You know, RE: bag packing

Bonzer · October 2009

other than a camera and cell phone, there is really nothing to be packed that can't be picked up after the fact by DH, or replaced pretty easily with the target closest to the hospital.

I never did get the bag packing frenzy. I think women have this whimsical hollywood vision of waking up, water breaks, grab the bag, breathe heavy the whole way to the hospital, get in the room and push out a beautiful baby with a head full of hair and no slime all over it.

There is so much time between labor starting and baby having it's not even funny ( unless it's like your 2nd, 3rd etc pregnancy)

I'm not flaming anyone,and to each their own.. but really, there is no reason to PANIC over not having your bag packed.

How long does it take to throw pants, underwear, a bra and your toothbrush in a bag?

4realyo · October 2009

I pretty much agree. I did start packing my bag last week, but mainly because I bought nursing tanks & didnt feel like putting them in my drawer & thought it easier to toss them in my bag. So mainly I have packed things I have no use for right now - the rest I'll toss in when Im in labor. Although, Ive been saving mopping the floors for when Im in labor too. I need distraction.

nikalina · October 2009

Geez you don't take much, huh? I pack my own maxi pads, clothes, shower items, hair dryer, comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, deoderant, lotions, baby items etc. I don't feel like packing while in labor cuz I could forget something. The last thing I want to do is send DH out to get these items after baby is born.

GeoffreytheGiraffe · October 2009

Baby #1 Bag Packed and carseat installed at 35 weeks

Baby #2 Bag Packed and careat installed at 38 weeks

Baby #3 curently pondering what carseat to buy and nary a thought to the hospital bag, LOL

Jocelyn0415 · October 2009

I would think I would have time to throw some clothes and toiletries in a bag before I go to the hospital. Besides, the majority of the stuff I'm taking I need up until my due date.

Fasa · October 2009

I agree. You really don't need anything when you are at the hospital. The baby's outfit if you want pics done, but besides that they really do have everything and/or, I really was too excited/enthralled w/ the new DD to care what I looked like.

p0nd77 · October 2009

I get your point -- I didn't pack my bag until yesterday, but I feel more ready now that it is 90% done. I was in L&D at 37 weeks for an ECV and I was freezing and uncomfortable. I'm happy that I have slippers and a robe packed -- I would likely forget these things if I did it in a rush and frankly, I would rather have DH with me in the hospital keeping me comfortable and relaxed than have him out shopping.

aliciamariel · October 2009

I haven't started packing mine yet, but I think it at least gives me something to think about and a reason to be productive. I feel like I'm just sitting around doing nothing, and I still have 6 weeks to go until my EDD. Things like sorting the nursery and packing a bag gives people something to focus on other than aches and pains and whether the baby is okay. But that's just my opinion. I can see how it can be just one more thing to worry about for a lot of people and not worth the effort.

kristin7701 · October 2009

Bonzer:
I think women have this whimsical hollywood vision of waking up, water breaks, grab the bag, breathe heavy the whole way to the hospital, get in the room and push out a beautiful baby with a head full of hair and no slime all over it.

You mean this wasn't your experience? LOL! I had 2 solid nights of prodromal labor and I think they admitted me to the hospital mostly because I was due to be induced the next morning anyway (42w). Water never broke on its own. My MW told me to expect it to go faster this time but in the back of my mind, I feel like it's going to be more like the first time around.

Bonzer · October 2009

it all seems so critical now. god forbid I forget my mascara! then they hand you your baby and suddenly, you couldn't care less if you have your own shampoo or not. You just want to get home with your baby.

ellemoney:) · October 2009

I agree with you to a?certain extent... the Hollywood "honey get the bag" as you rush out the door at 3 am thing definitely isn't realistic ?

But.. I'm a packer. I need MY stuff. I need my magazines and my?clothes, my hair stuff, my make-up (yes, I'm one of those..).?

