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check out Mrs. Dumplings blog: omgmomblog.blogspot.com she has a few posts about what you should and shouldn't bring with you in addition to what to take from the hospital!
I can tell you that I brought way more stuff than I needed. What you need to pack will depend a lot on what you're planning for the hospital. For example, if you're planning a natural birth you'll want to take comfort items; if you're planning on staying at the hospital for several days you'll want to take more clothes; etc...
Personally, I found that I didn't even want to use the makeup or hairstyling stuff I brought along with me; I just wanted to get showered and ready as quickly as I could so I could go spend time with my new baby! Also, I should have brought some food. I had Addie at 8:30 pm, and dinner had already been served. My husband had to go out to the store and buy me a frozen meal at like 10:30 at night because I was starving after giving birth. Food (granola bars, fruit, etc...) would have been a good idea to put in the hospital bag.
Oh, I thought of something else. I planned on wearing my own clothes during labor/delivery and I brought several pairs of sweats/t-shirts/nightgowns with me. I didn't even use any of my clothes until we went home. I ended up wearing the hospital gown instead because, honestly, there's just a lot of fluid and stuff involved in birth. It was easier to wear the gown for comfort, access, and because I could just throw it in their hamper and change into a clean one whenever I wanted. Awesome. :)
@Mrs. Spring:Thanks - although at this point I have no idea what kind of birth I will have, so I need to just be generally prepared - odds of a section are reasonable for me....what do you mean by "comfort items"? seems like you want those no matter what, no?
@stlginkgo:thanks! that is a great link - looking for any specific thoughts on "what to take/not take"!!
I was preparing for a med-free birth, but I ended up getting an epidural, so I didn't need any of the comfort items I brought with me to use during labor, like massage oil and back roller, iPod, visualization tools, etc... The one things I was really glad I brought was my own pillow; the hospital pillows are so uncomfortable.
PILLOW! Bring your own blanket too. Bring "granny" panties just in case. I think the hospital panties they give you are awesome but just in case you dont like them bring grannies so you can fit a humongous pad in them haha I didnt bring any make up or beautifying stuff. I was way to tired. but i did bring shampoo so I could wash my hair. Like Mrs. Spring I brought all kinds of comfy clothes too but didnt end up wearing anyyy exept when we left bc i wore the gown the whole time. Even when i got home i wore it! lol its easy to breastfeed with if that's what your planning on doing. And of course dont forget a going home outfit for the little one :)
If you read through my birth post, there are some items to bring/not bring there.
My mom was told to bring lollipops to suck on during contractions, but when she opened her bag it was full of ANTS!
So be careful with any food items :)
I spent many weeks in the hospital for my son and number one thing that came in handy the most is PJs!!!! Comfy, a size bigger then what you need, Pjs! Those hospital night gowns just are so depressing!
Pillow! Trust me, you feel more comfortable laying on something YOUR head has laid on hundreds of times! Slippers. They are just convienent. Maxi-pads. The ones at the hospital look like tiny mattresses and are NOT comfy. lol. Food for hubby and yourself to snack on. I brought a can of slim jims and my hubby seemed to live on those while at the hospital. Toothbrush, just for obvious reasons. Hairbrush, laying in bed will make your hair VERY knotty. Extra batteries, Nursing pads, Granny undies. The ones they give you at the hospital are some type of mesh, weird, totally not underwear kind.
I think thats all!
http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/your-hospital-bag
There's a lot of packing advice in that thread. :-)
@MightySapphire: great, thanks!!
pillow seems to be a must have!
thanks Mrs. DG - I forgot you had posted a list....
Mrs. FlipFlops - what are batteries for???
For camaras. I know that while in the hospital we took so many pictures and I know that digital camaras kind of stink when it comes to batterie life.....
Ok, for my son, I took WAY more than I needed. For my daughter, wellllll..... I didn't take anything but a book, since I honestly didn't think I wan in labor.
I'd suggest not worrying with taking your own clothes, though some mothers do. If you have a c-section, the gowns are going to be way more comfy. (I had two c-sections - one for each kid.)
Food, unless the cafateria is open 24hrs, is a good idea, though depending on what kind of delivery you have, you'll be restricted to your food. I was for my first c-section, but each dr. and hospital may be different.
A book or something to do is always a good thing because babies sleep A LOT!!! and the choices on the TV aren't that great (at least around here! lol).
Take a cellphone and charger to make all the phone calls saying "he/she's here!!! come see!" or any variation thereof ;)
Brush, comb, toothbrush/paste, shampoo, etc. that you prefer, though the hospital offers it all.
And, most importantly, an outfit for when you bring your baby home!!! As well as your pre-packed diaper bag.
The hospital (usually) will give you one if you ask, also. I suggest doing that because you get TONS of coupons and sample formula in it. even if your breastfeeding, another diaper bag is great to pack and leave in the car in case you ever forget your usual one. I THINK my last one came with coupons for diapers, also... (I did that A LOT, especially when I had a four year old and an infant to pack up and leave with.)
oh, and don't be afraid to take the diapers/recieving blankets from the hospital. I was going to leave 'em with my son, but was told to take them. I didn't get to do that with my daughter since she was a premie and was sent to another hospital's NICU.
@MightySapphire Anything you'd change from what was listed in your thread? Any after-the-fact adjustments?
@candicemcc: Hmm...let me think.
Things to add:
laptop (most hospitals have free wi-fi)
sound soother: something that makes white noise so baby can sleep better (we stayed in the hospital for two days and two nights)
Things to leave at home:
Most of the stuff in our diaper bag, including diapers! The hospital has everything the baby will need and will give you the stuff. I even asked for more diapers and they were happy to give them to me. MightyBaby only needed a take-home outfit.
If you wear your take home outfit TO the hospital, you don't need to pack one,
I never brought a book or watched tv. I brought mesh laundry bags for my dirty clothes (so DH wouldn't pack them with the clean ones). If you have a roommate at the hospital, I'd recommend earplugs.
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I am not sure if there is already a thread on this, but we are packing our bag and I would love to hear tips on what to bring/not bring to the hospital for labor and delivery. Thanks!!