(I had Hallie at a Birthing Center and went home 3 hours after she was born so I can't help on this one.)
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14 years ago
Monday, May 18, 2009
Packing Bags
It's a lot to think about...coming home with a tiny baby. As if the new mom doesn't have enough to worry about she's also got to pack her bags and make sure she's not forgetting anything. Most hospital stays for Labor and Delivery are around 3 days. What would you suggest an expecting mom pack for her hospital stay? (Include things for the husband)
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Having a bag pre-packed is hard to do because you will be using most of the stuff at home until you deliver so it’s hard to have them already packed. We live across the street from the hospital where I delivered (seriously right across the street) so I wasn’t very worried about forgetting things, but I did make a list of things I wanted to pack. When it was time to go to the hospital I printed my list and threw everything in the bag…it made it really easy! I still have my list saved on my computer so I pulled it up, here it is. Camera, Socks, Nursing Bra, Garments, Hair Brush, Tooth Brush, Tooth Paste, Comb, Make-up, Hair Elastics, Shampoo and Conditioner, Lotion, Glasses, Contacts, Blow Dryer, Face Cleanser, Eye Make-up Remover, Chap Stick, Phone, Phone Charger, IPod, Movies, Clothes for Coming Home, Outfit for Baby to Wear Home, Blanket for Baby, Greg’s (My husbands) PJ’s and clothes, Car Seat (because my baby was quite small we had to have it at the hospital before the day we went home because he had to pass a car seat test, making sure his oxygen levels remained stable while in the car seat before we could take him home). However, there were many things in my bag that I never touched such as eye make-up remover, ipod, movies, socks, lotion, etc. but if I wouldn’t have had them I totally would have wanted them…you all know how that works! Sorry so long, hope this helps!!
ReplyDeleteI didn't really worry about bringing too much, my husband usually got bored after two days and was more than happy to run home to grab things for me.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciated having a laptop so I didn't feel so disconnected from the world. Also, we brought our own pillows. Hospital pillows are terrible.
Definitely bringing my own fan next time. I was seriously burning up and sweating like crazy...gross I know. I've never been so hot in my entire life. I was begging for a fan and no one at the hospital could find one for me nor could they adjust the A/C. My friend put cold, wet paper towels on me which seemed to help a bit. But next time I'm going to be prepared with my own fan...just in case I have another hot flash straight from...well, you know where :)
ReplyDeleteFor the first two children I was nice and packed and ready to go, but number 3 and 4, I just stuffed some things into a bag between contractions. Basically, if you wait to go in until you can't handle it anymore, you won't be in labor and delivery long, so you won't need much there. Then, if you have a smooth delivery all you really need are clothes to go home in, tooth brush/paste, brush and nursing bra, because you will be going home in 24 hours. I never packed much for my husband, because I never expected him to stay with me. I always let him go home and get some real sleep.
ReplyDeleteBe sure to pack good going home clothes. I tried to look all cute when I went home with my first baby, but I was still way fatter than I thought I'd be :) so I couldn't fit into the clothes I brought. I ended up sending my mom home to bring back some of those dreaded maternity clothes! So choose your going home outfit carefully, remembering that you just did the hardest thing of your life so you deserve to be comfortable. :)
ReplyDeleteI packed way too much with my first daughter, you really just need the basics (clothes, bathroom items, etc). It was also nice to have a laptop and some DVD's to watch because the hospital TV gets OLD!!! There is a lot of laying around, so it is nice to have something to watch or do. I would suggest bringing snacks for your hubby, both times my husband didn't get any food from the hospital, so he was starving! Pack clothes that are comfortable, after all, you have just had a baby and don't even want to think about tight clothes! I would say to pack quite a few diapers/wipes because the hospital does give you some of these, but new borns go the bathroom ALL DAY LONG and I always run out at the hospital stay. One last thing, make sure to bring some makeup, there are sure to be pictures taken of you and the baby, even though you may not want them taken, but it will happen :)
ReplyDeleteI thought of one thing I could suggest.
ReplyDeleteUNDERWEAR. We are talking granny panties. Also, maxi pads. THICK ones. You will be bleeding a lot!!!
I just recommend packing whatever it is like 2 months in advance! I had an emergency induction, my husband was out of town, and I had to send one of my girlfriends to my house to pack for me - with only a like 4 items of instruction from me because I was having stuff done by the doctor. She did a great job, but something as simple as having my stuff ready to go would have helped me feel a lot more in control in a situation where I had zero control.
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