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Bag for the Hospital/Birth Center?  

post #1 of 32
10/28/08 at 12:42pm
Thread Starter 
Okay, now I know some of you are going to be birthing at home, so you can go ahead and answer with what you are going to have prepped I guess....

But I'm getting excited and want to be prepared....so I want to at least plan out what to put in the bag to take to the hospital, in case Aviendha comes early, especially since it will be at least 2 days.

I have the following on my list:

Robe and slippers
Pajamas with button up fronts for nursing
A couple changes of clothes with different fits for comfort
Boppy pillow
Nipple shields
at least one receiving blanket from home to have brought back to the dogs
Going home outfit (all other onesies, diapers and clothing is available at the hospital while we are there)
Stuffed animal/blanket/something special to bring home with her
Books/movies/music for entertainment
Toiletries
Vitamin Water

and of course the carseat in the car.

What am I missing? What else should I bring? What are you taking?
post #2 of 32
10/28/08 at 12:52pm
toothbrush & toothpaste
#'s Of the people that need to be notified of baby's birth
post #3 of 32
10/28/08 at 1:30pm
And your own shampoo and conditioner. That was always on my list cause I'm picky about those. Soap too.

My birth center had no supplies to send home with me (they don't do samples of any sort and they at the time didn't have much budget to buy stuff) so my bag with DD also included:
* peri bottle
* Poise underpants
* Gatorade for in labor (oh not doing that again..)

This is a good thread. I need the 'hope to never use it' bag ready too. (Though I'm planning a homebirth.)

I'm waffling on whether the Boppy is necessary. Hospitals tend to have a lot of pillows around and it's a big bulky thing that takes up a lot of room in your bag.
post #4 of 32
10/28/08 at 1:34pm
TBH i idn't really need anything except clothes to go home and i also did the blanket thing for our dog and of course a carseat. but i'm also a light packer
post #5 of 32
10/28/08 at 1:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by quietserena View Post
Hospitals tend to have a lot of pillows around and it's a big bulky thing that takes up a lot of room in your bag.

:
post #6 of 32
10/28/08 at 2:09pm
Thread Starter 
Ahh, see I also sleep with a pillow shaped the same way as a boppy and the same size for my neck, so it does double duty. So I need it, and even if I don't use it for nursing I need it for my neck.

And of course, forgot the toiletries. >.< I want to bring makeup too, so I can have at least one picture in the hospital where I can look somewhat presentable...
post #7 of 32
10/28/08 at 2:35pm
I packed a pretty comprehensive bag with DD and didn't use about 90% of it. Things I did use:

* My own shampoo, conditioner, and basic hair styling products
* Something to pull my hair out of my face
* Toothbrush & toothpaste
* Clothing for me to wear home including underwear
* Comfy socks or slippers
* Nursing bra
* Outfit for baby to wear home
* My own pads to wear home (the hospital's sucked)
* Snacks for me and DH
* Phone numbers for people we needed to call
* Camera and video camera
* Carseat
* Basic diaper bag stuff (diapers, wipes, clothing change, etc) that we just left in the car

Stuff I'd pack if not supplied by the hospital
* Lanolin for sore, cracked nipples
* Nighgown with easy BF access
* Diapers and wipes
post #8 of 32
10/28/08 at 3:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrsSoup View Post
Ahh, see I also sleep with a pillow shaped the same way as a boppy and the same size for my neck, so it does double duty. So I need it, and even if I don't use it for nursing I need it for my neck.

And of course, forgot the toiletries. >.< I want to bring makeup too, so I can have at least one picture in the hospital where I can look somewhat presentable...
With my first I thought about makeup re: pictures in hospital to look halfway decent... and then I just decided to make sure all the pictures were in either black & white or sepia. They looked a 1000x better even with me w/o makeup and bit more flattering even to the munchkin too who was really bruised up
post #9 of 32
10/29/08 at 4:46am
I'm bringing my purse, coming home outfits (gender neutral and girl, depending on the gender), clothes for me and some toiletries. Probably some books for DD in case she gets bored. I had all the entertainment, etc. last time and didn't end up using any of it. And I just wore the hospital gowns--maybe not flattering, but I preferred to get the mess on them than my clothes.
post #10 of 32
11/3/08 at 2:56am
This is an awesome thread! I was hoping for something like this.

