What size is your "overnight" bag for the hospital?

ChavayJakov

It just dawned on me... I don't have anything to take my things to the hospital in.  I have a huge piece of luggage, and one mini duffle bag...nothing in between.  If I'm having to plan for both a VBAC and a c-section (depending which way the wind blows) I'm not sure what I should include that I otherwise wouldn't have to.  I'm more lost on what to do about the luggage.  How big is big enough without being ridiculous.  (Which I realize is a ridiculous question in the first place.)

I've heard it suggested that one actually pack two bags...one for labor/delivery in the hospital and then one for post-delivery in the hospital.  Anyone doing that? 

Lisa9926

I seriously didn't use anything in my bag the first time around except to get the clothes out of it to go home.  I'm going to pack a tiny one this time around.  Don't worry what people think about your bag, but remember the rooms are very small after you have the baby, so something more compact is better so it doesn't get in the way.

mylove2005

I have a Adidas (sp) duffle bag

NiniJ55

Last time I used the large weekender from LeSportsac... here is the link:

https://www.lesportsac.com/store/7185_5205.html

 This time around I'm carrying a smaller bag -- not too much smaller, though.  I'm using my gym bag.. this is it here:

https://shopping.yahoo.com/705012716-varsity-girl-duffel-vivid-pink-jetstream-gym-bags/

I see no reason to pack two bags.  I did not need anything for labor/ delivery.  I only needed my bag during recovery.  But then again - I did not use a ball, cds or anything like that for my labor.  I can't think of a single thing I needed for labor except chapstick, really.

 

LuckyBride06

I bought a medium size luggage bag with the 1st. I packed all my stuff and DH's stuff in it. I used every piece of clothing I bought. I had an emergency C, so was in the hospital for 5 days. I was in regular comfy clothes asap, i didn't want to wear a hospital gown the whole time. Prepare to be there longer, just in case! This time my bag may be a little smaller bc DH probably won't stay the whole time with me like last time.  

sweetky_06

I'm planning on using my Vera Bradley Miller Bag - I commonly use it as my carry-on for plane trips as well. I've made it my only bag on weekend trips where I only needed toiletries, clothes and one pair of shoes in addition to the ones I was wearing, which seems about right for a hospital stay! 

https://www.verabradley.com/catalog/search.cmd?form_state=searchForm&keyword=miller&x=0&y=0 

DBride2006

Last time I brought a HUGE suitcase. I actually have no idea what I filled it with... This time I'm planning to bring a carry-on sized suitcase. Our hospital rooms are spacious, so it wasn't an issue last time. Who cares if it's "too big?" Go ahead and judge me, nurses.

JLG95

I'm packing one bag.  It's an XL Vera Bradley duffel that's about 26x11x13.  Last time, I delivered early and hadn't packed a bag yet.  DH had to scramble to find everything, and just stuffed things in a big blue IKEA shopping bag.  I'm going to pack a bag by 34 weeks. 

The duffel is a nice size.  So I'll have room for my toiletries, slippers, robe, a couple of nightgowns, socks, nursing bras, nursing pads, lanolin cream, phone & charger, camera, reading material, iPod, heavy stroller blanket for baby, a going home outfit for me and a going home outfit for baby.

hewinked

With my DD, I packed a whole mess of crap and didn't use most of it.  With my DS, I packed less and used less.  This time, I'm going to pack a pretty small bag.  But, you get a lot of stuff from the hospital for baby and gifts from family/friends.  It's helpful to have another bag for all that stuff.

AugustSkye

I'm taking 3. One for my husband, one for the baby's things, and one for mine.

DH's is a smaller-sized Under Armour gym bag. I think he used it for basketball when he was in high school. Mine is an Organizing Utility Tote by Thirty-One. And then there's the diaper bag. It's pretty normal-sized.

Kristine Schilling

I have a backpack. if we get to the "do not pass go" RCS date instead of a VBAC, I will repack into a carry on suitcase with mpre stuff.

textbookcase

Honestly, I took a backpack last time and it was fine.

