Hospital Bag (help from non-first timers please!)

emccaulley · September 2015

Hello! I had a question for non-first time moms. In terms of yours and your SO's hospital bag, what was something you wish you brought that you didnt and/or what was something you actually did bring but didnt end up needing/using? I dont want to over pack, but i dont want to underpack either.

bethforeman · September 2015

Socks & chapstick! They gave me a pair of non slip hospital socks and they weren't comfy! I wore flipflops around the room but wish I would have brought my own socks for when I needed them in bed... & my lips got so dry (even spending 2 hours in labor & delivery this time around for a check up) I wish I would've packed it last delivery, definitely have those items added in my bag this time!

thebabyA · September 2015

I wish I would of brought my dh flip flops. Will be this time. I had back labor so I sat hours in the shower with him spraying the water on my back. It got so wet in there that his shoes got really wet and nasty. Kinda a odd thing to pack. I packed ChapStick and everything that was on the list but never used a lot of it. So really everyone is different.

tpete12 · September 2015

Don't forget about something to help him pass the time while he is not helping you. I packed magazines, crosswords and our Ipad for my SO to use. I would also suggest some snacks. My SO didn't want to leave me alone while I was in labour....even though I know he was starving

MamaOwl15 · September 2015

I wish I hadn't forgot my hairbrush last time! Also, I second the socks. The hospital socks are weird and not as comfy as my own socks. And I wish I'd brought a comfy going-home outfit because after a c-section, I didn't want to put back on the outfit I came in. I went home in the nursing gown&tribe set my mom brought me because I had nothing else! This time, I'm packing a cotton-knit dress that will stay clear of my incision.

I wish I had left the Boppy pillow in my car because I didn't end up using it.

midge519 · September 2015

A pillow and your own blanket. I love super soft blankets and having something from home is relaxing for the time after the baby is here. And their pillows suck. And some sort of snacks. You can page the nurses to bring you snacks (typically after labor since most places don't allow you to eat during) but you're at the mercy of what they have.

emccaulley · September 2015

Thank you ladies! this was a lot more helpful. I was told not to worry about stuff the hospital provided, but it sounds like its better if i bring my own so i know i'll be comfy haha

silly514 · September 2015

I agree with a lot of the above suggestions but would also say don't stress too much about overpacking. There's just really no way to tell how it will go for you and some of the extras you may not need.... Like the boppy, I didn't use mine either.... Just leave em in the car and you'll be glad it's right there if you do need it. I packed tons of snacks for my dh and he couldn't eat at all the whole time I was in labor. Also, I didn't use my own towel, blanket, or pillows because I felt so yucky/dirty, I would rather leave that feeling there than have my own stuff in the mess of the first few hours post partum. Then again, my hospital is super clean and amazing (I'm seriously so so excited about going back for this birth, husband is too) so I didn't know how I would feel about all that the first time around. I left several items in the car but wasn't mad that I had them just in case:)

kstitt0830 · September 2015

Don't bring a pillow or boppy pillows...hospitals are super gross and the last thing you wanna do when you get home is have to wash your pillow and nursing pillow...plus a boppy can really inhibit nursing for the first few days while you get the hang of things.

blsav23 · September 2015

kstitt0830 said:
Don't bring a pillow or boppy pillows...hospitals are super gross and the last thing you wanna do when you get home is have to wash your pillow and nursing pillow...plus a boppy can really inhibit nursing for the first few days while you get the hang of things.

I'm glad you said this because I was really wondering if it was needed or not while in the hospital.

MamaOwl15 · September 2015

emccaulley said:
Thank you ladies! this was a lot more helpful. I was told not to worry about stuff the hospital provided, but it sounds like its better if i bring my own so i know i'll be comfy haha

The stuff not to worry about would be pads and peri bottles and mesh undies - usually the hospital gives you those. Also stuff for baby like diapers. It's up up to you if you want your own pillow of towel or gown to wear, but j wouldn't bring your nice stuff. Hospital towels can be thin, and their pillows and blankets suck, but keep in mind that you'll be sweating and bleeding and may feel gross.

on_the_move · September 2015

Bring what is really important to you. When you visit someone are you fine sleeping on their pillows with their blankets? Then you will probably be fine with the hospital stuff. Or do you need to have a specific soap or is anything find for a few days? Bring what will make you comfortable and leave behind what isn't as important to you.

tfk0912 · September 2015

I recommend headphones so you can catch some sleep in between the nurses coming in and out.. And you need those socks and I think maybe a robe..

baconlady · September 2015

I went by the list . Although , I didn't get every single item on it. https://americanpregnancy.org/planning/packing-list/

CocoR04 · September 2015

Take what you don't mind washing as soon as you get home. I used to work at my hospital where I'm delivering and even though it's clean to the naked eye, there is so much gross stuff there. Not to be gross, but think about all the women before you who bled like crazy all over your room. I remember blood getting on the floor one time when I got up out of bed. If it happened to me, it happened to other ladies! I'm hoping not to shower there, as well and hope I can make it until I get home.

bucher1s · September 2015

I'm definitely taking shower and I plan on bringing shower shoes to avoid my feet touching the floor

EllieB82 · September 2015

I was happy I had my boppy! We were happy to have the snacks and gatorades. We also had packed things to keep busy during down time (magazine, puzzle book, etc) which we didn't really use. I had been writing in a journal during pregnancy and brought that along to write about birth before things slipped my mind.

swelniak · September 2015

kstitt0830 said:
Don't bring a pillow or boppy pillows...hospitals are super gross and the last thing you wanna do when you get home is have to wash your pillow and nursing pillow...plus a boppy can really inhibit nursing for the first few days while you get the hang of things.

I have to disagree here. I used my Boppy in the hospital and all through nursing and it was a great help. Your arms get tired! DH loved it too just to support his arms while holding him. I nursed for over a year, so I don't think it inhibited me in any way. I'll be bringing it again. It's not hard to swap out a new pillow case/Boppy cover when you get home. Our hospital is new and very clean, so I guess I didn't have the "gross" experience either.

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