What's in your hospital bag??

coco305

We've been discussing hospital bags over in the third trimester thread, and wanted to open up the discussion to everyone. For new mommies and STMs, please share your wisdom! What to bring and what's not necessary.  For the FTMs, share any advice you've been given regarding the hospital bag, the list you've got going and also please ask any question you may have. 

Happy packing!! 

coco305

These are the things I'm planning on buying for the hospital and also for post partum supplies at home. I know they'll have tucks, dermaplast and colace at the hospital, but it will be good to have them ready at home too. Also I've heard that the fridet bottle is better than the peri bottle given to you at the hospital. socks with grips for labor (which you can then toss) and an extra long phone charger were helpful tips from other Moms. 

post partum supplies

• Fridet
• High waisted underwear
• Tucks
• Overnight pads 
• Slippers
• Nursing tanks
• High waisted leggings
• Nursing bras
• Colace
• Dermaplast
• Socks for waking around that you can later throw away 
• Flip flops for shower
• extra long phone charger

mtpbadger

I brought an extension cord with me and was very glad I did! It was nice if there were limited outlets in the room that DH and I could both plug in our phones. If you bring your own pillow, make sure it's in a colored pillow case and if we hadn't gone early, I probably would have also brought my boppy (or other nursing pillow) as well. 

mbradfo2

If  you get a c-section, you'll want very loose and comfy clothes! I couldn't imagine putting on anything with a real waist after mine. The mesh undies they give you at the hospital are really perfect for your needs even if they're not super attractive. I took some extra pairs home to use until my belly wasn't so tender.

If you can, bring a hair dryer. I will always regret not having it because I took a shower the morning that the hospital photographer came and my hair is all wet in the pictures :-( (but the baby looked cute!) And you will want to take a shower and put on your own clothes rather than the hospital gown after delivery. It makes you feel more normal :-)

Don't forgot your chargers for all of your phones/ipad/etc! And don't forget them in the delivery room/etc when they move you over to postpartum. Our nurse said people are always forgetting them when they move over to postpartum and made sure we had ours.

You probably won't want or need most of your electronics - like your ipad or kindle or tablet. I brought my kindle and ipad, but I didn't really have the energy to do much reading or play games on the ipad. I mostly browsed the internet and facebook on my phone.

And I can't stress having the stool softeners at home :x  I forgot to take mine at first when I got home and...well...not fun. It was even worse for me since I was on painkillers still

hottietoddy

I don't know what I'm bringing yet- but thank you for starting this because I was thinking about getting started on some packing in a week or two just for piece of mind. 

cashewchicken

One thing I recommend is to bring a pair of sandals with an adjustable strap.  I had a lot of fluid pumped into me (pitocin, glucose, insulin, iron and etc) during labor and my feet and legs swelled up to twice the size and I no longer could fit into any of my shoes. I left the hospital in socks but the problem was I had nothing to wear for my son’s pediatric appointment which was scheduled for the day after my discharge (I had a c-section, so it was on day 5).  Took 2.5 weeks for the swelling to go away. 

Ditto @mbradfo2. Bring loose clothing, maybe nursing dresses. In case you have a c-section, you do not want anything touching your incision. And if your legs swell like mine, you won’t fit into your leggings...

coco305

Oh @cashewchicken that sounds awful! You poor thing I'm already swollen from pregnancy (only 1 pair of shoes fit) and I'm scheduled for a C, but I'm sure I'll still
swell more with all the fluid. Are there shoes you can recommend for this situation?? I'll put a loose maxi dress on my list (to hide my swollen legs and protect my incision)
my vanity has prevented me from buying UGGs or Birkenstock, but I think my comfort may prevail in the coming weeks. 

