So, give me all of your advice and tips! Also, anything you can tell Michael about what to pack in his bag would be good too. :-)
Monday, April 26, 2010
It's All In The Bag
This may seem a little early for this post, but I am going to have to buy some of the things I think I need, so I'm going to go ahead and ask anyway. What do I need to pack in my hospital bag? What kind of clothes do I want to bring? I know I want to wear my own pjs after delivery because I will have a lot of visitors that I know on a professional basis since I'll be delivering in the hospital I've worked at for almost 10 years and I want to look decent at least (although I know I will probably mess them up). Ha!
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11 comments:
House shoes or flip flops , TP!! And anything you would take on an overnight trip.
I like this post :)
Your bag: Pillow, Robe, Pjs (but I felt yucky "down there" so a robe was the best bet with a nursing bra underneath), Flip flops, feminine pads even though the hospital will give them to you. I prefer the ones with wings and the hospital didn't have those, skirt to go home in (much more comfortable because of "down there", toiletry items, makeup, slippers for walking down to the nursery...
FOOD, sounds weird but I was sooooo starving after labor. Couldn't eat until like 10pm after Lauren was born so I went all day with no food. My mom was a saint and had fresh pimento cheese sandwiches, brownies, chips, a cooler with drinks, etc. It was AWESOME
Michaels: Nothing fancy. He didn't go in labor :)
Hospitals (for having babies) are probably more advanced than when I had my youngest 5.5 years ago. But here's the list that I can think of:
1. Nursing bra if you're going to nurse.
2. Pjs...a gown (with robe) is better for the hospital because they'll (the doctors) will want to check that area and pulling down the pants might be annoying.
3. If you have a favorite pillow or music.
4. Camera/video camera...chargers maybe.
5. If you can use them at the hospital..your computer (this is new since I've had my last baby and after chemo I was not in shape for computers).
6. Lotion (might get dry in the room).
7. snacks if you have favorite snacks, etc.
8. Snacks for hubby.
9. Notebook and pen to write down anything you want to remember, etc.
10. personal hygiene stuff (I liked wearing my own pads home from the hospital and not the huge ones. I got the super with wings by always). Soap, shampoo, make up, tooth brush, etc.
11. Focal point item for labor.
12. a magazine or crossword puzzle, etc for labor and post pardum.
13. gift for the nurses and/or doctor.
14. outfit to come home in (maternity)
15. outfit for NIcholas to come home in.
I wore the gown/robe the hospital gave me and I'm glad I did. It got "dirty" a few times and I ended up needing a new one once or twice (I was in the hospital for 5 days, though).
Slippers you can throw away. I brought slippers and they got so dirty from walking around the room and hallways that I had to throw them out.
Maternity Clothes. I wore home what I wore to the hospital since I went into labor in the morning and only wore the outfit for about 2 hours that day.
I brought my own shampoo, facewash and body wash and a razor for the shower. I also brought my toothbrush and toothpaste. I brought make-up, but never wore it. I did bring my blow dryer and curling iron, but only used the blow dryer after showering and then put my hair up in a ponytail the entire time I was there.
I ended up using mostly hospital stuff when it came to pillows, blankets, etc.
My hubby bought me an ipod as my "push gift", although I had a c-section, but still it was like having my computer there with me, so I could connect to the outside world. Otherwise, if you can bring your laptop, I would bring this. My hubby brought his and he would have went nuts without it!
Amanda, you are such a planner it cracks me up!!! The things I was glad i brought were a nursing tank and old PJ pants. Don't go buying special PJs for the occasion...chances are they will get stained and nasty :)
I think everyone gave you a pretty good list on what you should bring. As far as Pj's....I just brought black stretchy pants - that way you can't see if they get dirty and borrowed some of my hubby's tshirts. The flip flops are very important - esp when it comes time to taking a shower - that just grosses me out going barefoot. I can't remember if I saw it mentioned, but after my first baby, I was SO SORE down there from tearing/stitches - the Boppy pillow was a lifesaver for me to sit on.
Thats great that you are already thinking ahead - I just welcomed my 2nd baby 6 weeks ago and didn't have my bag packed until the morning that my water broke...oops! He surprised us and came 3 weeks early!
Kristen :)
Warm socks! When packing my 'doula bag' ,that's the first thing I put in for laboring mom. Something for you to focus on while laboring. Music you might enjoy, scents you might enjoy. I usually stick peppermints in - they are kind of an energy boost.
Hey! I've just recently stumbled upon your blog through Kelly's Korner and I am so glad you asked this question! I am also pregnant with a baby boy (almost 33 weeks)! This is great for me to read as well! I look forward to reading more!
I wrote my list after I got out of the hospital with my son: http://lisaorlandon.blogspot.com/2009/11/tips-for-expectant-moms.html
I packed much of the same that the others have suggested, but here are a couple of thoughts: *A fingernail file that is not new- it works much better on newborn nails than clippers. *You'll get one in the hospital, but if you have more than one bathroom at home, you may wish to pick up a squirt bottle (or ask for a second one from a nurse) from Wal Mart so you have one in each bath. When you use it, get as warm of water as you can stand. *Sitz baths are nice and if you tear, you'll be amazed at how scary going to the bathroom becomes- so get one from the hospital and take it home, too. Congratulations and many blessings on your family!
Definitely bring cute socks! My feet got cold while I was in the hospital. My feet swelled really bad after delivering Caleb and they helped hide it some. Slippers are also good. After my C-Section, they made me walk around some.
Nursing tank tops are really great. When I was learning how to breastfeed, I found the nursing bra a little uncomfortable. Since you are wearing your own pajamas, the nursing tank would work well. If you wear pajama pants, bring baggy ones! They check you several times and you don't want to struggle pulling them up and down.
Bring Michael a change of clothes, snacks, and DVD's. Ryan is ADHD, so sitting around for 21 hours of labor wore on him. He didn't want to leave my side so snacks helped. DVD's will help both of you if labor decides to slow down. It kinda takes your mind off things. While I was being induced, it seemed like it took forever. My family took turns sitting with me and the DVD's helped when I was on drugs and didn't talk much!
Don't forget your camera, batteries, and going home outfit for baby! I brought my own toiletries and pads (their pads are awful uncomfortable). Cash for room service and tip is also helpful, but I would leave my purse at home. Preregister before you go and let Michael have the rest!
If you forget anything, your family is always there to bring you things!
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