My birth center has us check out between 6 and 12 hours after delivery...and I'm STUMPED on what we should take with us. A lot of hospital bag lists seem so long. Anyone have a list they're willing to share? Thanks in advance!
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Re: Birth Center "hospital" bag?
My BC also gave me a list - perhaps you should ask yours what they think you should bring? Mine includes things like food/snacks for me and DH, clothes + diapers and blankets for baby, change of clothes for me and DH + stuff for the water birth, witch hazel pads and depends for bleeding and dealing with possible tears, the car seat (they won't let us leave until they see us put the baby in the seat properly), any music/CDs that we would like for labor as well as things like rice socks or tennis balls that we think might help me through contractions, camera, and any lotions/oils that we think might help too.
Ours only keeps us there for 4-6 hours post partum if there are no complications, though, so if you're staying longer there might be other things you'd want to bring.
My BC also has a packing list. Here are my thoughts on packing after having a baby and going home 5 hrs later !
- hospital bag with the normal things just in case! : pair of pj's for you , change of clothes for your husband, jacket for your husband (hospitals are freezing), several pair of giant cotton underwear. Leave this in your car and most likely you will never open this up!
- Snacks for you: jello, juice, Popsicles, crackers, peanut butter sandwich for after birth energy, celebratory post birth drink--- diet coke was my choice
- comfy loose clothes for labor: I had a water birth and wish that I had something on to cover me on top but I was fighting throwing up ( and took everything off) while I was in labor so my birth pictures are x-rated
I will be buying a loose sports bra/ swimsuit top and bringing a black camisole this time!
- essential oils/ massage lotion to help create a relaxing environment
-biggest pads you can find or depends for post birth
- pretty outfit to go home in. I wore a dress.....some wear sweats but I wanted a dress!
-good rubber bands or headbands
-chargers for phones and cameras
- call/text MSG list for your husband
-GUM....my husbands breathe just about killed me during transition
- snacks for husband....mine almost passed out when he saw them stick me eith a needle
so preferably a granola bar and Gatorade etc
- comfy shoes for husband/ birth attendants
- if you are doing a water birth I highly recommend bringing a kneeling pad of some sort for you and DH. My knees hurt after a while in the tub!
Good luck! I had the most amazing and peaceful birth at my birth center in sep 2010. I wish more people got to experience the joy and patient care that a birth center offers!
Thank you for this list! It was very very helpful! I would have NEVER thought of these two things especially! Thanks!!
lurking and wanted to say, we have the same wedding annv. and we're expecting our DS about a month behind you. What a coincidence! Congrats on your marriage and baby boy!
Awe thanks! Congrats to you as well! Can you believe our first anniversaries are less than a month away? Time flies!
OH YEAH! That's an awesome idea! Even for laboring in a tub, I completely forgot how my knees hurt! Writing this down. Submersible kneeling pad. ::thinking:: ...Maybe a cushy bath mat? hmmmm...
Dual purpose!!
awesomeness. Thanks for posting this thread!