Not your usual vacay
I’m having some challenges with packing my hospital suitcase. According to Babycenter, it should be ready within two weeks, but I don’t want to take a bunch of things I don’t need or forget critical items at home.
Here’s a list of Babycenter’s suggestions, and what I’m thinking about bringing:
- A picture ID (driver’s license or other ID), your insurance card, and any hospital paperwork you need. My suitcase always has my passport in it, and I’ll make sure Tom has his ID, too.
- Your birth plan, if you have one. I don’t have a birth plan.. do I really need one? All of the things I want to happen during birth are standard protocol for the midwives I’m seeing, plus our doula and Tom know the details of the type of birth we’d like to have. I feel like if I write it down, no one will read it (nurses on staff, attending doctors, etc), and in my superstitious way, makes me feel like writing it down would emphasis the fact that not everything will happen the way I’d like it to, and that’s ok. I have a birth plan in mind, but am ready to roll with whatever needs to happen that day to keep the baby and myself safe.
- Eyeglasses. I definitely need these + contact solution and an extra pair of contacts. The glasses I have are super old D&G ones and I like them, but the frames fall off my face, so maybe this will be good inspiration to get them fixed.
- Toiletries. Brush, dry shampoo, face wash, toothbrush (I’m going to use a regular one and leave the electric at home), toothpaste, floss, mouthwash, coconut oil.
- A bathrobe, a nightgown or two, slippers, and socks. I’m trying to figure out where to find a non-frumpy yet conservative nightgown. All of mine are short, and I feel like I would be more comfortable in a knee-length or so one with a more modest neckline. I have no idea who will be coming to visit in the hospital. Maybe a department store?
I did order two sets of nursing pajamas, and will probably take the black ones with me. [The pink ones are to have at home]
These will be perfect for after the baby is born and I love the soft fabric. The embarrassing thing about them is that I can’t figure out how to use the nursing aspect of the top….
There are two layers of fabric and an internal hole in one of them, but the top doesn’t unsnap or lift up easily. Anyone else own Majamas? Please help me? {watch it be something totally obvious}
- Whatever will help you relax
I’m going to load up the iPod with relaxing, beautiful songs for the labor portion, and maybe some crazy reggaeton or rock music for pushing 😉
Also, I’m planning on bringing my large stability ball if they don’t have them available there, and my lavender linen spray from Bath and Body Works. Anything else that you think would be good for relaxation?
For your partner:
- Toiletries
- Comfortable shoes and a few changes of comfortable clothes
- Snacks and something to read
- Money for parking and change for vending machines
- A bathing suit, in case he wants to get in the shower or the tub with me. Chances are that I’ll be flashing the business, but he won’t need to do the same 😉
After you deliver
- A fresh nightgown, if you prefer to wear your own
- A list of people to call and their phone numbers, your cell phone and charger or, if you’ll be using the hospital phone, a prepaid phone card
- Snacks!
I’m thinking Larabars, Clif shot bloks (if they’ll let me have one during labor), coconut water, trail mix, packs of Sun Warrior and oats (in case I’m there for a couple of days). The good news is that the fam will most likely help us out with the food situation. My post delivery meal request: gluten-free bagel with lots of lox and goat cream cheese. I’m salivating just thinking about it.
- Comfortable nursing bras or regular bras. Done and done.
- Several pairs of maternity underpants. They make maternity undergarments? Interesting…
- A book on newborn care
[I’ll probably bring Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn]
- A notepad or journal and pen or pencil
- A going-home outfit
For your baby
- An installed infant car seat. Got the car seat, just need to install it.
- A going-home outfit. Not sure which one we’ll choose, but it will probably just be something comfy and warm, with legs (instead of a sleep blanket thing) so she’ll be able to ride in the car seat more easily.
