Hospital Bag Lists

[preppy]

What are you packing/have you packed in your hospital bag? Now that I have all the items I need at home this is my new obsession. This is my current list, though I won't be packing it for another 3ish weeks. I plan on packing all the baby items in her diaper bag and leaving that and the boppy in the car until we need them.

Clothing:
Sports Bra (for if I use the Jacuzzi Tub during labor)
2 nursing tanks
1 pair yoga pants
1 open sweater/wrap
1 nightgown 
1 robe
1 pack undies
Shower flip flops
Slippers
Snacks:
larabars
mini bags trail mix
Tervis tumbler with straw
mini bottle champagne
Electronics:
Laptop with charger
iPhone with charger
MiFi with Charger
DSLR Camera
Other:
Headband
Toiletries Bag (dry shampoo, chapstick, toothbrush/toothpaste, face wipes, deodorant, bb cream, concealer, shampoo/conditioner, body butter, loose powder, mascara)
Reusable Shopping Bag (for items to bring home from hospital)
Boppy
Baby:
"newborn" Onesie (says newborn on it, for pics)
Swaddle blanket
2 headbands
Going Home Outfit (another current obsession)
Pages from footprint frame (get her footprint and handprint while we are in the hospital)
Baby Book (same as above)

[mannah]

This sounds like a great list. I would add some snacks for your husband. I would also bring your own pillow from home for yourself in a ratty old pillowcase, because the hospital ones are not going to be comfortable. Don't forget Chapstick.

[ellipsis]

Birth plan
Pediatrician contact info
Driver's license and health insurance card
Lanolin (if your hospital doesn't provide it, or only provides a small amount)
Dollar bills and coins for vending machines
Trash bag to bring home dirty clothes
Socks to wear during labor if your feet tend to get cold

I have also set aside clothes (and an old towel) I can wear/use on the way to the hospital or to change in to once contractions start just in case my water breaks.

Have you done the hospital tour yet? They might also give you a good list of what to bring.

[dcn]

Chapstick. Between pushes I made DH put chapstick on my lips lol.

Good list! I ended up just wearing the hospital gown and undies for most of my stay.

[polarbearfans]

Looks good. I just wore my hospital gown the whole time with a robe I threw on for guests. The only items I really used were my shower stuff and my going home outfit for me and the baby, I used the hospital clothes and blankets for the baby while there. Loved the little tshirts they had for the baby. Easy to open for skin to skin.

I used my iPad a bit, but mainly spent my time feeding the baby or trying to sleep.

[miamigirl]

Thanks for this post! That is a great list. I'm in the process of packing my bag so this helps a lot!

[Koala]

Great list! I'm starting to think about this, too!

[preppy]

Aug 3, 2015 8:19:36 GMT -5 ellipsis said:

Birth plan
Pediatrician contact info
Driver's license and health insurance card
Lanolin (if your hospital doesn't provide it, or only provides a small amount)
Dollar bills and coins for vending machines
Trash bag to bring home dirty clothes
Socks to wear during labor if your feet tend to get cold

I have also set aside clothes (and an old towel) I can wear/use on the way to the hospital or to change in to once contractions start just in case my water breaks.

Have you done the hospital tour yet? They might also give you a good list of what to bring.

These are some good additions, other than the birth plan those will be on the list! We did the hospital tour and they said we basically only "have" to bring ourselves, a going home outfit, and a carseat. 

[Muddled]

OMG, you are so freaking organized. I think the only things I am planning on bringing that you don't have on your list are a pillow and a yoga/birthing ball.

[mannah]

Aug 3, 2015 9:31:05 GMT -5 preppy said:

Aug 3, 2015 8:19:36 GMT -5 ellipsis said:

Birth plan
Pediatrician contact info
Driver's license and health insurance card
Lanolin (if your hospital doesn't provide it, or only provides a small amount)
Dollar bills and coins for vending machines
Trash bag to bring home dirty clothes
Socks to wear during labor if your feet tend to get cold

I have also set aside clothes (and an old towel) I can wear/use on the way to the hospital or to change in to once contractions start just in case my water breaks.

Have you done the hospital tour yet? They might also give you a good list of what to bring.

These are some good additions, other than the birth plan those will be on the list! We did the hospital tour and they said we basically only "have" to bring ourselves, a going home outfit, and a carseat. 

Just out of curiosity, how come no birth plan?

