what goes in your hospital bag?

It's time for me to be packed - 29days to due date and I can't remember what I usually put in my bag! LOL

waht do/did/will you pack???

jenn edd 7/4

I packed earplugs so I could sleep in the hospital. That is one noisy place. LOL

I honestly never used anything I packed, When I went to the hospital I was wearing a comfortable outfit and I ended up using it again to go home, and the babys outfit,,that was all I used,,,I did put some change in the bag for my husband to get me stuff out of the vending machine cause the food sucked. so glad I did that. Other then that, just shampoo and soap. If I had to do it over again I would just pack,,,shampoo, soap, and the babys outfit,,,they gave me some funky underwear to wear and I would just set aside an outfit to put on when leaving for the hospital and just wear it home,,,,,,makeup,,,,ha ha ha,,,never had time to put it on.

I packed a change of clothes for me to come home in, a pair of my own pajamas (not all hospitals have anything but gowns!) and something for the baby to wear home (we actually had two outfits, one boy and one girl since we didn't want to know the sex before). We also packed a phone card to call his parents with, and some kotex pads, because I hate the ones the hospital gives you! Oh, and a few changes of underwear, and a pair of socks too....

Money so he could get something to eat (change for the vending machines), and one credit card (just in case).

Slippers are nice, but not necessary. Also, since my OB let me self medicate since we had no insurance, I packed my own meds (tylenol, tucks (for the episoitomy), advil, pre-natal vitamins, blood pressure meds, etc, etc). I also did baby powder and desitin, but I don't think we needed it........
Oh, and a pair of baby nail clippers or nail file or whatever you feel comfortable with for getting rid of those ultra-long nails that babies seem to be born with.

We didn't bring any games or the like, but I did pack a pad of paper and a pen so I could write down the nurses names and stuff (we sent a card up there later thanking them all). We also had the laptop, and the digital camera, but that was because of uploading pics so his parents could see the (first) new grandbaby as soon as possible - they are in Sweden so that was important to us to share as much as possible with them.

HTH - and good luck -

I don't think I forgot anything major, but I was just thinking the other night I should maybe start on a list, even though I've got a while to go, I am famous for my lists of things! teehee

If I think of anything drastic I left out, I'll let ya know!

I'm packing this weekend also, only because Robbie was 5 weeks early and I don't want another surprise where I'm not packed and ready to go. We brought nothing to the hospital for him or me because I didn't know I was in labor. What a great idea about a pad and paper for nurses names and such. I'll have to remember that.

Along with some of the stuff supermom mentioned, I'm also bring along some candy for labor, or mints or gum. I don't really mind the hospital gowns, or the funky underwear (would rather ruin those then my own), snacks for dh or whoever will be there, a pair of ankle socks (my feet get cold), a diskman and a couple classical cds (hopefully they'll help me focus somewhat since I don't want drugs this time around and refuse to have an epidural). That's all I can think of right now. I just did all my shopping for hospital stuff for me and the baby last week, as well as all the change table gear (power, baby oil, rash cream, vasaline etc....) $200 later

Hmmmmm jennbug has got 29 to go and I have about 40ish, who will be the first? Better be jennbug cause Anthony has to wait another 6 weeks.

This post has been edited by CantWait on Jun 5 2003, 09:37 PM

I brougt my own nightgown, but never wore it, they had these neat new breastfeeding gowns,,and they were actually comfortable cause they didn't tie in wierd spots,,directly down the back,,,,I would have brought a pen and paper,,but I wouldn't have used it,,I was not in the mental state to write,,,I would fall asleep talking,,,I even woke up with jello in my hand once and never remembered even starting to eat it,,,I fell asleep on everyone, even the aftercare instructions nurse,,,my husband had to remember everything....but bringing your own pads is a good idea..I bought different ones when I got home,,I think those ones in the hospital are meant to make you bleed all over yourself,,they are thick,but the blood doesn't absorb into the pad, it rolls off the side.

