Some hospital bag questions

overtonhayes

I'm finally getting around to packing my hospital bag, and have a few questions about it.

First of all, snacks. What do you ladies (especially you lovely STMs) recommend? My OB has given me the OK for "crackers and juice", but since she didn't specify plain crackers, I'm going to at least get some that taste good. Are there any kinds I should stay away from? You know, any kind of (I'm making this up just to serve as an example) "steer clear of cheddar goldfish, they'll give you a big sugar high then a crash" warnings?

What other snacks do you recommend? * And what do you recommend eating at home, in early labour, before we go to the hospital? *

Second, sanitary pads: I'm right in thinking there's no point bringing them, because the hospital gives them to you, correct?

And finally (and sorry to put this one in a post about food!): vaginal washes. I've got all my toiletries packed, now I'm wondering whether I should go get some special soap for down there: not a douche, just the soaps. Have to confess I've always just used regular shower gel, but I figure if there's any time to treat your delicates delicately, it's after the birth. Or is it best not to use just water? If you need stitches, do you have to avoid soap or use something they give you? I'm lucky, I've never needed stitches anywhere, so I just don't know.

Thanks ladies!

 * Edited to add that bit.

bdutton0005

I hear peanut butter crackers are good. Thats about all I can say the hospital will usually have popcisle and such for you.

You won't need sanitary pads. I will say if they have the ice pack pads, stock up they are amazing.

I didnt use a special soap they told me just to do the sitz bath with epsom salt and rinse really well. When I got home I just used what I normally used.

sschwege

I'm thinking animal crackers would be marvelous, but maybe that's because I munching on them right now Definitely bring plan old saltines though too, because when I was in labor I just wanted bland foods.  I know your doc said juice, I wonder if coconut milk with some honey might be a good choice.  I drank this in early labor, they say it's supposed to be nature's Gaterade.  What about Popsicles?  Similar to juice, right?

I wouldn't worry about pad, just have some for when you get home.

They just told me to use water, so soap until I wasn't sensitive down there anymore.  I had a second degree tear if that makes a difference.

Yay, that it's hospital bag time!  Good luck! 

erb82

My first labor I was nauseous/vomiting the entire time, so food didn't appeal at all, I just stuck to water and ice.  The second one, labor went so fast that I never had time to even consider eating.  The hospital did give me ginger ale and saltines after the birth since I got nauseous then, and they were great for settling my stomach.

Have some pads for when you get home.  I loved the disposable underwear and ginormous pads the hospital provided, but didn't need anything quite that serious by day 2 post-partum.

I just used warm water in a peri bottle and sitz baths (both provided by the hospital) to clean myself.  I had 2nd degree tears with both births and lots of stitches.  I couldn't imagine using any other product down there for weeks.  Ouch!

mrsj0423

I will be drinking pure coconut water while laboring at home, and bringing a couple with us to the hospital.  As for food, I stocked up on various high protein bars with lots of vitamins and minerals in them.  I tried to find ones that were lowest in fiber.  Cliff bars and Luna bars mostly.  I will be breaking our hospitals rules by eating them once I am there though.  But quite honestly, I don't care.  Labor is hard work, and continuous hard work requires food and energy.

Haley.Beth

I ate trail mix for most of my labor. The nuts gave me the protein I needed, the dried fruit gave me sugar. I drank mostly water because it's all I wanted. Before I went to the hospital, I just ate a sandwich and chips. I didn't have the issue with being nauseous, though, until way late in labor, and I never threw up.

The hospital pads were amazing. I stocked up, and I still ran out about a week later, at which point I bought overnight pads that worked wonderfully. Also, if they give you mesh underwear, stock up on those so you don't have to ruin your own! They're ugly, but wonderfully comfy!

I never used anything but straight water to wash downstairs. I couldn't stand to touch it for some time, either. The peri bottle was my best friend, I even used it in the shower! It's also what my doctor recommended. When the stitches came out I was given the all-clear to use soap.  

overtonhayes

Thanks ladies! Snack-wise, I have:

- Tomato and basil rice cakes (because crackers = blah)
- Plain wheat thins (just in case I want something blah)
- Trail mix
- Cans of coconut water: 4 in the fridge, 2 in the hospital bag

I'm also going to bring filtered water in two half-gallon milk bottles. Obviously the hospital will have water, but I read a birth story somewhere (here?) where the poor woman wound up dehydrated because she couldn't stand the taste of the water in the hospital. I'm picky about that too, so I'll take my own.

Any other suggestions? Critiques?

fmw0526

My contractions were all very close together and so if I wanted to eat it had to be quick. I didn't want to be chewing/swallowing food in the middle of a contraction. That being said, I brought goldfish (they are tiny) and dried fruit. It was a quick snack to keep my sugars up (I am diabetic). 

I also brought orange juice, but ended up not keeping that down very well. But it is hard to predict what your body will want during labor.

Lavender Essential oils are nice in a bath after giving birth, especially if you need stitches.

Bring some food for your DH or whoever is with you. They might get tired/hungry and not want to pay $8 for hospital food or if the cafeteria is closed, it is nice to have food for them! 

Blackrose1918

I'm also bringing food & juice, specifically granola bars (think Nature Valley Trail Mix Bars or Luna bars) and Naked Juice (protien blend). That stuff is like a meal in a bottle! GL!