Packing the hospital bag..

joleine · February 2010

So I've looked over all of the check lists.. and they just seem.. excessive..

So, what did you pack in your hospital bag and what did you find that was neccessary and what wasn't?

So far I've packed this:

2 pairs of pajamas that have button up shirts and loose comfy pants

2 pairs of thick socks with grippies on the bottom

2 tank tops

2 plain white tshirts

Nursing tank top

A comfy knit/stretchy skirt that I'm not in love with and don't care if it gets "soiled"

Boppy

iPod w/ iHome clock (for music..)

Nintendo DS

Dvd's

basic toiletries for DH and I (toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo/conditioner, deodorant, hairbrush, hair bands)

PJ pants & tshirts for DH

Am I missing anything that's a must have or have I totally over packed?

pdxjenn · February 2010

From what I hear... dont bring too many pieces of clothing... including PJ's. Maybe one pair of a DARK color pants and nursing tops. The general consensus is that you are in the hospital gown a LOT and things are super messy and bloody. So why make more laundry for your self? Maybe bring a light weight robe too?

I hope it's not true, but I have also heard that magazines, books, DVD's never get touched. there is too much going on. Better to have just in case though?

I packed on the light side... which is against my character! Stick out tongue

soontobe05 · February 2010

Holy F you only have 7 days til your due date! WOW! I cannot believe it's here already!! (I know "already" does not sound like the right word to you at the moment, but seriously..so fast.) Anyway...

For me, I didn't use all the clothes. I brought some nursing nightgowns that I got at Motherhood and a robe and some slippers, but mostly I used the ugly hospital gowns because with the bleeding and stuff I just didn't want all my stuff ruined. That's just me though. Dvds are a must. Don't forget to pack your cellphone chargers, that was a pain not to have the 1st time I got hospitalized. Umm...camera and/or video camera and chargers/extra batteries. Nursing bra for when you're not wearing the tanks or if you choose not to wear them and nursing pads. I think that's it. You've pretty much got it covered. I waaaaay over packed 'cause I didn't know what to do. But you live close by like I did so if you forget something you can always have the hubby run home.

Can't WAIT for Morgan to get here!!

soontobe05 · February 2010

pdxjenn:

From what I hear... dont bring too many pieces of clothing... including PJ's. Maybe one pair of a DARK color pants and nursing tops. The general consensus is that you are in the hospital gown a LOT and things are super messy and bloody. So why make more laundry for your self? Maybe bring a light weight robe too?

I hope it's not true, but I have also heard that magazines, books, DVD's never get touched. there is too much going on. Better to have just in case though?

I packed on the light side... which is against my character!

Things are def messy. That's why the nightgown was better than pants to me. I just pulled it up while I was in the bed. And as far as the dvds, I had them on at night when I couldn't sleep and DH watched them when I WAS asleep.

joleine · February 2010

pdxjenn:
From what I hear... dont bring too many pieces of clothing... including PJ's. Maybe one pair of a DARK color pants and nursing tops. The general consensus is that you are in the hospital gown a LOT and things are super messy and bloody. So why make more laundry for your self? Maybe bring a light weight robe too?

I hope it's not true, but I have also heard that magazines, books, DVD's never get touched. there is too much going on. Better to have just in case though?

I packed on the light side... which is against my character!

I packed the PJ's because after having a few hospital stays.. I can honestly say, I freaking hate hospital gowns and would rather ruin something of my own or do laundry than wear them

The DVD's I packed are season 2, 3 & 4 of Roseanne.. I figured they'd be a good distraction

joleine · February 2010

soontobe05:
Holy F you only have 7 days til your due date! WOW! I cannot believe it's here already!! (I know "already" does not sound like the right word to you at the moment, but seriously..so fast.) Anyway...

For me, I didn't use all the clothes. I brought some nursing nightgowns that I got at Motherhood and a robe and some slippers, but mostly I used the ugly hospital gowns because with the bleeding and stuff I just didn't want all my stuff ruined. That's just me though. Dvds are a must. Don't forget to pack your cellphone chargers, that was a pain not to have the 1st time I got hospitalized. Umm...camera and/or video camera and chargers/extra batteries. Nursing bra for when you're not wearing the tanks or if you choose not to wear them and nursing pads. I think that's it. You've pretty much got it covered. I waaaaay over packed 'cause I didn't know what to do. But you live close by like I did so if you forget something you can always have the hubby run home.

Can't WAIT for Morgan to get here!!