Holls214

I don’t know if what I’m bringing is right but here is part of my list- 
lightweight robe, flip flops, nipple cream, night gown, nursing tank, maxi dress for leaving, underwear, nursing bra, razor and toiletries. 

mbradfo2

@coco305
I had massive swelling after my c-section as well....I was more swollen than I ever was during my pregnancy! Mainly my feet. I couldn't even really fit into flip flops >.<  It took about 2 weeks for it to go down to normal. My poor feet looked like sausages

cseley321

I had a ton of swelling after my CS. I had the adjustable nike flip flops to go home in and it was great.

Regarding the tucks and other PP supplies, I just used the hospital's... it was already paid for, so why not. I ended up WAY overpacking (my hospital provides almost everything, even the nonslip socks mentioned above). This time I am bringing for my scheduled CS: 3 gowns, nike flip flop things, coming home outfit for baby, makeup, hair dryer and straightener, boppy, possibly my own pillow, nipple cream, cell phone charger

coco305

@mbradfo2 awwww!! I feel ya, as it is, I have alligator feet now. All swollen and malformed

sarcasticowl

Everyone with the c-section tips, THANK YOU. I have to have one as well and had no idea about the swelling. Planned a little for the issues with things touching my waist (I've had uterine surgery before, but laparoscopically so it was a few small incisions) by getting a couple of nursing nightgowns from Motherhood but everything else? News! So thanks a ton!

MMD1986

Holls214 said:

I don’t know if what I’m bringing is right but here is part of my list- 
lightweight robe, flip flops, nipple cream, night gown, nursing tank, maxi dress for leaving, underwear, nursing bra, razor and toiletries. 

This is a pretty good list and you shouldn't need much more.  I'd throw in a pair of comfy pajama shorts for under your robe in case you want to get out of bed or not be covered up in bed when people are visiting.

Other things I would add, that aren't a necessity are your own pillow, blanket and towel.  Obviously the hospital provides you with them, but I prefer my own.

Also, your baby book.  The hospital was able to do our son's foot prints and hand prints in the book for us before we left.  

stella_700

1. I'd like to echo the suggestion for an adjustable pair of slippers/flip flops (summer weight) and cheap, very stretchy comfy socks that are quite a bit too big for you. I hated the ones the hospital provides and post section with the swelling they didn't fit anyway. My normal shoe size is a 5.5, I was wearing my husbands size nine slippers around the hospital for the next 3-4 weeks back and forth to the nicu.

2. This isn't really about the bag, but hopefully next time I'll wear my hair in a braid or tight side pony (you will be laying down). The epi made me so nauseous during and post 18 hours c-section. I spent until I got permission to shower from the doctor with vomit in my hair. Needless to say there are NO pictures from that time period.

3. My OB used a negative vacuum bandage on my incision and it was the greatest boon, especially if you already have extra fluff around the middle. Any extra skin that tries to drape over the incision with the heat of summer is going to be super uncomfortable and with any extra moisture and heat, there's a breeding ground for germs/infection. I healed insanely fast with it and I super believe that that extra pressure seriously helped my pain level. Annoying as heck to carry around the little machine, I just tucked it in the small of my back.

4. I'd invest in a pumping bra or take a tight synthetic sports bra now and make one. If you have your pump already make sure your cups will insert into whatever you make. You will be pumping often after nursing attempts and sessions to try and get your milk to come in and having your hands free makes something very important but tedious and time consuming so much better.

chicandbubbly

STM here... these were the things I packed and will be packing again...I overpacked last time but I wanted to be prepared so I am sorry this is long but hope it helps .

For Me-comfy nursing bra/tanks, lightweight robe, warm socks or slippers, yoga pants/sweats or pajamas (dark color and not tight! I changed out of the hospital gown immediately after baby was born and I was thrilled to do so.) Hair ties, makeup/toiletries, dry shampoo, face wipes, flip flops for the shower, pillow with dark pillowcase, contacts/glasses, chapstick, gum or candies, lotion, brush, cell phone/charger... my number one thing that got me through labor was noise cancelling headphones!

