The time has come for Steve and I to pack our bags for the hospital. I have a good idea of what needs to go in each of our bags, but I want to ask all of you too. I plan on having a bag for myself, one for Steve, and another for Sweet Pea. So please share what you put in each of the bags as you prepared to go to the hospital to have a baby. Even if you have never had a baby but your sister or friend or you heard of something great and useful someone packed for the hospital stay please feel free to leave a comment. Even if we do not know each other well, but you have a really great idea, please leave a comment, I want to know your input. (Part of me cannot believe I am writing this post- I imagined myself writing this months ago but thought the time was way too far away- now here we are!)Thanks in advance. I love packing, this will be fun:).
8 comments:
Wow, you really ARE in the home stretch! I, too, thought the day would never come when we'd pack our bags...and here it is almost six months later! Oh, how time flies. :)
As far as things to take to the hospital, here is what we found most helpful:
1. Camera. This is sort of a no-brainer, but I remember how pregnancy brain strikes hard those last few weeks. :) It was helpful for us to talk through beforehand what we wanted pictures of. We also brought our laptop so we could quickly send out an email (pre-drafted) with pictures to anxious friends and family.
2. SNACKS! I couldn't eat most of them for the first day or so since I had a c-section, but Clay sure enjoyed them! Most hospital food is so-so (yours may be different), so once I could eat more solids it was nice to have something to munch on.
3. Nursing pillow. This is something I didn't bring but wish I had! Although the nurses were very nice to bring me tons of pillows to prop up brand new Max so I could feed him.
4. Cute but comfy loungewear. I was zonked from all the meds and did NOT feel like getting all dolled up in the hospital, but throwing on a colorful nursing tank and yoga pants made me feel a little more pretty. :) Slippers are also nice to have so your feet don't freeze on the cold hospital floors.
5. If you have an iPhone, I would highly recommend purchasing the Baby Timer app. Clay bought it in the hospital after the nurses kept coming in to ask when Max last ate or dirtied a diaper and we couldn't answer because we were so out of it! I still use it to keep track of Max's naps. SO helpful!
So excited for you both!
I would just say don't take too much. You really don't need much for baby but your home outfit and for you, just the essentials like pajamas, toiletries, camera, laptop. You really aren't there for long and they provide so much. Keep in mind, half the time your there you are giving birth in a gown. Cade made me some awesome cd's to play in the room during labor, I liked that.
The number one thing I was thankful to have was my own pillow! Hospital pillows are clumpy and flat. Make sure it is in a colorful or printed pillowcase or they won't know it is yours. Other than that, I agree with Jamie, don't overpack. If you do it is a huge pain when it is time to leave.
I agree that you need a good "labor and delivery" soundtrack. I had some instrumental soothing music that I listened to all throughout pregnancy and had it playing the entire time I was in labor...definitely helped! And don't forget a good pair of house shoes or something for your feet. Hospital floors are nasty and I didn't want to be walking around barefoot on those...and they'll want you walking around a lot after labor. This may be too much info for a blog...but take your own maxi pads. The hospitals were NOT comfortable and you'll need plenty of those. I know it's hard, but try not to over pack, it's a hassle getting all that stuff to your car plus the new little babe!
The only thing I brought was a few movies for after, a camera, a change of clothes, and an outfit to bring baby home in. other than that they had everything.
When we delivered, I brought makeup but didn't use it because it just felt so low on the priorities at the time. But now that I look back at the pictures, I kind of wish I had taken 5 minutes to put some on before delivery. But, my pale, post-surgery face is part of the memory as well, so I still treasure those photos.
I packed way too many diapers and things. The hospital even sent me home with some, as well as an aspirator and a baby brush.
We were surprised with a C-section so I needed more clothes than I expected. I suggest packing quite a few yoga or pj pants. Slippers are important because you'll be doing lots of walking on those gross floors before delivery. I packed hard candy to suck on during labor, but it was the last thing I wanted and was wasted space in my bag.
The boppy or whatever nursing pillow you have - it's a MUST, MUST, MUST. Even if you decide not to nurse.
And finally, I highly recommend that you have a come-to-Jesus with ALL of your family about the pre-delivery and during-delivery protocol for your room. I was too nervous and too much of a pushover and ended up having a room FULL (FULL!) of people until the nurse finally kicked everyone out. I had no idea at the time, but it really slowed down my progress - once everyone left I was at a 10 in no time.
You're going to do great!!
I agree with everyone else. Don't overpack. Music, a good book, your laptop to send out pictures (both of my hospitals had free wifi), a nursing pillow, and comfy but cute clothes. I wasn't allowed to shower for a couple of days thanks to a c/s, so looking back at the pictures, I really wish I had had dry shampoo with me. Chris enjoyed having his own pillow, extra books, and his psp with movies. As far as the babies go, just a couple of outfits, pacifiers if you choose to use them, your favorite out of the receiving blankets you've been given, and extra socks.
No experience with a baby but any stuff taken to a hospital is better managed in a small rolling suitcase.
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