Your hospital bag

[veganontuesdays]

Stupid question Friday. FTM here so deal. Do you bring the diaper bag with too? I mean, I know they will have diapers and stuff but will I need ANYTHING that would be in the diaper bag?

[kj808]

Feb 20, 2015 13:40:21 GMT -5 veganontuesdays said:

Stupid question Friday. FTM here so deal. Do you bring the diaper bag with too? I mean, I know they will have diapers and stuff but will I need ANYTHING that would be in the diaper bag?

I didn't bring mine and I don't plan to this time either. I'd just stuff the baby's things in our duffle bag.

[madams728]

I used one if those lists last time, and I Didn't even touch half of it. It was complete overkill. So, all I'm taking is a few loose nightgowns, robe, slippers. Soft pajama bottoms and a Tshirt to wear home. Toiletries for myself and DH. I will use the mesh panties from the hospital.

I'll take two outfits for the baby, Boppy, and a blanket.

DH will pack his own bag.

[tomatopie]

Just adding that I'm bringing knee high fuzzy socks. My ankles always get cold in hospitals. Probably also bringing a pair of slippers that are on their last leg that I'll toss when we go home.

[mylittleladiesandlad]

I'm taking a rolling suitcase! It is just more practical that carrying two duffel bags (mine and DH) and a pillow. I can stick everything into one large suitcase. Along what has been mentioned I'm bringing a sign to hang on my hospital door that will have his name and birth stats, belly bandit and essential oils and diffuser.

Edit: I'm having a c-section so I'm staying 3 nights and will need more than if it was just an over night stay.

[hotcoconuts82]

I packed VERY light. Just the usual overnight stuff (toothbrush, brush, face wash...)I think I wore the same maternity pants home that I arrived in. I wore a nursing tank and a zip up hoodie home. I like the idea of a maxi skirt but there is a good chance it could still be cold here come mid May.

[smile55k]

Feb 20, 2015 13:40:21 GMT -5 veganontuesdays said:

Stupid question Friday. FTM here so deal. Do you bring the diaper bag with too? I mean, I know they will have diapers and stuff but will I need ANYTHING that would be in the diaper bag?

If you plan on stopping anywhere on your way home (like for ice cream or something, IDK), I would bring it but leave it in the car. If you are just going straight home, pass.

[CaptainLeela]

Eh, I'm not going to worry about it too much. We live 10 minutes from the hospital and DH or my mom will be going back to the house regularly to take care of the dog, so they can grab whatever I need. I'm not even sure that DH will stay the night at the hospital with me, right now the plan is to play it by ear.

Whatever I end up packing will be in a duffle bag though. For some reason I feel incredibly stupid if I have a roller bag anywhere other than at the airport.

[kmkd19]

Feb 20, 2015 15:59:55 GMT -5 CaptainLeela said:

Whatever I end up packing will be in a duffle bag though. For some reason I feel incredibly stupid if I have a roller bag anywhere other than at the airport.

I feel the same way and I don't know why. They're so much more efficient than duffel bags but I just can't.

[flyinghorses6]

Some of these lists seem excessive. Most hospitals provide everything you really need including nipple cream and nursing pads. Yes you need clothes especially to go home in but I wouldn't lose sleep over packing a bag. Heck they even have a tooth brush for you if you forget. Yes it is nice to have certain things over the hospital ones and planning early helps ensure you do have the few essentials you do need... but there's really no need to stress about packing a bag. We always have a good chuckle on my unit when a mother comes in because "the baby is coming" and they managed to pack a rolling suitcase, mini fridge and fifteen of their own pillows. (These are also usually the women who are 1 cm). Just saying...

[mylittleladiesandlad]

@blackpearl08 I definitely don't need to bring a sign, but I when I delivered my girls a lot of people had these cute signs with their children's names and stats on them. I was a wee bit jealous bc I went so early and wasn't prepared at all for them to come, let alone had a sign announcing their arrival!

[scattered]

I mean this in a very gentle way, but ladies, don't over think this. Some of these lists overwhelm me, and this is my third rodeo.

[scattered]

You can use a diffuser in your room?

[Cornflakegirl]

My plan is to have my bag set this weekend, with the exception of LO coming home outfit that I'm waiting for from etsy. My list is pretty much similar to everyone else's on here. I went looking for pajamas/ robes at motherhood today and bought two sets. They include lightweight and loose bottoms, a nursing tank and matching robe. These should be perfect for once I want to change out of my gown and welcome visitors.

[yianna]

Just a couple of things:

If you bring slippers/socks to wear during labor - be aware that if your water has broken, it will continue to leak and you'll likely 'ruin' your socks/slippers - so don't bring your favorite pair to labor in, if you plan on walking around, etc.

Bring some grannie panties for postpartum - the pads are fairly large so you def want something with room if you can. I actually ask for extra mesh underwear to bring home to wear PP for the first nights home.

Nightgowns - don't bother bringing pants/shorts to sleep in - at least not the first night. They will come in and check on you several times and check your sutures if you have them/your bleeding and they can't do that if you aren't wearing a nightgown/sleep shirt. I typically wear what the hospital gives because I'd rather 'ruin' their stuff than my own (bleeding is fairly heavy the first day).

Nursing Stuff - other than a nursing bra/tanks/pads, they will provide you with Lanolin, shells (if needed), nipple shields, etc. - you just have to ask for them

Bring extra hair ties/clips, your favorite face wash/moisturizer, some face wipes. I also bring travel size shampoo/conditioner/lotion and body wash so I can have it packed ahead of time.

I do pack baby's stuff in her diaper bag - I bring two outfits (one in NB, one in 0-3, since you don't know how big/small baby will be), a pair of sock/booties, a blanket (receiving style). I leave enough room in this bag to take home the extra diapers, formula (I end up supplementing due to inadequate supply from pcos) and anything else that they 'stock'' me with.

