[ck1]

Okay... so obviously this refers to hospital births.

So when will your bags be packed? And what are you going to include aside from the typical things like: socks, underwear, robe, slippers, insurance card, gown, book / games, snack, camera, toiletries, (nursing) bras, pads, baby's outfit, going home outfit for self, etc....

I was thinking 36 weeks, because I have a secret hope my child will be born early

Right!

Oh, and I heard no jewelry... does this mean don't wear your wedding band?

Thanks!

 

[gossamerwindweb]

With my daughter I refused to remove my wedding ring and they let it go

 

[georgiegirl1974]

I think I wore my wedding ring last time, but I can't really remember. I think I semi-packed a bag around 36 weeks, but most of the stuff was added last minute (camera, toiletries, etc.) I didn't have much in my bag. I think I wore the hospital gown until I left, and I wore their disposable underwear too. I didn't want to get blood on any of my stuff (I didn't bring a robe, slippers, PJs, etc.). I think I did bring a nursing bra and an outfit to wear home. I just had 1 outfit for the baby to wear home (and a back up in case up spitting up/pooping). DD just wore "hospital clothing" during our stay. (I was very amused by the baby hospital clothing. It was a white long sleeve shirt that could either be a shirt or pants.

I probably wont pack anything in advance. I'll just have a list of stuff I want to bring, then I'll pack when I'm in labor.

 

[tracymom1]

I had a scheduled c-section the first time around so I knew exactly when we would make our trip. What I would recommend is keeping a basket and just throwing things in there that you might want to bring and then go through it as your due date approaches. Maybe have your DH do the same thing so that he has some of his own stuff, too.

I would recommend lip balm, glasses (if you normally wear contacts), something that makes you feel 'normal' like if you usually wear makeup - bring it and maybe your breast pump. If you have never used a pump before the hospital should have a lactation consultant who can show you how to set it up. And this way if there's any latch problems with the little one, you can pump to keep your supply up. If you are close enough, though, your DH could always run home to get it.

I wore my wedding band into surgery and they didn't bat an eye (though they made me take out my contacts and hair bands). I just wore the hospital gowns during my stay to make it a little easier. That way I didn't have to pack any clothes and nothing got bloody

The only other thing I would say is a list of phone numbers of loved ones you will want to inform of the happy event.

 

[Sarahstw]

I don't know about the rest of the world but where I live in Canada it's near impossible to find a pillow in the hospital. If you do find one you have to fold it six times before feeling it. I highly recommend bringing a pillow from home.

 

[ATruck]

Hospital food is gross and not nutritious, in my experience. Bring lots of food, and make visitors bring you meals. You will be beyond starving when you first start breastfeeding- I was more hungry than when pregnant.

I don't think 36 weeks is too early to pack- you can always add/subtract along the way. We found ourselves at the hospital at 34 weeks with practically nothing in hand.

I mostly wore sweatpants after she was born. I had to leave the room a lot, and it felt better than wearing pajamas/bathrobe/hospital gown.

And having a baby early sucks- I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

 

[jwoodbri]

I'm a procrastinator... I don't think I really packed until the night before my c-sections. But I don't think 36 wks is too early either just in case. This time (most likely another c-section

) I will bring, in addition to the other things mentioned, picts of my boys, definitely cell phone and charger, lots of batteries and memory sticks for the camera. And since I'll most likely be in for multiple days, we will bring at some point (but not right when I go in) a small bin of books, toys, and snacks for our boys when they come and visit. And I'll probably have my laptop brought in so I can watch movies if I feel like it but more importantly to upload pictures to backup from my camera. (I lost almost all of DS2's pictures from his first two months when my hard drive died so now I make extra backups just in case.)

For the baby this time around I will probably bring in our own diapers, wipes, baby soap (although I will probably just use water), outfits, and even a sheet for the bassinet as we have gone as organic as we can since the last baby.

 

[LindsC]

I will probably pack my bag around 36 weeks unless things start to happen earlier. As of today, my cervix is still very long so the contractions I am having aren't doing anything.

I second the suggestion of bringing your own pillow. I forgot my pillow last time and had Dh go bring it in when he went home to shower and change.

 

[christibale]

I packed a bag for baby a few weeks ago, but never really thought about me. I guess I have to put that on the list to do.

 

[askew]

I don't remember packing at all last time. I just thew stuff in a bag at the last minute, then called DH to bring the rest of my stuff. I went in for other issues though and ended up being induced. I did bring my own throw blanket and pillow. A few people looked at me funny, but I was so glad to have my own stuff. I bring the same blanket and pillow when I have to sleep at hotels.

 

[pinksprklybarefoot]

I don't think that I packed for myself until I was in labor last time... pretty much everything that I would pack, I use on a daily basis. Maybe I packed a few labor-specific things a couple of weeks before, like pads, but that's about it.

I did do the baby's things in advance, maybe a few weeks ahead.

I'll probably do the same thing this time.

The jewelery thing is interesting... I had on earrings and a nose piercing. No one seemed to care. It must vary by hospital.

 

[BlueWolf]

I need a c setion... but this question has been rolling around in my head for awhile now. What do I need to put into my bag if I know I need to stay 3-4 days after the surgery? What is absolutely needed and what just wastes space?

