Hospital Bag,

Hi L.,

I'm glad you asked because I'm packing right now too and appreciate seeing everyone's responses!

Valuables for me are:

My own pillow and blanket
Socks
Slippers or easy slip-on sandals so your feet don't come into contact with the hospital floor (maybe it's just me!).
Toiletries - toothpaste/brush, lotion
Swaddling blankets for baby - the ones the hospital issues are a bit harsh so I've packed a couple softer ones along with going home outfits for baby.
A nursing pillow (if you are planning to) - I didn't bring mine to the hospital the first time but plan to this time around.
Nursing tanks, shirts, zip-down sweatshirts

Also, the last time I gave birth, Los Robles hospital had volunteers with a roller cart help us out to our car - which was SO NICE! Maybe call ahead and see if your hospital does the same thing so you know what kind of help might be available to lug everything back out.

Good luck!

I really could have gotten away with my toothbrush, toothpaste and a change of clothes for me and the baby. I used NOTHING that I packed.

Magazines, crossword or puzzle sovling books, novels, cd player, lemon drops or hard candy, tennis balls to rub your back, soft music, shampoo and conditioner.

Clothes for you and the baby to go home in, nursing bra, pillow, slippers, warm socks, robe, blanket, gifts for the nurses (I gave my 3 favorite nurses a little gift to thank them for taking such good care of myself and my son), snacks, music, fan to keep you cool during labor, item for focal point, phone charger... thats all I can think of :)
#1 thing that I didn't get myself for when I got home were Maxi pads that I preferred.
Congrats on your new addition. Hope all goes well and quick for you on your delivery day!

I liked having my own lotion, pillow, and blanket. I also had a portable dvd player and some movies ready. I had to stay a little longer than usual because of complications, so the second time around I made sure I had comfort things just in case I had another extended stay.

You've gotten great responses, so I'll only add two of my favorites. First was a sign for the door that said "Positive Attitudes Only, Please" as I wanted everyone who came in the room to realize I wanted my baby born in a calm room. You wouldn't believe the great comments I got from the staff. They thought it was for the doctors (well, kind of!). Also, the treats for the staff were welcomed and appreciated. If you offer a brownie to a harried nurse/attendant, they suddenly stop and remember you're a person, not just a patient number.

Good luck for an easy birth and a healthy, happy baby!

Okay... this might sound crazy but someone gave me this advice for my second child and I was so glad I mustered the courage to go to the store and buy them... Pack some depends... they work so much better for the bleeding than the giant pads the hospital provides. Trust me on this one. :)

I also made a gift basket for the nurses. They appreciated the thought. I included some drinks, snacks, chocolate, lotion, and my birth plan in it! They all shared it at the nurses station.

I loved having brand new socks to wear at the hospital.

Good luck and happy labor!

snacks for the Hubby cause most men get fussy and anxious when they dont eat and hospital food is always overpriced. a rubber band for your hair. and breath mints for those around you breathing on you chanting push push push and breathe breathe breathe. the last thing a laboring mama wants is bad breath blowing on her. Oh, and chapstick. Those are the odd little things I was glad I remembered to pack. Best wishes for a quick delivery!

w/ #1 i had way too much stuff. Nursing bra, toothbrush, clothes for you and baby to come home in. What else do you need? The hospital provides everything for when you are there.

I needed icy hot or similar for back labor before an epidural or in case you can have/don't want it. Also I realized clorox wipes are great in case you have share a recovery room. There isn't someone to clean after either of you use the restroom and you might remember how messy that can be. Bring something to read or entertain you as well. I wish you the best for your delivery.

SNACKS! For both you and hubby (in case it's a long labor). They never feed you enough in the hospital, so bring some snacks along. A book (you can be bored sometimes between feedings and naps). Phone card to call out of area people (friends, relatives, etc) Something to bring home to your toddler (a special present from their new sibling). Good luck! Have a safe, short labor!

your favorite pillow
comfortable pajamas
nice, thick socks
"going home" clothing for you & baby
shampoo/conditioner/soap/toothbrush/hairbrush/hair ties
reading material
a pen & "thank you" cards (if you haven't already done them for baby shower gifts, etc..)
a journal to write in
favorite snacks

Snacks for your husband! Mine was starving throughout the whole labor.
A list of who to call.
Breast pads and nipple cream if you plan to breastfeed.
Camera and/or camcorder.
DVD or music if your room has a TV or radio.
I think that's really all you need- your hubby can always run out and grab you something and the hospital provides a lot of stuff. Good luck and congrats!

