The "bag" for hospital bag

pb_bride · September 2012

What kind of bag are you using as your hospital bag? A duffle bag? A suitcase? How big is it?

FWIW, in our childbirth class, the instructor told us to pack 2 separate bags. A small one as a LABOR bag (just for the laboring part, so mouthsprays, drinks/snacks, CD music), and then once I get to post-partum, DH can bring up the larger "hospital" bag.

amb5353 · September 2012

I have a Vera Bradley duffle bag that I'm using. I'm being induced so I decided to just pack all my stuff in one. We won't know how long it's going to take no point in DH running home to get me different things.

ChrisG83 · September 2012

I like the idea you were given about two separate bags, I hand't thought of that. I have just a small tote bag, it about the size of a bag you would take to the beach. However I think I will add a another small one for labor.

melodramatic26 · September 2012

planned c-section so no labor bag. I am bringing a small carryon suitcase for my stuff. Dh will be able to go home every day/night and shower and change so nothing needed for him.

I like being able to wear fresh pj's and a change of clothes for everyday plus shower/hair/makeup items (helps me feel more normal).

I'll pack the diaper bag with snacks and a few outfits for DD.

beege17 · September 2012

We are doing 2 bags, a duffle bag for recovery with a change of clothes, make-up, shower essentials, that kind of stuff, and then another smaller beach sized bag for snacks and such.

NapJunkie · September 2012

My bag is a duffel I used to take to the gym and has all of my toiletries, clothes, etc. There is plenty of extra space in there for whatever the hospital gives me, and then I have a boppy and the diaper bag ready to go. The only things I need to add to my bag is the camera, charger, a coming home outfit, and my toothbrush. I also didn't pack any snacks but I have a ton of change for DH to buy some.

DottyBlue · September 2012

I don't have enough stuff packed to justify two bags for me. I am using a small carry on that isn't even full for myself and using our diaper bag for DS (which won't come up to the room until after delivery). I just don't see needing that much for 48 hours in the hospital

ETA: I have a couple of Envirosax bags in my purse at all times that I'll open up and fill with diapers/wipes, etc from the hospital cart if the nurses tell me I can take stuff home.

nealbl · September 2012

with DD#1 I had diaper packed with DD's stuff and a duffel for DH and I.

DH just cleaned out our basement and threw away all three of our duffels. I am not sure why. So I am using our smallest suitcase this time for his and my stuff. I did the diaper bag again for DD#2's stuff.

mizjodi · September 2012

I haven't decided what bag I'm using yet; but at least I've started gathering what we'll need!

I have comfy going-home clothes for me, change of clothes and swim trunks for dh (so he can get in the tub with me), deodorant for both of us, toothpaste, toothbrushes, blanket for Pumpkin; I'm just going to use one bag

Cynthia1207 · September 2012

We're also using a small carry-on suitcase. I won't be bringing that many things so it seems pointless to bring more than one bag. In any case, if I need extras, H or my mom can always bring them to me once we're at the hospital.

Court7803 · September 2012

We had a labor scare on friday and threw everything into DH's ugly bag, as I call it. I'll be requesting he goes in the attic and get our carry on suitcase so I can re-pack it tonight. His bag looks like a tool bag, an ugly tool bag.

The_Jen626 · September 2012

I am using my carryon bag. I'm having a scheduled c/s so all I'm bringing in is my camera, and then DH will bring up the big bag after we are in recovery.

Cherry3142 · September 2012

Im just taking a backpack. The hospital is about a 3 minute drive from our front door, so if I really need something I forgot to take, husband can always grab it for me.

MichelleL1118 · September 2012

I had a carry-on sized wheeled suitcase last time, plus the diaper bag. Plus the stuff we left in the car at first (my pillow, the boppy, etc). I think I'll pack in a smaller bag this time around - I used almost nothing from my hospital bag the first time and it just took up space in the hospital room. And we didn't really have that many "freebies" to take home - just what was left of the diaper pack, some wipes, a nasal aspirator, and a souvenir t-shirt for the baby.

Wally3 · September 2012

I have a backpack. Though I don't bring very much. I saw a guy on baby story once rolling around a full size suitcase and I thought that was ridiculas.

[Deleted User] · September 2012

We're just using a duffel bag for our stuff. If all goes well and I have a vaginal birth, I'll only be at the hospital for 24-48 hrs max.

Mel_B09 · September 2012

I have two bags, one for me and one for the lo.. Seeing they do no provide anything at the hospital like diapers they suggest to bring 30-40, SO mine is a carryon bag and the lo is a gym bag bc with all those diapers there wasn't enough room in the diaper bag

shanaynerz · September 2012

Personally I was going to use a lululemon bag (or two) and put LO's stuff in her diaper bag. Still debating separating her stuff, but I'd read about people doing that.

nycgirl88 · September 2012

We are using our smallest carry on suitcase and a small bag (purse size) for our toiletries.

armcgill · September 2012

We are going to take our diaper bag and a carry-on sized suitcase; hopefully everything will fit. If not, we will do the 2 bag thing.

Baby stuff is in his diaper bag which will stay in the vehicle until after he's born. Because our hospital is 1.5 hours away in another community, DH has to bring his own things as well which is why we may end up with more than one bag. I just don't want to look like we're moving in! haha

Mrs.G123 · September 2012

I have a weekender/duffel packed. I have decided against taking the diaper bag DD's things fit in my bag.

msmcdermott2008 · September 2012

I'm using a rolling duffle bag for me and DH's stuff to use at the hospital for labor and recovery. I also left plenty of room (which for me is cause for celebration because I have a crazy tendendy to over pack!) so I can take the freebies home. For the baby's going home clothes, I'm using her diaper bag.

badkitty2012 · September 2012

I actually have three bags. I diaper bag for LO with all my breastfeeding supplies, a labor bag for me using a small carry on, and another small bag with a change of DH clothes, snacks and some things for DD1. We are a bit further away from the hospital and DH has some work commitments so I wanted to be sure that we were both comfortable if LO comes early. I also don't trust DH or MIL to remember to bring any entertainment or comfort items for DD1 so I packed them.

mommybear77 · September 2012

Just a small bag about the size of a large purse. I put in a few things for baby, shorts and tshirt for hubby, gown for me and dress to wear home. A few toiletries, snacks, money for vending machine. Flip flops for shower, socks, undies, pads. We live 5 mins from the hospital so anything we need after the birth hubby can go pick up. I really over packed last time so this time I am only bringing the essentials.

sydsmom04 · September 2012

Diaper bag with just a coming home outfit....
I hope to snag a bunch of stuff from the hospital.

Duffle bag for me and DH. I am only planning on being there one night so I don't need much.

lmfields · September 2012

I bought a new Vera Bradley weekender bag just for the occasion. Obviously I will get many years of use out of it post baby, so that was how I justified it to myself (and my husband). I packed fairly light, no entertainment items, just essentials/comfort items mostly.

I also packed a separate bag for baby (diaper bag) that can stay in the car at first. I am still debating whether to put my husband's stuff in a small backpack so he doesn't have to dig through my bag to find things. Like others mentioned, I am going to also bring a cloth grocery bag for items that the hospital sends home.

IEtoLA · September 2012

I have a "weekend" bag with 3 days of clothes, toiletries and a gift for DD1 from DD2. I personally don't see the need for a bag for labor because honestly all I needed was my phone/ charger, a rubber band and Chapstick. I wasn't allowed gum/mints or anything else. As far as the baby's stuff, I just put her going home outfit in her carseat with a blanket since we won't need it until we go home.

mysticriver · September 2012

IEtoLA:
I have a "weekend" bag with 3 days of clothes, toiletries and a gift for DD1 from DD2. I personally don't see the need for a bag for labor because honestly all I needed was my phone/ charger, a rubber band and Chapstick. I wasn't allowed gum/mints or anything else. As far as the baby's stuff, I just put her going home outfit in her carseat with a blanket since we won't need it until we go home.

This, although this time I'm making sure to bring at least TWO lip balms and hair elastics. Last time I dropped a lip balm on the hospital floor with the cap off (yuck) and was glad to have a backup, but I lost my only hair elastic during labor and it drove me crazy not having another. Also have to remember to teach DH how to put my hair in a ponytail this time!

Love the idea about putting the coming home outfit in the carseat!

=Ortiz= · September 2012

I'm really trying extra hard not to over pack this time around. So far I have a medium sized leather duffle bag with mine and FI stuff all packed. And a smaller bag for LO.

queenie521 · September 2012

Believe it or not, I actually have three bags, but for good reason. I have a Vera Bradley weekender bag (fancy duffel) for after I deliver, a small tote bag for labor, and another duffel for DS but only because I am planning on cloth diapering in the hospital, so it has all his diapers and then a couple changes of clothes for him along with a binky and blanket. I also have my Boppy to bring in after I deliver. I swear I'm gonna look like a FTM with all that stuff, its more then I've ever brought for my previous births but I really wanted to try cloth diapering from the start this time. Everything will stay in the car except for the labor bag until I go to the post-partum room. No need to have all that crap in L&D.