Hospital Bag- Help me understand

Kondasa · July 2014

This is not meant to be an UO because I am really trying to understand the whole hospital bag thing. Last pregnancy I packed a big old bag at 34 week and waited for fast acting labor so I could grab it and run to the hospital. That is just not how it happened for me. Not only did I over pack for the 3 days, but didn't wear anything at all until I was told I could leave. Here was my experience with the bag:

1. The hospital kept the baby in their white hospital onesies so other than the take home outfit baby clothes weren't needed

2. The hospital provided everything for the baby and wanted to use their stuff only

3. They asked that I stay in the hospital gown the entire time because they wanted to check me continually. I was also nursing and it was easier for me and for the lactation consultant. I packed a lot of pants and for c-sections they want you in dresses or gowns.

4. They even proscribed particular underwear for me to wear (the good old mesh stuff)

5. I had a lot more time to throw a bag together at the last minute than I originally thought I would.

6. DH left the hospital every day and would bring me things if I needed something different.

Anyway, this time around I am not going to hold my favorite things in a bag while I wait for either labor or my c-section date, but rather go with the flow the day of.

Am I totally crazy and missing something? Does your hospitals do things totally differently?

rockyrollgirl · July 2014

I see the hospital bag as things you want, but don't necessarily have to have. The hospital provides pretty much everything you need and mine gave me a list of things I should bring.

Based on my experience: I am bringing my own nursing pillow and my own robe. Other then that it is toiletries and clothes to go home in.

marathonmommy82 · July 2014

I'm only bringing:

toiletries/ make up

clothes for me (nursing nightgowns and PJs)

boppy

going home outfit for LO

camera

phone

little gift "from" the baby to DS

I do like to wear my own clothes because I'll have visitors (I guess it's an UO --- I LIKE having people visit!).

chase16 · July 2014

I've been kinda thinking the same thing. I was telling DH last night that I didn't actually plan on packing a bag until I go into labor.. Seeing as how I can't actually go to the hospital until my contractions are 3-5 minutes apart..and I don't really foresee needing that much: toiletries, glasses, book, ipod, phone charger, yoga pants and a tee shirt. Pretty much what I would pack to stay overnight somewhere. I estimate that all of this will take me less than 10 minutes to grab. Someone on here yesterday mentioned they were bringing their hair straightner.. That seemed a little much for me.. but to each their own.

However- I do understand that some people like to be prepared and having a bag packed gives them peace of mind. Also, my hospital is only 10 minutes away from home, I know other peoples' can be much farther, so running back home to pick up something isnt as easy.

kiley820 · July 2014

We have the diaper bag packed for baby. Coming home outfits (different sizes), A&A blanket, a few diapers & wipes in case we need them on the way home.

For us....not a thing. I've had good intentions of packing but for some reason I just haven't done it yet. I plan on bringing PJ's, an outfit to come home in, clothes for SO, maybe my Kindle, camera and a few snacks/ change for the vending machine. I did buy travel size shampoo/ conditioner and both of us toothbrushes and toothpaste. I plan to grab phone chargers and make up bag on the way out, just in case

The hospital provides everything we need so I'm not too worried and if anything I can always have my sister drop by anything I may need.

alphaxi614 · July 2014

I'm sure I completely over packed my bag, I'm notorious for it. But for me it comes down to I want to be comfortable, and I want to feel presentable when people come visit. I know I am going to have visors in the hospital and if I don't have a shower and at least a little make up and real clothes on I am not comfortable seeing people. Also I am picky about my underwear so probably won't wear the hospital gives me, LOL. Then again I'm a FTM and may be to gross to care, who knows!

Valancyy · July 2014

I only pack a going home outfit for the baby (2 actually, depending on the weather).

For myself, I change out of the gown after I shower. I like being in my own clothes better, plus I find breastfeeding annoying in the gowns. I can never snap the arms up correctly.

I only bring toiletries that I'll need, stuff like camera, batteries, cash.

I totally overpacked for my first baby, this time around I have the bare minimum.

Plus...I have fast labors so I definitely want to be ready ahead of time.

jamjoyful · July 2014

I know I overpacked this time but with road construction we are averaging 90 minutes away from our hospital. I wanted to make sure we would be comfortable in any situation and wouldn't be making runs to the store for things we already had at home.

jamielcall · July 2014

I packed more for SO since he won't be going home...I know me and the baby will be takin care of so I want him to be comfy too. I'm just bringing clothes to go home in and a laptop to Skype my family who is 2000 miles away. And of course baby's going home outfit. It's been known in my family to be at the dr and sent to the hospital due to high blood pressure and with my dr and hospital both being an hour away I figured it was better to just be packed.

shutaff · July 2014

The nurse who taught our childbirth class encouraged us to bring our own clothing/ blankets for baby, so I am assuming they either don't provide any clothing or have a limited supply. She also encouraged us to bring our own clothing and comfort items so that felt more "at home" during our stay.

