo chapped in there
Facial soap and moisturizing lotion
Sleep gowns for baby - I have a couple I've bought that match my nursing gowns that I'll bring to wear
Nusing bras and pads
Mamma-made "take me home" crochetted hat - I've made one pink and one blue
Cloth dipes - I actually will probably use disposables at the hospital for the meconium but I am bringing a couple CDs for pictures
Digital camera
Receiving blankie - I hate the flimsy hospital ones
Pretzels or other snacky of some sort
Slipper socks - I know what you mean Peri!
Sibling gifts to hand out when the boys come to the hospital

[Periwinkle]

Kitty, the sibling gifts are a FANTASTIC idea! I'm adding that to my list!

As for leg shaving, yes, I can't handle it especially when lying in bed all day in a short gown. Nothing to do with dh. I'm very fair but my leg hair is dark.

[shannon0218]

Peri, have you considered treating yourself to a leg wax a couple weeks before your due date?? Then you wouldn't have to worry about it!

[threeforme2005]

Originally Posted by wtchyhlr

you actualy worry about shaving your legs in the time immediately following birth? I'm in awe..... I think mine might get shaved like twice a month at this point. too much trouble to do all that bending...lol. course it helps that i'm rather fair.

:LOL I'm with you! There is no way my legs are getting any attention after delivering my watermelon!

[Free Thinker]

Well, this time I am taking as little as possible. I will only be there one day/night. On my to pack list:

For me:

socks (2-3 pairs, warm ones)
make-up bag (very small)
hair dryer
gown, or pajamas (I prefer pants/top to an actual gown)
knit outfit (I feel better in this than in a gown)
extra nursing bra or two
going home outfit (probably knit)
my own pads!

Baby:

Nail clippers
cloth diapers (like HelloKitty, mostly for pics)
gown (2)
under shirt
going home outfit (not bought yet)
2 pr. booties/socks
2 blankets
burp rags! 3-4

Misc.

Big Sister gift for DD
cameras (dig and video), bat. charger, plenty of film, too!
wet bag (for whatever?)
book
snack or two (something sweet, and something salty)

Possibly my pillow, too. I haven't decided yet, but last time I hated the hospital pillows. I hate to carry much up there, though. It's only 24 hours (if everything goes right) and then I will be home. I can also send someone out to buy anything I really find I need this time around. The hospital provides diapers, and they use cloth wipes. They only have shirts, though, and flimsy blankets. Last time I didn't have anything for DD to wear, but this time I plan to have a gown or two for baby so she will be warmer.

[Periwinkle]

Originally Posted by shannon0218

Peri, have you considered treating yourself to a leg wax a couple weeks before your due date?? Then you wouldn't have to worry about it!

"Treating myself" to a leg wax?! :LOL I'm sorry but this is too funny. Waxing my sensitive skin is the most acutely painful thing I've ever done (well, except labor but even that pain was manageable LOL!).

OK so I'm anal about shaving my legs. I'm outed.

:

[newlife]

Here's mine. Do I need to add anything?


LABOR BAG
(items needed during labor)

Insurance Information
Important Phone Numbers List
Ink Pen
Two Cameras
Candy
Black Socks
Cookies
Carmex
Bottled Water
Focal Point
Lotion
$20.00 (cash and change)

POSTPARTUM SUITCASE
(items needed after labor)

Black Socks
T-Shirts
Loose Pants
Underwear
Sanitary Napkins
Two Nursing Bras
Nursing Pads
Tylenol
Toothpaste and Toothbrush
Deodorant
Make-Up

THINGS FOR THE BABY

Going Home Outfit for Little Jon
Two Diapers
Baby Mittens
Baby Socks
Baby Hat
Car Seat

[Free Thinker]

I would add nail clippers and burp rags to your baby list. Sometimes newborns have really long nails, and they will scratch themselves. Most hospitals won't clip them, but you can if you bring your clippers along.

Also, cell phone, and a list of who all to call. If you haven't already, check into preregistering at the facility you will be delivering at so that you already have all your insurance info in the computer. Also watch the epidural video, even if you don't plan to get one. I cannot imagine trying to make an informed decision while in labor. Your reasoning flies out the window! Watching ahead of time assures that you can get one if you decide you need it, without a big hastle. I know my hospital won't give you one unless you sign all these forms, and watch an instructional video first. I don't want to be doing that while in the midst of painful labor! If you have a birth plan, or special instructions for what to do/not do to your baby after delivery, have several copies on hand and give them to the nurses on duty (every one who comes in to check on you!) so that they are all informed. I will keep thinking of more, I'm sure

Oh, and I will bring some baby bee skin cream for any chapped spots on baby or me! Don't use anything heavily frangranced on you or your baby. He needs to smell you, not a lotion.

Will anyone else be doing any sitz type baths at home? Do I need to get some special stuff to put in my bath? Last time I think I used Shaklee basic H and Basic G a few times a day the first week. I thought there might be some "new mama" mix somewhere?

[helene.p]

wow...I haven't started thinking about this yet, maybe I should!!

What is the purpose of a tennis ball?

Helene

[mehndi mama]

Let's see - last time we did the hospital thing, we brought:
Food (fresh fruit & cookies & juice ) for labor (for me AND everyone else)
um....I don't think I brought anything else for labor! LOL!
Nursing nighties and dresses (I was up & about pretty fast afterward)
DH's tighty-whiteys & cloth pads for me to wear pp
baby sling
clothes, diapers, blankets, etc. for the baby - I don't like the hospital stuff!
quarters for the phone
list of phone numbers
baby book & pen
disposable camera (we'd do digital now, though)

I used their burp rags & recieving blankets as bodice-stuffers, as I leak so much that a breast pad in a bra would be totally useless.