- A receiving blanket
What not to bring
- Jewelry
- Lots of cash or other valuables
- Medications, including vitamins
- Diapers
- A breast pump
Techie necessities we’ll need:
-Flip cam
-Camera
-Laptop + charger
So, are there any other things you think I should bring? Anything that I really won’t need? A few websites suggest taking your own pillows, but I don’t really want to get hospital germs on them. Maybe get a couple of inexpensive ones to take with us?
And a couple more:
Do I really need a written out birth plan? and
How the heck do those maternity pajamas work?
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Don’t bother with a birth plan. Any neat and tidy plans will all go out the window when the time comes. Just trust yourself and your support team to do what you need, when you need it. There’s so much chaos even after the baby arrives, the less you bring the better. At least, that was my experience. =)
Oh, and don’t bother bringing underwear, either. You’ll be a mess (sorry…it’s true) and the hospital has disposable underwear that you won’t have to worry about.
Don’t obsess too much! Are you close to the hospital, if so your husband can always bring anything that you might want. I had two natural childbirths and was only in the hospital one night. I didn’t even shower until I came home. You probably won’t have time to read as you will be busy with the baby and your visitors. The less you bring, the less you deal with when you come home. Just make sure you have your snacks and p.j.’s oh and keep your husband healthy so he can be there for you. My husband had the flu during my second delivery and was so sick he went down to the ER to get checked out after I delivered and he was banned from coming back b/c he had the flu ugh!!!. Thank goodness for nursing, it apparently kept my daughter flu free.
oh no! good to know.
“I’ll be flashing the business, but he won’t need to do the same” this made me laugh out loud at my desk!
That makes two of us! 🙂
the less the better is right. you will not be reading those books…bring some undergarments that you won’t mind getting messy. they give you these “netted” like things to wear afterwards and they aren’t so stylish! i wore some fuzzy/warm socks when I was in labor, my feet were cold and it just made me feel comfortable
They may not be stylish, but they are comfortable and can go in the trash after they’ve gotten disgusting.
i like that idea. i’ll probably trash ’em no matter what
One thing that I really wish I had brought to the hospital was a BIG towel for when I showered after labor. The little dinky towle the hospital had was thread bare, and I felt like Steve Martin in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. Also bring your soap/body wash and even a small thing of shampoo. Seriously that shower felt AMAZING after the rough labor and deliver that I had. Plus it was the longest shower I had for a couple weeks. 🙂
Agree about the towel and all the shower advice. I was in the shower as soon as I was allowed and felt SO much better!
I had to read all the comments just to find out about the Mamajamas, and I’m not a mom or pregnant. Idle curiosity, I guess.
My comment is on your clothes/pj’s that you bring. I personally never brought my own pajama’s. I didn’t want to ruin them with all the fun stuff you deal with AFTER the baby comes out. I know lots of people don’t have a problem with this, so it’s your call. But after each of my 3 births, there were at least 2 times where the hospital gowns and/or sheets needed to be changed. What I settled on was bringing a nice bathrobe that I would throw on for when I had visitors. That way most of my ugly hospital gown was covered and I looked somewhat presentable. Good for if you make trips out in the hall as well.
Another thing that seems to go either way with people is the subject of pants/shorts after birth. You WILL be getting checked after the baby is born and the nurses will need to have access to your lady parts. I was always pretty sore after birth and it was sooo much easier to just pull up a gown and to pull down pants. Again, some women have no issues with that.
Oh, and from the look of your nursing tops, you just pull the v-neck to the side and it will expose your nipple through that nice hole in the second layer. Does that make sense?
Just saw the above posters comment about towels – so true!! I’ll have to remember that for next time. Hospital towels ARE really small and not soft, and when you are in delicate condition, a nice big soft towel would be really nice.
A note on the pants/shorts … I wore PJ pants and was never checked by the nurses or doctors. I think it’s by hospital protocol … something to ask!
