September 2018 Moms
SkilledSailor
member
Hospital Bags
SkilledSailor
member
It's almost time to start packing those bags! What will you be packing?
STMs, what are some items you think should definitely be in those bags? Anything you packed but could have skipped?
FTMs, do you have any questions about items you want to bring?
STMs, what are some items you think should definitely be in those bags? Anything you packed but could have skipped?
FTMs, do you have any questions about items you want to bring?
Re: Hospital Bags
- Clothes for during our stay. I ended up staying in my hospital gown as I wasn't allowed to shower due to BP issues but hopefully this time I can change into yoga pants/capris and a tank.
- Going home outfit. Basically the same as what I had brought to wear in the hospital (yoga capris and a tshirt).
- Phone charger.
- Travel toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste). I even brought a cheap toothbrush that I threw away leaving the hospital instead of bringing my daily toothbrush from home.
- FLIP FLOPS FOR THE SHOWER!! The shower was clean but I felt much better having these on my feet.
- Chapstick
- Hair brush and extra hair ties
- Nursing pads, I didn't need them the first time around but it is possible you could start leaking before leaving.
For baby
- Going home outfit. Everyone told me not to bother with NB size, but I ended up bringing both a NB size outfit and a 0-3M one. Good thing I brought the NB size because that's what he wore home. I'll bring one of each size again this time.
- Light blanket for the ride home.
- I did not need anything else for him. The hospital had all clothing, blankets, diapers, etc necessary for our use while in the hospital.
For MH
- Snacks, change for vending machines
- Change of clothes, including comfy clothes for overnight stays (MH didn't listen to me and ended up running home after DS was born to get clothes for that night's stay)
Things I remember bringing and never used
- Boppy
- Playing cards
- Music
MMC 8/5/15 at 8 weeks
DS born 9/13/16
BFP 1/13/18 - EDD 9/20/18 - It's a boy!
I would still bring any toiletries you want to actually shower, not just rinse off. Granted this may not be as big of a deal leaving after 12 hours, but being able to really shower before going home felt great.
MMC 8/5/15 at 8 weeks
DS born 9/13/16
BFP 1/13/18 - EDD 9/20/18 - It's a boy!
- You don't need separate bags necessarily, but definitely separate sections of the bag for you, baby, and husband/support partner.
- Your husband/support partner should pack a little toiletry case (to wash their face, brush their teeth, put on deodorant, etc.) and at least some clean t-shirts and underwear for a few days. I was in the hospital for a full week, and my husband was there with me!
- Check with hospital for what they provide, but for baby we literally only needed the going home outfit. But bring spares, in multiple sizes, with a variety of layers because you never know the weather! I'd also bring a little baby blanket.
- For you, I'd go ahead and pack a bag whenever you have the time/energy. There's no need to wait. Put a note on top of the bag that lists the "last-minute items" you can't pack in advance.
- Pack in advance: a basic toiletry bag--just whatever you'd normally want/use (deodorant, toothbrush, face wash, etc.); a few nightgowns that are nursing-friendly and long enough to walk around in and nursing "sleep bras" that are soft and comfy and just pull to the side--I wanted to be out of the hospital gown ASAP; a few outfits of "real clothes" such as comfy high-waist leggings and nursing tank-tops in case you feel up to it even before you're ready to go home; a couple good robes, to cover up those night gowns and nursing tanks if you're cold or modest--I'd just buy one in a size or two up from your regular size, and I love when the belt is attached so you don't worry about losing it; some trashy magazines or crossword puzzles to help kill time and have something to talk about with your support partner or a nurse if you're bored; a big water cup that won't easily spill and has a straw; some snacks like granola bars just in case--can be shared with your husband/support partner; an extra pair of glasses if you wear them.
- Last-minute items: phone and charger, ipad and charger (download movies and mindless tv shows in advance, just in case).
A few tips:I would bring a comfy loose outfit you don’t mind possibly bleeding on (read: dark colors!) if you don’t want to wear the hospital gowns. And then loose going home outfit. Plan to look and feel about six months pregnant when you leave!
I suck at using a swaddle blanket so I’ll bring a newborn swaddle pod and use the hospital baby shirts. And then a going home outfit for each sex since we are Team Green.
I highly recommend bringing a pacifier. Though I wanted to not use one, DS was comfort nursing for three hours straight in the MOTN the second night and the nurses refused to give me one at first. My nipples were cracked and bleeding and they expected me to just keep comfort nursing because of potential “nipple confusion.” DH threatened the nurse to bring a pacifier, which she eventually did when we mentioned filling out our patient survey as dissatisfied. We all got sleep, and DS did just fine. The Soothie kind is good to mimic mom’s nipple, and just try not to use it in place of actually feeding your baby.
Skip any diapers, wipes, or postpartum supplies. The hospital will provide all of that...make sure you bring a bag big enough to stuff with extras to go home with. I shamelessly stole everything I could from the hospital room/bathroom.
Do bring toiletries you prefer, as hospital soap, shampoo, deodorant etc. sucks big time!
