36 weeks. Still not packed?

Question

Ok. I am 36 weeks pregnant today and i still haven't packed for the hospital. I want to know, what will me, the baby and my fiance need to bring to the hospital? I want to pack a bag soon as i will being into labor within the next 4 weeks.

Answer 1

You may want to pack two bags for the hospital or birth center: a small overnight bag for the items you'll need during labor and a larger bag for everything else that you'll need later. Here's a list of things that experienced moms recommend packing. You may also want to ask your caregiver, childbirth educator, or doula for tips on what to bring.

For labor

• Your birth plan.

• Your insurance card and any hospital paperwork you need.

• Your eyeglasses, if you need any. Even if you usually wear contacts, you'll probably need or want to take them out at some point during your stay.

• A hair band and barrettes, if you think you might want them.

• Lip moisturizer.

• A bathrobe, nightgown, slippers, and a couple of pairs of socks. Hospitals provide gowns for you to use during labor and afterward, but most will allow you to wear your own clothes if you prefer. Choose something loose and comfortable that you don't mind getting ruined. You'll need to wear a gown instead of pants so that your practitioner can check your cervix. Choose a top with short, loose sleeves so you your blood pressure can be checked easily and so you can slip your top off easily if you want to change and have an IV in place. You might also want to bring your own slippers and robe for walking around during the early stages of labor. If you don't want to risk soiling your robe, you can ask for a second hospital gown to wear as a robe to cover your backside.

• Something to read, if you're so inclined. One husband we know spent the early stages of labor reading The Lion in Winter while his wife read The English Patient. "In retrospect, I should have brought the National Enquirer or Vogue — something trashy with pictures," she says.

• Massage oils or lotions, music, an extra pillow, whatever you need to help you relax. (If you do bring your own pillow, be sure to use a patterned or colorful pillowcase so it doesn't get mixed up with the hospital's.) You might consider bringing tennis balls or a rolling pin in case you have back labor and need them for massage.

• Talismans, a picture of someone or something you love, anything you find reassuring.

For your partner/labor coach

• Money for parking and change for vending machines.

• A few basic toiletries, such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant.

• A change of clothes

• Some snacks and something to read during the early stages.

• A camera/video camera and film or tape or a memory card and batteries. Someone has to document the big event! (NOTE: Not all hospitals allow videotaping of the birth itself, but there's usually no rule against taping during labor or after the birth.)

• A bathing suit. If your partner wants to take a bath or shower during labor, you may want to jump in with her.

Postpartum


• A fresh nightgown.

• Snacks! After many hours of labor, you're likely to be pretty hungry and you don't want to have to rely on the hospital's food. So bring your own crackers, raisins, and granola bars.

• A nursing bra, breast pads, and maternity underwear, if you'd prefer not to wear the net panties they'll give you at the hospital. Chances are, whatever underwear you do wear the first few days will get stained, even with sanitary pads (which the hospital provides).

• Toiletries. Toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, lip balm, deodorant, and makeup, if it's important to you. Hospitals will have soap, shampoo, and lotion, but you might prefer your own brands.

• Your address book and prepaid phone card or cell phone. After the baby's born you'll want to call family and friends to let them know the good news. Note: Some hospitals don't allow cell phones to be used in the labor and delivery area, so you may want to ask about it ahead of time.

• A going-home outfit. Bring something roomy and easy to get into — believe it or not, you'll probably still look 5 or 6 months pregnant — along with a pair of flat shoes. The last thing you'll be worrying about when you go home is whether your outfit is fashionable.

For your baby

• An infant car seat. You can't drive your baby home without one!

• A going-home outfit (one-piece stretchy outfits are easiest) and a snowsuit if it's very cold

• A receiving blanket (a heavy one if the weather's cold)

• A pair of socks or booties

• A cap (although they'll usually give you one at the hospital)

• Baby nail clippers or emery board. "The hospital where my son was born didn't supply clippers for fear of liability, and as a consequence my son gouged his face before he was 12 hours old," says Jen Morin of Vancouver, British Columbia.

What not to bring


• Jewelry

• Lots of cash, credit cards, or any other valuables

• Work. Yes, we actually know fast-track types who have sent business e-mails from the hospital room, made work-related phone calls, and reviewed spreadsheets.

