what did the hospital provide?
AmyFTM
member
FTM and at 35 weeks. Been packing our hospital bag all week and the duffle bag keeps getting heavier and heavier (luckily we got a rolling one!). DH asked if we were planning to move there, lol. I'm trying not to over pack, but it's difficult especially since I don't know what to expect. Can any of you ladies recall which items the hospital provided and which items I would need to bring from home?
Here's what I have so far, please tell which items are not necessary:
Two black sweatpants in case I don't like the hospital gown and want to change after delivery
Tank tops x 2
Socks x 2 pairs
Black granny panties x 2
Nursing bras x 2
Going home clothes (actually going to wear 1 of the sweatpants and a t-shirt)
Comfy robe if I need to cover up for visitors
Slippers in case I need to roam the halls during labor
A handful of overnight pads if I don't take to the hospital grade
My own pillow with non-white pillowcase
Small fleece blanket for DH
PJs for DH
Going home clothes for DH
Going home outfit for LO
A swaddler for LO
Crossword puzzle book to keep me distracted
Items to pack last minute:
Laptop/charger
Cell phone/charger
Camera/charger
Hair brush
Hair ties
Headband
Lotion
Chapstick
Toothbrushes for DH and I
Toothpaste
Mouthwash
Glasses for me
Contact solution for DH
Snacks for DH
Re: what did the hospital provide?
The necessary things were given to me by the hospital (Memorial Hermann):
*Dermoplast
*mesh underwear
*huuuge pad which were needed
*Tucks
*abdominal binder
*squirt bottle
*nipple cream
*extra pillows (didn't want to haul the boppy)
*clothes for LO as well as aspirator (don't forget to grab), Pampers, wipes and formula if desired
I was happy to have brought:
*ear plugs and sleep mask
*IPAD
*nursing gown plus robe
*old flip flops for the yucky shower
*hair dryer
*toiletries including make up
* change for vending machine
*warm socks and chapstick
*games for the time when the contractions are still bearable
*cardstock for footprint (make sure it's big enough)
*cameras, phones incl extra batteries and chargers
*notepad to write down questions for doc/nurses
I brought way too many clothes which I ended up not wearing. Since they check you a lot in the first 24 hours after delivery I think the hospital gown or your own would be the most useful. HTH
Thanks Ladies! This was all very helpful. I knew I was over packing just didn't know which items were excessive. I'm delivering at Methodist in TMC so we'll be in the same room for both L&D and recovery. When we did the hospital tour, they suggested that we valet park since the cost of 24 hour parking in the garage (across the street) and valet is the same. This would mean though that we would need to take everything with us since we wouldn't have access to our car (no in-and-out privileges).
I'm not going with a boppy but instead we're using the Leachco Podster lounger since it has more uses. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003HIXOTQ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER
Do you still think I should bring this to the hospital? Or will extra pillows be enough?
I brought my Boppy for BFing - not to put the baby in. Can you use the Podster for BFing? I didn't see how it can wrap around you, but I didn't really look at all of the functionality. If you can't use it for BFing, then I wouldn't bring it - the baby will be in the hospital bassinet or people's arms most of the time. They will have plenty of pillows to prop up your BFing holds.
I wouldn't bring that. Where would you put it? Is it purely somewhere to stick the baby? If your baby is lying down, he/she will be in the bassinet or with you in the bed. I wouldn't put it on the small couch/bed in the Methodist rooms, and I wouldn't use it on the bed because that would mean I'd have to be standing up!
Stay in a gown after birth. Preferably the hospital's gown. They will be checking you several times no matter if you have c/s or vaginal birth. You won't feel like lifting your hips and shimmying your pants down. And you will likely leak out of your diaper-like pad and mesh panties, so why stain your own clothing when you can just stain theirs? (And overnight pads are not big enough. You really do need the industrial-strength hospital ones.)
I wouldn't bother with a swaddler. The nurses know how to actually swaddle a baby and you might want to take the opportunity to learn how. Done correctly it really works well.
Both hospitals I was in provided DH with a blanket and pillow.
I'd bring a pad of paper and pen - you never know what you'll need to write down. Random thoughts, instructions from the pedi, lactation consultant's phone number, etc.
Change for the snack machine.
I packed fewer items when I delivered the second. I had two c-sections, so I knew I would be there for at least 4 days. Delivering vaginally means fewer days, typically. That's something to keep in mind.