You’re getting close! One of my friends started a maternity line called Labor Looks for women in the hospital before/after giving birth. They are cute little maternity dresses that you should check out so you don’t have to wear the hospital gowns!
http://www.laborlooks.com/
Hey Gina I had a question. I wondered if there is a way to easily view all of your family posts? They are very helpful to me now that I’m pregnant, but I’m behind you (I’m almost 13 weeks). So whenever I try to go back to your old posts, it takes me awhile to keep hitting previous post and go through every post. I was curious if there was an easier way that I’m missing. Like if you have an archive or something. Thanks 🙂
i don’t 🙁 i’m sorry! i’m so excited for you <3
Oh bummer! Haha. I will have to bookmark my favorites. 😉 And Thank you!! It is such an exciting experience 🙂
I just had my baby girl 5 weeks ago and I’d say check with your hospital to make sure they let you wear your own clothes after labor….mine strongly preferred I stay in the hospital gown bc they were checking me ‘down there’ so often. I also had a very easy labor with no tearing but I was not prepared for all the bleeding after labor…..between the ice packs and protection they give you, you might now be in the mood to wear pjs with bottoms/pants for a few days! Plus, breastfeeding helps your uterus contract back down and it can HURT and make you bleed more. Hope this helpls a little! Hindsight is 20/20:)
I bought some cheapie yoga pants at Target specifically for post partum. They were comfy and stretch. I just wore a nursing bra, cami and cardigans. Worked great for me. But don’t worry about overpacking, I think we all do it with our first. 🙂
I believe the pajamas work by pulling down the part of the top that covers your breasts (the criss crossing of the fabric helps with that) and then you can put nursing pads in the holes to help with leakage.
Never had a baby, but regarding the robe thing. I always love resort/hotel robes, and since you work at one, maybe check with who orders stuff there and see if they can get you one of those cozy numbers at a good price! They must order them in bulk…
One item I would recommend bringing is a sound machine. Not sure if you have an easy time sleeping in noisy places, but the hospital is noisy all hours of the night and you are going to need to sleep when the baby is sleeping after you deliver. A sound machine really helped my husband and I get some rest and blocked out the beep, beep, beep of machines and noisy hallways. Also, pack more comy clothes than you think you need! I know some people said that it’s better to wear the hospital gown since you are messy down there, but all I wanted to put on was my own comfy clothes. I ended up having a c-section and only brought clothes for 2-3 days at the hospital and I had to stay for four. The one time I didn’t over pack and all I wanted was more clothes!
Anything you bring to the hospital, it runs the risk of being totally trashed with blood. Not to be blunt…but you will be bleeding like a stuck pig for the first 48 hours. I would leave the fancy new jammies at home and bring something you do not care about for those first few days.
Also, you will be wearing huge underwear that you can insert massive pads into. You will also be having afterbirth contractions for a couple days. You want bottoms/pants that are above all else…comfy.
The nursing bra stuff…you will not be pulling your Girls through any cute little cutout holes in the early days of nursing. You will have your entire chest exposed and will not care who sees….your only priority will be getting her latched so both of you are comfortable. Very rarely do I find this happens via those “portholes” in the shirt cutouts. They usually make them ridiculous small anyway. Baby nurses with a mouthful of your breast, not just nipple-tip nursing, therefore those shirts never seem to work out so well for most women I know.
I could go on and on…but at least I was honest, right? 🙂
So true about the nursing tops! The girls will be exposed a lot. All you will care about is little Fitnessista latching and your nipples staying in good shape (not cracking). I would recommend bringing a few nursing bras though, ones with a lot of support. You’ll want all the support you can get if your milk starts to come in during your hospital stay. Also, you’ll probably want reusable cotton nursing pads. The disposable ones are majorly scratchy. Also, the silicone ones won’t allow the nipples to breathe enough. I wish I had known this and brought reusable cotton ones. Be sure to pack lanolin too!
Expect the unexpected- I went into the hospital after my water broke last week prepared for an intervention-free birth. I’d read all the books and was ready! They did an ultrasound, and little babe was breech. I ended up with a c-section, which added another night to my hospital stay. So, be prepared to stay an extra night if need be.
