Anticipating preemies- hospital bag?

lovekatespade · December 2012

Hi preemie Mamas! I am 27w4d with di/tri triplets, one who is diagnosed as SIUGR. Doc seems to think we'll make 30 weeks, but they could come pretty much anytime between now and 35w.

My question for you ladies is what I will need in the days immediately following their birth. I don't plan on bringing a Boppy or NB outfits, and don't want to overpack, but I also don't want to be stuck over an hour from home without important stuff. Do they have you start pumping right away? Do you need nursing bras/ pads/ tops/ nipple cream soon after birth? Anything else that helped you get through that first week in the NICU? I want to have a bag in the car in case I am admitted at any time.

Thanks for your insight!

yinyang124 · December 2012

You could still bring a boppy for holding/cuddling them in the NICU. The nurses gave me a bunch of blankets to prop my arms up, but I really wish I had my boppy those first few days. I would definitely bring a nursing bra or regular bra and some pads because you will want to start pumping right away. You could also bring some receiving blankets from home for the babies' isolettes and preemie snap-up pjs if you have any.

Jeep Doll · December 2012

Our hospital had a store where I could buy nursing bras and stuff like that. I sent DH to Target to get some nursing tanks while I was in the hospital. I created my own hands-free pumping bra with an old bra that still fit (cut slits where the nipples are). Maybe bring something to personalize their NICU area, maybe a blanket or teddy bear or something.

Hope they stay in to cook as long as they can!

lovekatespade · December 2012

Thank you both for the suggestions to personalize their NICU area! I wouldn't have thought of that and I know it will make me feel good to have something like that there for them.

Hopefully we'll go another 6+ weeks and won't have to be there too long, but I'm a planner and will feel much more settled and calm if I have myself set up to go in at any time.

AndBabyWouldMake5 · December 2012

You are ahead of the game already... I didn't have a bag packed! I quickly packed but there were things I didn't think of or have on hand.

A few things I sent DH to Target for for me... a LONG soft robe so you can wear it with a nursing bra or tank and not show off the goods, flip flops for me b/c I showered right away and wore them as slippers too, Magazines to read, and he made up a big resuable grocery bag of snacks and juices too.

For her... preemie and newborn sleep and plays with snaps, and some blankets people had given us for her little bassinet.

I'd say overpack and leave it in the car. You never know what you will want until you are in the situation.

rednelson · December 2012

I'm sure this is already on your list but I thought I'd mention a camera. I didn't expect to be admitted (or be having my LO that soon either) so we had to get by with the cameras on our phones for a few days until my husband was able to drive home. Also, a journal or something to write down firsts-I really wish I had kept better track of the milestones he hit while in the NICU. Good luck!

PhDMomma · December 2012

I would bring some clothing for yourself. While still in the hospital I was allowed to wear my own clothing, which was nice when I went to the NICU which was on another floor of the hospital. I brought some maternity tee shirts, black stretchy yoga pants (nice if you happen to bleed through), a cardagin sweater, and some socks. I also brought some underwear that I didn't love. They give you that mesh pair, but I'm pretty petite, so they were rather massive and kept falling down. Socks were nice when I was in labor, my feet got cold. I packed some normal toiletries, like shampoo and toothpaste....it was nice to shower when it was all over in my room. I wear contacts, so my glasses were nice. I know this sounds like a long list, but actually, it was stuff that I manically threw into a bag after my water broke while my husband was in the shower. One thing that would have been really nice, was one of those doughnut pillows to sit on in the NICU, I had an episetomty for the forceps after my son went into distress, long story short, I had alot stitches in a place when I didn't really want them.

Good luck, and hope that your NICU stay is short and uneventful.