How to pack your hospital bag in advance?!

lilweenie · June 2015

Im not sure if I am the only one, but I only have enough maternity clothes to last me about 10 days. 10 shirts, 2 pair of jeans, 2 pair of shorts, and one pair of leggings. I just refuse to spend money on clothes that I'm only wearing for a few months. That being said, how do I go about packing my hospital bag in advance? I feel like I am going to have to wait until my labor begins so I can do my laundry and pack my bag. Anyone else in my situation?

kate5all · June 2015

That makes sense. If you can spare one outfit for going home, though, you should be able to pack ahead of time. You can bring extra clothes for your stay, but that's not necessary. Many women choose to stay in the gowns provided by the hospital. If you have a robe and some slippers to pack (and maybe a warm sweater or sweatshirt in case the AC is blasting at the hospital), you should be good for the stay. And you might be able to get away with non-maternity clothes for your going home outfit, if they're plenty baggy. I'm using non-maternity yoga pants and a maternity shirt for mine.

Kind of depends on the kinds of clothes that will make you comfortable!

NicoleS85 · June 2015

I was in the same boat when I was trying to pack... I didn't want to pack one of the only two pair of yoga pants I can still wear with 5 more weeks out. I think ultimately I ended up packing a denim dress that I owned before pregnancy and I did wear when I was about 5-6 months pregnant. And also I found a pair of cotton pajama pants that are baggy/stretch enough and a new nursing tank top I purchased, so that I would have 2 options. I also packed a large zip up sweatshirt and a pair of slippers in case I get cold or want to walk around. I hope that helps. You may want to check out your SO lounging clothes to see if there is anything you may want to rock that he could go with out for a few weeks. I know I have used my Hubby's flannel PJs and basketball shorts from time to time.

Bugs1718 · June 2015

On average, they say you'll be about the size you were at 6 months pregnant. That seemed true for my DD so I just brought a pair of comfy cotton shorts and a baggy shirt for the drive home.

lilweenie · June 2015

Oh thanks for the suggestions! Yea I guess it would make sense to lounge in the hospital gowns and pack some non maternity clothing (that I was still wearing my first and second trimester) for going home in. In a way I feel unprepared, but at the same time I dont want to spend more money on clothing I may or may not wear!

daisyjo743 · June 2015

The clothes I am not wearing or are not in the wash, sit on top of my hospital bag so I can throw whatever is clean in the bag as and when required it was the only way I could think of!

AziaNick · June 2015

I'm not bringing any pants or shorts or anything restricting. I just packed a loose tank dress

you can even pack a fold over skirt...

Miz_Liz · June 2015

You will have plenty of time when you go into labor to pack (well, MOST moms do, unless you are one of the VERY rare ones that the baby just pops right out). Just have a good list ready of everything you need and then pack it up once labor starts. Realistically it shouldn't take more than a few minutes if you have a list beforehand - you don't need to bring much with you.

ChanceyEarp · June 2015

I recently bought a dark night gown in case I did not want to wear the hospital gown due to visitors. And I have about the same amount of clothes....only 8 shirts, 2 jeans, 1 pair of capris, and 3 dresses. Due to work and school I mainly wear the capris, jeans, and shirts and mix the style up a little. So I put one of the dresses in my bag, I figured that would be the most comfortable for me!

clairelange · June 2015

Haha - I'm the same, refusing to buy too many maternity clothes - so I literally don't have any space to pack now. Think I'll have to put a note saying to pack XYZ dress when labour starts. Otherwise, I'm only 10 mins from home and can wear what I go in wearing!!

hannakeegan · June 2015

I haven't worried at all about what clothes I'm packing, mainly just worried about what I'll need post baby, like pads and witch hazel! But I know I will be bringing slippers and a robe to the hospital and while I'm there I'm perfectly comfortable in just wearing the hospital gown because I don't want to be ruining any of my own clothes with any fluids and also don't need any more laundry to do lol.

As for going home I've heard yoga pants or tight sweats are definitely not the best choice because you'll be wearing one of the gigantic pads the hospital gives you and I don't want to be looking like I'm wearing a diaper underneath my yoga pants lol. I'm thinking I'm going to be most comfortable in a maxi dress for going home since it's easy, cute and extremely loose/non constricting.

JHaworth84 · June 2015

I packed a pair of maternity jeans in my case last time and I couldn't wear them afterwards as they were 'under the bump' and the area where the band sits was really bruised and tender (normal delivery not c section either). I think I ended up wearing my pj pants rather than wait for DH to bring an alternative... It was a two minute walk out to the car so who really saw?! I may need a CS this time as baby is currently breech, so probably pack some loose non-maternity pants in the next size or whatever x

butterfly061583 · June 2015

You really only need one outfit. I plan to wear an outfit to the hospital and I packed a gown and outfit in my bag. While I'm there I will wear the hospital gown I don't want to mess up and stain my clothes. My bag was packed over 1 month ago. I will probably leave the hospital in PJ's anyhow.

JennyJensing · June 2015

Last time, I just brought a pair of black yoga pants and a tank top or t-shirt for the ride home. It doesn't have to be anything fancy!
There are certain things I won't be able to pack until I go into labor or am headed to the hospital (toothbrush, makeup, etc.), but I'm putting together a list so that I can just throw those last minute things in my bag and not be afraid that I'm forgetting something.

Thera888 · June 2015

I literally have 5-6 maternity pieces.. Jeans, dress, top and 2 t-shirts. Most of the time I wear my maternity jeans with stretchy top and sweater. Big part of my non maternity clothes still fit. Bought yoga pants and 2 nursing tops for hospital, will pack also shorts for sleeping and very light robe.

bethanylynn456 · June 2015

Last time I had to go straight from work to the hospital and hadn't finished packing my bag yet. I wound up changing right into a hospital gown and wore the outfit I came to the hospital in for the ride home (my regular jeans with a belly band and a tank).
It was totally fine but this time I am packing a pair of comfy pajamas and a robe or sweater to wear in the hospital after baby is born when visitors come. The gown was fine but I think my own clothes will make me feel a little more like myself : )

crf4 · June 2015

Started packing today (3rd baby). So far I've put a towel, pillowcase (patterned so it doesn't get mixed up with hospital ones), sleep bra, robe,
v-neck long sleep shirt for nursing in and just feeling more comfortable. First one I stayed in the hospital gown, second time I just wanted to wear my own stuff - I figure I'll bring the option just in case I feel that way again. Travel toothpaste & makeup remover. Everything else is on a list (laptop & charger, phone & charger, camera, makeup bag, flip flops ect) for either the night before c/s or the chance that I go into labor naturally my husband will know exactly what needs to be in there if I can't do it myself. I also second that I pack my own bag & bring a diaper bag. Depending on your hospital they will want you to take everything that has come into your room because they can't reuse it (diapers, paci's, snot sucker, pads ect) so baby usually ends up with a bunch of "freebies" + any gifts friends & family bring. It can feel like you're moving in even when you try to keep it to a minimum.

zmombie · June 2015

Yep I'm the same way! I have 3 pants. And 3 shirts. I have 2 bras and 3 underwear.. I have pj pants I wear otherwise.. But I just packed a little bag with travel size toiletries and if I go into labor before my scheduled c section then I can just have someone bring me a couple outfits (I can't stand hospital gowns!)

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