FTM Hosp Back Help Please!

awc1986 · February 2014

Okily Dokily, I went hopsickle bag shopping today as I want to be prepared for every eventuality. I'm only 28 weeks tomorrow, but I don't want to leave anything to chance. Please can you experienced mamas take a look at my list and let me know what you think. 5 things to consider first:

- We live a 10 minute drive from the hospital and have many relatives in the area who can run back home if necessary.

- The hospitals over here give you absolutely nothing. No pads/disposable undies/diapers/breast pads - zilch. If you need it, you've got to bring it.

- My local hospital doesn't generally keep people more than one night unless there's a problem, or your baby is born in the night. My SIL stayed one night with her first because the Dr wasn't on duty til the morning and with her second, she went home the same day.

- Once you've delivered, you get put on a shared ward with a shared bathroom/shower and limited space for belongings. No private rooms on the NHS!

- Dad is dropping me off because DH doesn't drive and i'm not driving myself. DH will be the only person present for the L&D, but Dad will be on standby at home.

So here is my list:

2 x cheap nursing nighties

1 x PJs if i have to stay in longer

1 x dark dressing gown

1 x set of comfy daytime clothes

2 x nursing tank tops

2 x nursing bras

7 x pairs of disposable undies

15 x maternity pads

15 x breast pads

2 x pairs of regular socks

1 x pair of bed socks

1 x pair of slippers

Phone charger

Hair brush and bands

Facial cleansers and cotton wool

Shower gel (travel size)

Shampoo (travel size)

Toothbrush and toothpaste (travel size)

1 x Washcloth

A few bits of makeup (concealer, eyeliner)

Deodorant (travel size)

Glasses and 2 x sets of contact lenses

Headphones

Cardigan/hoody

Books

Flip flops to wear in shower (like i said, shared)

Small hot water bottle

For baby:

Cartons of pre-made formula (just incase)

2 x mini bottles (steralised)

2 x pacifiers

3 x newborn onesies

3 x socks/booties

1 x pair of scratch mitts

1 x hat

Going home outfit

Bag of 24 newborn diapers

Pack of 64 wipes

2 x blankets

Am i forgetting anything really obvious here or am I over-doing it? Like I say, i can leave non-essentials at home because we're only a short drive away. Any input is appreciated.

FunSizeGrl · February 2014

Camera!

boymum2014 · February 2014

If you go on Pinterest,you can search a hospital check list & maybe print one off. But this looks good to me!

awc1986 · February 2014

Of course! Camera! Though I think i'll be waiting until after delivery for any photo ops.

LLolaBean · February 2014

Chapstick. I HAD to have something for my dry lips.

ThereBeDragons · February 2014

Well first off, you can pack the baby bag individually as it should be totally unnecessary until at least 36 weeks. Before then baby usually goes into the NICU and you shouldn't have to provide supplies while baby is in there- so that bag can be brought to the hospital once baby is doing well enough to be going home soon and so your bag is lighter for early L&D visits.

I have a lot of hospital things prepped. I've been told its possible I'll wind up on hospital bed rest before baby comes- so I've got a suitcase packed for that so DH doesn't have to guess... And I have our "go" bag with basic supplies- chargers, a single change of clothes for me, and a short list of stuff to grab when we go (I have a pregnancy organizer and I have to take my p17 shots with me). Everything for the go bag fits in a small tote bag and won't clutter up the L&D triage room. If I stay longer than overnight- I can send DH home for either my bed rest suitcase (if I'll be staying long term) or he can pack me a small bag of anything I need short term.

Once I make it to 32 weeks, I'll adjust the go bag to have more of the stuff I'd want for a drawn out labour and hospital stay- but at this point there's really no point in taking a full duffle bag of stuff if I'm likely to be sent home same day or transported to the children's hospital downtown for early delivery/bed rest. If I go home quickly, I don't want to be weighted down with unnecessary clutter- and if I'm being transported it'll be via ambulance or helicopter and DH will have plenty of time to stop at home for the suitcase.

Just some random thoughts from someone who has already put way too much time/effort into hospital bags for how early it is

Chellbell20 · February 2014

I would skip even buying nursing bras until your milk comes in. Just have and take the tanks with you. I would have a few things for DH like snacks and a change of clothes, just in case labor is long or it gets dirty.

danabsd · February 2014

When you say nothing they don't even provide diapers for the baby? Where does the baby dook if you don't have time to pick up diapers? Or formula? Like they would actually let a baby starve if you don't want to BF and you don't have formula? Or mesh panties? Are you sure? Because that seems out of the ordinary...

Also, in my experience you and insurance determine how long your stay will be not the hospital.

Also, what are maternity pads?

If they really provide absolutely nothing, tucks pads, preparationH, epi foam and a peri bottle. And a couple of those crack to use vagina ice packs.

I also liked having my own pillow.

awc1986 · February 2014

I'm leaving DH in charge of snacks and beverages! He has to do something useful.