Other than that, consider if you want headphones, music player, etc. And a camera if you aren’t using your phone for pics. Oh, and maybe snacks for dad. But honestly, they are grownups and can fend for themselves!
I didn’t bring our boppy pillow last time and am planning to this time. DD was so tiny and we had a hard time nursing, so anything to make that more comfortable!!
For me, having music was essential to my labor and birth experience. I have a bunch of playlists I’ll be using again: for early labor (girl power and love songs) active labor (instrumental music that flows and encourages gentle movement like swaying or walking) pushing (more instrumental music with intense tempos and a celebratory feel) and after baby is born (this one is mostly ‘music box lullabies’)
I’m a music therapist, and music has always been an important part of my life. DH will be retrained on how to access the music and which playlists are for what in case I’m unable to be in charge of it.
I also want to bring some LED candles and essential oils, maybe some labor mandalas I’ll draw for visuals; anything to make the space for labor feel safe and mellow!
My "maybe" items are long wrap and a book.
I highly suggest you don't take anything that you are worried about losing or getting blood on. And ditto about skipping post partum supplies and diapers.
Labor Bag:
- snacks (for DH but I snuck some here and there)
- flip flops to walk around during labor
- phone charger
- cheat sheet I got from my birthing class with good laboring positions
- camera
- chapstick
Overnight Bag:
- comfy clothes to lounge in (nursing tanks)
- toiletries
Baby:
- afghan for newborn pics in hospital
- sleepers to wear in hospital
- going home outfit
- pacifiers
Honestly, that’s it. DH is in charge of his own bag. I absolutely agree with what a PP said regarding packing everything you can early and then putting a list of last-minute adds on top of the bag so you don’t have to worry about what you might be forgetting.
to run home or maybe to walmart at some point to grab stuff.
So I’m glad this thread is here as a refresher! I wore my own clothes the whole time last time, but I don’t think I wore pants until it was time to go home... I have no shame and no one was around for potty breaks besides dh and nurses, mesh panties all.the.way.
bfp#1-10/29/12,EDD: 7/3/13. nothing found @ 1st u/s, natural mc 12/10/12. "Bean"
bfp#2-5/10/13! EDD: 1/18/14. "Peanut" Arrived 1/13/14. Diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis
bfp#3- 9/26/14. EDD: 5/7/15. no heartbeat found @ 1st u/s, natural mc 10/23/14. "Little Bug"
**Psalm 139:16**
For me:
Chapstick
Lactaid pills
Phone charger
Nursing tanks
Yoga pants
Undies
Shower toiletries
Deodorant
Tooth brush/tooth paste
Snacks
Flip flops
Comb/brush/hair ties
Pads to go home?
Baby:
Going home outfit
Light blanket
Hat?
Socks?
H:
Change of clothes
Deodorant
Toothbrush
Phone charger
We kept it pretty basic. This time I'll bring a boppy/mybrestfriend pillow and maybe a donut pillow to sit on since tearing/episiotomy hurts like a bitch. Also will consider sleep mask since I like my room to be dark. I never sleep well in a hospital so I'll just give up on that ahead of time lol.
It was one of those things I packed but left in the car. If I needed it MH could run out and get it. I had enough pillows in the hospital I never had him go get it though.
MMC 8/5/15 at 8 weeks
DS born 9/13/16
BFP 1/13/18 - EDD 9/20/18 - It's a boy!
Me: basic toiletries, 2 nursing tanks, gym shorts, maybe some sort of dress for labor? I really hated the gown (I'll check with the doctor), music didn't really work for me last time so I'm going to try and watch a movie, flip flops, phone charger, camera
Baby: a newborn outfit and a 0-3 mo outfit, blanket for the car
DH: he is on his own
Hospital gave us: everything baby needed while staying (plus stuff to take home), post partum care items for me, food for me and DH
I agree with a lot of the above. Long phone charger, boppy, pillow from home, flip flops, an outfit for baby.
My kiddo was in NICU and they asked me if I had receiving blankets and outfits so we went out and bought those. I feel much more prepared this time and will bring those items with me for sure.
I didnt bring any snacks and it was fine. My hospital had big giant straw cups that were awesome. I would almost ask ahead of time of these are supplied in the mother baby unit and if not for sure bring one of your own.
I guess I should think about packing my bag.
I probably should come up with a couple of names and buy a crib for this kid before packing a hospital bag BUT the non-obvious things on my list this time around will be:
-an extra-long phone cord
-earbuds (didn't expect to want/need, but ended up using my husband's during labor to listen to my Hypnobabies audiobook)
-a hairbrush
-a cute swaddle blanket for pictures
-a newborn hat (I don't like the hospital ones)
-nursing-friendly shirts that I actually feel presentable in since my in-laws will likely be visiting this time
-gift "from the baby" to big brother
Married 5/2015
BFP 11/27/2015 - EDD 8/4/2016
BFP 1/6/2018 - EDD 9/19/2018
Me:
Pretty Pushers delivery gown (this was gifted to me and was AWESOME for delivering DD2!)
Robe (I splurged on a pretty one this time!)
flip flops
basic toiletries/make up
hair ties
nursing tanks (I wear tank, robe and mesh unders during my stay)
pillow in a recognizable pillowcase (I don’t actually remember if we brought our own pillows, but they are nice to have!)
