We have a meeting with our doula next week and she suggested I start thinking about this. I am trying to keep it somewhat minimal so we're not schlepping a bunch of stuff we don't need, but obviously I don't want to overlook anything important. (And we live 5-10 min from the hospital so if there was something I really wanted I could always have H go get it.)
Here is my list so far. Thoughts?
For baby: - Newborn sleeper (2?) - Newborn onesie (2? 3? what do they wear while in the hospital?) - Mittens - Socks - Hat - Clothes for trip home (could be one of the sleepers listed above, or does she need actual clothes?) - Car seat (will be installed in car obvi) - Warm blanket to go over car seat
For me/during labor: - iPod + portable speaker - Birthing ball - Hair bands - Chapstick - Easy to digest snacks, water bottle - LED candles - Bikini top (for birthing tub) - Flip flops - Socks with grippy thingies on the bottom
For me/postpartum: - Nursing tanks (2) - Comfy yoga pants - Robe - Socks - Underwear - Boppy or other BF pillow - Regular pillow and pillowcase - Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush, toothpaste) - Make up bag and travel blowdryer (I am probably being optimistic here, LOL...) - Clothes to wear home (leggings and a comfy top?)
For H: - Change of clothes - Toothbrush - Pillow - Swim trunks (in case he wants to get in the shower or tub with me? I have a hard time picturing this but my hospital recommends it for water birth patients)
General: - iPad and charger - Books, magazines, etc - Deck of cards, travel scrabble board (?)
Post by timorousbeastie on Jan 10, 2014 11:11:46 GMT -5
So far, I have the following packed:
For baby: -Going home outfits (1 newborn, 1 0-3M) -1 pair of mittens -1 pair of socks -1 hat -1 receiving blanket -Car seat
For me: -Flip flops -Warm socks -Massage tools -iPod -Phone -Camera -Chargers for iPod, phone, and camera -Hairbands -Chapstick -Lotion -Massage tools and lotion -Toiletries -Change of clothes for going home -Pillows -My Brest Friend pillow -Nursing bra -Bikini top
-For H: -Change of clothes -Toothbrush -Change for the vending machines -Snacks -Bathing suit (also recommended by my hospital)
My hospital provides clothes for the baby while we are there, a birthing ball, and socks with the grippy things on them, so I won't be bringing those.
Also, at my birthing class, they recommended packing two bags - one for labor, and one for recovery. That way, you can just bring in one bag at a time, so you don't feel overwhelmed with bringing in too much at once.
Post by simpsongal on Jan 10, 2014 11:44:25 GMT -5
Your list looks good. I keep a list of the stuff I can't pack in advance (eg makeup). Only other things I'm bringing are a paci for baby (wubunub) and blanket. For me, lollipops and Popsicles. Also, breast feeding lotion and pads.
Thanks for the input! I had no idea that they provide clothes for the baby...I'll definitely slash her packing list and just bring a sleeper for the trip home.
dirty lurker here. I'm a mother-baby nurse. my hospital provides socks for the babies too, in addition to tshirt, hat, blankets. you will want your own outfit and a blanket or two for going home. I hate the mittens, they always fall off. socks stay on their hands better, but a tshirt/onesie that covers their hands is the best.
Thanks for the input! I had no idea that they provide clothes for the baby...I'll definitely slash her packing list and just bring a sleeper for the trip home.
That was going to be my main suggestion-I packed a crapton of clothes for AJ and needed all of two sleepers/outfits. One for pictures and one for the ride home (and really I could have put him in the same sleeper for both). The hat, baby kimono top, and receiving blanket he used were all provided by the hospital.
The hospital may provided slip resistant socks, I know mine did. They also provided a complimentary robe which I did NOT know about beforehand, but it was okay because I preferred the robe I brought (knee length, hospital one was full length).
What's their policy on you eating/drinking during labor? All I was allowed were ice chips so bringing snacks or a water bottle would have been a no no, but they did give me a nice huge jug with straw once I got to my PP room. I'm still joined at the hip to that thing when I'm not at work. ETA: ooh I know what I forgot. Snacks for your H. Depending on how your labor goes, he may have time to grab something to eat at mealtimes (lord only knows J did, because I was in labor all goddamn day and night) but he may not so having something on hand for him to snack on to keep up his strength as he supports you could be helpful.
