what should i take to the hospital when i am going to have my baby?

Answer 1

Essentials for Mom
Nursing bra
Supports swollen, sore breasts and keeps breast pads in place

Breast pads
These stop messy leaks by absorbing milk

Nursing pillow
Reduces the strain on your arms, neck, and back while nursing, especially in bed

Nightgown and robe
More comfortable than standard hospital gowns

Slippers
For walking around the hospital during early labor

Socks
To keep feet warm and toasty during delivery

Going-home outfit
Choose something that fit during your sixth month of pregnancy

Toiletries
Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, lip balm, makeup, hairbrush, shampoo, and soap

Sanitary pads
You'll be more comfortable after delivery with your favorite brand

Camera
For all those important first photos

Address book
You'll have plenty of calls to make

Essentials for your baby
Infant car seat
You can't leave the hospital without one

Going-home outfit
A stretchy one-piece sleeper should do the trick

Hat
Prevents heat loss by covering your baby's head

Booties/socks
To keep little feet snug and warm

Receiving blankets
Newborns love to be swaddled

Nice extras
Video camera
To document those precious first moments of your baby's life

Hair clip or band
Keeps hair out of the way during delivery

Massage oils
Especially helpful for relieving back labor


CDs/CD player
Soothing music can help you relax before and after delivery

Pillow from home
It adds a touch of familiar comfort

Magazines
You can expect some down time, but you won't want a novel

Snacks
Bring something to munch on during the early stages of delivery

TV channel guide
You'll likely have a TV in the room


Some of these things you will need and some you wont. Things will seem like they are going so fast you wont even have time to think about it.

I just had twins 2 months ago so I know all about it

Answer 2

Pack whatever you would take with you on a weekend trip. Things that make you comfortable and that you use on a daily basis. A pretty pair of pajamas or a robe for when visitors show up and a plain pair to sleep in. Going home clothes for the baby, and your own clothes for the baby to wear while still in the hospital. I didn't know this was an option when I had my daughter and I wish I had packed some sleepers for her to wear instead of the t-shirts the hospital provided. My daughter came out needing a manicure, so baby clippers would be good to pack as well. Don't forget your car seat, most hospitals will not let you leave unless they see the car seat and make sure the baby is fastened in correctly. Good luck!

Answer 3

With my first baby, I brought everything that the lists tell you to bring on pregnancy websites. My bag stayed packed for almost 2 months after I returned home. Most of that crap isn't needed. You are going to be in pretty severe pain when you are in labor .......even if you decide to get an epidural, you will be in pain until they feel that you are ready to get one. The last thing on your mind will be having someone rub a tennis ball on your back, or listening to a cd player. You also have to remember that you will be hooked up to an IV and a blood pressure taker and a little thing that goes on your finger for your pulse. You are just going to lay there!!! Then afterwards you will be in pain and bleeding really bad. So my advice is keep it simple. (most hospitals want you to wear the gown they provide for easy access, even afterward so they can check your bleeding quite often) Bring 1 comfy outfit and another comfy outfit to wear home, some shampoo/cond. toothbrush/toothpaste, deodorant and any other personal grooming items you use on a daily basis. Believe me you will be so wrapped up in your new baby.....

Answer 4

I took a childbirth class at the hospital where both my kids were born, and honestly, I took almost nothing on the list of things they said to take. I took: loose shorts and t-shirt (to wear home), toothbrush and toothpaste (although the hospital provided it to me), my cell phone (to make calls after the baby was born, because hospitals charge a ridiculous amount for long distance calls!), a brush for my hair, deodorant and a deck of cards. They say take slippers, a night gown, chapstick, a book or magazine, blah blah blah. OK, so when you're right in the midst of labor, first of all, you're going to be leaking amniotic fluid and possibly blood all over that lacy nightgown you so lovingly packed. Reading was the LAST thing I wanted to do during contractions. My lips didn't get chapped, and the hospital provided little non-skid slippers for me to wear when I walked (which I dind't do too much of because the pain from the contractions was crippling. I couldn't breathe during them, much less run laps around the maternity ward, lol). My husband and I took the playing cards because we'd been told that most first time labors can last upwards of 18 hours. Mine lasted 5 (including pushing). When we first got there (before my contractions got painful) it was so exciting and there was so much going on, so much to see and do and talk about, we forgot about the cards. After they'd settled us into my LDR (labor, delivery and recovery room) we tried to play a game of euchre, but by then, my contractions were getting pretty bad and I couldn't concentrate on the game.