OH. My. Hehehehehe wow — I fully enjoyed this comment Avery! As someone who has not yet ventured down the road of baby bearing…well, my mouth was gaping for the duration of the time it took me to read your comment 🙂 From my comfortable seat on the sidelines, I’m entertained.
Good luck Gina!! And those pyjamas are very cute. You’re going to be a fancy mama!
haha double wow. I am also far from having kids and therefore don’t know what goes on afterwards….I do NOT want to think about that! But I am so curious as I read about it here. I read every family post!
Toiletries, a robe, and an outfit to go home in. Like others have said, you’ll need to lift and expose stuff so often that it’s more of a pain than anything to have on anything other than the gown–and your own mess that will happen on the clothes as well. The hospital panties are great. The “nursing tops” or even the post partum robes with the boobie slits in them for nursing are silly for a first time nursing mom because you’ll want to see what’s going on and be able to adjust easily. After a few weeks of nursing, you’ll be golden to use them, though.
For the nursing Jammies, most of them work in the way that either the part that crosses pulls down and or it lifts at the waistline and then exposes the holes where the ladies are.
Unrelated to what to bring to the hospital, I LOVED the mossimo nursing tank tops from target. I’m a busty gal and they still offered great support. When I got the hang of nursing, they were great to use to be a little more covered.
Pack light, unless you’re delivering in another state or something. You won’t use half that stuff, and family will be swinging by after and will be happy to pick you up a snack or brush or whatever.
Things I loved having 3 weeks ago:
-DVDs for the day after … because my daughter was born at night we ended up at the hospital for 2 hours and the hubs got bored
-A button up PJ top (PJ pants too) … the first night I didn’t wear pants because I didn’t want them ruined. The next day I was about to wear the pants and never had a problem. I know there are button up nightgowns too … I loved this option for nursing it made it super easy! (I was also not checked down there after the birth because bleeding was normal amounts etc)
-If you’re wanting prints of her hands and feet bring what you want them on. The staff will often do it for you when they are doing it for their records too and they do a better job than parents
-Madela nursing sleep bras … super comfortable. I would avoid underwire the first few days
-Slippers
-Make-Up … I know that some people don’t bring it but my hubby’s Col came to visit and I was glad I was able to look decent.
Wish I had…
-The sleep mask. We couldn’t turn off all the lights in our hospital room and I have a hard time sleeping at night with lights on.
To be honest … I think it’s a-ok to overpack. I would leave the books at home though. Your best source of information is the nursing staff! Ask for help! They are awesome.
Sorry this is so long but it is fresh in my mind 🙂
yes to pillows and warm blankets! I was recently fortunate enough to participate in delivering one of my girlfriends baby (amazing!) and for the 25 hours of labor (yikes!), both mom and participants could have used more pillows and warm blankets. I’ll ask her if there’s anything else she would have wanted to have and let ya know 🙂 Btw, u look spectacular!
I’m picturing you popping Clif shots in labor and it’s a really funny sight.
i would totally do it
I hardly used anything that I brought with me. I ended up in nothing for Labor and Delivery (spend lots of time in the shower) and then was so grateful for the hospital issued underwear and gowns (and yes, for the above messy reasons….I would have ruined anything I had brought with me.) I suggest bringing more than one outfit for your little girl. I got my little one all dressed to go home and she immediately had a complete blow out. My father in law had taken my bags to my house already, so she went home in a diaper and hospital issued top wrapped in a blanket. The first of many “do what you have to do” moments. I totally intended to have music during labor, but was so “in the zone” after laboring at home for a long time that I didn’t care about anything around me – just focusing inward. Whatever you bring will be fine!
Katherine – that is by far the BEST diaper blow out story ever. It so sums up life with a newborn.
I completely agree!
