1 Thing You Wish You Had in Your Hospital Bag

A pillow. The hospital pillows are horrible!

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OMG when i went into have my son i never thought that i would need to bring my conditioner for my hair. I was dying an hour into labor all i could think about in between contractions was omg my hair. everyone kept telling me that this was a time i didnt have to worry about my hair but i was badly worried. my hair is down to my butt and very thick and rediculous. its a pain but have had it all my life. they handed me a tiny bottle of both conditioner and shampoo. i had to laugh cause i needed 20 of those bottles to do anything to my hair. it was a disaster. then to top it off i had just pushed for 4 hours to then get an emergency c section and a bad hair day LOL

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What I packed:

camera and battery charger
cell phone

2 zip front nightgowns
3 pair of cotton panties
my pillow and boppy
my pads
deodorant, toothpaste & toothbrush, shampoo & cond, hair products, comb, brush, blow dryer, hair band, lip balm!!!, lotion!!
makeup
fuzzy slippers to walk the halls
robe

clothes to wear home - day dress & flip flops

take home clothes for baby and blanket

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Didn't need them with my first so never thought of it, but I had to have my husband bring some nursing pads and nursing bra from home a day after delivery. My milk came in hours after delivery, and it was so much that I leaked through the gowns. I used some nursing pads that the nurse gave me but they were thin and I leaked through those quickly!

a million dollars

I don't actually remember packing a hospital bag for any of my 3 births... though I suppose I must have packed at least one set of clothes and just don't remember. My husband, mom, and mother-in-law were in and out visiting so they could get me anything I needed-- which was nothing, really. Brush, shampoo/conditioner, toothbrush and toothpaste, change of clothes, maybe a pair of slippers?

Your favorite lotion, your favorite bed pillow(with a colorful fillow case so they don't get mixed up at hospital) and your favorite pajamas with bottoms so you don't feel so exposed! These were all necessities for me with all 3 of my deliveries!

Oh, I way over-packed both times around.

Glad I had everything I did - make-up, shampoo, my own clothes, iPod, husband's clothes, my own blankets, etc.

Bring what makes you feel comfortable. People will give advice, but it's usually what works best for them. I wanted to feel pretty and look my best (because it made me feel better - meaning no hospital gowns).

Hospitals are NOISY - I'd highly recommend something to block the noise of the nurses without being invasive to other patients. I brought a white noise machine so I could focus on sleeping when possible.

Breathe Right strips for my husband (a snorer) were also a must.

I was glad I brought a pillow from home and the nursing bras were a God send. I really wished I had brought my boppy and my going home outfit was cute but not comfortable, I really wished I had some sweat pants and a baggy shirt. Really? At that point? I didn't care what I looked like, I just wanted to get home.

I was so happy to have my favorite lotion. During labor my legs became extremely itchy. Hubby was applying lotion to them by the gallons.

ADD: For my second child I brought a favorite outfit to have her first picture taken in. The outfit was bright pink...just like her face! Every time I see the picture, I wish I had a picked (& packed) a different outfit.

Depends underpants... it sounds weird, but you bleed a lot after birth and while the hospital gives you mesh underwear with pads to place in them, I found that the Depends were a lot more comfortable and absorbent. Also, make sure your husband/partner brings warm clothing, even if it's summer time! My husband brought jeans and tshirts and was freezing the whole time!

My own quality overnight maxi pads (the hospital ones are archaic and terrible) and my makeup bag. Both helped me in different ways during recovery. Never used music or books -- no time or interest while in the hospital, so they just weighed down the bag.

Food/snacks! I never got the meals I ordered and the food was NASTY!

I just wanted to get the whole thing done and over with both times. With my first baby, I had a nightgown, slippers, my hair brush and make up...I totally overpacked and didn't even use any of it. I only used a cute outfit for my baby to come home in and something cute and comfortable for me to wear when I left the hospital.
I didn't use any of the other stuff I brought, but, I must say, I was out of the hospital in 24 hours. She was born just before 5 am and I was checked out early the next morning. The only thing I did was sleep and we did so well there was no reason to keep us. I did shower and put on my cute nightgown because they gave us a really nice dinner, for me and dad, but I didn't use 90% of the stuff I thought I might need.
I didn't take anything to the hospital when I had my second baby. We lived close enough that my husband could bring whatever I wanted. My water broke, I went, I had my baby. I did have some complications so I just dealt with all that and then I got to go home.