I might not worry about a Boppy/My Breast Friend pillow while in the hospital-the hospital LCs should have one for you to use, and for me it took the few days I was in the hospital to figure out what worked the best for me using the hospital bed pillows as a start.
Is your H going to be going home at all after the baby is born? early on in the day I spent in labor, J realized he forgot deoderant, toothpaste, and shaving cream/razor (that's what happens when you're throwing your toiletries together at 2am I guess). I ended up sending him home for a bit once AJ and I were settled in our PP room so he was able to get that stuff, otherwise he would have been borrowing mine
Re: makeup and hair dryer...you'd be suprised. I didn't think I'd want/need my hair dryer but after my first shower the thought of blow drying my hair sounded divine so I called J and told him to bring it when he came back to the hospital later that afternoon. Doing that and putting on a touch of makeup made me feel less shell shocked and more like myself.
If you wear contacts, don't forget that stuff. Same goes for glasses if you wear them when contacts aren't in.
Underwear may not be necessary-the mesh hosptial issue underwear we all talk about may sound horrific but they may be the only thing you want remotely near that area after you give birth. Plus you don't have to worry about your own stuff getting gross.
The biggest thing that helped me was to have whatever I didn't need on a daily basis (nursing tanks, yoga pants, etc) all packed in the bag, with a written list on top of the everyday stuff that would need to get thrown in the bag-contact stuff, makeup, toothbrush/toothpaste, phone charger, etc. After my water broke (and once I had on dry pants, underwear, and a pad) I was able to grab the list and just start walking around grabbing stuff to put in my bag and it helped me feel a lot more organized when inside I was freaking the F out. Granted, it still didn't occur to me to grab my hair dryer and flat iron but I had J bring that stuff after the fact so it worked out okay
Thanks for the detailed feedback, osulori! According to my midwife I'll be able to eat and drink whatever I want at the hospital, they don't have a policy against it...but their cafeteria food is notoriously terrible, and when I had to go there for monitoring a few weeks ago there was only one vending machine on the floor and it was filled with crap. (Like, not even good "crap" like delicious candy, but weird off-brand chips and cookies. Haha.) We will definitely be packing lots of snacks for both of us!
Good to know about the hospital providing socks and BF pillow. I don't even own a BF pillow yet so maybe I'll just not worry about that for now.
If you're doing a hospital tour, you might ask which things they provide versus which things you should bring. Baby outfit, swaddle, socks and underwear for me, and giant water bottle were all provided by the hospital.
I took my boppy but left it in the car, and never used it. You might pack a 'stay in car' bag with your hairdryer etc., then if you want it you send DH down to get it. That way you don't end up lugging it into the hospital, transferring it from delivery to recovery rooms, etc.
put your pillow in a patterned case so that you don't confuse it with the hospital pillows.
In my area, hospitals only provide dry papertowel-like cloths to use as wipes, so I'm packing my own wipes.
If you want to take a camera, add that to the list. Realistically, I'll probably just use the camera on my phone (lazy).
I don't even own a BF pillow yet so maybe I'll just not worry about that for now.
I'm just thinking they should have both in the hospital for you to at least try out. I had bought a Boppy before I had AJ, but used my bed pillows at the hospital to figure out positioning and then when I got home realized the Boppy wasn't cutting it for the support I needed. My friend mentioned wanting to get rid of her My Breast Friend pillow shorty after so I bought it off her for $10 and I liked it a lot beter.
Post by Stingyshark on Jan 10, 2014 15:36:45 GMT -5
We brought several outfits for Paisley, mostly because who knows what the hell the weather would be like when we left. Our hospital only provided those kimono looking things, which I did not like - I was happy to have brought a few of our own onesies. We ended up being there for 2 nights with her.
