What to pack!
So...i have been reading many articles and things on your third trimester and many women have had their bags packed for the hospital for weeks already and it is already in the car.
Many because with their first baby, the bag wasn't packed or they forgot it in the panic.
In light of a good friend having her baby 4 weeks early last week.....I have decided to start thinking about what to take etc. and maybe even pack the bag. :)
I want practical input from you moms out there......what do you wish you would have had at the hospital?....what did you take but didn't use? and what item was it you couldn't live without?
Enjoy your wednesday!
posted by Troy & Sherry @ 6:05 AM
27 Comments:
Ok - I have a great list! I had my bags packed several weeks in advance and had them in the car several weeks in advance! I'm just that crazy :-)
So, here are some things that I definitely would bring again for the next baby:
1. Bring your own pillow - hospital pillows are so uncomfy, so bring your own with a non-white pillow case, but not the silk pillow case ;-)
2. Bring chapstick/lip balm - for some reason I was so dry in the birthing room, and obviously, you aren't allowed to eat and you get ice chips, so this helps!
3. I brought my own toiletries (trial sizes) - just something about using your own shampoo and soap and such.
4. I brought my own pajamas - a nursing night gown with bathrobe (good for when visitors come by).
5. I packed Elijah his own bag, so I had a few outfits for him (not sure how big he'd be) for his picture as well as for his going home outfit. The hospital will give you plenty of diapers/wipes, etc while you are there and for the ride home, so you don't really have to bring that.
6. Vince actually packed clothes in my bag too - pajamas, toiletries, etc. He stayed with me pretty much the whole time, so this was key for him - not sure how your hospital is set up, but just in case :-) Also packed snacks for Vince - hard to get away to eat when they are helping you breathe correctly! :-)
7. Camera, camera charger, cell phone, cell phone charger, video camera, video camera charger. I also created a phone list with the people to contact so we had it all in one place (in case we panicked and forgot!)
8. Last but not least, bring your own underwear that you don't mind tossing when you leave the hospital. For me, the stupid mesh things they gave me just weren't cutting it at all!! I was much more comfortable in my own (too much information?! ha!)
I think for me those were the essentials. I'm sure there were more, but my brain is lacking today!! I'm getting so excited for you guys! YAY!!!!
I think Abby covered everything..even reminded me of some things to pack this time! One thing I would add is snacks (you know how great hospital food is), and if you plan on nursing: a boppy or similar type pillow.
My essentials list is flip-flops, a nursing undergarment =), pajama pants and shirt (much more comfortable to lounge in if you are having visitors - which I'm always up for a lot of!), toiletries, and outfits for baby (you might want to pack more than one, I learned the hard way since Ian peed all over his and went home in a hospital kimono). Clothes for Troy might be helpful as well instead of him having to run home. Our hospital had a bag of snacks in there waiting for us which was nice and they also have amazing food...I'm ready to have another baby just to get some of that lemon meringue pie again! =)
I think the first list is a great one!! I totally agree with the chapstick. it was a lifesaver. And maybe some gum. That helps with the dry mouth too. Another good thing is a few pairs of socks that you don't mind throwing out. They may get yucky. But my toes got cold so it was good to have them. And pack some favorite music cd's. It is nice to have in the background. Of course you could just deliver really fast like I did and not even need the music! Can you believe it is time to "pack your bag"!! You are smart to do it early. You never know what may happen. Some other things you might want to stock up on for home-lanolin and those absorbent breast shield things if you are nursing. And some pads for the weeks after. They give you MEGA ones in the hospital, but after a few days you will get tired of those and won't need the super duper ones. Good luck!! We miss you and can't wait to meet Jacob!
Love Jen
oh my gosh, I totally brought way too much with Jack. I haven't read all the comments yet, but I plan to, seeing I also need to start making my packing plans.
Sherry, these comments are great and really cover everything. I am starting my list now.....
I loved having my own CD player and CDs there is only so much Maury you can watch ;)
I got Bath and Body relaxation lavendar/vanilla massage lotion. It helped easy muscles and smelled great.
Plenty of outfits for Jacob including hats. Boys don't look too super in the hospital pink and blue striped hats.
Yes, a book for Troy, crossword, suduku or whatever. Snacks and clothes as he will not want to leave your side :)
Loved having my own jammies! Slippers were a must for me. I love having a fan on me (and I know Troy is my kindred spirit) so make sure one of those gets packed as well.
I liked having toys to hand out to kids who came with their parents to visit. Or have candy or something to entertain them.