Answer 2

The hospital will supply you with alot of stuff....diapers, bottles with formula, slipper socks. You dont really need to pack like you are going on a week vacation. You will spend most of the time sleeping when you are in the hospital or talking to visitors, so leave the magazines and books at home. Just pack 2-3 lounging outfits, trust me. You dont need slipppers.....you wont be up and walking UNLESS YOU HAVE TO BE. Oh, and dont forget soap and shampoo/conditioner!!!!!!!!!! The hospital gives you this crap that smells horrible and gets your hair all knotty and its hard to brush out.

Answer 3

I'm 37 weeks, and haven't packed yet. You'll need slippers, or at least slipper socks, a night gown if you don't want to wear the hospital gown, but I'd wear the hospital gown, don't want to get yours from home nasty, probably a housecoat would do. Something for the baby to come home in, something warm, something light, depending where you live (I'm in Ohio so I don't know how the weather will be). And for the hubby, if he's not going home, then a change of clothes for him too. You'll probably need an extra change of clothes for you too, to come home in.

Answer 4

You:
A robe, slippers, large sanitary pads(the overnight ones are best), undies-lots of them, an outfit to go home in- like sweat pants and a t-shirt, a boppy-if breast feeding, a bra- supportive- nursing bras are great even if your not nursing, bathroom stuff-brush,toothbrush...etc, change for the vending machines- hubby will want something when the kitchen is closed, a deck of cards- great for passing time between contractions, and a camera.
Fiance:
A couple changes of clothing, his own pillow and a blanket- the hospital pillows suck, slippers, and bathroom stuff, and a list of who to call after the baby is born.
Baby:
Outfit for pictures, outfit for going home, blanket for carseat-if weather permits, some diapers-hospital will have some but should bring some just in case.

Thats about it.
Good luck!!!!

Answer 5

hey they should give you a least of stuff but it did bring back memories from my first i didnt pack until half an hour before i gave birth, dont stree its just a minor detail

Answer 6

tyr with packing one outfit for the baby. and maybe 3 for your self. bring you social security stuff and ask the hospital your going to what else you need. best of luck with the baby!!! ♥ ♥ ♥

Answer 7

you don't need much one outfit for the baby one for you a blanket for the baby perhaps,set up the car seat ahead of time , that's about it the hospital gives you pretty much all you need for the first couple of days, i remember packing a bag ,but don't really remember using it.

Answer 8

for you:toothbrush, hair comb, hair brush, ponytail holder, slippers, bathrobe, comfy jamas, going home clothes

for your fiance:toothbrush

your new addition:going home clothes and carseat


and oh for you again:kotex, maxi pads as you will bleed for quite sometime

congrats

Answer 9

Hi,

Good luck with labour. I would bring:

- outfits for baby inc bibs, singlets, jumpsuits
- clothes for you - for labour, during the day and nities, deoderant, tooth brush, tooth paste, undies, singlet, shorts and t-shirt
- food - snacks for hubby and maybe you (especially if you dont like the hospital food lol)
- slippers for you
- nappies
- formula (as a backup if you cant breast feed)
- change of clothes for hubby
- cd for music during labour to relax you
- cd player for the above and also for music for baby

Good luck

Carla

Answer 10

Here's a list I found that works.

For Mom
____ Comfortable robe
____ Nightgown
____ Nursing bra and nursing pads
____ Warm socks
____ Slippers
____ Comfortable outfit you can wear home
____ Sanitary pads
____ Toiletries such as shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, moisturizer, lip balm
____ Hair clips, scrunchies, barrettes
____ Brush or comb
____ Toothbrush and toothpaste

For Your Labor Partner
____ Change of clothes
____ Book or magazine
____ Toothbrush, toothpaste, and other basic toiletries
____ At least $20 in cash and change for snacks, phone calls, and so forth
____ Snacks or soft drinks in small cooler
____ Watch with a second hand for timing contractions

For Baby
____ Car seat
____ Newborn hat
____ 2 receiving blankets
____ 2 "onesies"
____ 2 pairs of socks
____ "Going home" outfit — including sweater or bunting if the weather is cold
____ Diapers and diaper bag

Documents
____ Birth plan
____ Insurance cards
____ Address book with phone numbers
____ Birth announcements and postage stamps

Extras
____ Electric heated massager or tennis ball (very helpful for lower back pain or leg cramps)
____ Massage oil
____ Personal stereo and headphones
____ Favorite tapes or compact discs
____ Some books and magazines
____ Camera or video camera (and film!)
____ Extra pillow
____ Gift for sibling
____ Hard candy to suck on during labor
____ Lanolin, if nursing
____ Cell phone