For those of you heading to a Birth House/Hospital for delivery what are you packing

[ScotiaSky]

I know I have my list around here somewhere from the first time around just need to dig it up.
We never got to use most of what we packed though because it ended up being a Birth House to Hospital transfer and either I wasn't allowed to use it for ex. my snacky foods or didn't need it at the hospital..clothes to birth in or my own facecloths they provided all that.
Looking for some ideas for myself,SO and baby oh as well as older sibling.
Last time I packed a bag at 38 weeks so thinking maybe I should hold off until 40 weeks this time.
Here is what I remember that came in handy..

Lip balm.
Prepaid Long Distance Phonecards
Granny Panties..the cheap ones in packs so I can throw away the first few ones
Jumbo Pads and lots of them

Will add more ater as I out the door for a playgroup

So post away ladies....

[Greenie]

I'm bringing a boom box and some CD's, hair ties, a camera, fluffy slippers, and the car seat. I'm sure if I need anything there will be someone willing to get it for me.

[Hollin]

My doula gave me a super long list of items, like I would seriously need an international suitcase to take all that stuff! I might try to pare it down a bit, especially since I don't plan on going to the hospital until the end of labor so I hopefully won't be laboring there that long.

I've been wondering about the undies thing. Is it worth it to buy a pack or two of cheap briefs? Will my postpartum underwear get ruined?

Also wondering if you guys are bringing your own clothes to labor in or will you just don that classy hospital gown? I'm still on the fence about this one.

Some of the things I know I want to bring are lip balm, lots of hair ties and a headband, some music, a birth ball, gum/mints for support people, and a cozy cardigan and socks and slippers for me. For postpartum I definitely will want some disposable cameras as well as a hairbrush and a bit of makeup for me. I know I will probably be looking not so hot no matter what I do, but at least this way I can have rosy cheeks and lips.

[sarahlynne]

Labor Bag (hospital birth): Flaxseed heat therapy pillow, misc. massage tools, my own nightgown, robe, slippers, camera, Cd player & cd's, lip balm, hair tie, drinks and snack foods, an extra copy of my birth plan(last time it didn't make it to the hosp. in time),

My Bag for after: another nightgown, peri bottle with herbal rinse, emprizone (aloe), toiletries

For the Babe: clothes for going home, car seat, recieving blanket

Planning to have a little cooler for someone to bring after with some fresh veggies/fruit, snacky food, juices- I find hospital food pretty gross, even if the food isn't bad it all has a weird smell to it. - even if I'm only there for a day, I feel like I should be allowed to have my own little party (maybe we'll sneak some little bottles of champaign?

[sarahlynne]

Hollin, if you birth in a hospital they will likely give you some disposable brief-like things to use during your stay, as well as ice packs and large pads. I just bring a pair to go home in.

[ScotiaSky]

Concerning the pads and panties....It must depend on the hospital as the one we ended up at did not provide anything. In fact I had to send DF out for more pads as I had only packed for a 24 hour stay at the Birth House and we ended up at the hospital for 4 days.

Buy some el-cheapo packs as you will not be wanting to bring home stained undies. I bought some cute one's that say Supergirl on them to wear after the birth this time.

Another thing that would have come in handy was a hot water bottle...I left it in the car. I asked for one during labor as well as after birth and got a nuked saline bottle all square shaped did not fit in the curve of my back at all so was no help.

[LoveMyLil'B]

Last time I did not need anything that I packed to use during labor. All I needed was my DH!
Afterwards, the only stuff I really needed was my shampoo, conditioner, soap, lotion, stuff like that. Something for me and the baby to wear home. Oh, and flip-flops for the shower! The hospital where I was provided everything else like disposable undies and pads.
I will be packing much lighter this time!

[AAK]

Staying home this time, but what came in handy last time was
My own birth ball (I could use it right away rather than waiting for the search crew!)
Personal bath items (soap, shampoo, brush, etc.)
Wished I had a magazine or something.
My hospital provided pads, undies, diapers, etc. but if you want cloth bring your own.
I only wanted my own clothes for after the birth. I didn't want my own stuff getting stained.

Amy

[clane]

Okay, I can get a tad bit carried away, but here is the list I used with DD:
For Mom:
•Socks & Slippers
•Robe & nightgown
•Nursing bras/breast pads
•Coming home clothes, inc. underwear and shoes
•Change of clothes for hubby (as he was splattered at birth of DS and we didn't think of his clothes). Maybe multiple days, depending if he goes home to shower, etc. or stays at hosp.
•Pads
•Toothbrush (2) & toothpaste
•Shampoo/conditioner
•Brush
•Deodorant & razor
•Lip balm & face mositurizer
•Hair-scrunchy
•Hair dryer?
•Lotion
•Breast cream/lanolin
•Breast pump?

For Labor & after:
•Pillow (plastic hosp ones SUCK)
•Insurance card
•Hard candies
•Relaxing tapes/CDs/player (Want to get an ipod with external speakers!)
•Stop watch – for timing contractions
•Address book – to call people after baby’s born!
•Cell phone/calling card
•Camera
•Snacks
•Magazines/reading materials for DH
•Journal (to record birth, guests, etc.)
•Longaberger Kiddie purse for footprints

For Morgan:
•Coming homes outfits (a couple as I have leaky, spewy babes~)
•Hat
•Socks
•Receiving blankets, extra for scent to take to Panda (Dog)
•Boppy pillow
•Car seat

For DS (was 4 then, to send with him to Gparents):
•Two days clothes
•Two days PJs
•Pull-ups
•Socks
•Underwear
•Toothbrush & toothpaste
•“Puppy” and blankie
•Portable toys

My water broke mid of night at 37 weeks with DS and NOTHING was packed yet, so I was really uptight about planning/packing ahead with DD.