I know last time I probably already had it done by now.. and it's so true how the 2nd baby is different! I'm putting everything off. I keep thinking "oh, I have time".. when really time is running out! ?

fellesferie · October 2009

With my first kiddo, I packed the bag after I decided I was in labor.

Timeable contractions for ~ 2 hours > bloody show > shower/shave > bag packing > on the way to the hospital.

It was more procrastination than a decision, but it was fine. I had a post-it note list of what needed to go in the bag and plenty of family to go pick up anything that was forgotton.

Hopefull11 · October 2009

I plan on packing a bag. I work an hour from home on a good day, could be 2 hour drive if weather is bad. The hospital is in the same town as I work. If I go into labor at work and my DH has to just meet me at the hospital he would be clueless on what to pack. It will be much easier for me to do it.

joesbridezilla · October 2009

I know what you mean, with my first 10 years ago I went in a month early with an adrenal hemorage and no clue what was happening so I did not pack a bag and was fine. Mom just grabbed me what I needed at the local Target and brought it to me. She even picked up the going home outfit and brought it up.

with second baby (DH's first natural child) we went to a childbirth class that did a whole thirty minutes on the hospital bag so Dh was a mess until I packed it. He was so worried about me not getting it done.

This time I got a bag and threw a toothbrush and sweat suit in it just to keep him quiet. (and I am way to early to be doing even that) I will pack really quickly before we go. I have to use all that stuff until the day we go anyway.

jkfranklin · October 2009

nikalina:
Geez you don't take much, huh? I pack my own maxi pads, clothes, shower items, hair dryer, comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, deoderant, lotions, baby items etc. I don't feel like packing while in labor cuz I could forget something. The last thing I want to do is send DH out to get these items after baby is born.

Maybe it's just me, but these things can't really be packed until right before you are leaving because you will still need to use them up until you go into labor (except for the baby items). The most needed things are the things you can't really pack ahead of time.

Also, I'm sure DH will want to go home at some point after LO arrives and take a shower, maybe nap in his own bed, check on the house and such. I don't think it will be that big a deal.

magdusia · October 2009

Bonzer:
other than a camera and cell phone, there is really nothing to be packed that can't be picked up after the fact by DH, or replaced pretty easily with the target closest to the hospital.
I never did get the bag packing frenzy. I think women have this whimsical hollywood vision of waking up, water breaks, grab the bag, breathe heavy the whole way to the hospital, get in the room and push out a beautiful baby with a head full of hair and no slime all over it.
There is so much time between labor starting and baby having it's not even funny ( unless it's like your 2nd, 3rd etc pregnancy)
I'm not flaming anyone,and to each their own.. but really, there is no reason to PANIC over not having your bag packed.
How long does it take to throw pants, underwear, a bra and your toothbrush in a bag?

Couldnt agree with you more, but it just makes it more convenient to have it. I'm not going to go insane if i dont have my bag w/ me b/c i already carry my camera w/ me all the time and that's pretty much all i need if i went into spontenious labor. but it's also really nice to be comfortable and have your things that you think will make it go easier and smoother (like my all time soft socks from brooks brothers! they just make me smile = if i had to choose between a tooth brush and these socks -i'd choose the socks!)

It'sPB&JTime · October 2009

nikalina:
Geez you don't take much, huh? I pack my own maxi pads, clothes, shower items, hair dryer, comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, deoderant, lotions, baby items etc. I don't feel like packing while in labor cuz I could forget something. The last thing I want to do is send DH out to get these items after baby is born.

This.

I am so type 'A' though. I am a very organized person and I have to have everything done before hand. I have started a list, but I probably wont start packing till like 35ish weeks. I am not sending out DH to get anthing. I am very particular and he will be like a deer in headlights if I send him to buy anything major. Its just the way I am...

GeoffreytheGiraffe · October 2009

I think the anxiety of the bag is really an expression of the anxiety first time moms feel over labor and delivery. I think it's ok to divert your attention/stress towards a bag, but also really focus on the labor and delivery part, too.

