Hellobee

If you are going to have visitors, you might want to bring waters, candies, snacks, etc. for them. (We gave out chocolate cigars.)

I put a lot of thought into my bag but didn’t even get to use my labor bag because I was so close to delivery when we got to the hospital. I wanted one of my cokes (which I had not had in 9 months) and they were like, “no way! TOO LATE.”

Also I forgot my makeup. MAJOR ERROR.

I’m only 6 months pregnant with our first, but I was at our maternity store yesterday picking out some new bras and undies and the sales clerk recommended packing a sleep bra or 2 for the hospital, as apparently (at least our hospital) will allow you to wear one under your gown as it doesn’t have any wires. So I am passing that on for consideration.

@sloaneandpuffy: Great idea! I’ll have to make some cute little treat bags…

@anne: yes, I wanted to buy one the other day at Target, but they didn’t have my size in the color I wanted. I will probably wear the nursing tanks to bed once I have the baby, but the sleep bra will be good during labor and for the skin to skin contact after so I’m not so exposed.

Oh man… prepping my bag is stressing me out. I still have 9 weeks to go, but want to get it done 4 week prior to my due date.

My big fluffy robe was one of my favorites for visitors and walking around the hospital. Otherwise that is about what we brought too (and didn’t use half of it, but would have been nice for a long labor!) I love the zip up sweats idea!

Also I love that nursing tank you have on top- in fact I’m wearing it right now.
Later on when your baby gets more grabby, you will probably need to safety pin the top buttons though… my guy gets a little sneaky with his hands and next thing I know its wide open!

You probably only need a handful of nursing pads, I didn’t need any until my milk came in four days after birth though and we were home by then. The hospital also gave me some of them and nipple cream

i started my bag, finally! washed the clothes i’m going to wear (sweats, nursing tank top that i bought, bath robe)…. toiletries. babies’ going home outfits, slippers, gum/mints…. they have wifi, so would like to take our ipod or ipad or laptop…. i’m still looking at everyone’s lists to see if there’s anything else i’d like to take. i have a book but i really don’t think i’ll get a chance to read it.

love the idea of the mini journal but i’d rather have them put blessings for the babies…. (i expect only my in laws and parents to be in the waiting room)….

Love seeing other peoples’ lists! We are starting to work on ours but still have to put more thought into it (I’m somewhat of a heavy packer but on the flip side, would be a-o-k without makeup and other things that some women find to be essential). It’s so hard to even anticipate what I might want!

Oh and I was planning on packing a reusable bag so that we could take home anything the hospital will give us And maybe some treats for the nurses as a thank you.

Thanks for this, I’ve been thinking about packing my hospital bag too. And I love your going home outfits for the baby, they’re adorable!

I think you could leave the nursing pads and cream at home… I know only one person whose milk came in while at the hospital, and the hospital will have some on hand to give you if you do end up needing them.

I didn’t crack open any books while at the hospital, and I am a big bibliophile– because the nurses were so helpful; I think sometimes it’s best to get advice that relates to your personal situation than to turn to a book. They were ready to help at any moment!

But that’s just my take on it

I packed incredibly light, and I still didn’t end up using a lot of the things I brought (for example, I was sure I would want to labor in my own clothes–I was at a birth center, so it would have been fine– SO SURE. But then we got there and I was like “whatever!” I also didn’t change into my own clothes after the delivery… I just didn’t care and I didn’t want to get blood on my own stuff, so I stayed in the gown and wore a robe whenever I got up. The robe was the best idea!).

Also, they usually give you socks at the hospital, so I didn’t bother bringing any… And flip-flops! Perhaps I missed it on your list, but they are a must for the shower

…Can’t wait to hear your birth story!

4 1/2 weeks to go for me–this is a great list. We are packing our bag this weekend–ours will be slightly different because we are going to be at a birth center. We’re also using one bag–my rolling suitcase, for everything.

Our list will include some light food (soups, honey), I’ve been stocking up on coconut water, diapers, big pads for me.

a good book. By which I mean a novel. I read a ton while hanging out after.

@Mrs. Hopscotch: Yes! I also plan to bring treats for the nurses.

@Jill: I will definitely bring flip flops, thanks for the great idea!

I packed way too much and barely used any of it. But I did bring my baby book so they could stamp LO’s footprint in there. And it was nice to have so we could start filling it out.

give the nurses something upon arrival! They will be much nicer and give you a better birthing suite.

I packed all that stuff too, but i didn’t even use half of it. i mean, it always better to be overly prepared, but if i had to choose something you really don’t need it would be the nursing pads. your milk won’t come in until 3 days after you give birth, so you won’t be leaking milk until you come home unless you have to stay in the hospital longer due to C-section, but even then the hospital should be able to provide you with pads.

I also highly recommend flip flops for you and your SO because if you do plan to use the tub for labor or later when you decide to take a shower, you don’t want to be stepping in the bathroom/tub without some footwear.

A lot of hospitals also do a photo now. I’m addition to his going home outfit you might want something for a hospital picture.

I didn’t end up using almost anything in my labour bag since it was all so intense. But for recovery I was very happy to have a big robe to wear over the hospital gown. I wish we had thought more about my husband’s comfort. We spent six days at the hospital (including one day in labour) and the “bed” that my husband had was really awful. Anything that would make it more comfortable (pillow, blow-up mattress?) would have been good so we didn’t both come home completely exhausted…

Wow, you’re really prepared. We are 5 minutes (or within walking distance) to the hospital so I haven’t even thought of what to pack yet for #2 who is coming in three weeks. But I am having another c-section so don’t have any labor stuff to pack. I remember with #1 I just packed my toiletry bag and going home clothes for me and baby. That was about it. Oh, and nipple cream for sure! Other than that…whatever I needed the hospital provided. Am debating about the sleep bra though… but then again it’s just one more thing to fuss with when I need to breastfeed. I think pretty much everyone saw some part of my boobs while I was at the hospital with #1. After a while I didn’t care…whatever. Hahaha! I was too tired to care.

Wow, packing a nursing pillow is a great idea. Breastfeeding was difficult for me at the hospital. We used regular pillows in different arrangements but none helped me feel totally comfortable (I know I was still getting used to Breastfeeding and was just struggling to get it right). When we got home I used the boppy right away and it was so so so much easier! I had been so worried about it leaving the hospital. It would have been good to have the nurses and lactation consultant help me learn with the boppy.

I was going to tell you to pack deodorant, but it’s already on your list! I never smelled so bad in my life.

@Mini Piccolini: I think I may pack a robe. I wasn’t going to because it’s so big, but the more I think about it, the more I think I’ll want it. Luckily, our hospital is never at capacity (or even close), so we’ll most likely have a double room to ourselves, which means my husband will have his own regular bed.

@Clementine: yeah, I think I’ll leave the pads at home.

If you are AT ALL picky about your pillow, bring it to the hospital! (with a colored pillowcase, so it won’t get left behind) I feel like those hospital pillows aren’t very comfy.

Face wipes, the pre-moistened ones, in case you need to freshen up.

Count me among the ladies who didn’t use 2/3 of what they brought! But the peace of mind was nice. I guess my only advice would be to ditch the books if you want to lighten your load. Between nurses and smart phones and troubleshooting with an actual baby, it’s highly unlikely you’ll want to paw through a book.

My husband is determined to put everything into one big expandable (Air Force handed) backpack so he has his hands free to assist me. He doesn’t want to have to worry about more than one bag.
@sloaneandpuffy:
LOVE the chocolate cigars idea!!! When my BILs wife gave birth the men smoked cigars but no one smokes anymore. So this is a great idea! Where did you get them?