Clothes for me, I wore the hospital gown the day she was born. The thought of getting up & attempting to put clothes on was unbearable - but my shit was so incredibly swollen moving was difficult. I wore maternity sweatpants for the last 2 days, and maternity tanks. I was SO HOT the entire time we were int he hospital. Our room had it's own thermostat, which we set at 68, and i was still burning up. Chris was freezing his ass off; he ended up going home to get jeans & a jacket. I also could not have enough chapstick or lotion, it was so dry in there. I also brought my own water cup. They gave me this pitcher thing, but it was weird, and I preferred my own cup. The hospital gave us socks w/ grippy things - they are ugly, but they work. I couldn't wear shoes, but I wore my TOMS when we went into L&D, so they were easy to slip on (my good foot..forget getting a shoe on my gimped up foot, it was so swollen).
I took shampoo/conditioner, but didn't wash my hair bc I couldn't stand that long - I could stand long enough to wash my body and that was it...and LOL at the blow dryer.. nope. I think i packed my straightner, but that was the last thing i was worried about. My hair was my last concern. I looked a hot mess, and I couldn't have cared less.
I didn't take my boppy, but chris got it from the house on one of his trips home - I can't recall if I used it or not.
I brought my kindle/laptop but never got them out.
Thanks for the input! I had no idea that they provide clothes for the baby...I'll definitely slash her packing list and just bring a sleeper for the trip home.
Underwear may not be necessary-the mesh hosptial issue underwear we all talk about may sound horrific but they may be the only thing you want remotely near that area after you give birth. Plus you don't have to worry about your own stuff getting gross.
Those damn mesh panties were a godsend. I don't even know how many pack of those things I went through..That and these giant icepack pad things. It was like the heavens opened up and the angels sang when I put a new one of those on.. Man, my shit was SO so so swollen. When I got in the shower, I felt it, and i was like HOLY SHIT WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED DOWN THERE NO WONDER IT HURTS TO BAD TO MOVE!!! OH MY GAWDDDDD.... However, I did buy some cheapo panties from target just in case.. I wore them the day after we got home - so 3 days post partum.
Is it weird that I am kind of excited about these mesh panties? Haha. Everyone raves about them. Any item of clothing I can use and not have to wash sounds good to me!
For baby: - Newborn sleeper (2?) Two, in case one gets soiled - Newborn onesie (2? 3? what do they wear while in the hospital?) This was provided by hospital, I didn't bring anything for the baby to wear at the hospital. - Mittens - Socks - Hat - Clothes for trip home (could be one of the sleepers listed above, or does she need actual clothes?) Sleepers are fine. Babies don't really need to wear "actual clothes." - Car seat (will be installed in car obvi) - Warm blanket to go over car seat
For me/during labor: - iPod + portable speaker - Birthing ball Hospital may provide this as well, mine did and it wasn't necessarily pro-natural labor. - Hair bands - Chapstick - Easy to digest snacks, water bottle - LED candles - Bikini top (for birthing tub) - Flip flops - Socks with grippy thingies on the bottom Also provided by hospital and they got pretty nasty, might be nice to have something to wear pp though.
For me/postpartum: - Nursing tanks (2) - Comfy yoga pants I might opt for knit, baggy pajama pants. I wasn't ready for any compression for a few days. - Robe - Socks - Underwear - Boppy or other BF pillow - Regular pillow and pillowcase I'd wait on this, send DH home for it if you need it. Maybe just pillowcases? - Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush, toothpaste) - Make up bag and travel blowdryer (I am probably being optimistic here, LOL...) - Clothes to wear home (leggings and a comfy top?) -Slippers
For H: - Change of clothes Sure, but since you live so close he can just run home for a shower and change. That's what mine did. I know my DH went a little stir crazy in the room after a bit and going out for a bit was good for him. DS and I tried to rest during those times. - Toothbrush - Pillow - Swim trunks (in case he wants to get in the shower or tub with me? I have a hard time picturing this but my hospital recommends it for water birth patients)
General: - iPad and charger - Books, magazines, etc - Deck of cards, travel scrabble board (?) Do you do this normally? If so, sure, if not leave it. Honestly, there isn't that much down time between the checks, learning to bf, and trying to rest (which is really, really important...I wish I'd tried to more of that!) You'll have the ipad, maybe make sure it's loaded with some movies, etc. -Camera, charger, uploading cables, etc
My thoughts are in bold. I'm a very much less in more and the only thing I'll bring next time that I didn't previously is a nursing pillow.
