What do you wish you had packed for the hospital when you gave birth?

Question

I am due in two weeks (!!!), first baby, and I am packing a bag; so far I have robe, slippers, gowns (2), crosswords, books, deodorant, CDs, and I'm going to pack some snacks. What else helped pass the time or make you more comfortable during labour?

Answer 1

I had an emergency C-section. Tell ya what... people were in and out of my room the entire time I was there.. every 1/2 hr they were taking my temperature.. blood pressure.. you name it. I'm glad I was so well looked after.. but during the day and night I just tried to sleeeeeep!! I was SO tired. They had me on pain meds, too, which I didn't really want to be, but they made me tired, also. I was glad I brought a small mirror to put on my bedside table. I was unable to walk for a day or two, and people were coming in to visit.. I was glad for a quick check in the mirror to make sure there was no spinach in my teeth, or anything!! I brought things to do, like cards, etc., but honestly did not have time to do anything but nurse the baby and try to sleep whenever I could!! My hospital prefered my son to be in the room most of the time with me... so I was very occupied :) Be prepared to be smelly.. Always ask for like wet washcoths or something, before you get company, so you are feelin fresh. If you give birth naturally, I'm sure you won't have the problems I did with getting out of bed to tidy up, etc. I couldn't even take a shower without help until the second day!! ..ick. lol

Good luck with your big day!!! There is nothing like that experience in the world! Try to remember to take notes afterwards, and even during the events! We took notes the entire day, and already when I look back, I have forgotten some things (it's only been a year!) So I guess what I'm saying is don't forget the pen and paper!! :) Don't worry too much... it's only a day or two in your entire lifetime!! It goes pretty darn quick. The months ahead are gonna be fun! {{ }}

Answer 2

robe, yes...
slippers...mabye, I opted for the grippy socks
crosswords, books - will never be opened - labor with the first child is too exciting and the last thing you will do is want to read.

deoderent - yes, yes, yes
cd's - same with the books
snacks - if you had a 10 hour labor like I did, you will not want to eat. you will, however, pray that it will end soon.

I wish I had thought to bring a Do Not Disturb sign
I wish I had brought the baby book for the first footprints to be in the actual book.
I did bring cozy, attractive gowns so my first child would not be in paper for the first few days of his life.
Take your own maxi pads - the hospital uses the mattress kind
Be sure and take the remainder of the 'liners' that go in the bed to protect the sheets....in the hospital you will use a few and they have already charged you for the whole pack - you will need these at home.
Take your own pillow.
Take some socks
Shave your legs - if you still can
Get a pedicure
Remember to have someone pick up the newspaper of the day your child was born - he/she can see what was going on the day they were born

Answer 3

CHAPSTICK!!!! OMG how much of a lifesaver that was

Speaking of lifesavers... pack lifesavers, hard candy is good to suck on during labor.

PILLOW

Don't pack a ton though, seriously... its a waste. Pack a bag with the essentials and a seperate bag with the rest. Have your husband bring the other stuff after you have the baby if you need it.
Don't bring a diaper bag for the baby you get one in the hospital and all the supplies you will need.

DO pack two outfits, one in the TINY newborn size, it will say NEWBORN on the tag, and one in the standard 0-3 months size. This way at least one of the outfits will fit depending on if your baby is small, adverage, or large.

Remember, you will only be there for 2 days on adverage and 1/2 that time will be spent in labor, and a lot of the rest asleep. Don't pack like you are going on vacation, its just more to haul in and out of there.

***I almost forgot. Ask the nurses not to do your baby's portraits until just before you leave (gives time for baby to pink up and swelling to go down) and ask to dress baby in his/her going home outfit otherwise it may be done in the hospital clothes. My frist child was done just before leaving in her own clothes and my second they did without telling me 1 hour after birth. The first child's newborn photo looks a lot better***

Answer 4

I planned on a no more than a 3 day stay....plan for at least a week so you are prepared. The worst thing I didn't pack was a razor, I had to get one from the hospital and it was terrible. Deodarant and body spray, make up, take your own soap and shampoo, hand held mirror (sits discreetly on your side table), ponytail holders, gum, moist toilettes or something similiar..Dove used to make body refreshers don't know if they still do. You may want to pack short sleeve/long pants pjs..I wouldn't have felt comfortable in front of visitors in a nightgown, and trust me I did not feel like wearing real clothes for a couple days. Good luck and congrats!

Answer 5

congrats first of all! and enjoy this time...it's not as scary as we moms anticipate and you won't need beer or morphine to get thru it.
take as large a suitcase as you like, this is one time your hubby won't complain. but I suggest one on wheels so it's easy to maneuver.
pack some good lotion and baby powder...they help with massages which you should take advantage of.
extra socks to wear in bed and keep those toes warm, they will be out of the covers plenty.
pony tails and/ or clips to keep your hair out of your face.
I enjoyed a lounging bra, being well endowed I didn't like flopping all over the place.
I have had four children, all natural... I would take my own pillow and maybe an extra blanket. (some nurses are stengy with the blankets for some reason)(these days though, I think they understand and give them out more freely)
Do not be afraid or bashful to ask for whatever you need. and for heavens sakes, pull the covers out from the end of the bed.
Oh, I really enjoyed a deck of cards with my 3rd child. I never played but it kept my mother and hubby busy and quiet while I rested.
Don't forget your toothbrush.
And your own feminine pads for after the birth, most hospitals are still using the same ones my grandmother used 40 years ago!
Blessings to you and your precious new little one! It's really a blast and I'm envious....
Kathy

Answer 6

Your own pillow. Gripper socks are good if you don't mind sleeping in them or you have someone to put them on you (you might not be up to bending over)
Magazines are better than books because the articles are short and your attention span might wander, plus all the traffic in and out of your room.
You might want to think about make-up for those post labor pictures and don't forget lotion and stuff like that.
As for snacks, my favorite was dried cherries.
I'll second it about bringing your own pads. The hospital ones are terrible.
I wished that I had thought to bring earplugs with me when I went. I had to spend an extra night in the labor room after giving birth, due to complications and the noise was awful. I couldn't even have my son with me. You try to sleep with someone giving birth across the hall.
And don't forget loose, comfortable clothes to wear home.

BTW - congratulations

Answer 7

I wish I'd packed a can of whoop-***!

On a serious note: You would do best to pack just like you're going to be out of town on vacation for a weekend.
-A couple outfits, especially for going home, comfy sweats for example
-camera and/or video camera
-(you already listed) CDs, books, magazines, etc.
-toothbrush and toothpaste
-soap, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant
-comb, something to tie your hair back if it's long
-baby book
-baby's take home outfit and first picture outfit
-list of people to call when the baby's born
-any visual things you want to focus on during labor, or anything you want to use to make your hospital room more home-like.
-your birth plan

Hope that helps!

Answer 8

My pillow! I didn't pack it but I had my husband go get it from home. Other than that I wish I would've packed some playing cards or something to pass the time during the day.

Answer 9

squish ball thingys they help you get through contractions and so much less painful when you throw them at your hubby but i would take an outfit for the baby a camera and any thing that makes you feel good like maybe a bear or some thing like that i took an extra pillow ohhh ohh and wippies for teh baby the hospital i stayed at didnt have wipes just gause pads i felt so bad useing those on the baby's poor little bum good luck

Answer 10

This was awhile back for me.

I know Lamaze suggested a small ball,such as a tennis ball, for your partner to rub on your back,if you have back labor.

A toothbrush,hairbrush,tooth-paste,shampoo.

Money. They tell you not to,but when I was there they brought the pictures around and wouldnt leave them with me until I could pay for them. I couldn't pay for them until my hubby came and by the time he came they had left and we had to special order the pictures.

Phone numbers of all the friends and relatives you'll want to call and annouce the birth of your baby.

Gee,that's all I can come up with right now.

Good luck!