Hospital gowns are always falling off the shoulders enormous on me, and there is no way I would feel comfortable in one walking the halls (which they do require some of) or even around my room with visitors present.

We live 30-40 minutes from our hospital, so my husband won't be coming home.

Knowing all of this, I am working on having a bag packed in advance just in case. I will end up putting a lot of things I use daily in there when I actually go in labor though.

Jenrileysmom · July 2014

I don't even remember my hospital bag from the last time. I know it wasn't a huge concern of mine but I must have had one packed because I had clothes to put on right after I got a shower and I put on makeup. I packed some mouse to just scrunch my hair and let air dry instead of worrying with a hair dryer or anything like that. I know I brought a cute outfit for DD and a snowsuit (haha she was born in December but it was like 60 degrees the day we left) I don't remember much else.

I don't have anything packed yet. I'm not too worried about it except that it will be on a day that I hardly have any clean clothes to pack. I do have a new overnight bag that I got for Christmas and I love. I haven't used it yet so I'm excited to get to use it.

PecanSam · July 2014

Kondasa said:
This is not meant to be an UO because I am really trying to understand the whole hospital bag thing. Last pregnancy I packed a big old bag at 34 week and waited for fast acting labor so I could grab it and run to the hospital. That is just not how it happened for me. Not only did I over pack for the 3 days, but didn't wear anything at all until I was told I could leave. Here was my experience with the bag:

1. The hospital kept the baby in their white hospital onesies so other than the take home outfit baby clothes weren't needed
2. The hospital provided everything for the baby and wanted to use their stuff only
3. They asked that I stay in the hospital gown the entire time because they wanted to check me continually. I was also nursing and it was easier for me and for the lactation consultant. I packed a lot of pants and for c-sections they want you in dresses or gowns.
4. They even proscribed particular underwear for me to wear (the good old mesh stuff)
5. I had a lot more time to throw a bag together at the last minute than I originally thought I would.
6. DH left the hospital every day and would bring me things if I needed something different.

Anyway, this time around I am not going to hold my favorite things in a bag while I wait for either labor or my c-section date, but rather go with the flow the day of.

Am I totally crazy and missing something? Does your hospitals do things totally differently?

I completely agree with you!!!!!

I believe I could wear my own nightgown after I give birth, but with all the blood and fluid the first time, not sure I want to.

The hospital provided everything for baby. I only took a take home outfit the first time and that's all I'll take this time.

I'm having a c-section but really could go into labor in my own and will have to leave right away for hospital, but still feel I can pack at that moment.

My husband came home everyday as well and will this time too. He can bring anything I may need. Or any other family member can too.

I have written out a list of what I need to pack for my 2yo, since she will be staying at my sister's.

So I'm with you. I don't understand the overpacking and the packing early;)

kmontem · July 2014

My water broke with my first, and I had no bag packed. I threw some random toiletries in a bag while holding a towel like a diaper, and headed to the hospital. Not only was I stuck in a gown the entire time (which wasn't my favorite for visitors), I also hadn't packed a going home outfit - my parents had to pick one up and bring it to the hospital unwashed.

With my second, I had a few things put aside, but hadn't really packed a full bag because I figured I had more time. I did have clothes to wear, which made a huge difference, but was missing half my toiletries and my husband had zip (we were almost an hour away from the hospital).

Sometimes it's nice to have one less thing to think about if things get rushed!

Weezy2012 · July 2014

I know that I personally have a tendency to overpack so I have been trying reaaaaaaallly hard to only bring things I will use (I am a FTM). We have a pile of stuff by the front door and it is mostly extra pillows and the DSLR camera/equipment. About one third of my bag though is my pump and all the accessories because I was told that the lactation consultants would spend time with me showing me how to use it-----anyone else do this?? Was it worth it or should I just leave it at home and pack a much smaller bag?

Edit: also forgot to ask but our hospital website recommends that you only have a tiny bag of items needed for labor that you bring it when you get admitted and leave all else in the car until after birth. In your experience, is that what you did or did you just bring it all in with you?

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