If there are certain things you feel like you can't go without, then take them. Whatever makes you feel comfortable. With my first baby, I would have taken the whole house if I could and it turned out I didn't really need much of anything. With my second baby, I had a bag packed, but we just went and it all turned out fine.
Take what you think will make you feel comfortable to have and if you don't use it, no biggie.

Best wishes!

A white noise machine and snacks were priceless... (for white noise, we used the lamb comforting sounds "toy" for the crib we received! the options of sounds weren't great, but they did help cover up the hospital sounds! the down side was that it would only play for 45 minutes and then we'd wake up and have to turn it on again.) The hospital provided snacks for me, but none for hubby... both of you will need lots of food for energy! We went to the store and filled a bag with our favorite snacks... and bottles of water... Good luck!
PS. One outfit for baby, for pictures and going home, is all you need. I overpacked for both of us... I never wore my nightgown/robe... I didn't want them to get "soiled".

I had two c-sections so not sure if my situation will totally relate. After the baby is born you bleed a lot and the hospital gives you these stretchy gauze panties to wear over the pads that soak it all up. By the time I left the hospital the bleeding had slowed down enough that I was just wearing 1 heavy duty pad and the guaze panties. When I got home, I had to have my mom run out to the store and buy me some serious granny panties to hold the pads and also to rest way above the c-section incision. I brought similar panties to the hospital for the second child and wore them toward the end of my stay. I felt like it "held" the pads in place better than the guaze panties and felt better under my clothes driving home. I agree with the white noise machine. I would probably do that again if I had another kid. I brought a notebook because I took notes on everything about the birth, post op, and their first hours and days. I used this for their baby books.

I was so glad to have all my own toiletries (shampoo/conditioner, soap, lotion, razor, wash rag, towel, brush, toothpaste, toothbrush.) It helps you feel more human! Oh don't forget chapsitck and hair ties.

I was also glad I packed a candle. I used it in the labor room and the recovery room. Having the room smell good was very relaxing and made it a little more homey for the couple days I was there.

Hard candy, pj's, your own blanket, comfy socks (with grippers), receiving blankets (I liked using my own for baby) and pads.

So that's a little more than two. But those are the things I was so so glad I had and I used them all. The thing I didn't use, music, magazines or books. Your a little too busy! Although one for the hubbs might be nice.

Glad I had: flip flops (you dont know what happened in the shower), and a robe. My hubby had to go (b/c i didnt think of it): our boppy, and tylenol (had my son without pain meds and refused to take hospital meds).

Chapstick and lotion! I Just had my daughter last month and I forgot the chapstick!

Chapstick. I forgot it, but hubby had some in his pocket that I comandeered.

I was SO glad that I had brought my own pads. That way you don't have to wear those nasty diaper thingys that the hospital provides.

Good question!

Glad I brought my own pillows, and odd as it may sound I wish I had brought a hairdryer! I had a chance to take a shower, but my hair is just the type that doesn't air dry very well (doesn't look nice I mean), and so I totally avoided being in pictures because I didn't feel good about the way I looked. So I guess really, bring something that is going to make you feel good about yourself and more relaxed around visitors and all those cameras :)

I brought my laptop and watched movies and listened to music during labor. I was there in L and D for almost 1 1/2 days so it kept me entertained.

My biggie was the camera charger! I didn't know my camera battery was so low and of course hubby couldn't find the charger at home (although I gave him very specific directions & location)! I only got about 5 pics of baby on her birthdate!

I took my regular overnight bathroom bag so I had my own soaps, toothbrush/paste, deodorant, lotion, etc. That made me feel a little more like a real human. I also brought my own thin maxi pads and granny panties.

Our hospital has a Subway (bonus for hubby) and a nice snack bar (for hubby and me--he could sneak them in to me) on the delivery wing. You should do a tour well before your due date to get the lay of the land...