The hospital (Woman's) had all the necessities: gowns (fine with this), socks with skid resistant bottoms (replaces slippers), pads, water bottle for cleaning, pain medications
, sheets, towels, pump.
A toiletry bag is important. You'll want to brush your hair and teeth.
Here are some comments on the items you're packing you could consider for elimination and as general thoughts.
I sent my husband home to change, shower, etc.; he did not need stuff up there in our experience. All husband things are optional, imo.
Are these sitting on the waist high enough in case you have a c-section? - Two black sweatpants in case I don't like the hospital gown and want to change after delivery
They have these and they're skid-proof; ask for them: Socks x 2 pairs
Good to have: Black granny panties x 2 ; Nursing bras x 2
Unnecessary; two hospital gowns worn simultaneously, one opening front and one back, provide privacy/modesty: Comfy robe if I need to cover up for visitors
Unnecessary;use hospitals skid-proof socks: Slippers in case I need to roam the halls during labor
Unnecessary; hospital provides plenty: A handful of overnight pads if I don't take to the hospital grade
They'll give you more pillows; optional; nice to have if you're particular, though: My own pillow with non-white pillowcase
You're being nice; they'll give you one, if you ask probably: Small fleece blanket for DH
I sent him home to change; it is not that fun to be up there; sleep is poor for husbands and someone needed to feel human: PJs for DH
Again, he's free to come and go; consider he can go shower somewhere real: Going home clothes for DH
This is nice, but I did not do this with the second; I figured out that I had no idea what size he would be; he was cute in anything: Going home outfit for LO
Didn't need this; used hospital blankets: A swaddler for LO
I agree with the importance of all electronics and toiletry items, except if your husband can go home, let him go take a real shower and take care of himself at home:
Nailclippers? Make sure you're all nail clipped, if that ever annoys you. This is something I keep in my toiletry bag.
Laptop/charger
Cell phone/charger
Camera/charger
Hair brush
Hair ties
Headband
Lotion
Chapstick
Toothbrushes for DH and I
Toothpaste
Mouthwash
Glasses for me
Contact solution for DH
Snacks for DH
Leave room to take some things from the hospital:
On another note, take all those cotton mesh cleaning cloths the hospital will grant you; ask the nurse for another pack; I find them very useful for newborns, especially if they have a clogged tear duct that requires warm compresses - these are handy and clean.
There will be other items they give you. Keep that in mind when packing.
With my second baby, I really liked having our own blankets (big enough to swaddle) and our own hats. This may sound silly, but I take a lot of pictures, and it was fun to be able to dress him in those each day. I didn't bother with actual clothes for the hospital stay though because they are pretty much always swaddled if they aren't getting a diaper changed or getting checked out/bathed. The hospital-provided shirts were fine for him.
My husband preferred to shower at home, so he went home in the clothes he wore the day before and freshened up at home. So he didn't require much at the hospital other than something to sleep in and a toothbrush. He did always have a sweatshirt or fleece with him because those rooms are cold.
For DS's delivery I brought:
-my own pillow
-my own robe (I had a thin maternity one)
-I did bring sweatpants and nursing tanks, I wanted out of that gown ASAP and was much more comfortable in my own clothes.
- I did not bring underwear, I used their mesh ones.
- I brought slipper socks, thin enough to have on in bed and have the traction for walking the halls.
I wouldn't bring a Boppy or anything for the baby. They are most likely going to be held or in the bassinet the entire time.
I brought the Gerber side snap shirts for DS and was so glad that I did. The hospital only had clothes that went over his head so I liked having these to put on him.
Bring extra warm clothes for you DH. They kept that room sooo cold and DH was freezing even in a sweatshirt, sweatpants, and my robe.
The hospital has plenty of blankets so I wouldn't worry about bringing one.
Collin Thayne 10.11.2010
This was me! DH only stayed at the hospital with me 1 night though. And he preferred to shower at home. So he didn't need much. Also... Just FYI- the whole getting checked thing varies. I had a CSection and was not checked (only my incision area). Yoga Pants, Mesh Panties, Nursing Sports Bra, Tank Top, and Light Robe is all I wore. I was actually very comfortable the entire time in this outfit.
I would ditch the panties, robe, pads, pillow, swaddler, and crossword puzzle book.