I will pack two outfits for going home for me too, because it will depend on how I feel, but right now, I'm living in leggings, so it'll likely be a pair of those with a comfy/loose shirt and a pair of sandals/sneakers. We shall see - it's a bit too early for me to even plan that piece!

[Renarene]

I've never heard of putting out a sign? Seems kind of weird honestly. I never even saw other people's doors while I was there... It's been a while for me though I guess.

[Renarene]

Feb 20, 2015 20:29:28 GMT -5 @blackpearl08 said:

Maybe the signs were in the NICU? I can understand that.

That's a good point. My hospital did not have a NICU.

[mylittleladiesandlad]

Here is the sign I made. Definitely a frivolous item to bring to the hospital but IDGAF. My last birthing experience sucked and I want to make things more special this time around.

[mylittleladiesandlad]

I saw these signs in the recovery part of the hospital. Signs in the NICU were made by the nurses, probably another reason I wanted to make one myself. You can find them on etsy if you search "newborn hospital door announcement"

[onceinlovewithamy]

lgsdesigner, I alawys tell FTM to bring their own towel. I had to use two hospital towels to cover myself. And they felt like sandpaper.

Also, +1 for Team Mesh Underoos. Those things are so much better more comfortable than normal Fruit of the Looms. I have to remember this time to snag more to take home.

[onceinlovewithamy]

Feb 20, 2015 11:57:01 GMT -5 @ajzmommy said:

Feb 20, 2015 11:02:07 GMT -5 @blackpearl08 said:

Take the nursing pillow you will use. I used a regular carryon roller bag and I was way overpacked. The mesh underwear they give you at the hospital is heavenly. They also have huge sanitary napkins there. You need toiletries, makeup, a cute top or two for pics, and the baby's going home outfit.

THIS!
TTM here. I've seen some ridiculous lists online and I'm always like.. do people really pack all this stuff? 

The first time around I kept reading that you were supposed to have a tennis ball in a sock.  I was freaking out about getting one, and I didn't even know what it was for!!

[onceinlovewithamy]

Feb 20, 2015 18:00:33 GMT -5 mylittleladiesandlad said:

@blackpearl08 I definitely don't need to bring a sign, but I when I delivered my girls a lot of people had these cute signs with their children's names and stats on them. I was a wee bit jealous bc I went so early and wasn't prepared at all for them to come, let alone had a sign announcing their arrival!

I don't think I ever left my room, so I wouldn't have known if anyone had signs on their doors or not.  

[jil]

Feb 20, 2015 20:56:23 GMT -5 onceinlovewithamy said:

The first time around I kept reading that you were supposed to have a tennis ball in a sock.  I was freaking out about getting one, and I didn't even know what it was for!!

Feb 20, 2015 21:02:47 GMT -5 @blackpearl08 said:

I vaguely remember the tennis ball and sock thing for labor purposes--maybe massaging the back?

Yup! My birthing class taught this technique for providing counter pressure on the back. It was awesome during labor, I had horrible back pains.

[Deleted]

Feb 20, 2015 20:56:23 GMT -5 onceinlovewithamy said:

Feb 20, 2015 11:57:01 GMT -5 @ajzmommy said:

THIS!
TTM here. I've seen some ridiculous lists online and I'm always like.. do people really pack all this stuff? 

The first time around I kept reading that you were supposed to have a tennis ball in a sock.  I was freaking out about getting one, and I didn't even know what it was for!!

Lol I can imagine you... OMG I forgot the tennis ball!

[tabH]

Feb 20, 2015 21:15:27 GMT -5 @**** said:

I had my driver's license and my insurance card and nothing else.

I wore a maxi skirt home because the yoga pants were too tight on my incision last time, and plus I had just bought it the day before I went in to the hospital.

+1 for wearing a (loose fitting) maxi dress home after a csection. The last thing you want is for pants to rub the incision. I had DH go home and get one for me since my c/s was not planned. Makes it easy to wear your recovery band underneath as well.

[scattered]

I've seen the signs. Maybe it's a southern thing?

[SassyPants150]

Feb 20, 2015 23:35:00 GMT -5 scattered said:

I've seen the signs. Maybe it's a southern thing?

I didn't remember this from DD birth, but during our hospital tour 2 weeks ago almost every single door had one. If they didn't have something big and elaborate, they had a little keepsake paper sign that had the footprints and baby's stats. I felt like I was going down a freshman girl's dormitory hall.

[michieu129]

I packed a bag last time and literally the only things I used were the electronics and the toiletries. I wore the hospital gown the whole time and I just wore the outfit I wore to the hospital back hom since they were comfy.
Oh...and I put my son in his take home outfit.
I will be under packing this time for sure!

[yianna]

Feb 20, 2015 21:02:47 GMT -5 @blackpearl08 said:

I vaguely remember the tennis ball and sock thing for labor purposes--maybe massaging the back?

Yep. And the rice sock.  They tell you in some birthing classes to make a rice sock, and add some lavender oil to it.  Then you can micro it for heat only our back.


We never did it although I intended to make one, it just never happened with our first.

[amylee545]

Feb 20, 2015 19:55:42 GMT -5 yianna said:

Just a couple of things:

If you bring slippers/socks to wear during labor - be aware that if your water has broken, it will continue to leak and you'll likely 'ruin' your socks/slippers - so don't bring your favorite pair to labor in, if you plan on walking around, etc.

........so you just let the amniotic fluid drip down your legs and get all over your feet and the floor?........ Why wouldn't you put on a pad of some sort? I'm thoroughly grossed out by this.