Extra batteries. Laundry bag. Quarters for the soda machines. lap top to send pictures to Monica :)
Someone mentioned having extra packages of pads at home - which is TRUE. And since we're getting to the nitty gritty here, I'll go one step further. Make sure you have stool softener to take at home. They give you some at the hospital, but you'll want to take it until you're not scared to - ahem - you know what any more. :)
I can't believe I just commented about stool softener.
chapstick chapstick chapstick!!!!!!
(get my point!!) :)
socks
comfy jammies or lounging clothes
YOUR OWN PILLOW (that was my comfort piece from home.)
our hospital was amazing and there was a stocked fridge , toiletries and great great food! so, go on a tour of your hospital and find out what you are getting into. that helped my piece of mind.
I didn't pack my bag until i knew i was in labor. It doesn't happen like it does on TV...especially with your first one...you have time.
(but, now that i have said that you will probably deliver tomorrow! :)
Oh, install your car seat BEFORE you go to the hospital...sometimes they won't let you leave with your baby until it's in correctly.
This is a GREAT question--I am not commenting b/c I have no idea what's "Best" -even though I have done this twice--BUT I am going to read the comments AND I still am not fully packed--I have things ready, but I am not packed. . .I only have three weeks left, but I have been induced twice, so I feel like i have time:)
I would pack your bag ahead of time, because even though it is your first, you could go really fast like I did! A few things that were already mentioned but I totally agree with were slippers, lanolin (the brand I used was Lansinoh--this is key when nursing for the first time! Saves you from so much pain! Bring it, you will thank me!) Your own pillow. The hospital's pillows have a plastic liner underneath the regular pillow case. It makes for a crinkly pillow, not to mention encouraging sweating on the pillow because of the plastic! Yuck!
Something not mentioned--a list of encouraging Bible verses. I just threw in a list of verses all typed out, and they were really encouraging to me in those moments when I was so overwhelmed! You'll do great!
Lots of good suggestions! My essencials with #2 (kinda learned the hard way with luke on some of these)...
1. Someone had already mentioned flip-flops, but I would go a step further and be specific saying not the ones with the toe divider, but the ones you can slide into and still wear your socks with but will double as shower shoes (just incase you don't get a private room like me:-/) I had a pair of Addidas ones that I got cheap at Kohls.
2. Don't take your Lanolin with you. they have little tubes that they will give you (Lansinol brand) (and it was actually all I ever needed...didn't have to have to buy any more)..just ask for it, if they don't offer.
3. Nursing bra (even if you don't have one that fits yet, take something of the same type)
4. Your Bible...you would think that the sisters of saint frances would be kind enough to leave one in the rooms...nope could never find one.
5. And since we're getting personal here, I know this sounds gross, but bring some high fiber foods. They will give you stool softeners, but you will be way better off if you bring and eat REAL fiber. I suggest kelloggs all-bran buds (make sure it's the buds). They will come around and get your menu for every meal. There are a few things they will not offer, but you can request that I would do even if you don't eat it for that meal(i.e. save it for a snack): Prune juice, All-Bran cereal (it's not the buds, but it's better than nothing). oh, and your nurse will can get you the juices at anytime if you ask her. But anyway, stock up on the fiber sutff at home too.
6. Totally agree on the lounging clothes..dint' do it with Luke and regretted it, so I over packed with stephen:-)
7. your phone list and all the electronics (this is one that you really can't pack early so I would stick a sticky note on your dashboard now so you don't get in the car and drive off without them.
8. Home hospital is not well equipped for dvds, etc, but if you have a computer with a player, bring it and some dvd's. home does have wireless internet though which is nice.
ok, well those are just to add onto what everybody else said. Sorry for the novel:-)
Lansinoh & nursing pads.
I quadruple the chapstick!!
And definitely bring food. You will never go into labor & be done at the time they are serving anything to eat, but you WILL be famished. Granola, dried fruit, trail mix, etc.
Nursing pj's & nursing bras & maternity outfit to wear home.
Birthing items -- I bring my birthing ball & CD player with inspirational music CD's. I intone a lot during my births, & focus-items like music really help me.
Swaddle blanket. Going home outfit for baby.
Definitely your own pillow.
Camera/video camera.
Phone recharger.
I never bring a whole lot of toiletries b/c I don't enjoy showering at the hospital. I pretty much just wanna get home as soon as they'll discharge me & the baby.
The baby book -- if you want footprints, they will put them right in there for you.