So for those that have delivered, did you bring your normal pillow? Someone somewhere said you may get "fluids" on it. I love my pillow and wanted to bring it, it seems like getting fluids on it would be hard to do.
I brought my reg pillows.. I did not get fluids on them. We just sanitized the pillow cases as soon as we got home.
Is it weird that I am kind of excited about these mesh panties? Haha. Everyone raves about them. Any item of clothing I can use and not have to wash sounds good to me!
For baby: - Newborn sleeper (2?) - Newborn onesie (2? 3? what do they wear while in the hospital?) - Mittens - Socks - HatWe didn't do any of this, and just did the shirt, hat, and blanket the hospital issued us. Some people prefer cuter outfits but it's not something I care about. Re: mittens, we never used them. We just kept his nails trimmed short. Our LC said their hands are like their best friends and that comments stuck with me. - Clothes for trip home (could be one of the sleepers listed above, or does she need actual clothes?) - Car seat (will be installed in car obvi) - Warm blanket to go over car seat
For me/during labor: This can vary by person but if you want all of these things then go for it - iPod + portable speaker - Birthing ball - Hair bands - Chapstick - Easy to digest snacks, water bottle - LED candles - Bikini top (for birthing tub) - Flip flops - Socks with grippy thingies on the bottom
For me/postpartum: - Nursing tanks (2) - Comfy yoga pants - Robe - Socks - UnderwearI didn't find either of these necessary. Your hospital will likely issue you a pair of mesh panties and they will be your BFF. They'll hold your giant pad in place and be snug without being binding. - Boppy or other BF pillow - Regular pillow and pillowcase - Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush, toothpaste) - Make up bag and travel blowdryer (I am probably being optimistic here, LOL...) - Clothes to wear home (leggings and a comfy top?) - snacks for later. I ate right after I had the baby (it was about 2 am) and sometimes between meals
For H: - Change of clothes - Toothbrush - Pillow - Swim trunks (in case he wants to get in the shower or tub with me? I have a hard time picturing this but my hospital recommends it for water birth patients)
I love boardgames, but I cannot picture a scenario where I'd feel like playing boardgames while at the hospital to birth a baby. Do people really do this? I feel like if you feel like playing boardgames, you got there WAY too early!
shelbyann do you really bring your own birthing ball? Mine provided (I even had an epi, but used it prior to epi). They have different sizes and pad it up.
Hmm, I have no idea actually! When we did our childbirth class, we were given a birthing ball with a nice cover and stretchy handle thing for portability, and the class was supposedly specific to our hospital, so I assumed that meant we should bring it with us. But maybe it was just meant for laboring on at home. I'll have to ask!
I love boardgames, but I cannot picture a scenario where I'd feel like playing boardgames while at the hospital to birth a baby. Do people really do this? I feel like if you feel like playing boardgames, you got there WAY too early!
Haha...I don't know, this is why I am asking! I had pictured it more for after the birth, I agree that I'm probably not going to be in a scrabble mood during active labor. I guess I am afraid we'll get bored during recovery? When I was at the hospital for monitoring, the TVs were really small and only got a few channels, and since we have no family here I don't think we'll have many (any?) visitors.
shelbyann do you really bring your own birthing ball? Mine provided (I even had an epi, but used it prior to epi). They have different sizes and pad it up.
Our hospital rep said to bring one b/c they're too hard to sterilize, so they don't provide them. Definitely ask shelbyann
I wish they provided them b/c it's going to be a pain to inflate at the hospital or to bring inflated. I'm not sure which one we're going to do (I guess we'd have to inflate at home, use it, deflate it a bit, then inflate it again). Ugh, what a PITA.
shelbyann do you really bring your own birthing ball? Mine provided (I even had an epi, but used it prior to epi). They have different sizes and pad it up.