I know this is gonna sound like a really dumb question and feel free to flame me if necessary, but if my milk hasn't come in then how will I feed the baby?! I'm so confused. Please bear in mind that I have no close women in my life at the moment so I've got nobody to share this wisdom with me! Men don't know these things!

danabsd · February 2014

Also Beb spent most of the time in the hospital in a diaper and swaddle blanket(s) I doubt you'll need that many onsies.

Nmooney1 · February 2014

EDIT: sorry it threw it all in one paragraph. Not sure why. I don't feel like going back and separating it all again though

IMO, some of that stuff is not needed. The hospital supplies a lot of that for you. Check with your hospital and see if this stuff is for sure supplied - it should be. Cartons of pre-made formula.....they supply formula for you. 2 x mini bottles).....same as above. They are small formula bottles and you just screw nipples on them, which they also supply. 2 x pacifiers......not needed incase you want a specific one used. They give the big green ones. 3 x newborn onesies....not needed. Why dirty/stain your baby's clothes? Let the baby spit up all over the hospitals.

3 x socks/booties.......also supplied 1 x pair of scratch mitts.......These are needed, or you can just use their socks. 1 x hat....supplied. Bag of 24 newborn diapers.......your baby cart is stocked at all times with diapers. In fact, you can take all of the diapers home that are still in your cart on your last day. Pack of 64 wipes...same as wipes. 2 x blankets...hospital will supply you will thin blankets to swaddle, plenty to keep baby warm. and comfy. Our hospital also gave us a plain black diaper bag. We filled it with all of the left over diapers and wipes. Also the BEST nasal aspirator is the blue one from the hospital. You are allowed to take that too. FWIW: They also supply you with pads and mesh undies. I wasn't a fun of the mesh undies, I felt like they kept sticking to my incision, but they were fine for a few days.

awc1986 · February 2014

To the people who have said the hosp will supply things, they don't. I'm in the uk and using an NHS hospital and they genuinely give you nothing at all. You need to bring your own pads, undies, diapers, everything.

My SIL had her 2nd last year and the woman opposite took the "the hospital will have it" approach and ended up borrowing off other women on the ward. In the end SIL had to say no to her because she needed the stuff for herself.

purplemummy · February 2014

im in UK.
they provided 1 maternity pad straight after delivery and then as was stuck in there for a week they provided all of the formula and bottles but didn't get given a choice on the brand for the formula.
Also as ds was too small to fit into the newborn clothes i had packed for him they let me borrow their tiny baby stuff.
everything else i had to provide.
hope this is helpful and not sure if hospitals all over uk provide same things just going by what Plymouth hospital did.

awc1986 · February 2014

I'm going to the royal Surrey and they don't give anything

danabsd · February 2014

awc1986 said:

I'm leaving DH in charge of snacks and beverages! He has to do something useful. I know this is gonna sound like a really dumb question and feel free to flame me if necessary, but if my milk hasn't come in then how will I feed the baby?! I'm so confused. Please bear in mind that I have no close women in my life at the moment so I've got nobody to share this wisdom with me! Men don't know these things!

You will have colostrom in the beginning. Your actual milk is what will take a couple days.

https://www.lalecheleague.org/faq/colostrum.html

Ykford80 · February 2014

awc1986 said:

I'm leaving DH in charge of snacks and beverages! He has to do something useful. I know this is gonna sound like a really dumb question and feel free to flame me if necessary, but if my milk hasn't come in then how will I feed the baby?! I'm so confused. Please bear in mind that I have no close women in my life at the moment so I've got nobody to share this wisdom with me! Men don't know these things!

This is not a dumb question at all. You will have colostrum which is what you want to feed your baby the first few days of life until your milk supply comes in (if you plan on breastfeeding). Your baby's tummy is very small so it will not take much to feed your baby while in the hospital. The nurses should be encouraging you to breastfeed about every 2-3 hours so that your milk supply can come in (like supply and demand).

I am so sorry that the hospital you will be delivering at will not supply you or the baby with barely any supplies. Will they give you pain medication like Tylenol or Motrin for cramps? A water pitcher so that you can stay hydrated? You should definitely take a tour of the hospital so that way you can ask questions and see exactly what they will provide and what exactly you should bring. Good luck to you!

awc1986 · February 2014

They'll definitely give the basics but they just don't give you anything like pads, diapers, formula, bottles or anything you might actually need for having a baby. They keep you fed, hydrated and pain free, but that's about it. I managed to see the ward last week and its quite nice, but it is a shared ward so your privacy comes in the form of a curtain.

Thanks for all the advice ladies! And for the info on colostrum. I knew about it but I always thought it classed as your milk coming in. I'm such a n00b when it comes to motherhood.

jesstellina · February 2014

The only thing I can think of is maybe some little crossover/kimono style t-shirts for baby to wear instead of onesies. That's what babies wear at our hospital, long-sleeved ones. Then they're swaddled. Makes for easy diaper changes and doctor exams.

spinsoffresonance · February 2014

I would add Chapstick and size 1 diapers in case you have a big baby. I think you have too many clothes. I would wear the hospital gown Most of the time so you dont bleed all over your clothes. Don't bother with bras just bring nursing tanks. I was topless 90% of the time in the hospital always doing skin to skin or nursing DD.

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