Shawnee11507

I originally was going to use my gym bag, but decided it was too small for the stuff on my list to bring, so I got a rolling duffel. It is larger than a carry-on but not as big as a suitcase.

Msteach09

Our midwife suggested we have two smaller bags- one for what I would need during labor, and then one for after the baby arrives= clothes, stuff for the baby, etc....

MommyMals2012

I want to go in style, so my mom got me a Betsey Johnson carry-on/luggage bag! It is so cute. I figured that my stuff, plus the babies would fit. It is not like we are gonna be in there long.

Good Luck to you!

treble_clef

My husband I are very light packers even when we go on vacation, so I only had a small bag last time, and I stayed 4 nights for a c-section too.  I will probably put something somewhat valuable in my small gym bag, and the rest, like clothing and stuff, can be in a reusable shopping bag.  My husband will go back and forth between the hospital and home, so he's not taking anything.  

It works better for us not to have a lot of stuff.  When we go home from the hospital with our baby, we don't want to carry a lot of stuff and deal with a lot of unpacking.  

Wipz

We are delivering at the hospital hubby and FIL work at..it's about 20 minutes from home tops. I doubt we'll have much at all since hubby and the IL's can grab anything extra we might need after our lil munchkin arrives. 

He's looking to be a big guy and we already have a couple of  things in every size through to 12 months... so we'll probably have a couple of outfits for him..something comfy for me ( PJ's or such ..and a couple of huge tshirts and boy shorts, socks ), laptop, camera, and music  just in case we're in for a long haul... lol
Make up and tooth brush etc should all fit in one small backpack. 

KRISTA555

I'm bringing a small carry-on type bag. You don't need much.

One thing I am leaving at home is entertainment type things. I thought I would be bored and I wasn't because I was either caring for my baby, watching tv, or sleeping.

Mrs_MBed

Lisa9926:

I seriously didn't use anything in my bag the first time around except to get the clothes out of it to go home.  I'm going to pack a tiny one this time around.  Don't worry what people think about your bag, but remember the rooms are very small after you have the baby, so something more compact is better so it doesn't get in the way.

same here. With DD2 I packed everything into the diaper bag.  I will probably be doing that this time around as well.  

 

December192009

Try Stein Mart or TJMaxx/Marshalls/Ross - they always have adorable luggage at very discounted prices! I did the two bag thing with DS2 and DH didn't make it back with my post partum overnight luggage as quickly as I needed the items inside. I do like to separate  mine and baby's things within the bag though. Just so I can access onesies, hats, receiving blankets and pacis for baby right away). I think one thing I want to make sure I do this time esp. though is separate my make up/toiletries out in one of those hangy things...GL!

wolverine8

You really only need a small bag. As other PPs have stated you will most likely not even use or need what you think you will. I never read anything, like books or mags before or after birth. Pack a small bathroom bag, stretchy pants, comfy top with nursing bras/tanks, nursing pads and some snacks for labor. Seriously, you won't need anything else.

Sascha3

I have a small carry on roller suitcase.  Not sure I am packing enough to fill it, but I am going to take it anyways.  It is pretty small.

sweetdaisy456

When we went on our maternity ward tour a few weeks ago, we were told to pack two bags: one for labor only and one for post-delivery. The tour guide told us not to bring in the latter one until after the baby was born. I think I'll just pack one big duffle/gym bag with items for both time frames 'cause I don't want my hubby to have to lug them back/forth between our car.

FarmvilleLover

I have 1 small bag that is duffle sized and a diaper bag that serves as my purse.  

kittykat0401

I have 2 small carry ons packed and ready to go. I am definitely one of those people who likes to pack as much stuff as possible. I have already seen the rooms and they are very large suites so I won't have so much stuff that the room is cramped or anything. I just like to have my things around that I use on a daily basis. Pack whatever you want to pack. If you don't use it, you don't use it, but if you need it or want it, it will be there!