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3rd Trimester
How big is your hospital bag?
Finished packing mine last night and it is a pretty big suitcase, like the size I would use for a week or so vacation. I couldn't believe that I actually filled it, but I do have a few larger items that take up more space in it. How big is yours?
Here is the list of what I packed:(well minus the car seat...but that is installed) did I just pack way too much, lol?
| 2 Nursing tanks | |||
| 2 Nursing Bras | |||
| 2 yoga pants | |||
| Hoodie | |||
| 3 large underwear | |||
| 2 pairs of socks | |||
| Robe | |||
| Slippers | |||
| Towel | |||
| Travel size: | |||
| Shampoo | |||
| Conditioner | |||
| Face wash | |||
| Toothpaste | |||
| Deodorant |
|||
| Disposable razor | |||
| Toothbrush | |||
| Moisturizer | |||
| Chapstick |
comb |
||
| Make up and remover | |||
| Breast pads | |||
| Breast cream | |||
| Boppy pillow | |||
| Hair ties | |||
| Snacks/change for vending machine | |||
| Cell phone/charger | |||
| Camera/Batteries | |||
| Baby book | |||
| Insurance cards | |||
| Baby going home outfit/onsies | |||
| Car seat/baby blanket | |||
Hospital Paperwork always overnight pads |
|||
| Bag for DH | |||
| PJ's | |||
| Boxers | |||
| Extra T-shirt | |||
| Toothbrush | |||
| Deodorant |
|||
| socks | |||
This discussion has been closed.
Re: How big is your hospital bag?
I always love reading this. what is really like to see if this post again, after Lo arrives and you come home, updating as to what you didn't even touch out of that bag.
In my opinion you can lose the towel and the underwear (you'll want to wear the mesh ones from the hospital..all others will just get ruined and they stretch nice and big so are easy to get on). In personally didn't use any nursing bras, tanks, nursing pads or nipple cream because I stayed in the hospital gown the whole time and my milk didn't come in until the day after I left (stayed two nights) so I wasn't leaking at all. The hospital provided nipple cream, nursing pads and the huge pads as well. But honestly, bring what you think will make you comfortable. If you don't use it that's fine but it would suck to not have it and want it.
My bag is a duffle bag but I can't fit my boppy pillow in it with everything else if that helps!
The reality is... birth is scary, especially if you've never done it before. After thinking more, I say pack what makes you feel most secure. Even if it fills two suitcases. My first time I had snacks, make up, blow dryer straightner curling iron shampoo etc... you name it. Day and night outfits for each expected day i'd be there plus one extra in case I changed my mind etc.
I seriously didn't even open the bag until I'd been there like 30 hours. The hospital provides toiletries you need and necessities for new moms. And honestly, with what you pay them for your stay, I say take what they give you plus some to take home.I ripped off an extra pack of diapers and an extra soothie last time. My $25,000 bill more than covered it, in my opinion.
Truth is, you wont use most of what your taking. You'll be over burdended by the heft of the suitcase. But if it makes you comfortable and feel secure and prepared, then you NEED every last item you packed.
Good luck, momma!
My take on your bag:
You don't need 3 pairs of underwear - they give you the mesh ones and they will get dirty. I would say one for going home is all your need.
Socks, again you need one pair to go home with. They have the non-slip socks
Towel - they have towels there, they may not be the best but why take your own.
Make up and remover - I think of it this way, I just had a baby, I am not going to be putting on make up - some ladies do though. I think its a waste of time and space in your bag
Did you actually pack snacks? - get them there, again I think its a waste of space.
Always overnight pads - they give them to you there.
My DH brought comfy clothes that he just wore at night, he said he would feel funny being in pjs in the hospital.
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Mine is huge, also have one for baby, labour and my husband (his is bigger than mine, he packed it though so whatever haha)
At our prenatal classes we were told to pack as much as we could to make ourselves as comfortable as possible. I live in a small town about 70 miles away from the hospital, so its not like someone can run home and grab something that I might want or need. I'm not too worried, I know I won't need a lot of the things I've packed, but it'll just be a comfort knowing that they are there if I do want them.
MY BAG (2 pyjamas, 4 panties, 2 bras, yoga pants and sweater for going home, travel sized shampoo, cond, lotion, soap, sponge, witch hazel (tucks), depends, overnight pads (heavy flow), brush, blow dryer, straightener, make up, SLR camera, phone charger, XL bath towel, slippers, socks, shoes, nursing pads, nipple cream, hand sanitizer, bath robe)
LABOUR BAG (massage tools, Ipod, head phones, CD's, lotion to use with massage tools, hair bands/elastics, tankini swim suit, wheat bag (for heating in microwave), towel, point and shoot camera, old pyjama gown, fuzzy socks, lip balm, and I'm going to throw in some nasal spray since I have a nasty cold and I find breathing through my nose helps calm me down, snacks)
BABY BAG (A couple diapers each of sz NB and 1, wipes, 4 sleepers (team green so size nb and 0-3m of pink and blue), 2 bottles of premixed ready formula just in case, receiving blankets, heavy blanket for outside, hat, plain white onesies, diaper rash cream, (no baby book, my mom's going to buy one for me when we find out if its boy or girl)
Mine is basically nothing. HAHA I have a couple pair of underware, a couple pair of pants, 2 nursing tanks, a sweater, and some travel sized shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, deoderant. I also have a going home outfit for my son.
I keep all of my makeup in an little bag that I'll throw in in case I feel like looking pretty, but no effin way I'm curling my hair.
Also I feel like...Worst case scenario: I forget something and DH has to go home and get it for me. Hell, he'll probably welcome the break.
My Colton...Growing up so fast!