[preppy]

Aug 3, 2015 9:39:44 GMT -5 Muddled said:

OMG, you are so freaking organized. I think the only things I am planning on bringing that you don't have on your list are a pillow and a yoga/birthing ball.

I am becoming a crazy person. Pillow is now on the list and they have birthing balls at the hospital.

This weekend I also order samples for birth announcements and am finalizing all the addresses I will need and using the label printer at work in the upcoming weeks to get all the address labels done so when they are ready I just have to slap the sticker on the envelope. Clearly I have gone insane. 

[preppy]

Aug 3, 2015 9:42:44 GMT -5 mannah said:

Aug 3, 2015 9:31:05 GMT -5 preppy said:

These are some good additions, other than the birth plan those will be on the list! We did the hospital tour and they said we basically only "have" to bring ourselves, a going home outfit, and a carseat. 

Just out of curiosity, how come no birth plan?

My plan is just have a baby, so I didn't feel strongly about writing it down:)

[D2M]

Your list looks great. I remember asking if my hospital had hairdryers. I'm pretty sure they did, but I packed my flat iron (#vain). That first post-delivery shower was amaaaaaaazing. (It wasn't until the next day.)

Muddled, your hospital may provide yoga/birth balls. Mine did.

[Muddled]

Aug 3, 2015 9:57:05 GMT -5 D2M said:

Your list looks great. I remember asking if my hospital had hairdryers. I'm pretty sure they did, but I packed my flat iron (#vain). That first post-delivery shower was amaaaaaaazing. (It wasn't until the next day.)

Muddled, your hospital may provide yoga/birth balls. Mine did.

It does, but they may or may not be available, so I will probably bring my own. It won't be a big deal deflated.


preppy, announcements? You have officially gone off the deep end. lol.

[preppy]

Aug 3, 2015 9:57:05 GMT -5 D2M said:

Your list looks great. I remember asking if my hospital had hairdryers. I'm pretty sure they did, but I packed my flat iron (#vain). That first post-delivery shower was amaaaaaaazing. (It wasn't until the next day.)

Muddled, your hospital may provide yoga/birth balls. Mine did.

Good call. I am going to pack my travel hair dryer. Can I have drybar do a hospital visit? Lol. Kidding. Kinda.

[preppy]

Aug 3, 2015 10:07:59 GMT -5 Muddled said:

Aug 3, 2015 9:57:05 GMT -5 D2M said:

Your list looks great. I remember asking if my hospital had hairdryers. I'm pretty sure they did, but I packed my flat iron (#vain). That first post-delivery shower was amaaaaaaazing. (It wasn't until the next day.)

Muddled, your hospital may provide yoga/birth balls. Mine did.

It does, but they may or may not be available, so I will probably bring my own. It won't be a big deal deflated.


preppy, announcements? You have officially gone off the deep end. lol.

I have gone mad. I know. 

[noodleoo]

preppy, you are so organized! I love it! Must be the event planning background.

I will say that I had a suitcase packed with all sorts of stuff like your list and I used almost none of it. The only things I used wee toiletries and flip flops. I never left my room and wore the hospital gown the whole time, pretty much topless/open in the front because my nipples hurt so bad! It was a good thing I packed for my H though, he needed clothes, shoes, used the iPad, etc.

I'd also recommend packing a going home outfit for the baby that is easy to get on. I packed a really cute outfit, but we couldn't get it on her! They kind of rushed us to checkout by a certain time. Luckily I had a backup zip up sleeper so we just used that. She was big too, so I was glad it wasn't newborn size.

[preppy]

noodleoo if you are around let me know if you have any hospital specific suggestions since you delivered at the same place:)

ETA: Literally posted this as you posted. Ha. 

[ellipsis]

Aug 3, 2015 10:09:22 GMT -5 preppy said:

Aug 3, 2015 9:57:05 GMT -5 D2M said:

Your list looks great. I remember asking if my hospital had hairdryers. I'm pretty sure they did, but I packed my flat iron (#vain). That first post-delivery shower was amaaaaaaazing. (It wasn't until the next day.)

Muddled, your hospital may provide yoga/birth balls. Mine did.

Good call. I am going to pack my travel hair dryer. Can I have drybar do a hospital visit? Lol. Kidding. Kinda.