So what's the deal with bringing a blanket home for dog? Haven't heard of that one...
post #11 of 32
11/3/08 at 9:36am
You bring a blanket that has the new baby's scent on it home before the actual baby comes home to introduce the new baby to the dog. We did it with DS1.
post #12 of 32
11/3/08 at 1:42pm
Thread Starter 
Yup. So they can get use to the scent before it arrives. Also, because it should have your scent on it too, it links them together. Kind of a possessive thing.
post #13 of 32
11/3/08 at 1:54pm
Okay! That makes a lotta sense! Good idea. So is it any help with cats, ya think??
post #14 of 32
11/3/08 at 5:36pm
Even those of us planning homebirths, should probably have a little something packed and ready, in case of transfer. The birth center birth i had with DD recommended it as well, since the stuff I would need for a hospital stay would be very different than the short birth center stay. While I too hope to never have to pull out that bag, in case of emergency transfer, I don't want to have to worry about getting stuff together!
post #15 of 32
11/3/08 at 7:30pm
We always bring a laptop to play music during labor and to keep friends and family updated.

Hospital air is very dry (I'm on hospital bed rest now, trust me!) so bring lotion, chap stick, things to keep you mouth from getting dry like mints or lemon drops if those sound good.

Your own clothes to labor and recover in.

If you might be in the hospital for a longer time, makeup or hair products are nice too.

We always bring our own pillows.

We'll probably bring special gifts for the kids and for the baby...
post #16 of 32
11/3/08 at 8:19pm
Thread Starter 
Frunchy, I would think it would help for sure! Also make sure to put up your baby stuff as early as possible, so the cat(s) don't go "WTF" when there is a random crib/changing table/rocking chair AND a new baby that makes weird noises.
post #17 of 32
11/3/08 at 11:59pm
They make you wear those terrible hospital johnnies here. Bleh. : I'll probably bring my birthing skirt anyway.
post #18 of 32
11/4/08 at 12:29am
lalalalalala IT IS NOT TIME TO THINK ABOUT THIS YET!! Come on, say it with me! IT IS NOT TIME TO THINK ABOUT THIS YET!! haha
post #19 of 32
11/4/08 at 12:44am
If you are going into a tub, you may want a sports bra or bathing suit top.

DH or support person may want a change of clothes (even left in the car) as well, just in case they get messy!

Also a protein snack for DH/support person. That way they can have food quickly if needed, and stay more present for support. Also helpful if you labor at a time when they are limited to vending, depending on how your hospital handles that!

Cord blood kit if you are saving or donating your baby's cord blood, and it isn't handled by your hospital.

Gifts for siblings to exchange, if you have other kids and are doing something like that! (We do a special big bro/big sis gift, and each of the kids get to pick out something for the baby to bring them at the hospital.) It is nice for young kids to leave with something entertaining, since it can be tough leaving Mom and Dad at the hospital!

If you are taking any vitamins, you may want to take those. Not sure about other medications, I think hospitals prefer to supply anything prescription?

And sort of related, make sure to order extra sides with your meals after the baby arrives so you have extra snacks to give you energy during those late night nursing sessions!

Fun planning!

Christy
post #20 of 32
11/4/08 at 2:23am
Quote:
Originally Posted by homeschoolingmama View Post
lalalalalala IT IS NOT TIME TO THINK ABOUT THIS YET!! Come on, say it with me! IT IS NOT TIME TO THINK ABOUT THIS YET!! haha
Pack? Why would I pack for something happening next year? This baby is staying right where it is. LALALALALALALA....
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