Good luck and Congratulations!

A razor! I had to ask the nurse for one - which she located for me after asking what the heck I needed a razor for - UHM I don't want hairy armpits even if I did just push a miniature human out of my lady parts. :D

I, for one, did use books/magazines because sometimes you just can't sleep, but your hubby is sleeping so you can't watch TV.

Takeout menus from local restaurants. I sent my hubby on late-night runs for cravings - boneless wings from Applebee's along with a dessert, etc etc.

Good luck!

magnesium pads -- help sooth stiches after
camera
phone numbers of friends and loved ones
cell phone to text message, as I was too tired to call :)
towel to shower in
own pillow case (I like home smells)

snacks!

after that baby comes out it can take a while for the nurses to get you food!
good to have some of you own!!!!

A hair band, rubber, headband --something to hold the hair back.
Slippers (I already had one pair but they were ruined, wish I had a spare pair).

EDIT: After seeing others' comments: It may help to have a tour of your hospital's birthing unit and see what it looks like. The hospital I gave birth in had a very quiet birthing floor, I would not need any white noise machine at all. They also had a room for snacks accessible 24/7, and great room-delivery food. The food was REALLY good and free for both me and my husband (we were joking we should go there for lunch and dinner even after we went home). They also gave me a huge water jug, which we could fill from the water/ice machine in the hallway. So we did not need any snacks or water either. (Yes, it was a very good hospital, in the top 100 in the US).

I think this goes without saying but a camera if crucial! I also brought a journal so I could record my thoughts during labor and during those first couple of days with my new baby. It's funny how quickly you forget that experience once you get home! I really wish that I had brought more snacks. The main meals provided we ok but the snacks sucked! :) I also wished I had brought more than one "going home" outfit both for myself and the baby. My outfit was to small (guess I thought I would magically loose those 68 pounds I gained) and my daughter's outfit was too big. It would have been nice to have options since I ended up going home in what I arrived in. Yuck! Also - do not forget your cell phone and camera chargers or extra batteries!

OMG food...the hospital food is horrible or not enough of it... my poor husband never left my side for the 2 days we were in there and he has to pay for the food and its not cheap in the hospital...Also I wish I would have brought cut/comfy pjs or sweat pants.. remeber your dropping like 15 pounds instantly so your not going to need anything huge and baggy

some type of hard candy. the only thing i was allowed to eat/drink was ice chips and I got a really nasty taste in my mouth.

Snacks! When I had my first baby I had no idea how starving I would be for days after giving birth. There was a small pantry in the post-partum unit but there wasn't much that was nutritious aside from Cream of Wheat but it was microwavable and was like eating paste! When I packed my bags to have my second child, I brought a small diaper bag full of dried fruit, peanut butter, juice boxes, etc. Not only did I have selections that I knew I would like, it also helped that I didn't have to go down the hall to get something every time I was hungry.

Snacks! Both of my labors were 25-30 hours, and they wouldn't let me have any thing to eat! If its in your bag, and you want it, the nurses can't stop you! Also, a camera of course. I delivered both of my sons early, my first 6 weeks early and I was flown to phoenix because prescott doesn't have a neonatal unit here. Get your carseat in your car early. Good luck!

A pacifier. My 4th baby was born into this world with an intense desire to suck. I was a human pacifier :) It was a little uncomfortable around visitors. I was shocked that they did not have any in the nursery.

Secondly, don't forget your toothbrush and all items to shower up and feel like yourself again. For me, that includes my hair dryer.

Best of luck to you!

Hello!

I was glad thatI had Earplugs - as my room for my first had the station's intercom outside the door..... That second night I did not hear a thing...
Sport socks - I liked the cotton better than the hospital socks
Birkenstocks (or other slip-in shoes) for walking the C-section off
A few zip lock bags - I was starving in the middle of the night and was not in shape to get up. For the second night, my husband made me a PB&J sandwich in the stations snack station and it kept fresh until 2 AM : )
A big water bottle!
Chapstick
Ipod
Camera

All the best to you and your family!
D.