 

[ck1]

Good question BlueWolf... what is absolutely needed? We don't live far from the hospital so DH can easily head home to pick-up stuff if needed.

I like the idea of having a basket that you kind of toss things into as you remember them. My memory is getting short, thank goodness for my iPod calendar and list features, I have to look at it everyday to figure out what / where I'm supposed to be. This month I sent my credit card payment to the wrong bank! Luckily I caught it in time, but I've never done that before!

Just to clarify, I'm not hoping the baby comes early-early... but a week early would be great; it gets me out of a hectic time at work (otherwise they'll expect me to come in... I know, right!

).

 

[Snuzzmom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueWolf I need a c setion... but this question has been rolling around in my head for awhile now. What do I need to put into my bag if I know I need to stay 3-4 days after the surgery? What is absolutely needed and what just wastes space?

I had a scheduled c and I needed much less than I thought I would.

* Lip stuff
* Breast pump
* Nursing bra/ top

* Cell phone with numbers programmed into it
* CAMERA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And video camera if you want.
* SNACKS
* I liked having my My Brest Friend there, too. I had no problem using it after the c
* Your normal toiletries, like toothpaste/ shampoo/ whatever. You will really want that shower when you're allowed to have it.

I really don't remember what else was absolutely necessary, which is odd. It was easier jut to stay in the hospital gown for a few days, because of bleeding and stuff.

 

[BlueWolf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snuzzmom I had a scheduled c and I needed much less than I thought I would. * Lip stuff * Breast pump * Nursing bra/ top * Cell phone with numbers programmed into it * CAMERA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And video camera if you want. * SNACKS * I liked having my My Brest Friend there, too. I had no problem using it after the c * Your normal toiletries, like toothpaste/ shampoo/ whatever. You will really want that shower when you're allowed to have it. I really don't remember what else was absolutely necessary, which is odd. It was easier jut to stay in the hospital gown for a few days, because of bleeding and stuff.

I was wondering about the clothes option too! I only have one comfy pair of sweat pants that don't restrict my midsection. I guess I shouldn't worry about being a total slob, and just wear those the entire time? Or should I steal some of my husband sweat pants too... ?

 

[LilMomma83]

I think I some stuff at 36wks, and the rest around 38-39...I "knew" my last one would be "late" lol...I feel like this one is going to be "early," I will probably pack around 36wks.

I loved having my bathrobe, because it was cold. I also brought extra blankets and pillows (for after) to stay warm. I did not bring lansinoh last time, but, this time I will. I brought comfy clothes to wear home--yoga pants (very stretchy waist) and a nursing cami that was a size bigger than my pre-pregnancy size...takes a while you the belly to shrink! Clothes for the baby to wear home...I just used hospital clothes and dipes. I brought my own underwear and pads to wear home, but, used the hospital ones while I was there. We brought snacks/drinks for DH, but, afterwards I was so hungry I everything they put in front of me lol...I think a visitor brought us some food afterwards too, and my dad brought cake and sparkling cider.

I brought my one birthing ball last time, but, they had one at the hospital I liked better lol, so I didn't use mine. Oh, I also brought nursing nightgowns for after--it felt good to be in my own "clothes," especially with visitors coming in, and made nursing easier. I brought a "sleep" nursing bra, but, I only put in on to go home...

 

[Snuzzmom]

Oh yeah... socks and slippers!!

 

[mags]

I'll probably pack around 36 wks. PJ's, robe, socks, slippers, toiletries, some snacks, boppy, that is about it. I am very antsy at the hospital (going to try to ask if they will release me early this time as long as everything looks ok), and cannot relax. So, reading books or listening to music never works for me, so I'm not going to bother bringing that stuff with me this time.

 

[LauraReaux]

I usually start packing my bag around 34-36 weeks, but I want to go ahead and start getting things together now. I'm 29 weeks, but I have a lot of things going on. Over the past week I've had spotting a few times (the last couple of days it resembles part of my mucous plug - sorry if TMI), my BH contractions have become more frequent & stronger, lots of pressure (to be expected with twins), shooting feelings in my cervix... and last night I had painful contractions that went away after an hour or two. I just feel the need to be ready no matter what... and hopefully my bag will collect dust for another 10 weeks!

 

[learnlovebe]

I think some things depend on how far away you are from the hospital (ie if something come up, would your dh/p be able to get you more stuff if you needed it?).

I started having pre-term labor (back contractions, 50% effaced, starting to dialate) at 34 weeks and was put on bedrest. My bags got packed that night.

We ended up staying 2 extra days in the hospital because my ds was jaundice. I was discharged on a saturday, but they let us stay at the hospital b/c we lived out of town and they had beds to spare. I almost ran out of the pads I had brought with me (not knowing I'd be staying longer, I didn't pack a ton). I used what the hospital gave me, but went through them too.

I also second the nursing bra and lansinoh and lip balm. And comfy clothes.

This time I'm also bringing clothes for the baby to wear while at the hospital. The clothes they provide are washed in such harsh chemicals and bleached, they're so rough against a newbown baby's skin. I'm bringing blankets for the lo to use too.

I didn't mind the hospital's breakfasts- it was my favorite food they served. But, I'm a big fan of breakfast food in general. I ordered as much as they'd let me and shared w/ my husband. Lunch and dinner, on the other hand...were turkey sandwiches! After 9 months of not eating them, I couldn't get enough!