I always had a new robe and slippers for my hospital stays(3). Pack light because not only will you have to take everything you brought with you, but now you’ll have a baby, her car seat and all the stuff the hospital sends home too. My hospital sent everything that was on my kids cart like the diapers and wipes, and they gave us another diaper bag. unless it’s absolutely necessary leave it behind, the hospital will provide.
I brought SO much and used nothing. I remember begging my nurse to just let me brush my teeth by lunch the next day. Glad you are going with the black PJ’s for the hospital 😉
You will be so so so busy you seriously just need your boppy pillow, a toothbrush, and something decent to change into that’s DARK to feel like a human (if you’re there more than 1 day).
For labor and delivery…..the several hours I labored before I gave into the epidural my savior was the balance ball [early] then this mini back massager in the shape of a small hand [later when it got harder]. Every time I got a contraction I buried my head in Michaels chest, my arms around his waist and he rubbed my low back with it. It helped! That was the only tool I used that I brought. I didn’t want to smell anything and honestly you are so distracted during and after I had no time to read anything and I never listened to music. I was too focused on the contractions and what was going on around me I didn’t want music. Bring it though just in case it’s different for you.
I was the most modest, shy, cover me up whatever person before birthing my baby. You lose ALL modesty after giving birth. I swear. I think I said it to you before…but really….everyone will be up in that business and you will not give one flying you know what.
The hospital gives you these disposable boy shorts to insert the ice pads in. My mom laughs at me…we took a TON from the hospital and I still have some that held up that I wear to bed. LOL. Yea, I’m wacked. No shame.
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I am not sure if someone already wrote this but…..maxi pads for after you give birth. You will need the massive ones that feel like 3 feet long!
Agreed – the one’s you can buy will be so much nicer than that standard hospital issued ones. Also, plenty of “granny panties”.
Ditto on singing the praises of the mesh underwear at the hospital. I had no idea how much I’d love those things — they ruled at keeping the ginormous, industrial-sized maxi pads in place.
My entire bag sat untouched until it was time to go home. I had playing cards, books, the iPod speakers, slippers, snacks, etc. I laugh now at all of that. Not one thing got used. We did use the DVDs because by the time I had gone through the 16-hour labor, the c-section, then the recovery and waiting for our baby to finally be brought in, we were somehow wired at 3 a.m. An old comfort DVD (for us, The Big Lebowski) came in handy and was the perfect thing to put us to sleep.
As for bras, start looking now for a comfortable sleeping bra. I had a Madela one that I loved and a sports bra type one. One thing I never realized until afterwards is that you will be wearing a bra 24/7 for at least six months. With all the leaking and night nursing, there’s no way for the girls to go untended during the night.
Baby nail clippers or a little baby grooming kit, usually their nails are super long when they are born, so just in-case, so they don’t scratch themselves. Also the comb and brush in case you are going to shoot some cute pics in the hospital if she has hair already 🙂 just some things I remembered from when my son was born.
I’ve had three babies and never used a thing I brought. Go in the clothes you’ll come home in, or have your man bring you something afterwards. There you’ll be in a gown and they give you disposeable undies. Sounds gross, but man, once I was home I wished I’d had more.
Sure, if there’s something that’ll help you through it, go for it. But I think a toothbrush will do.
I didnt have my suitcase packed because my son was early early 🙂 The hospital gave me everything I needed. Tooth brush toothpaste ect….Did have hubby bring my shampoo and body wash and brush up the day after. I dont know about other people but I wouldnt have let my husband take a shower with me….it was a gross mess in there. I loved taking showers….. took one at least twice a day. I was in there 4 days, because of the early birth. I would make more of a daddy pack…..they give mommy everything she needs…..daddy is left out in the cold. They fed my husband, only when I ate, and that was about it.
Gina-
I LOVE your blog, read it everyday but have never commented. I’m a nurse so I was thinking about things that are wonderful for patients to have. I know it’s already been said, but your pillow and a comfortable blanket. Hospital pillows are made of a plastic/vinyl like outer material so they can be cleaned. Imagine your head going crunch when you hit them. Not so pleasant. Also, flip flops for a shower, trust me on this one. Finally, an ipod with some playlists made up to use during labor. The constant beeps and noise outside your room might become quite obnoxious, it’s good to have something else to relax to & focus on. Best of luck!
thank you, susie!!
