I had my 38 week appointment today and my midwife asked me if I’d packed my bag for the hospital already. I mostly have…I mean, I have the basics, but I was wondering if there was anything that experience moms found helpful for them that people don’t usually think of.
I brought my iPod and speakers for it! I listened to No Doubt’s Tragic Kingdom and it was a perfect distraction for me. The hospital staff all commented on what a good idea that was. It was completely indispensable for me!
Great idea, thanks!
I am unbelievably nervous for this.
My midwife (who is also a close family friend) says that the baby could be here as early as tomorrow. I’m 3 cm dialated and 90% thinned out. EEK! My mom told me that first babies are always a week late. So much for that rule of thumb…thanks a lot, Mom!
When things really start going, I’ll bring my laptop with me to the hospital. For now, I think I’ll go try and sleep through all this uncomfortable stuff.
[name]Hi[/name], good luck with the baby!!!
I was wondering… what sort of essentail things do you pack in your overnight bag for the hosptial? Im currently trying to conceive so this info. would be great for future reference:)
Cozy house shoes/slippers and long, warm socks!!! Charging cords for ipods, cameras, and any other electric devices.
One thing that was on the list from the hospital that I /didn’t/ pack, and totally should have: lip balm. I ended up drinking waaaaaaay too much water because my lips felt so parched during labour, and it (at least added to the volume of) my eventual gigantic vomit. Vomiting is not uncommon, and to hear some people say it, is almost inevitable. But I might not have had so, so very much to give had I not been packing back so much water.
Definitely warm socks. I wore some really warm and cuddly pants while I was in labor. The pants were old, and that was a good thing. [name]Don[/name]'t ask why, just don’t wear anything really nice while you are in labor. When I got to the transition stage, the nurse made me take my pants off. I didn’t want to because my legs were cold. But you can’t give birth with pants on.
Hard candy is great to suck on during early labor. Or it’s great to suck on ice chips. Of course you can’t pack ice, but they give it to you at the hospital.
Bring a disposable camera, so you can take pictures of the baby. [name]Don[/name]'t bring an expensive camera to the hospital.
You can be dilated and effaced quite awhile before giving birth. I was walking around at 4cm and 90% for a week before I went to the hospital to have them break my water. As for things to pack? I don’t know if its TMI but you will want pads. Like the biggest ones you can find. Hmmm what else? Maybe something to do when you are bored because newborns sleep alot and you won’t be feeling much like moving around.
I was so concerned about what to bring with my first baby that I way over packed!
Stick to essentials and if you need anything else people can go get you things. (The hospital provides a lot of stuff-- including gigantic pads that are way better for postpartum than anything we can get at the store. I highly recommend using them!)
For labor I recommend:
Chapstick
A CD or iPod with calming/favorite music
[name]Camera[/name] with extra batteries
Cell phone and charger
Hair ties
Labor tools : tennis ball, rice bag (I loved using mine during labor), massage oil or lotion, etc.
An ultrasound picture (I really liked having this)
Makeup if you want to touch up after giving birth. I know that sounds totally superfluous, but I’m definitely doing it this time since I look completely horrible in the pictures with my firstborn!
For afterward:
Basic toiletries (hospital will probably provide some basics if you aren’t particular)
Snacks (in case it’s nighttime when you deliver)
A bag for your [name]Honey[/name] with a change of clothes and any meds he might need.
1 going home outfit for you (maternity clothes)
1 going home outfit for [name]Baby[/name]
Car seat
I’m interested to see what else people have found useful!
Nipple cream, if you plan to breastfeed. Put it on before your first breastfeeding attempt if you can to prevent any cracking and bleeding; prevention is better than after-care. And also those pads to stick inside your bra so you don’t leak through your shirt if your milk comes in right away.
1st babies are always a week late? Rubbish.
I was a first time mum to my little boy in [name]January[/name] 2010. He was due 15th [name]Jan[/name], arrived 9th [name]Jan[/name] and i went into labour on the 8th. My waters went on their own.
P.S. I definitely agree with the nipple cream-- it was provided by my hospital so I didn’t need to bring any in my bag, but it’s a good idea to have your own tube ready for you at home!
Make sure the hubs gets some packing action too. We got to the hospital, and poor Coach had not a thing for himself. We sent one of my brothers back to our house to pick up a change of clothes and toothbrush.
I packed the bare essentials:
a change of clothes for myself
toiletries (your essentials on this one is probably going to be very individualized for you)
comfy socks
[name_m]Elijah[/name_m]'s going home outfit
nipple cream
The hospital provided the basics in toiletries (soap and shampoo), but my skin is sensitive, so I brought my own. They also provided maxi-pads, those mesh panties (The look crazy! But they’re comfy. LOL!) and diapers for the little one.
I completely agree with the lip balm! That is a necessity!
Get yourself some (larger than you normally wear) panties - they give you disposable mesh panties at the hospital, but I preferred just cotton ones. You have to wear gigantic max pads for a while after. They will give you some at the hospital but I brought my own extra long ones with wings, and I found those more comfortable.
We also brought a pillow from home since hospital ones are usually so flimsy.
I brought some snacks and stuff too, I especially liked having sour candies during labour - it was a long time to be walking around.
If your parents live nearby you can make sure they have a copy of your house key & they can grab anything for you that you forget to bring.
Old thread…
Chapstick is good, but also bring chewing gum or mints. Your mouth gets SO dry from panting during contractions.