For DH- sweatpants/shirt, pillow, toothbrush/deodorant, etc.

Other- Any meds you take daily, LOTS of snacks! (the hospital food was awful and I was starving after he was born at 3:00 am), hand sanitizer, gifts for the nurses- I made a snack box for them and they loved it.

For Baby- hat, mittens, swaddle x 2, socks, warm blanket, baby book (for footprints), going home outfit, pacifier, car seat. I changed baby into a sleeper right away and used my own swaddles/hats instead of the hospitals.

Things I packed but didn't use...

We had packed a bathing suit for my husband- if you labor in the tub or shower they obv want hubs clothed if he gets in with you LOL. I also packed a bunch of things for labor pain relief- massagers, essential oils, cold/hot packs, magazines, my Kindle etc. but my labor was only three hours (including 1 hour of pushing) so I used none of it. I might pack it again this time in case.

The hospital supplies pads, colace (take the colace!!!! and stock up for home!) and other postpartum care like dermoplast, mesh underwear etc. They also provided diapers/wipes for baby. I did not need nursing pads, or nipple cream. I didn't bring my boppy nursing pillow or pump. Boppy wasn't necessary- you can use normal pillows. I think this time I will be bringing my pump. My milk didn't come in until a few days postpartum last time so I think pumping might bring it in quicker.

Polythene Pam

Great lists! It’s a lot of personal preference- 

for me: I never changed out of the hospital gown (planned on it but saw the damage and leakage going on ha, just a sweater for over the gown both times). Slippers, socks, change of clothes to go home, shower stuff, headphones to tune out whatever annoying tv my hubby was watching and my nice camera.

hubby- clothes, snacks, iPad

baby- coming home clothes, car seat, baby book to get footprints

random- a baby blanket we swaddled baby in then sent it to my inlaws so my dog could sniff it. He did great with both kids so we liked that tip from others.

The hospital has a ton of stuff, use it and take it home it’s such a crazy awesome experience!! 

Hopeful_mom

Thanks for starting this thread @coco305
I think I got socks in my bag, not sure what my issue is with packing!!

some great suggestions thanks to everyone for sharing!! I feel like at this point I need to pack for both options.

persnickity

I also just stayed in the gown until the last day. I really only used toiletries and slippers/flip flops. I would have changed into real clothes sooner, but with not having nursing bras (I planned on wearing nursing tank tops, but they didn't offer any support at all and my boobs were half out of the tops), I didn't feel like i could wear real clothes.

The mesh panties were all I wore for the time in the hospital and the first week home after my C-section. I also ended up wearing skirts because it put less pressure on everything. Even yoga pants or leggings were too much pressure at first.

coco305

Would you guys recommend packing the diaper bag for the hospital or that's just excessive?? 

MMD1986

@coco305 you shouldn't need a diaper bag.  The hospital should provide all the necessities for your baby.

Polythene Pam

@coco305 you shouldn’t, they’ll have onesies and a sleepsack, hat, bottles if needed, diapers. I brought a nuk the second time but the nurse just kept taking it from me truly just a coming home outfit and car seat for baby  

[Deleted User]

If you plan to cloth diaper once you get home, it might be nice to bring a couple just for pictures ;)

JWatt5

We took the diaper bag and left it in the car until we were ready to leave with the infant seat and stroller!  Then when we got the all clear to go, DH went and got it all, we dressed Parker and off we went. It was nice to have the stroller to load up some of our stuff in to. 

Holls214

So far we didn’t use anything in baby’s bag except hand mittens. He has long nails. Hospital policy is naked baby with their swaddles so the outfits etc we brought are pointless. Yes they supply everything for diapers etc. 
For me... I’m in pj bottoms now, nursing bra and hospital parties. I did wear my lightweight robe the whole first day. That was great! Toiletries of course and flip flops are nice too. Other than that- snacks. I’m a snacker so something to much on.