Do you live in New York? This is a thing.
www.nytimes.com/2015/08/06/fashion/along-with-babies-hairstylists-are-arriving-in-hospitals.html?smid=tw-nytimes

[polarbearfans]

Aug 3, 2015 9:54:33 GMT -5 preppy said:

Aug 3, 2015 9:42:44 GMT -5 mannah said:

Just out of curiosity, how come no birth plan?

My plan is just have a baby, so I didn't feel strongly about writing it down:)

Haha that was my plan too! I probably should have wrote a few things down that I forgot in the moment. Like I wanted more skin to skin time when she first came out but was so shocked in the moment that I had them take her away after 5-10 minutes to clean her up. My husband said I looked terrified lol

I also forgot to tell the hospital no visitors. They will keep everyone out if instructed. My in-laws were outside the delivery room waiting. They almost barged in. My husband had to escort them out of the hospital so they could take me up to my room. my husband wasn't supposed to tell them until after the baby came so we would have a 3 hour buffer for bonding time and getting settled. He apparently sent a text to them when I told him we would be going to the hospital after he showered (Had bloody show, was already 5cm days prior, didn't want to risk not getting to hospital on time for epidural). So of course they ignored him telling them we would let them know when they could visit, which I knew they would do because that is the type of people they are. I was so stressed out the first week because of them. I didn't want them around at all. They are nice enough, but I am a private person and i needed time to adjust after giving birth.

[miamigirl]

Aug 3, 2015 10:20:30 GMT -5 ellipsis said:

Aug 3, 2015 10:09:22 GMT -5 preppy said:

Good call. I am going to pack my travel hair dryer. Can I have drybar do a hospital visit? Lol. Kidding. Kinda.

Do you live in New York? This is a thing.
www.nytimes.com/2015/08/06/fashion/along-with-babies-hairstylists-are-arriving-in-hospitals.html?smid=tw-nytimes

Ohhhh. I want that!

[preppy]

Aug 3, 2015 10:20:30 GMT -5 ellipsis said:

Aug 3, 2015 10:09:22 GMT -5 preppy said:

Good call. I am going to pack my travel hair dryer. Can I have drybar do a hospital visit? Lol. Kidding. Kinda.

Do you live in New York? This is a thing.
www.nytimes.com/2015/08/06/fashion/along-with-babies-hairstylists-are-arriving-in-hospitals.html?smid=tw-nytimes

Ooooohh. I live in Boston not NY. I want this! 

[preppy]

Aug 3, 2015 10:21:07 GMT -5 polarbearfans said:

Aug 3, 2015 9:54:33 GMT -5 preppy said:

My plan is just have a baby, so I didn't feel strongly about writing it down:)

Haha that was my plan too! I probably should have wrote a few things down that I forgot in the moment. Like I wanted more skin to skin time when she first came out but was so shocked in the moment that I had them take her away after 5-10 minutes to clean her up. My husband said I looked terrified lol

I also forgot to tell the hospital no visitors. They will keep everyone out if instructed. My in-laws were outside the delivery room waiting. They almost barged in. My husband had to escort them out of the hospital so they could take me up to my room. my husband wasn't supposed to tell them until after the baby came so we would have a 3 hour buffer for bonding time and getting settled. He apparently sent a text to them when I told him we would be going to the hospital after he showered (Had bloody show, was already 5cm days prior, didn't want to risk not getting to hospital on time for epidural). So of course they ignored him telling them we would let them know when they could visit, which I knew they would do because that is the type of people they are. I was so stressed out the first week because of them. I didn't want them around at all. They are nice enough, but I am a private person and i needed time to adjust after giving birth.

On the tour they said they do immediate skin to skin unless instructed otherwise. And no visitors are allowed in the labor/delivery area only once you are in the recovery area. Thankfully both sets of parents/in-laws also live 1.5-2 hours away so we will call them after she is born and then they can come. By then we should be in recovery.

[D2M]

Aug 3, 2015 10:09:22 GMT -5 preppy said:

Aug 3, 2015 9:57:05 GMT -5 D2M said:

Your list looks great. I remember asking if my hospital had hairdryers. I'm pretty sure they did, but I packed my flat iron (#vain). That first post-delivery shower was amaaaaaaazing. (It wasn't until the next day.)

Muddled, your hospital may provide yoga/birth balls. Mine did.

Good call. I am going to pack my travel hair dryer. Can I have drybar do a hospital visit? Lol. Kidding. Kinda.

You may not need to pack the travel dryer.  A lot of hospitals have them already.  But good to check!