Ditto what these ladies said. I packed a change of clothes, baby's outfit, and some toiletries (shampoo, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant), and my own sanitary pads. I don't think anybody actually uses all the stuff that the books and mags say to pack!

Don't forget the camera and/or camcoder! We had brought ours, but (stupidly!) we forgot to use it! Everybody else was so busy taking pictures, we forgot to take our own! We got some, but not as much as I would've liked!

HTH!

Ditto on what the other ladies said.

The one thing I could not have done without is chapstick! My lips got sooo dry during labor and even after Ashley was born. It was irritating... I was soo glad I had chapstick. hehe

QUOTE (supermom @ Jun 5 2003, 09:44 PM)

We didn't bring any games or the like, but I did pack a pad of paper and a pen so I could write down the nurses names and stuff (we sent a card up there later thanking them all).

what a great idea! I wish we had thought of that. We sent a card to the "nursing staff" since I couldn't remember any names except for my recovery nurse who kept going to check on Iain for us. All the nurses were so great. This would also be good for recording your labor progress for later--have somebody write down when you are checked and how long you push, etc. and anything else that happens for your birth story. My doula did this for us and I am glad for it--wouldn't have remembered everything otherwise!

We brought TONS of stuff! DH had to make 2 trips to the car to get it all! I wanted natural childbirth so I brought my birth ball, big body pillow, another bed pillow (these were great BTW if bulky) plus hot packs, tennis balls for massage, a cooler of food for DH and doula (plus jello and pedialyte & OJ for me--doula said they were good for nausea). Plus lots of old holey underwear, my robe, an outfit to come home in and some PJs and socks. It felt so good to put my clothes on after delivery and get out of that awful hospital gown. Don't forget socks or else you'll have to wear those nasty hospital ones. For some reason my recovery room was like 50 degrees that first night! I slept in my robe. Plus a bag for DH with his medications and a change of clothes and a toothbrush. Plus the CD player and some CDs. Cell phone (had to use outside though--not allowed in hospitals.) We actually used almost all the stuff, except the diaper bag sadly since Iain had to stay in the hospital

Steph

I think everyone covered it! Lots of undies is all I can say and maybe some smelly spray, yanno from bath and body. I brought my own shower stuff to. LOL I didnt shower for 5 days though..ICK They did bath me at 3 am though! I was to sick to do or remember anything or anyone. "You came to see me?" LOL

all my toiletries, robe, comfy clothes and pjs, snacks are good, (but I didn't think of that), calling card, cell phone, list of people to call after baby was born, cd player, my favorite cds, baby clothes, baby blankey, car seat (in car), contacts, glasses, ponytail holder, slippers,

Oh, goodie - you all have listed some things I hadn't thought about yet - giggle - time to get out my oh-so-famous list and get it going.....

I didn't say cell phone, but my DH and his cell phone are permanently attached at the hip - rofl - so I wouldn't have had to remember it - teehee

Humm let me see. I take my pillows (I hate hosital pillows, stretchy pants or shorts and maternity t-shirts (that is what I lounge in & sleep in), ear plugs, notepad and pens, my own pads (hospital pads are awful), make up, soap, toothbrush & tooth paste, hair stuff, razor & shaving gel (maybe the last time you have time to shave your legs for a while), disposable camera, snack food, my outfit and the babies outfit.

I think that is it. Funny how quickly you forget. Hannha isn't even 6 weeks old and I am already forgetting what things were like when I was pg with her.

CRACKERS!!! They won't give you food. I was starving to death, so Ryan had to sneak me saltines from the cafeteria.

If you are planning on nursing, bring a boppy. It helps so much with those awkward first days. Also, bring your address book - you always forget to write down somebody's phone number to call and annouce the news! I brought socks for the labor part - figured the docs and nurses didn't want to see my icky feet (couldn't reach them to do a pedicure!) while I was pushing - they had enough of me to look at! Also, bring your baby book so that they can put hand/feet prints directly in them. That's all I can think of right now!