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3rd Trimester
LoveyFNR
member
Hospital Bag - Unthought of Necessities
LoveyFNR
member
So I packed up my hospital bag and I THINK I have pretty much everything I'm going to need as far as basics but what is it you wish you would have brought or are really glad you did? I'm looking for those little extras now. What did you bring that you really wish you hadn't?
I know this question is asked a million times a week but I couldn't find a recent one so I'm pestering you with this question AGAIN. 
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Hospital Bag - Unthought of Necessities
My sister told me to bring some of those pre-moistened facial wipes. You may do alot of crying and want to clean up without having to go to the bathroom and use soap and water. Not to mention the night sweats may start up in the hospital and you can freshen up your face and neck in the middle of the night.
I packed a bunch of bibs for the baby. With my daughter, she would drip the bottle down her chin and it would get everwhere. We had to use a face cloth to keep her dry.
The though of using a nasty old used facecloth on my new baby really grossed me out. (Everything in a hospital grosses me out, though) so this time around I am bringing my own fresh clean new bibs.
things to keep you and DH occupied. DH and I brought Laptop, DVD's, PSP, Crossword Puzzles.
Pillow(s) from home. Hospital pillows suck big time.
Snacks. DH will have to be nourished somehow. Plus even though my hospital had decent food. I was tired of it by the end.
Great suggestions! Lots of useful ideas.
What about your own pillow? Some people say yes but others say no. I don't want to bring it with if I don't have to buit if I need it then it's coming!
travel neck pillow!
It was so much more comfortable to sleep sitting up after my unplanned c-section. My neck was killing me the first night so I sent DH out for a neck pillow and I'm definitely bringing it this time.
My hospital highly recommends bringing your own pillows.
I'm taking the Itzbeen timer - have heard from other friends that it's great to help you start keeping track of feedings/diaper changes/etc right off the bat, especially if nurses will be asking you about the timings of things.
Small bills and change for vending machines.
I've also heard that taking a bigger bag than necessary is good for stashing away extra hospital stuff - mesh undies, diapers, etc.
11-15-08
12-1-10
Baby fingernail clippers. Molly's nails needed trimmed when she was born! I also used my Boppy quite a bit. Nursing tanks. SOCKS! I almost forgot socks and they're necessary.
I also brought a few outfits for Molly and she wore all of them. I know it sounds lame but it made her stand out in the nursery and I liked being able to dress my baby in HER clothes.
Most important item - GUM! I chewed it all through labor it was the only thing that kept me from barfing and soothed my heart burn.
Most important item - GUM! I chewed it all through labor it was the only thing that kept me from barfing and soothed my heart burn.
An EXTRA empty bag... you will not believe how much free stuff the hospital gives you!! The hospital had to go searching everywhere for a bag since we didnt have an extra one.
A laptop, magazine, etc... you will think that you wont have time.. but you will. Our DS was born at 7a and the first day flew by with visitors and sleep but the next day we didnt get discharged until 4pm and were bored for hours with our sleeping baby.
From the doula who taught our class:
Easily accessible mouthwash - in your purse or labor bag, not in the depths of your overnight bag. You may get sick during labor and might not be able to get to the bathroom to brush but could swish and feel better.
There are several things pp's mentioned that I second :
headband/extra hairties : I was sweating so bad during labor that my hair kept slipping out of the tie and DH wasn't very good at putting it back up just right. I was soo uncomfortable because of this, so I'll definitely be bringing headbands just in case.
socks : the hospital wouldn't let me wear my own, because they didn't want me to slip on the floor. They had socks with rubber grips on the bottom, but they were one-size-fits-all tubes that just twisted around and slipped off anyway. I'm sure I can find some of my own that fit.
tums, chapstick, change
It might be helpful to pack 2 bags:
One for if you have a quick easy labor and are in and out of the hospital. Basic necessities.
Pack a second one to leave at home that somebody can grab and bring later if you need it in case your stay turns into a longer one.
All great ideas! I second Chapstick/Vaseline, a pillow from home with a crappy pillowcase (liked having my own), and small bottle mouthwash! I puked a lot, and as messed up as I was, it made me feel better to be able to swish and spit and get the taste out of my mouth. The face cloth thingies are a great idea.
Breleigh & Mason