It's a rite of passage for the first times, Bonzers. Let them have at it!!

bannedmonkey · October 2009

Someone asked me the other day if I had my bag packed yet. I explained that I really wasn't too worried about it. I just figure the hospital will have everything I NEED and my DH or my parents can bring me anything I want later.

That being said, I'll probably start putting something together as soon as I get a nursing bra...

nikalina · October 2009

Bonzer:
it all seems so critical now. god forbid I forget my mascara! then they hand you your baby and suddenly, you couldn't care less if you have your own shampoo or not. You just want to get home with your baby.

See I disagree. I want my own robe, slippers, nightgown etc. The thought of wearing the hospital garb grosses me out. I used to work there. All of their toiletries suck.

I don't need mascara or anything like that but I do want to be comfortable.

lissah23 · October 2009

Bonzer:

How long does it take to throw pants, underwear, a bra and your toothbrush in a bag?

Unless you live in Canada and have to add everything but the kitchen sink to that list because the hospital provides us with jack squat. I'd show up without diapers and my LO would pee on everyone.

LadyJavy · October 2009

I'm a very forgetful person with packing things (today I forgot to bring my cell phone with me to work), so I get pretty anal retentive about making sure I have everything for important trips/events. I will definitely be one of those people who have a bag packed at 34-35 weeks just in case. It never hurts to be prepared, but to each her own.

sgrl · October 2009

I just think it's funny when people ask, "When did you pack your hospital bag?" Oh, and "When did you start washing the baby's clothes?" There's no set right or wrong time. If you feel like doing it, do it!

NotEve · October 2009

I think it is more of a rite of passage than anything. At 20 weeks, you get the big u/s, at ~28 weeks you get the 1 hour test, at ~32 weeks you go to the 2 week appointments and, sometime after that, you pack your bag.

There are probably a lot of things we do (like picking out the "going home" outfit) that aren't really practical and don't make much sense. But it's part of the process and it's fun!

sara_smile · October 2009

People that already have kids are SO much smarter than people who don't.

jkfranklin · October 2009

fellesferie:

With my first kiddo, I packed the bag after I decided I was in labor.

Timeable contractions for ~ 2 hours > bloody show > shower/shave > bag packing > on the way to the hospital.

It was more procrastination than a decision, but it was fine. I had a post-it note list of what needed to go in the bag and plenty of family to go pick up anything that was forgotton.

Making a list is a way better idea IMO. I think I'm going to steal it!

GeoffreytheGiraffe · October 2009

I'm dumber. Kids eat your brainpower. True story.

Megan7575 · October 2009

I agree 100%. All I care about is the camera, camcorder and my cell phone charger. Anything else can wait. I am having another scheduled c-section and I didnt use one thing from my bag until after day 2. I just made a list so then DH could throw those things in a bag if I end up going into labor sooner than planned and we are not home.

soccermom-to-be · October 2009

I agree to some extent. You really only need a camera etc. but I honestly was so happy to have packed my own toiletries because as much as I love and trust DH, he thinks that all you need is one razor and a bar of soap. I loved having my shampoo and conditioner, my lotion and all the other silly comforts in the shower post-baby being born. Had DH done it afterwards, I would have gone from Aveeda shampoo to Head and Shoulders Smile

Mrs.tlcS · October 2009

sara_smile:
People that already have kids are SO much smarter than people who don't.

Yep. That's exactly her point. Confused

lifesadance · October 2009

Jocelyn0415:
I would think I would have time to throw some clothes and toiletries in a bag before I go to the hospital. Besides, the majority of the stuff I'm taking I need up until my due date.

this.

LilBelly · October 2009

I think for me it wasn't a matter of what I needed to pack, but what I thought I would want for myself after baby is here. I know that I would be perfectly fine with a camera and charger and an outfit thrown in last minute; however, I will be much more comfortable with the things I've packed. That being said, I won't freak out if the bag gets left or if I go into labor elsewhere and DH doesn't go out to buy things I had packed. To each their own, but I like knowing that some of the comforts of home will be going with me.

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