Our hospital rep said to bring one b/c they're too hard to sterilize, so they don't provide them. Definitely ask shelbyann
I wish they provided them b/c it's going to be a pain to inflate at the hospital or to bring inflated. I'm not sure which one we're going to do (I guess we'd have to inflate at home, use it, deflate it a bit, then inflate it again). Ugh, what a PITA.
I saw a guy yesterday at the hospital bringing one that was inflated. I think We're going to keep ours inflated and just bring it in later.
With my first one I brought very little. With the second one we brought lots of baby clothes to put him in. The nurses actually commented how nice it was to see the little outfits because they don't usually get to. It was fun dressing him up. Plus my husband always gives them a really good bath because he swears they don't give a good enough bath in the hospital so we take some things for him to be able to do that. I found that a book or ipad came in handy. I can only sleep so much. With my third, there were times I read. Of course my last two were c-sections so for 24 hours I wasn't allowed out of bed.
And...I think I am the minority here or else I have weird hips and a weird shaped butt...I couldn't stand the mesh panties and changed into my own immediately. All 3 times I wore home what I wore to the hospital.
From someone who never had a chance to pack an actual hospital bag because I delivered unexpectedly early - I absolutely used my flat iron and put on my make up because we were taking pictures! And I am not one who ordinarily puts on make up but I look terrible in pictures without makeup and my hair fixed up.
I also had my mom bring flip flops because I felt I needed them to walk around the hospital room.
My hospital did not give me mesh panties! I had read so much about them on here and they never materialized. They told me to just put my regular underwear over the pads. Maybe I didnt bleed as much because I had a c-section? I had to have my mom go to Target and get me a pack of granny underwear.
I also came home in the outfit I wore to the hospital. I wore some of my other maternity clothes while I was in the hospital.
I didn't know what a breast feeding pillow was until the lactation consultant suggested the My Brest Friend which we bought after I got home. I am not picky about regular pillows to sleep on so I did not bring one of those either.
I did have my mom and husband bring me snacks and water. Our hospital had a la carte ordering so I figured out what the edible things were and just ordered those items every day. I was drinking water by the gallon and I didn't want to bother the nurses every time I wanted water and have them bring me two measly jugs.
I never used much in my hospital bag either. A few changes of clothes and granny panties for me, plus toiletries, coming home outfit for the baby and a camera.
I did use my makeup and hair dryer though. Hell no was I getting photos taken looking like a hot mess.
The last night we were in the hospital the "attempted baby kidnapping" siren kept going off. That is the last thing new parents want to hear. The next morning, Mr.Kirkette and I were like f that we need to go home now!
Our kidnap baby bracelet went off every single time I nursed.. If it wasn't touching her ankle juuuuust right the alarm went off. One night the bracelet came all the way off her leg, and the alarm never went off... Which worried H. I hated that thing.
With my first I completely overpacked. I needed very little. I cared very little about my appearance but thebig things I am making sure to pack are hygiene products such as my favorite soap, shampoo, and similar items. It was the ONLY things that helped me to feel somewhat normal and human while in the hospital. I think most people can do without tons of other stuff. I also only packed the going home outfit for my son and I wish I had actually packed him a few sleepers to dress him in. I personally recommend bringing your own swaddles (we use the newborn woombie) as I found the hospital receiving blankets to be impossible. They stressed me out! I would stay up all night wondering if I did it right or if it was going to go over his face.
Oh yes, bring flip flops for the shower and to walk around your room/the halls (to avoid blood clots!). And I was at the hospital FOREVER. Went in Monday morning for monitoring, induced Monday night, had her Tuesday afternoon, then didn't leave until Thursday night because she wouldn't pee. Finally she peed and we could go, but it was a long haul. If your stay is short, no worries. But long like mine (especially as I was there so long before she was actually born), and you will want some things to do. I was happy to have my iPad to post here, btw!
This is true. I was also there for 5 nights (2 nights before and 3 nights after) so that makes a difference too in what I felt I needed. After day 2 I was uncomfortable that I had not trimmed my nails so I had my husband bring me my nail clippers.
I was given a private room the entire time. For me that was huge.