And Coralee, his baby sister...On the way!
So it sounds like maybe I am over packing
. I have read so many posts and talked to people and added things that I have been told were life savers/really nice to have. I am high risk and have to go to a hospital that is over an hour away so it is not convenient to have anyone run home for anything that I may have forgot or decide I want afterward. I also have been told by doctor that I should be prepared for a c-section due to an anomaly with my uterus - so far baby is head down and they will let me try for a vaginal birth but want me to be prepared.
As for snacks I just packed a few protien bars for DH during labor if he needs something. Oh well I guess I'd rather have too much stuff than not enough...I guess I will learn my lesson and see what stuff I actually use
lol.
snacks : yes. always yes.
razor: no way. are you going to grow enough hair in a few days that it matters, and will you actually give a sh!t about it?
i think the robe is frivolous, but if it makes you more comfortable, take it.
and as far as makeup goes, i will totally be bringing it and wearing it.
at least a little. i can forgo everything else, but damn it, i will be wearing mascara when i have my daughter.
(plus, going-home day i think being able to spruce yourself up a bit will make you feel much more normal after the whole ordeal)
I was admitted to the hospital at 4 PM on Friday, delivered at 7 AM on Saturday and left Monday morning. For a vaginal birth, that's a pretty long hospital stay.
Based on how I felt and the convenience, I stayed in my hospital gown all day on Saturday (even with guests). I believe at some point I put on a nursing tank, but I was laying in bed under blankets and was in pain, so pants were the LAST thing on my mind.
I did put on some PJs on Sunday and I had a going home outfit for me on Monday. That was MORE than enough clothes for my long hospital stay. I'm guessing if you had a c-section, you'd be even less inclined to "get dressed" right away.
I never wanted a robe, I never had time to write leisurely in my baby book, I didn't need much to keep me "entertained." I was either tending to the baby or sleeping. The hospital provided anything "medical" I might need - nipple cream, nursing pads, etc. so I didn't pack those.
I definitely over packed last time... this time I'm taking a carry-on sized suitcase and I'm hoping to fit the Boppy IN it, too!
So far I have:
2 Pants and nursing tank outfit
Robe
Underwear
Slippers
Mini shampoo, lotion, cond, face wash, moisturizer, body wash etc
Flip flops
Baby going home outfit
Chapstick
I also have a make up bag ready to throw in when its time along with my brush and small blow dryer.
And didnt think about hubby yet!! Will do because God knows he wont.
Ill prob bring some snacks, oh the camera and gum too
You don't need slippers, or pads. The hospital will provide both. No way am I bringing my own towels. The ones at the hospital aren't great, but I just use a bunch of them, and I don't have to do the laundry. Agree with PP about not needing a razor. You aren't going to care about shaving. PLenty of time for that when you get home. Everything else I think I would bring...maybe. I'm not bringing nursing pads or nip cream. I never needed nip cream with DS, and I didn't need nursing pads until after my milk came in and I was at home.
Leave some extra room in your case for bringing stuff home (pads, disposable panties, diapers, recieving blankets, peri bottles, whatever you can get your hands on!).
Lurking
Just wanted to add....if you don't have full coverage insurance, I would definitely pack all your nursing pads creams etc. I don't have full coverage and I was charged $18 for the tiny tiniest little bottle of nipple cream in the world. The next time, I brought my own
They also charged me for a comb, but I don't remember how much!
BFP #1 5/07/11, DS 01/19/12
BFP #2 08/09/12, M/C 08/10/12
BFP #3 10/30/12, EDD 07/11/12...please stick!
I made a point of asking friends/family who have delivered at the same hospital I will be delivering at what they suggest and packed based on their suggestions. As a reasult I have a large carry on/weekender bag which contains;
Me
2 nursing bras, 2 nursing tanks, 2 pair loose fitting pj pants, 2 loose fitting t shirts,1 warm sweatshirt, no skid slipper socks (I have been assured I will love the mesh panties the hosp supplies and advised to try and get out the do0r with as many additional pair as possible lol)
* I plan on leaving the hospital in the same outfit I arrive in (seeing as they toss you into a gown the minute you get there) and a scarf, mittens and hat of course as I live in New England.
travel size bottles of my preferred shamp, cond, body wash, face wash, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, nipple cream, boobie pads, always overnights, (Just in case I dont like what hosp supplies), chapstick, hand sanitizer (hint to visitors), gum, make-up, hair brush, hair elastics.
DH
sweatpants, tshirt, sweatshirt, slippers, boxers, clean socks. DH will be staying overnight at hospital but we only live 20 mins away so he will have the luxury of going home to shower and check on our 3 furbabies.
toothbrush, deodorant, snacks
Entertainment (just in case labor drags out)
netbook, puzzle books, magazines, ipod
Other
camera w/charger, cell phone charger, Ipod charger
Baby
2 long sleeve onsies, 1 fleece footie pj, 1 lightweight footie pj, pram for car ride, 1 overly girly hat, 1 overly boy hat (gender is a surprise but wanted to have something that clear states boy or girl once baby is born
)
Every mom who sees my hosp. bag makes fun of me and tells me Im going way overboard to which I reply. "This is my first time going through labor and I want to be sure I have anything and everything I could possible want/need. Once Im there Im there.. When I have my 2nd Im sure my bag will be much smaller but for now zip your trap lol."
Also for baby - Physiobebe (organic waterless baby wash) suggested by my friend who is a nurse in neonate ward)
Other than that the hospital supplies everything the baby needs while we are there; diapers, clothing, paci's, caps, receiving blankets (all of which I have been advised I should take advantage of and smuggle out what I can lol)
I am also bringing my own pillow as I generally have a relatively hard time falling asleep.