Definitely get your glasses fixed! Or at least do so if you are blind as a bat like I am. I was in labor overnight with my first daughter and had to wear my ugly glasses that stayed on better while I was in labor. If you’re laboring in the middle of the night, the last thing you need are glasses that won’t stay on, especially when you are planning to labor without intervention. You have a great and realistic attitude toward labor and delivery; since it sound like you’re prepared for anything and everything, a written birth plan really isn’t necessary (especially with your husband being able to advocate for you). BTW, you look great! 🙂
Sorry, no idea on the majamas. I bought a nighttime nursing bra from target instead of going all out with the jammies. Works like a charm.
Here’s what I recommend bringing. I followed babycenter as well so you’ve got it pretty much covered. I’d add:
1. boppy pillow (or some other brand of nursing pillow).
2. Nursing cover – pretty much the entire maternity staff had seen me naked by the time Avery was born so I was determined to leave with a little dignity.
3. I brought my prenatals to continue taking them for the sake of breastmilk. I’m sure you know about the pre-made colostrum that your baby will get the first few days but I kept taking vitamins so I wasn’t depleted of anything when my milk came in.
4. My hospital room (granted it was in Germany) had no handsoap. Luckily I was told to bring that.
5. Someone that had a baby a few months before me gave me the rest of her antibacterial spray. (I can’t really vouch for this because I had an emergency c-section but I brought it with me bc I thought I’d need it.) If you do have a vaginal birth, you aren’t really supposed to wipe after going to the bathroom…more like a pat dry I guess. But Dermoplast has a pain-relieving antibacterial spray that she used to spray herself with after using the bathroom.
6. Nursing pads- even if you don’t leak milk, I highly recommend having these. If nursing hurts you like it did me in the beginning, you’ll want these as well as some lanolin. Put the lanolin on yourself AND the pad. Otherwise, your sore nipple will stick to the pad (if you put lanolin only on yourself or not at all) or right to your bra (without the pad).
You’ve got the right idea about the birthplan. Don’t bother. I had high hopes for my delivery…not a single part of it happened except getting a baby at the end. Isn’t that the most important thing anyway? 🙂
This is more for home bc the hospital provides them, but go ahead and stock up on maxi pads. You’ll need them for at least the first month.
And someone wrote about a baby nail clipper. I was told absolutely no nail cutting for 4-6 weeks bc their nails are far too soft still, almost like skin but yes hard enough to scratch themselves. That’s why they have those newborn mittens (or socks work equally well.)
Sorry, I’m done. It’s all just so fresh in my mind.
The hospital had a gajillion pillows. Toiletries, comfy real clothes – it feels nice to not be in pajamas, but in a nursing tank and shorts. Seriously. You’ll feel more “normal.” Easy slip-on shoes to get to the bathroom. Comfy fleecey socks.
that’s a great point- i wouldn’t wear pajamas all day at home, so i might as well have some comfy *real* clothes
I picked up a couple of nursing tank tops and brought comfy yoga capris with me and it’s all I wore in the hospital after my daughter was born. I was super comfy and it allowed for those first days of nursing to be much easier than trying to move extra clothes around.