Going home outfit
Babe:
Swaddle (mine matches my robe)
Going home outfit with head accessory
Mini baby soap (I don’t use Johnson & Johnson)
Boppy pillow
DH:
Pillow
Toiletries
iPad
(mine isn’t a snacker, so we didn’t bring snacks, and he found going to the cafe a nice distraction if needed)
Misc:
Long charger
Photos of big siblings to have displayed when they meet baby (we taped ours in the bassinet)
Big sibling gift (sticker books they can do in the hospital are awesome!)
Headphones (because one of you are usually awake and that way you can hold your new babe and quietly watch a show while your partner sleeps!)
Extra bag for all the supplies the hospital will give you!
TTC since Oct 2016
DX: Undetermined possible PCOS+MFI
July 2017-Dec 2017 Letrozole+TI
Dec 2017 CP
Jan 2018 BFP:EDD 9-25
Anything "consumable" that is put in your room and opened (diapers, wipes, tucks pads, regular pads, mesh underwear, etc.) cannot be given to another patient so I took it ALL home. A friendly nurse will usually bring you extras too if you ask.
MMC 8/5/15 at 8 weeks
DS born 9/13/16
BFP 1/13/18 - EDD 9/20/18 - It's a boy!
So yes, snacks and gifts are nice but no you are not "bothering" the nurses.
P.S. I also think the 40k+ check that my insurance company cut the hospital was a pretty good thank you all on its own.
Married Aug. 2013
TTC #1 Sep. 2016
***TW***
BFP Jun. 5, 2017; MMC Aug. 2, 2017 at 11w6d
BFP Nov. 20, 2017; ended in CP
All the tests. Everything normal except treated for ureaplasma and DH potentially has high DNAF.
BFP Dec. 25, 2017; EDD Sep. 5, 2018; DD arrived Aug. 26th
My chart: https://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/63f71d
I only wear them in the hospital. They make my skin itch the longer I wear them. I thought I’d be in them all the time after DS. Nope. I lasted one day at home before I just wore my own. Same after DD. They made my skin itch.
I'll pack 1 bag for baby and I.
So for myself I'll have:
-Toiletries
-extra nursing bra (I'm already wearing them because comfy)
-swim top for the birthing pool
-nursing tank/shirt to go home in
-robe for labor and post delivery
-high rise yoga pants/maternity leggings. With my last anything that sat low around my midsection was uncomfortable for a few days.
-snacks easy on the tummy (with previous labor I was super nauseous, so be mindful of what you bring!)
-32oz shaker bottle for water and protein powder
-possibly essential oils, I need to check what my midwife and doula have on hand for births
-mesh undies and pads. May go the depends route if Amazon doesn't have what I'm looking for
-phone charger & headphones (I always have one in both vehicles so not a big concern)
-CAMERA! I love my Canon and it'll be handy for those first few photos. My doula is also a professional photographer and said she'd be happy to snap a few nice photos with mine.
For baby:
-2 onesies, 1 body suit for the trip home, 1 hat, and blanket for swaddling.
-diapers & wipes
And for the super low maintenance boyfriend:
-extra change of clothes
-snacks, snacks, snacks
-shaker bottle
I really like the idea of having snacks for everyone else involved! In our case once we're at the birth center I'll have the same 3 midwifes + my doula, regardless of how long labor and delivery take. I might have to prepare something ahead of time for them. Any ideas?!
DH: 32
Married 7/18/15
1st born at 35+4 on 6/6/16
Team green turned BLUE!
2nd born at 38+6 on 8/30/18
Team green turned PINK!
Due with #3 on 6/6/20 Team Green
bfp#1-10/29/12,EDD: 7/3/13. nothing found @ 1st u/s, natural mc 12/10/12. "Bean"
bfp#2-5/10/13! EDD: 1/18/14. "Peanut" Arrived 1/13/14. Diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis
bfp#3- 9/26/14. EDD: 5/7/15. no heartbeat found @ 1st u/s, natural mc 10/23/14. "Little Bug"
**Psalm 139:16**
@arbell615 I love that you’re a musical therapist! Music plays a huge role in my life as well. Would you mind sharing your playlist? I put H on that for labor, but would like to have a couple options since who knows what I will want to listen to when it’s actually happening.
About the mesh undies- Has anyone watched Ali Wong’s new Netflix special? She was talking about the mesh undies and how the hospital is the ONLY place that has them. I plan to take as many as I can. But if anyone finds something similar, let me know. I would like to just wash once maybe and then throw them out. (That’s assuming I have that many!)
Regarding the pushers, or any new robe.. they sound nice and comfortable.. but I would have a hard time getting one and then bleeding all over it and possibly ruining it in the first 24 hours.
I was nice to my nurses. I was polite and respectful. That's all I needed to receive excellent care. Except from that one nurse who I think was having personal issues take over her work life because they apologized and sent her home early.
MMC 8/5/15 at 8 weeks
DS born 9/13/16
BFP 1/13/18 - EDD 9/20/18 - It's a boy!