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Hospital Bag
I know, I know - just Google and I'll find lots of answers. I value your opinions greatly though so I'm asking you.
Things to take in consideration:
I'll (hopefully!) be delivering at Mercy downtown.
H won't be going home.
I plan to breastfeed.
I don?t want to over-pack, but this certainly looks like quite the list!
Here's what I'm thinking:
Nursing tank ? 2
Lounge/yoga pants ? 2 pair
Zip-up hoodie, lightweight
Socks ? 2 pair
Granny panties for going home
Chapstick
Lotion (is this necessary?)
Toothbrush, toothpaste
Hair brush
Deodorant
Baby book (for footprints)
Outfit for home
Lightweight blanket
Car seat
Birth plan
Newborn care plan
Snacks, but I don't know what; any suggestions?
Mints
Jeans/shorts
Shirts ? 3
Boxers ? 3
Socks ? 3 pair
Hoodie
Lounge pants
Toothbrush, toothpaste
Deodorant
Camera, batteries, USB cable
Video camera, charger, USB cable
Laptop and charger (so I can let you ladies know all about it!)
Cell phones and chargers
Pillow in non-white pillowcase ? 2
Re: Hospital Bag
That looks like a pretty good list to me. The things I can think of that are added to mine are my Boppy, change for the vending machines in case I have to have a soda that isn't in the fountain, my blow dryer, and a few makeup items.
I would definitely recommend bringing lotion. Hospitals are extremely dry and the one I worked at charged $7 for a travel size of baby lotion for patients to use. I also loved the mesh panties PP mentioned and plan to go home in those.
That's my list of stuff in my bag.
it all fits in a laptop bookbag. I overpacked last time since I wasn't ready. This time I decided to underpack this time. If I need something that I don't have at the hospital, I'll send DH back for it, or do without.
Another word of advice, pack a bag to take extras home with you. Cards, paperwork, meds, gifts, etc. I've got a ton of reusable bags, some that fold small, and I'm going to throw a few in the car. You don't have enough hands to carry it all to the car. or plan on folks who you can assign the task of carrying crap.
I'm a light packer so I think you're packing too many clothing items. Of course, I was only in the hospital for a total of 24 hours so I didn't need much.
One thing I didn't pack that I wish I would've was make-up and hair stuff. I know that sounds silly, but I really wanted to shower up and look nice and I wasn't able to.
Neena Mae. 1/7/10
"A baby nursing at a mother's breast is an undeniable affirmation of our rootedness in nature." - David Suzuki
IVF w/ICSI - transferred 2; froze 3
Beta #1 150 Beta #2 320 - 7/16 124 bpm (6w5d) EDD 3/6/13
Our team green baby was a girl! Emma Lynn born 2/23/13
my read shelf:
Hair and make-up require a date night!
I think I'll survive.
Hmm, I guess I didn't really think a towel would be necessary. Plus, it sounds like you are all suggesting a dark-colored one in case of messiness, I assume; wouldn't you want multiples then since a vaginal birth at Mercy requires you to be in the hospital for 48 hours after the birth?
Also, with the 48-hour stay, did most of you stay in the hospital gown or change into clothes? I think changing into clothes would make me feel much better, which is the main reason I'm bringing a couple sets. (Plus, we'll be 90 minutes from home so if we do have to stay, it isn't a quick trip to go pick up another set.)
Boppy, change, flip-flops, bag for extras - awesome suggestions! Thank you.
Brooke - I am now paranoid that this little girl is going to want to join the world sooner than she is expected! Add in some other factors (moving this weekend, 90 minutes away, possible high-risk pregnancy now, my type-A personality) and you'll see why I'm trying to be on the ball.
I was a light packer. The first time I had nothing. The second time I didn't bring much more.
It all depends on what is most important to you. I used the hospital's towels and hair dryer. I never used TP there. I used the sprayer instead.
I only stayed for 24hrs with Ana but longer with K since she was in NICU. both times I was glad to have my own comfy pants, nursing tank, and zip up sweatshirt. (winter) I didn't like the gowns although they are nice they're just so big. Dark colored pants would be my recommendation. Also I bought socks with grips on the bottom at target. The floors are slick but I did not want to be bending to put on shoes. Other than that, I just brought the camera and laptop, makeup, brush, and I later had DH bring a movie. Oh and one outfit for the baby of course.
FYI- if your water breaks make sure you have a towel to sit on in the car. I did, and I felt less gross about my 'water' leaking all over my seats.
I know you don't think you want make up, but I was glad I had a little powder to make me look less pale in pictures. I wore my hair up the whole time, so extra hair ties? And I HIGHLY recommend socks from Bath & Body works, the ones that are infused w/ sents/lotion, that have the little gripes on the bottom. They recommend you wear them too, as the floor can be slick. You don't need to fall!
You might want to bring a pillow & blanket for H, incase he sleeps over.
And you probably don't want jeans, unless they're maternity jeans. You'll want total comfort!
I'm like Mrs.Reem - I had nothing, as I was sent from an OB appt straight to the birthing unit.
I sent DH home to get me:
camera, magazines, undies and a comfy outfit, and my travel toiletry bag
I wore the hospital gowns, but I agree you'd swim in them, and my own grannie panties because I actually hated the mesh panties.
For DS he brought a couple of going home outfit options & a blanket
I wish I'd had my own gowns for DS. The gowns they had for him were so worn & ugly.
I think I did gowns and shirts half and half. It was nice to wear my own stuff, but the first day I think I did just wear the gown, as it was messy, and easy to have people help BF with the gown. As more folks came to visit, I changed into my own shirts. And I didn't pack my own jammies, so I wore the gowns at night.
For hair, I made sure I had plenty of ponytail holders, headband, and a few clips to keep it out of my face during labor, and then at least make it look nice afterwards. You get to be in a lot of pictures, so you want to at least look a little "ok."
I used the hospital towels and did just fine. I think I used two or three per shower, but they had no problem with that. I definitely stained at least one of them so I wouldn't want my own. If I did bring one I'd probably leave it there to be thrown out.
With Sophia I stayed in the gown the entire time, but this time around my plan is to wear the gown the first day, when things are the messiest, and then change into ON gauchos and nursing tanks with a zip up hoodie to throw on when we have visitors. This is more for Sophia than for me. I think it will be easier on her to see me in normal clothes. I'll sleep in the hospital gowns.
The towels aren't the softest, but it that doesn't bother you I think you should be fine. I personally wouldn't want to ruin my own towels. I usually bring in 6 towels at a time for my patients so just ask for more if you need them because they are small!
ETA: And we have slipper socks with the grippers if you need them, just ask. Obviously they are not as nice as the ones you can buy but it will save you from having to buy some (TMI- I've seen a lot of people's slippers get ruined from getting dripped on)
IVF w/ICSI - transferred 2; froze 3
Beta #1 150 Beta #2 320 - 7/16 124 bpm (6w5d) EDD 3/6/13
Our team green baby was a girl! Emma Lynn born 2/23/13
my read shelf: