What to take to the hospital when I'm in labor?

Question

I've found the checklists online on what to take with me to the hopital for the baby and I, but what did you really use, or what is the list missing?!

Answer 1

Most important item is your own personal night gown. You don't want to have to walk the halls in one of those open-backed numbers the nurses find so humorous.

Best wishes to the new mommy!

Answer 2

I wish I had brought more of my own underwear. All they had there were those stupid mesh panties, which didn't fit my full figure very well - not to mention the fact that they're mesh. Ugh. I would bring some of your older panties that you don't mind getting stained, but you'll be much more comfortable if you have your own.

I also wish I had brought more food from home. The food they have there is really icky, not to mention the vending machine prices. If you want any candy, you'll have to pay through the ear for it. You should be able to bring your own as long as you're not on a restricted diet.

Make sure you have everything that your birth partner will need, also. We're quick to forget their needs when all the attention is being focused on us. They might want some cards to play games and other things like that.

Also, you're going to have a lot of new stuff with you when you leave. I would bring a couple empty bags with you so that you can carry everything out.

Also, bring a few outfits for the new baby - not just one. The hospital I gave birth in didn't provide any clothes for the baby, and the ones that most do have are pretty plain, so if you want the baby to look cute, bring some of your own stuff.

Good luck!! :)

Answer 3

Think about taking a couple days' vacation. What would you bring for that? Think about waiting in the airport and what would help you pass the time. Think about the times you are sick at home, and what kinds of things you like near you to help your relax, or forget about your sickness and pain and discomfort. Think about the fact that you won't be as big when you're leaving the hospital, but remember that your going home outfit might still need to be a little bigger than pre-preg clothes. Then look at those lists and see if there's anything else you might be missing from there that would help to have on hand. I spent most of my time at the hospital sleeping, watching the tv, and talking to visitors, i had my son at about 7 in the morning, so about the only thing i needed for comfort and relaxation was the epidural. During my hospital stay, i wore the hospital gowns and my own robe from home. But the best thing that i brought with me was a new body wash that made me feel soooo good in the shower, it smelled so great. Everyone's different. pack based on what you like.

Answer 4

a pair of sweats or other comfy change of clothse 2 lve in. . . toothpaste & brush, less what they give is ok 4 u, a camera (ideally digital to avoid finding out later that nothing came out clear). . . SLIPPERS!!! nice cozy slip-on slippers of some sort & really cheap plastic/rubber flip-flop ones for the shower, some believe in clothse 4 babe, i settled a one piece blanket with hood & cut a slit in the bottom 4 the carseat.

1. night gown. my mom pushed 4 me 2 have 1, but personally i found hospital gowns much better. the after effects of preg r quite messy
2. u want 2 get as much rest as poss while in there, so keep your calling minimal... allow someone else 2 waste their cell minutes receiving & making calls otherwise u'll b getting calls from the time u ck in to the week after u & babe r home. . .
3. 2 much in means a heck of alot 2 remember 2 pack & retreive when u lve. keep it simple 4 yourself & others around u. less u have, less u've got 2 worry about.

***There was once a time when women were hospitalized for wk(s). . . U may B there for 24-72 hrs less complications & U'll once again only need what they provide even then.

Answer 5

Cosmetics: toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo etc
A couple pairs of pajamas
Slippers and housecoat
Your own pillow if you like
Several pairs of underwear
Sandles that you can wear in the shower for when you're in labour
I typed out my birthplan so the doctor would have a copy
Address book of people to call
Things for the baby : sleepers, blankets, diapers, something to bring it home in.
Chapstick
Hair elastics, brush
Someone can bring the carseat later
In Canada the hospitals provide pads, breast pads and diapers. Depending on where you live, you may need to bring those.
Something to wear home (probably elastic maternity pants and a baggy shirt)

Answer 6

Just take as little as you need to be comfortable. Most hospitals no longer have you stay for more then 24 hours after birth. Understand now that many hospitals if you are not going to breastfeed, will not provide formula, not all, but many, as they want to make it so women breast feed. So if you know you are not going to breast feed for whatever reason, take bottles and formula. NO KIDDING! Check your hospital to see what their current policies on this are, do they provide formular for mothers who chose not to breast feed, if you are not going to.

You really need so little with you. Just clean clothes to go home in for you and your baby. Take important phone numbers with you of people you all want to contact about the birth, and a phone card if you do not have a cell phone to make any long distance calls on you may want to make.

Congratulations on becoming a Mommy!

Answer 7

I did the same thing, looking for lists online! Just make SURE you have your personal fav hygeine products (lotions, toothpaste, sprays) comforting things. Cd's and a cd player was also a good thing for me, it seemed like it calmed me alot. If you have a robe or some easy to put on P.J.'s i'd take them along, the hospital attire is not very fashionable! Ooooh, and make sure to take a cute little "coming home" outfit for the little one. Good luck!

Answer 8

Personally, I think those list are just suggestions. All I ever needed was:
Gown
houseshoes
hair tie
hygiene products
anything that will comfort you (pillow, picture, music)
outfit to go home in for you and baby
carseat
and of course the baby :)

Answer 9

Honestly, from experience, I can tell you that you really don't need to bring anything. The hospital provides you with everything.

You should only bring things that you think will make you more comfortable (a comfy nightgown or your toothbrusth or music that calms you) and a bring home baby outfit. Oh, and a car seat. That's the one thing you must bring...but even if you forget it, they will give you a loaner.

The hospital provides all of the diapers, wipes, blankets, gowns for you (so you don't have to get your nice ones dirty), pads. And they normally send you home with lots of things too (we got a ton of diapers sent home with us).

So what you MUST bring, is really just a carseat and a going home outfit for baby. But you MAY bring whatever you think will make you comfy.

Answer 10

I robe and an outfit for you and the baby to go home on( plus a baby blanket) and car seat.Also your own personal tolietries. Shampoo, lotion (MAKEUP)and a hair brush, hair dryer. Dont forget your camera to take photos when the baby is in your room with you.

Good luck!