I know! 7 days!! I'm sorta freaking out.. haha.. I already have the camera bag packed by itself, as it's to0 big (we have a DSLR) to put in the regular bag I figure I'll grab the cell phone chargers when we head out, as I only have 1 for my phone.. but if I forget, I can use the USB data cable for my blackberry and plug it into the laptop... Already planning to grab the laptop when we head out too.. and you're right, at least we're close.. and my sister is coming to stay at our house while we're at the hospital, to watch the dog... so if we need something, we can call her?

MeganKathleenL · February 2010

Your list looks great! I didn't even wear my own PJs; just brought some stretchy black yoga pants as part of my going-home outfit. Definitely bring some nursing bras to wear under your hospital gown/PJs. Also:

Extra batteries/chargers

A few magazines, just in case you need something to read. I was induced and in labor forever; it was nice to read something before the contractions became too painful and we were just "waiting."

This might sound crazy, but I brought an eye mask/sleep mask and ear plugs. Because of the induction and it being my first baby, I was told it could be a long process (which it was!) and to sleep and rest while I could, but it was difficult with the lights, nurses in and out of the room to check machines and vital signs, etc. The eye mask was a life saver. And, my husband snores like a beast, so while he conked out I was also able to catch some Zzz's. I just told the nurses ahead of time that I was putting earplugs in and to wake me if they needed anything.

How exciting!! Keep us posted with news! Smile

joleine · February 2010

Ooh good call on the ear plugs!! Since I'm typing this at an ungodly hour while trying to go back to sleep on the couch because I can still hear my stupid husband snoring upstairs w/ the door shut. He sounds like a damn elephant! Would it be wrong to make him stay home w/ the dog while I'm at the hospital? Haha. Jk. Sorta

MeganKathleenL · February 2010

Hey Joleine, I just realized - you work with my hubby, Joe! Okay, now I'm super excited to find out when baby Morgan will arrive. And yes, the earplugs were fantastic. If I didn't have them, I probably would've asked him to sleep out in the lobby for a little while, seriously...the snoring was bad!

MrsRichard · February 2010

Your list looks pretty good. The one thing that I had to send DH out for was a new memory card and batteries for our camera. I hadn't even thought about the memory card until a few hours after DS was born and we were out of room. Also, it sounds like a lot of girls didn't use their clothes, but I found them far more comfy. I just took some pajama pants and nursing tank tops (it was in August) and as soon as they let me I was out of the gown. Somehow I didn't ruin or "soil" and of them.

Oh and don't forget a comfy little outfit for the new delivery to ride home in.

The_Jen626 · February 2010

I really hated the hospital gown, I changed out of it as soon as they would let me out of the bed! I showered every day and wore my own clothes, I wore yoga/warm-up pants (black) and a nursing tank top, with a cardigan over it, and a black bathrobe. I was in the hospital for 4 days, there's no way I would have worn a hospital gown that whole time! Also (and i know the rules have changed due to swine flu...) we had a TON of visitors and there's no way I would have been comfortable in a nursing gown in front of DH's family and random visitors.

Rochelle&Matt · February 2010

In my bag I have 2 pairs of yoga pants and 2 tshirts, a nusrsing bra, several pairs of socks, and a few pairs of undies. Everyone says they love the mesh ones the hospital gives to you though. Shampoo, conditioner, deodarent, toothbrush and toothpaste. My own towel! We packed a couple shirts and pairs of boxers for Matt. And chargers for our camera and video camera. I also have a folder with all of my paperwork that needs to be filled out to submit for my STD and what not. I have a medium size bag that fit all we need. We live within 15 minutes of St. V's so if we need to run home we can.

joleine · February 2010

Rochelle&Matt:
In my bag I have 2 pairs of yoga pants and 2 tshirts, a nusrsing bra, several pairs of socks, and a few pairs of undies. Everyone says they love the mesh ones the hospital gives to you though. Shampoo, conditioner, deodarent, toothbrush and toothpaste. My own towel! We packed a couple shirts and pairs of boxers for Matt. And chargers for our camera and video camera. I also have a folder with all of my paperwork that needs to be filled out to submit for my STD and what not. I have a medium size bag that fit all we need. We live within 15 minutes of St. V's so if we need to run home we can.

OOh good call on my own towel.. I'll have to remember to grab that tonight.. We've got the camera bag set up and ready to go with an 8GB card and 2 fully charged battery packs.. I just don't want to put that bag in the car yet

Exciting that you're delivering at St V's too.. maybe we'll run into each other

joleine · February 2010

MeganKathleenL:
Hey Joleine, I just realized - you work with my hubby, Joe! Okay, now I'm super excited to find out when baby Morgan will arrive. And yes, the earplugs were fantastic. If I didn't have them, I probably would've asked him to sleep out in the lobby for a little while, seriously...the snoring was bad!