I think the best advice I can give you , after just having my baby last month.. Less is more. The essentials of course, clothing for you ,the baby, change of clothing for your husband. Snacks are good but most of the time you can only have fluids when you are in labor, They gave me really good popsicles with real fruit in them and lots of water of course! Think about bringing to two different sizes for your baby girl, I wasn’t sure how big my baby was going to be so I brought one nb outfit and a zero to three outfit too. She ended up being 8 lbs 2 ounces but long (21 and a half inches) its just good to have options!. Remember hair bands or elastics! I also brought a couple of dvds or you could always watch movies on your laptop. Another thing my husband and I did the night she was born was we had my mom bring us a little chocolate cake, I wanted sweets so bad and it is a birthday after all so we had to celebrate! I plan on doing this for my future kids as well. Good luck with everything! Hands down the best day of your life! Just wait! 🙂
For the Pilot, be sure that he has a nice-ish shirt to wear home from the hospital. I’ve had several friends pick out their “going home” outfit and then realize when they were taking the first family shot leaving the hospital, she looks adorable and he’s in a grungy t-shirt. Nothing major — just something to think about while you have the time.
that’s an excellent point.
I think your items are great – i agree with the undies—use the hospital issued mesh panties that they give you – i’m due on halloween -and this is advice that i’ve picked up along the way – whatever you bring, you will bleed through, so bring what you won’t mind trashing (i think i’d trash my nightie right there in the hospital so I wouldn’t have to bring it home). Bring nursing bras, cuz you will show the girls, but you need the support more than anything else. Pants are a tough call-you don’t know what exactly would happen, and most likely, it will hurt down there so bad, you want to the ease and comfort of only having to take off the panties. (this is just my personal opinion-i only packed cheap gowns and a robe) definately bring slippers and warm socks –hospitals are cold, no matter what you are doing there. And bring snacks/drinks for the Pilot — he will be just as drained as you, and if he can stay with you rather than go hunting for something to eat-the better.
awesome tips, thank you! and so excited that your baby will be here SOON!
I wouldn’t bother bringing a night gown or pjs or underwear because unfortunately they might get ruined because of bleeding. I would bring maternity pants with you just incase you have a C-section. I brought yoga pants that weren’t and they sat too low, so I had to have family bring my maternity pants for me. Lots of snacks are good for the pilot too! My husband was exhausted after helping me push for over 3 hours! So snacks are great to have on hand.. and bringing food is a good idea for you too! Once I could eat the food choices were not so great.. my first meal was pizza.. and after a c-section and not eating for over 2 days.. not a very good idea! Good luck with it all.. Don’t stress or plan too much just go with the flow, your body was designed to do this 😀
I lived on oatmeal (the hospital will serve you breakfast any time of day if you ask) with all three of my deliveries. Plus I brought Larabars and carrot sticks, etc. Also, BRING YOUR OWN TOILET PAPER! If you like Charmin or something soft, you won’t want the cheap scratchy stuff in the hospital bathroom.
i would have never thought of that- thank you!
You probably will only be using the spray bottle, not tp!! Wiping hurts after a vaginal delivery…
I’ve never done it myself, but other people have told me that hair ties and chapstick were must haves! Good luck.
i read that as “chopsticks” haha 🙂
Chapstick is a MUST!!
Not sure if you are a Costco member or know someone who is, but Costco has AMAZING pillows that are inexpensive. The brand is called “Charisma” and they are honestly the most comfortable things ever. I would say get some to bring to the hospital (they come in two packs.)
ohh thank you! we do have a costco membership, so i’ll go check those out
From the nurse/germaphobe side of me, don’t forget flip flops for shower/bathroom shoes! Also, this may sound a little extreme, but I’ll be taking a container of Lysol wipes with me in my bag:) After working in a hospital for 4 years and seeing how those hospital rooms are cleaned, I want to wipe a few things down myself (or hubs:), like the call light/remote, bed rails, and even the plastic couch where your hubs will stay (even though he’ll sleep on linen). A lot of times chairs and things that should be sanitized after each use aren’t always, and with all of those pregnancy juices, I don’t want to be sharing someone else’s!
no birth plan! that’s very refreshing. good to see you’re willing to roll with the punches. 🙂
I’d say bring the bare essentials. I brought a bunch of stuff and it never left my suitcase. I wore one nightgrown while I was there and only changed when I put on my going home outfit. I actually liked the underwear the hospital gave me to wear, plus I didn’t have to be bummed if I stained them. Trust me, there are a lot of fluids coming out of your body after birth. Definitely bring chapstick, hair ties and your own water bottle.