Your birthing plan. We do very little medical intervention, so we bring a simple yet clear birthing plan to every birth.
Thick footie-socks.
And, of course, the carseat!!!!
Sorry to triple-comment, but if you plan to nurse & have never heard of Janet Tamaro's So That's What They're For book . . . you must get it! It is so much fun to read, & you will feel SO prepared for nursing. Nursing is tough, so if you are wanting to do it, grab up the book el pronto!
oh yeah, and i would take lavender essential oil (if you can find any, or you can borrow mine) . it is an antiseptic and has healing properties. A few drops in a sitz bath 2-3 times a day and will heal up 10x faster. Noticed a huge difference with I started doing this:-)
and now i officially am grossed out and don't want children.
Hey girl - thanks for stopping by my blog and as far as what to pack - I got nothing for ya - but from the looks of things a whole host of people do.
Have a great weekend!!
I just wanted to add that you can take all of the newborn diapers, samples of creams and whatever else is in the little drawer under the nursery bassinet that they wheel the baby around in! You're paying for it. :) ya- motherhood makes you REALLY verbal about anything and everything!
Holly- you're funny.
Hey guys...when Eden came 4 weeks early we did have the car packed and ready to go - however, when on the hospical tour some 2 weeks earlier they told us that a CD player could be provided. So, we packed CDs. Then, come to find out, the nurse thought we were crazy - NO CD PLAYER. So, if you want to listen to some calming music while in the hospital, take one...or be prepared (as we were) to call a good friend to bring one to you.
Wow...so many comments!
I agree with most of them...
here area few that jump out to me...
your pillow
a nursing bra (a size bigger than you are wearing now...my mom had to go get me one! It is amazing what happens after baby is born!)
baby book for footprints
if you are sentimental or scrapbook I had a special piece of paper for visitors to sign!
comfy pajamas and a robe
clothes, toiletries, and snacks for Troy
CAMERA!!!!
if you are planning on calling to announce the news...i had a phone list of people in order with the phone numbers. it was an exciting/emotional/busy time and it made it easier to remember who we had talked to!
Good luck to you! We hope all goes well. Every pregnancy is different, but if you are a normal first delivery it will probably be Troy pulling you out the door with you thinking you have plenty of time!
i think i need to go re-pack. i never packed my bag til last fri night (almost 2 weeks ago) when i lost my mucus plug. this silly baby still isn't here.
What a great post, Sherry! I still don't know what to pack, and this is my second time around:) JK!!
I LOVE the music thing though! Very helpful, and DVDs to help (if there is a DVD player).
EXERCISE BALL: I loved that! Do you know what that is? They are huge, and they actually call them birthing balls now too, and some hospitals have them. I used it with my contractions with Kendra, and it helped a lot!
I also set up the cute little outfit that I was going to put Kendra in as a focal point for me to look at while in labor. That was great as well.
This time I think I am going to have a picture of Kendra to remind me how worth it they are:)!!
Things are going great here! I can't believe we are almost done!! I still don't have my bag packed either. I did start buying little toiletries etc. though:). I think I am going to buy new pillows for Chris and I. I just love new pillows:)!
Love you, girl!
I forgot something REALLY important! I don't know if you are planning to breastfeed or not, but these things were lifesavers for me! ....Comfort Gel Pads You can get them online or I think Kroger?! A friend got them for me and I will have them on had next time! You can put them in the fridge so they are cold and soothing and you can wash and reuse them up to six times! I really recommend them!
After this is all over you'll have to let us know what you really liked and used!
why don't ya'll move to TEHAS instead! Yee HAW!
What a fun post Sherry! Lots of great ideas!
We really enjoyed having DVDs available.
Definitely a digital camera and video camera! Love those first moments on video camera. We also took a picture of every visitor holding the brand new baby and that is a really fun memory!
I loved having personal supplies like treating myself to a new Bath and Body set (one of my good friends brought me this when I had first baby and I loved it!) and then being able to clean up at the hospital with that and put on some lip gloss, mascara, and comb my hair to look presentable - I just felt so much better.
Brad and my Mom also got me some new jammies for each hospital stay which made me feel so much for comfortable, especially when guests would come (of course I was in the hospital 4 nights with each baby cuz' of C-sections).
Tons of other great ideas above too.
Sherry,
I'm so sorry I missed your shower...
It was just so hard with all that goes on now in our house...I"m usually in bed by 8 now!
I hope it was fun...
Your gift is on the way.
Love,
Leanne
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