[preppy]

Aug 3, 2015 10:24:58 GMT -5 @abbycobb said:

Aug 3, 2015 9:31:05 GMT -5 preppy said:

These are some good additions, other than the birth plan those will be on the list! We did the hospital tour and they said we basically only "have" to bring ourselves, a going home outfit, and a carseat. 

For the car seat - make sure you're also comfortable strapping a baby into it. Maybe that sounds dumb, but we did the car seat check several weeks before and I had kind of forgotten what she'd said about how tight it should be and such. I was so nervous strapping him in there the first time. The nurses weren't allowed to help, and I was kind of an emotional mess leaving the hospital as it was. Maybe other people aren't as clueless as I was though

We got ours yesterday, I have no real clue how to use the thing yet. I will be sure to practice on a stuffed animal. I can see me getting stressed about this as people watch!

[noodleoo]

Aug 3, 2015 10:10:51 GMT -5 preppy said:

noodleoo if you are around let me know if you have any hospital specific suggestions since you delivered at the same place:)

ETA: Literally posted this as you posted. Ha. 

Haha!  The hospital does have hairdryers, the hotel kind that are built into the wall. I got an epidural so I didn't use any of the laboring devices. But they do have rooms with tubs and birthing balls and all that stuff, make sure you ask for it when you go in!  If you want to try to go without meds,  My friend told me not to tell them that you might get an epidural, because if you do they tend to put you in the rooms with showers only and not the tub.  I guess they try to save hthem for the people who are exclusively trying to deliver without meds. 

 Do you know about the parking passes? You can buy a book of five day passes for $25.   Make sure you get the one with individual passes, then you can give them to your family if they come to visit. We were only in the hospital for three days and we gave the other two to my sister to use. 

 The hospital food is really good! Especially breakfast. I didn't realize that I could order food for my husband, you just have to pay for it. So we kept having him go down to the cafeteria which was kind of dumb.  He did get Chinese takeout delivered to the hospital at one point, which was really nice! Just ask the nurses which restaurants will deliver to the hospital  

 I'll try to think if I have any more tips for you! I'm so excited for you! 

[mcfelix]

Good list! I did not use the boppy, but I did bring a hair dryer and am glad I did. The hospital had one, but I am very particular about my hair. I also brought slippers to wear, similar to what ellipsis said. Not as much for cold feet, but just so I wasn't walking barefoot from the bed to tbe bathroom. The hospital did provide nonskid socks, but I like my slippers!

Also, last time I brought a small speaker so I could stream music from my phone. I had on the Jack Johnson station while I was in labor and the nurses even commented that they liked it!

[brandienee]

Mini bottle of champagne!!! Brilliant. My favorite local winery has mini bottles of red wine. I might sneak one of those in. That would be fabulous. Or a cold beer. (I've heard that beer is good for milk production-- bonus!)

I have my hospital tour tonight. So I will have a good idea of where things are located and what I need to bring, but I love this list.

My knitting this summer has been socks for post delivery. I want my feet to feel luxurious, and I can't wait to be able to reach them, put some fantastic lotion on them and slip them into some hand knit love. Poor feet.

[preppy]

Aug 3, 2015 10:56:41 GMT -5 brandienee said:

Mini bottle of champagne!!! Brilliant. My favorite local winery has mini bottles of red wine. I might sneak one of those in. That would be fabulous. Or a cold beer. (I've heard that beer is good for milk production-- bonus!)

I have my hospital tour tonight. So I will have a good idea of where things are located and what I need to bring, but I love this list.

My knitting this summer has been socks for post delivery. I want my feet to feel luxurious, and I can't wait to be able to reach them, put some fantastic lotion on them and slip them into some hand knit love. Poor feet.

I bought this limited edition bottle for the occasion since its so cute!


www.premierchampagne.com/products/domaine-chandon-blanc-de-noirs-nautical-edition-187ml-mini-split-bottle.html

[jennistarr1]

Champagne story...my mom brought a huge bottle and well, we never opened it because of the NICU stay. So we just opened it yesterday at her baptism.

Another thing I keep mentioning to people in their labor bags (also great for things post-labor like the gym/working in the yard) is an endura cool towel that cools when you wet it. They have it on amazon and at bed, bath, and beyond.

Once they got me back in my room, I was like dying, dying, dying of overheat. My hubs was hot too but apparently some major hormone fluctuation post-delivery causes this.