Hospital bag must haves

californiaborn

I feel like I just saw a simalar post, but I couldn't find it.

Just had my 38 week appt. 1.5 cm dilated, 90% effaced, and -1 station. Doc said she's coming soon and to have my bag packed. I had totally been procrastinating about packing, but the doc certainly lit a fire.

I've got baby clothes, a loose dress for me to come home in, camera, toothbrush, the basics, but is there anything you wished you had or were really glad you packed?

kittylove

Top five things I was glad I brought :Chapstic, hair band, brush, straw, and of course the camera!

lunabeam

I brought my own pillow (and one for DH too), and made sure they were in colorful pillowcases so as not to get mixed up with hospital linens. There was just something really comforting about it.

And I brought my My Brestfriend pillow, which was nice for when DS and I were learning how to BF. Saved my arms!

Maybe a pair of socks that you don't mind throwing away. My feet were cold during delivery, but I remember a nurse taking my socks off so they wouldn't get ruined.

Exciting that you're getting so close!

Celyn

Coming home outfit for you and the baby (they supply shirts and blankets for baby in the hospital), toiletry must haves (they have toothbrushes and shampoo, but if you're particular about what you use, bring yours), hair brush and hairbands, camera, change of clothes for DH, snacks for DH, snacks for you (including whatever "clear liquids" you prefer -- they have jello and popcicles, but no honey sticks), hard candies and lip balm, music, chargers.  Maybe a nursing pillow if you plan to use one.  Most people way over pack.  I've seen people pack 4 or 5 books and assorted magazines and have never seen anyone read in labor ever.

AvaLikeLava

I felt the hospital provided most everything we needed, but there were a few items I made sure to pack second time around:

1. nursing pads. Shockingly our hospital did NOT have those, and whether or not you choose to breastfeed you leak. Bring some of your own, just in case. Also good to bring in your own nursing tank and or bra to keep the pads in

2. better undies. The ones the hospital gives you, the mesh ones, are good, but I had a c/s so we were there for 5 days. Being in those panties after day 2 wasn't really all that great. I made sure to bring my own that I didn't mind ruined.

3. more comfortable pads. While wearing the honking big mesh panties, they'll give you godzilla-sized pads too. Once I transitioned to my own undies, I transitioned to my own pads as well.

4. long sleeved shirt or robe. air conditioned hospital = chilly time

5. pajama bottoms or yoga pans. again, cold, and when taking walks in the halway, it was better to NOT have my rear hanging out

MadameD517

Everything in pp's and music! I procrastinated on making a mix of music and then our hard drive crashed so I was left with the iPod on random during labor which was just annoying and we ended up turning it off right when I could have used some Led Zepplin (during pushing)

I didn't take my breastfeeding pillow and I didn't miss it. He was so small that it wasn't a big deal to use the hospital pillows.

Also, gum or mints for your H, you don't want someone breathing in your face with nacho breath while you are super sensitive.

hersheykiss

Boppy! It was a lifesaver for me. Also, since I had a c/s, movies came in handy too since I was there for 4 days.

kittylove

It is amazing to how diffrent after birth/labor is for people. I lived in the mesh undies for a few days at home AND I couldn't wear anything in the hospital unless I had visitors. All clothing bugged me and I was so freaking hot (december baby).

AvaLikeLava:

2. better undies. The ones the hospital gives you, the mesh ones, are good, but I had a c/s so we were there for 5 days. Being in those panties after day 2 wasn't really all that great. I made sure to bring my own that I didn't mind ruined.

4. long sleeved shirt or robe. air conditioned hospital = chilly time

Mama_v2.0

A personal mister was my must have. I had 2 June babies and I always got flashes. 

pink.dutch.tulips

in no particular order (i had an induction that lasted a whopping 8 hrs start to finish and we went home the very next day).

a robe

your own pads - while i LOVED the mesh hospital panties, i could have done w/out the monster HUGE pads

my own makeup and tolietries .. i felt 100X better after i had taken a shower and put on some makeup

we brought a beer cooler (one of the little ones) filled w/ vitamin and propel waters

the laptop - keep h occupied until my labor REALLY kicked in and it kept me occupied, let me post the first dd photos the day after

 

SarahCee

I delivered DS in the winter and I over-packed, big time. I was expecting to be cold, but I was so hot. Things that I will bring again this time around:

PJ bottoms (the hospital gown was easiest to nurse in and have skin on skin time), big comfy undies, pads, slippers with rubber soles, tioletries, camera(s), outfit for DS (I brought two b/c I wasn't sure what would fit so I brought a NB and 0-3), boppy pillow and lanolin. What I didn't bring was water, I assumed that DH would have access to refilling my cup, he did not and the nurses all dissapeared after I delivered. This time around I'm going to have a case.

You're getting so close! eeek! :-)

californiaborn

Thanks, everyone. I feel much better now about what I packed.