There's a complete list available at:
http://www.bestdoulas.com/packing.pdf

Happy Birthing :)

A stay at the hospital will only be a couple of days, or 3 days if having a c-section.
Beyond that and the basic toiletry items... you really will be "busy" resting or nursing the baby. At least for me that was the situation, and I just had some magazines and my reading glasses and that was enough for me.

As for Hubby and baby (your eldest child)... they can go to the hospital cafeteria and eat/get snacks for themselves. Myself, I only packed for myself & a couple of "gifts" for my daughter as a new "big sister"... and my Hubby took care of his/my daughter's things on his end.... I had prepared a list of items ahead of time, to "help" my Hubby "remember things, like the camera/video batteries and chargers, if needed.

My Hubby was with me pre-birth and during and after wards... and my Mom took care of my daughter during that time. After I gave birth, my Hubby and daughter would come to visit... with their own bag(s) if needed. They also would go to the hospital cafeteria whenever they or my daughter was hungry while visiting me. Being we had an older child when I had my 2nd baby... we kept to my daughter's "schedule"/bedtimes or nap times, and activities as usual. So HER 'life" was as it was and not too much changes for her.

At no time, was my Hubby and daughter with me ALL day in the hospital, although they visited my everyday... thus, I did not literally PACK for THEM in "my" hospital bag. Do you know what I mean? My daughter, being she was only about 3.75 years old at the time, I did not expect her to be "visiting" me at the hospital ALL day. That is too long for a young child. And they both called me too, on my cell phone.

So basically, I just packed for myself, and my toiletries (toothbrush, face products/cleaners/make up) and magazines. If I needed anything else, my Hubby just brought it for me from home. And as for "clothes"... I just wore the hospital gown... and being I had a c-section, for "underwear" it was those hospital kind. So, I did not pack much. I was only at the hospital for 3 days. I did not pack "clothes" per say, except for the street clothes I wanted to wear once I left the hospital, and about 1-2 of my own underwear for when I left the hospital to go home.

Your Hubby, should pack his/your other child's bag.... and perhaps make him a list of what to bring for when they visit you, and toys to keep your other child busy.

And, yes, pack an infant outfit/blanket for bringing your baby home. And a few onesies. For the hospital.

No need to over-pack. You will only be there a couple of days.

All the best,
Susan

all i packed was toiletries, an outfit to go home in, game books to stay occupied in, some snacks lol, camera, suckers, hair ties.
then for my baby i packed -
the out fit she was comming home in, a paci, a hat, socks and a blanket.
i made sure everything i took fit in to a moderate size bag. so we didnt have a lot to carry out. just pack what you think you will need :)

Music, for the labor. It was essential for us... baby blanket. Carseat. It doesn't fit in the bag =), but you need it to get home...
Good birthing
R.

A tennis ball-this saved me during my 1st labor. Snacks for hubby during and for you after. Check with the hospital about the phone use, you may need a phone card to call out from your hospital phone. Extra batteries for the camera! Ours batteries died of course and my hubby had to run to Walgreens at 3 in the AM.
Happy Pushing!

Good question, As a doula and a Childbirth educator, I go through this one a lot. A relaxing pillow scent like lavendar - you may want to help the room not so "Hostpitally", your birth plan, basket of goodies for the staff (yes, bribery! :-), massage tools, a lemon (for nausea, scratch the skin and smell if nauseaus), your baby book for foortprints, a blank shirt for Dad- you can have the baby footprints on that as a keepsake for him, camera with charged batteries, memory card for camera with lots of space, a birth ball, a doula, a picture for a focal point, snacks for you and support team (even if hospital doesn't allow, women labor better and more effectively if allowed to eat- hospital policy is not the law), gum or mints for support team (do you really want them breathing with you if they have stinky breath?)
That should give you a start. Good luck and good birth! :-)