OH! Megan.. I THOUGHT your name looked familiar and I mentioned it to Joe yesterday but then felt dumb for saying something.. so I didn't say anything to you.. but hah you found me small world huh?

joleine · February 2010

The_Jen626:
I really hated the hospital gown, I changed out of it as soon as they would let me out of the bed! I showered every day and wore my own clothes, I wore yoga/warm-up pants (black) and a nursing tank top, with a cardigan over it, and a black bathrobe. I was in the hospital for 4 days, there's no way I would have worn a hospital gown that whole time! Also (and i know the rules have changed due to swine flu...) we had a TON of visitors and there's no way I would have been comfortable in a nursing gown in front of DH's family and random visitors.

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one that hates hospital gowns! They've lifted the visitor restrictions now so we can have visitors.. but hopefully I can convince everyone to wait and see us at home.. we'll see

The_Jen626 · February 2010

joleine:

The_Jen626:
I really hated the hospital gown, I changed out of it as soon as they would let me out of the bed! I showered every day and wore my own clothes, I wore yoga/warm-up pants (black) and a nursing tank top, with a cardigan over it, and a black bathrobe. I was in the hospital for 4 days, there's no way I would have worn a hospital gown that whole time! Also (and i know the rules have changed due to swine flu...) we had a TON of visitors and there's no way I would have been comfortable in a nursing gown in front of DH's family and random visitors.

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one that hates hospital gowns! They've lifted the visitor restrictions now so we can have visitors.. but hopefully I can convince everyone to wait and see us at home.. we'll see

Oh I also wanted to mention, that I bled ALOT (like almost needed a transfusion) and I didn't ruin any of my clothes. Most of my bleeding was in the first day, when I was still stuck in the bed (had a c/s), but after that when I finally got to put on my own clothes, I didn't have any nasty leaks at all. So, it's not AS bad as you might think it will be.

I can't believe how close you are!!

joleine · February 2010

The_Jen626:
Oh I also wanted to mention, that I bled ALOT (like almost needed a transfusion) and I didn't ruin any of my clothes. Most of my bleeding was in the first day, when I was still stuck in the bed (had a c/s), but after that when I finally got to put on my own clothes, I didn't have any nasty leaks at all. So, it's not AS bad as you might think it will be.

I can't believe how close you are!!

I can't believe it either!! So excited!! I'm even more excited to know I don't have to wear those stupid hospital gowns

Melanie0217 · February 2010

I brought my own pads, cuz the hospital ones sucked [I also gave birth to my son at a military base haha] and dont forget the nursing pads! I didn't pack any and man was I leaking all over the place! I also just had nursing shirts and a light sweater..because regular shirts just seemed like a pain while I was trying to get him fed..but its personal preference! Pack what you want to pack..but dont forget babies first outfit! I didn't see that on your list

MrsRichard · February 2010

It does seem like all the book and all over the internet everyoe talks about taking things that you don't mind throwing away. I was out of the gown as soon as they'd let me and I didn't ruin anything. Maybe that was just me but everywhere I read seemed to be very adamant about the fact that things were going to get stained.

joleine · February 2010

Melanie0217:
I brought my own pads, cuz the hospital ones sucked [I also gave birth to my son at a military base haha] and dont forget the nursing pads! I didn't pack any and man was I leaking all over the place! I also just had nursing shirts and a light sweater..because regular shirts just seemed like a pain while I was trying to get him fed..but its personal preference! Pack what you want to pack..but dont forget babies first outfit! I didn't see that on your list

Oh yes! I do have my own pads packed.. Ya know, I haven't even thought about nursing pads, because I'm not getting my hopes up on the bf'ing thing.. I want to try, but I had a breast reduction 9 years ago.. so I'll have to pick up a pack of them! As far as babies outfit goes.. she has her OWN bag packed .. which just has an outfit, socks, a hat and some diapers and diapering supplies (in case we decide to go visit people on the way home from the hospital or something)

joleine · February 2010

MrsRichard:
It does seem like all the book and all over the internet everyoe talks about taking things that you don't mind throwing away. I was out of the gown as soon as they'd let me and I didn't ruin anything. Maybe that was just me but everywhere I read seemed to be very adamant about the fact that things were going to get stained.

Yeah, everything says to take a pillow w/ a pillow case that can get ruined, and clothes that can get ruined, etc. Its like, come on people, it's just blood.. blood DOES wash out..

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