If I were you, I would DEFINITELY take:
Loose fitting clothes (for the ride home)
Brush/comb for your hair
Toothpaste and toothbrush (your hosp. might not provide it)
An outfit or two for the baby (incase he spits up on the first one. Plus, you'll want to have a cute one on hand if you have his pictures taken while in the hospital)
A few receiving blankets (if it's cold outside)

Answer 5

For mom during birth:
small washcloth for face
tons of drinks - juices and water
drinking straws
a book and/or music
glasses if you are contact lens wearer
bands for hair
cream for hands (a/c makes them dry)

for mom after birth:
ID documents or passport
small change
comfy PJ's (two pairs)
undies - loads
thick pads with wings
shower slippers
towel and robe
shower things (shampoo etc)
nipple cream if you plan to nurse (speak to a lactation consultant)
books
drinks
fruit
small luminous clock
snacks
mild painkillers for after-cramps
creams etc
some make-up so you can feel human
cell phone and charger
nursing bra and pads
socks

for baby on discharge:
onesies
diapers
car seat
hat
hand mittens
booties
spit cloths
wipes

tips:
an iced pad helps relieve pain of stitches. just shove it in the freeezer an hour before use
nipples hurt like hell at the beginning, so use of a breastfeeding cream (speak to a lactation consultant) for a few days before will really help
a nursing pillow is a great asset to have in the hospital!

good luck!

Answer 6

There are loads of resources that will give you suggested lists of what to pack. They range from almost nothing to everything but the kitchen sink. The link I'm giving gives a good general idea.

Personally, the most important things I took for me were - a water bottle with a spray top (my son was born in August and spraying my face with water really helped keep me cool during labour and delivery), my birth plan (it helps if it's all written down for your midwife to refer to when you might not be in the mood for a long discussion), a comfortable nightshirt for birthing and a comfortable nightshirt for afterwards, a pair of slippers (hospital floors are cold - even in summer), comfortable cotton underwear, basic toiletries (you WILL want to brush your teeth, you probably WON'T want to put on mascara) and my camera.

The most important things I took for my son - nappies (unbelievably, after the first one, the hospital did not provide these), sleep suits (actually, what I took ended up being huge on him and my hubby had to go buy premie clothes, but it was better than the hospital gowns), mitts (baby's often have long nails, and their faces will get scratched)

And of course, when you're going home, you need to have your car seat!

Good luck!

Answer 7

You should take with you at least 2 pairs of very comfortable pj's or a very nice nightgown with a robe. If you intend on breastfeeding, make sure that the tops are button down or are easily accessable for feeding. Socks & a pair of nice slippers. Several pairs of underwear. Address book to make your calls. Toiletries & makeup. Books & magazines. A fresh outfit for yourself for when you go home. For the baby, a stretchy (that's a one piece zip up jump suit with feet), a onesy (an undershirt that snaps at the crotch), a blanket & if it's cold, a light snowsuit or bunting outfit.

Answer 8

*A Pillow (use a pillow case that you don't mind ruining)
*A couple of night gowns (also that you don't mind ruining)
*Robe
*Socks or slippers to keep your feet warm
*A Nursing bra and pads (your milk will really come in once baby starts feeding)
*A going home outfit (remeber you will most likely still be wearing maternity clothes for a week or two)
*Your Doctor should give you a list of things that you want to happen during labor (just incase you can't speak for yourself during labor) if you don't have one, you can print one off on www.babycenter.com. (great website for anything to do with pregnancy and baby!)
*Magazines, books, movies, something to keep you and partner occupied, you're gonna be there a while.
*Have Partner Pack a change of clothes or two. (include a bathing suit incase they want to help you in the bath tub, some women like to sit in a warm bath to help calm contractions)
*A toiletry bag....travel size deoderant, toothpaste/brush,facewash, soap, shampoo conditioner, lotion, brush, hair ties, CHAPSTICK (trust me, you'll use it)
*Pack baby a going home outfit or two, hat, socks, diapers, wipes, lotion, recieving blankets.

Be sure to pack in advance and have bag ready.....you never know when baby will make an appearance! Good Luck.

Answer 9

Pillows. All the pillows in your home.

Camera, film,

Your own soap, shampoo conditioner, Your own bath towels. We have bath sheets in our home and when they gave me the hospital towels I was like "what's this a washcloth for the baby or something?"

Some make up. People will take pictures of you no matter what you say.

Your prenatal vitamins. Continue taking them after the birth. To help keep iron up.

A small piece of luggage that's empty for gifts people bring.

A newborn size or even premiee size outfit. For newborn photos. (I had an 8pound baby and was upset that nothing fit her. It was all too big)

Snacks you like that you can keep in the drawer next to the bed.

Answer 10

you'll need to bring a going home out fit for you and your baby...if you want to extra clothes for you while your in the hospital, wouldnt bring any pants tho cuz you'll be too sore...i stayed in my hospital gown the whole time i was there. a few recieving blankets, snacks, cameras, oh and make sure who ever is next to you in the delievery room has something to drink for you before you have the baby bc if u have an epidural your gonna want something to drink after the baby is born.