As long as you have talked with your care provider about your birth plan, no need to bring a written one.
I stayed in my hospital gown the whole time I was there (I had an emergency c-section both times). Also, you’ll be too busy taking care of the baby, sleeping, and obsessing about nursing to read anything. Also, hair ties, chapstick, Lansinoh or something else for nipple soreness and cracking, Boppy or Brestfriend, and a good grateful attitude. Good luck!!!
What kind of flipcam do you have? Do you love it? We’re due in March and I want to get one before then, and have been researching loads of small video cameras without loving one yet.
i love it! we have the older model mino flip ultra hd, and one of the new versions (the old one is mine and the new one is the pilot’s)- they’re SO easy to use and travel with since they’re small
Gina- I believe the Majama’s just pull to the side?
And the hole in the inside is for your nursing pads. 🙂
I took button down shirts with me. They made it easy for nursing without exposing everyting.
I packed pretty much all you listed!
I packed confy clothes and slippers for before delivery
the same for after
fave water bottle to keep refilling.
camera, books and magazines, laptop
i got a bunch of organic frozen meals since the hosp vegan /healthy foods were limited to rice fish and veggies.
I packed chocolate almond breeze !
then after the babies were born I chugged caffiene starbucks 🙂
we had a birth plan written out and gave it to midwifes before , but like you said pretty much rolled with it.
if your doing bradley method or hypno birth I think you shold bring a picture to have as a focus point hanging on the wall. essential oils.
good luck!
I highly recommend that you not wear that pajama top in the hospital. You really need a nursing tank that unsnaps and folds down to expose your entire breast. When I gave birth to my son, I had a nursing tank that had a slit in the middle to expose just the nipple and part of the breast and I really think that not being able to see everything hindered my success at nursing in the first couple of weeks. The pajamas will totally come in handy later, but in the beginning, keep it very simple because it will be easier to learn the ropes of breastfeeding if you can see all the goods!
k i have a nursing tank (bravado) that should be perfect! i’ll make sure to bring it
Just from. My experience: I delivered and labored in a gown the hospital gave me as the way they do it -I had midwives too. Afterward I wore the most comfortable shirt I own a 10 yr old t shirt and very loose pants. I did wish I had a towel that was bigger than a washcloth but didn’t mind the toiletries. I brought my own and just didn’t feel like going back to get them when I made it to the shower and realized I’d forgotten them. I brought food but couldn’t stand the thought of eating without getting sick but my husband was glad we had it. We were in the hospital longer than wed hoped but I don’t recommend packing for that either especially if you’re not inclined to do a birth plan for the similar reason that you have a goal in mind and will just flow with whatever happens. Unless your hospital is very far your husband could always go get anything you need at home or even from a store. Pack a few different outfits for the little one because you just never know how big or small those little people will e til they get here and even among newborn stuff there’s a range in how big the clothes actually are. Take a camera or some device you can send people pics with. I wouldn’t worry about pillows or books. I also didn’t even end up using the music we had. When it comes right down to it, its you and the baby working together to get her into the world. With the support of your husband and birth team you’ve got all you need. But do take some soft warm socks. Hospitals are cold!
When I had my daughter I literally just went to the hospital. I was in labor for 28 hours, and it was enough to even just look at the tv sometimes. I was not allowed to eat anything but ice chips, mind you you this was 15 years ago. But it was enough just to have her father there and my mom to keep my company. They gave me the sandwich I asked for after and my ginger ale and I was content. I went home the next morning after giving birth. So I wouldn’t go overboard packing a suitcase or anything. Maybe just a small bag. And I just wore the hospital gowns. I put one on backwards and then the other on with the opening in the back so I was covered on both sides. And that worked for visitors. Agree on the socks things. I refused to put on the those funky hospital slippers and wore my own socks. I was glad I did.