I am pregnant, what do I need to take in my hospital bag?

Answer 1

~ Baby Clothes - even though the hospital says you don't need to bring anything except a going home outfit, I didn't like the paper shirts or hospital gowns that the hospital had so I took four or five outfits for the baby.
~ Outfits for yourself - don't get overly ambitious, just take early maternity clothes. Also I wanted my own panties and nightgowns. If they get bled on, bleach them - it's worth it!
~ If you're nursing, take a BOPPY/Breastfeeding pillow. It's a back saver - even for bottle feeding. It supports the baby and your arms - also if you have a C-section it is great for a barrier around the incision.
~ Snacks! - The hospital might bring your meals but what if you have a night time craving? I also took some of my own soda but didn't end up needing it.
~ YOUR OWN PILLOW! - The hospital ones suck. You'll want your own - take a dark pillow case so it doesn't get confused with hospital linens
~ Stuff to do - if your labor isn't really, really intense you'll want something to do, both before and after. Magazines, cross word puzzles/games, phone list.

Answer 2

Well this is just a few things I packed, although I am probably missing a few things plus you will get many answers..different people like different things. Bring your own comfy socks, although be prepared for them to get dirty. So maybe a couple pairs. Bring something to relax you. Whatever that may be for you. A CD, something visual to look at, a back and foot massager. What helped me most was my back massager. I had my husband use it when my contractions got bad. It helped with the back labor I was experiencing. Some hard candy to suck on. I got sick of ice chips after awhile. Your own p.j.'s if you want. I would bring sanitary pads too. The cool pack hospital ones are nice in the beginning but not all that absorbent. You will need toiletries like toothbrush, toothpaste, hair brush, etc. I recommend a favorite shampoo or body wash. Kind of like a little pick me up in the shower. And of course something to wear home. A loose comfy outfit. Don't forget your undergarments.(bring an extra set of those too)

Answer 3

Take a nice shampoo and body wash and a bath body puff. In the hospital, they only give you those crappy washcloths to use.

Bring your makeup, because when people visit, you will want to fix yourself up a little bit.

One thing that we needed that we didn't bring was BABY FORMULA in the individual disposable bottles! My baby was discharged a day before I was, and I wanted to keep her in my room with me (I couldn't take her home while I was still in hospital), and we needed to feed her. After her discharge, the hospital wouldn't give her anything for free, so my husband had to go out and buy it and bring it back to the hospital. You may as well bring some newborn diapers too, just in case. This all depends on your hospital.

Bring something to read or do, like crossword puzzles. DON'T bring your baby announcement envelopes to address, because you get interrupted a lot, and it is too much to keep track of. Bring one book and a puzzle book or something.

Bring some little snacks. Bring phone numbers of friends & family if you like to chat on the phone.

Bring some warm socks and a robe, and a couple nursing nightgowns. Depending on the hospital, they might make you wear their gowns as long as you are there, but at least you have something else to wear if you are allowed.

That is all I recommend. I had a cesarean, so I didn't need all the birth aids, like tennis balls and an excercise ball.

Many books tell you to bring extra pillows and tons of stuff. I never needed any of it. I was also all psyched up to order my favorite food from my favorite restaurant once I had the baby, and I wasn't allowed to EAT! Things often go differently than what you plan for.

We wanted to bring champagne, but I was on so much pain medication that I couldn't drink it anyway. If you want to celebrate, get the Non-alcoholic champagne (sparkling grape juice).

Congrats!

Answer 4

The best thing to do is to call the hospital and speak to one of the nurses on the maternity ward. They will be able to tell you want to bring as it varies which each hospital. Some hospitals provide diapers other do not.
You defiantly want to bring a house coat for you
Toiletries for you (as the quality at the hospital isn't great)
I would hold off on bringing outfits for the baby until the day you leave. It saves room in your suitcase. Same with the car seat, just have the babies father (or who ever is bringing you home) bring it with them the day you get discharged.
I would also bring a book and PJ's for you.
Oh can don't forget your camera, your own pillow, and slippers.

Answer 5

You might want to bring around 2-3 outfits. I would also bring a robe and some night gowns because the hospital ones suck (trust me, I know). And if you want, your own pillow and blanket because the hospital tends to be cold, and their stuff made me itch! Also, you need to bring all your necessities: toothbrush, hairbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, lotion, body wash, your own towel, favorite washcloth, curling iron (if you use one), make-up, ponytail holders or other hair accessories (I forgot both and hated it), socks, undies (granny panties because you don't want to ruin your good panties), sanitary napkins (hospital will provide those, and they're actually pretty good, so make sure you ask for some extras before you leave), an epi pillow for the ride home (I didn't have one and also had to ride in the Camaro we had then...needless to say, I cried all the way home), Q-tips (baby ones, too), outfits for the baby, blankets, carseat, a snuzzler (so awesome), socks and caps for the baby, and that's all I can think of for now. If I think of anything else, I'll let you know!

Answer 6

You don't need much. Most women overpack.

Toothbrush, hairbrush, toiletries (lotion, maybe some mascara but you won't use it), deodorant, mini-shampoo & conditioner, etc. A cute pair of jammies for lounging in (something you wouldn't mind your father in law seeing you in, nothing too sexy! Also, something easily washable, and something you won't miss if it gets ruined), an outfit for going home (something that fit you when you were about 5 months pregnant), a bathrobe or sweater (they keep L&D floors COLD!), an outfit and a couple of blankets for the baby.

Also, make sure you've got a camera and the car seat is in the car and ready to go.

A lot of the websites say not to take your purse, but my purse holds my entire life, so I took mine. I left it in the trunk of the car when I went in during labor, then had my husband get it later so I had my cell phone and all my junk.

You don't want to take anything valuable - it could get stolen, unfortunately.

Answer 7

You will need at least two to three outfits. Do not bring any thing like nightgowns or pj's. sanitary napkins, shampoo or anything like that. The hospital will usually provide you with those things. Also do not bring anything like projects for the baby or anything. You will be too tired and worn out to work on them. A good list of items would be: outfits for yourself, clothes to bring the baby home in, a good infant car seat, glasses or contacts if you wear them. Also bring some hair ties in case your hair is long.

Answer 8

A loose fitting set of clothing to return home in. Toothbrush and paste, hairbrush and comb, shampoo and body wash. Outfit for baby. (remember they tend to be cold, so long sleeves and pants or a one piece jumper/sleeper). Baby blankets (just a couple). Camera. Magazines or a book for during labor.

Have someone bring the carseat when you're discharged.

Answer 9

You should definitely consider some comfortable clothes for the birth. My wife wore the hospital gown for our 1st son and of course millions of women have worn the hospital gown, but we (I) didn't see the difference until our second was born, where a friend of ours gave us a birth skirt from BINSI. It's not going to make the birth any easier, but my wife sure was more comfortable. I just checked their website and they've got more than just skirts now, definitely check it out at www.birthinbinsi.com!

Answer 10

Clothes for a few days, a book, crossword puzzle, something to keep you occupied. Also you might want to bring your own pillow, the hospital ones can get uncomfortable.

Make Sure, whoever is coming with you has PLENTY to do.