Packing for Hospital - Cortland,IL

I was induced and we had NO IDEA what we were in for as far as how long we would be there. From beginning to end it was a total of 16 hours... uugh! And I was released on day 4 from the hospital. I laugh about it now because I overpacked. All I needed was comfy clothes to go home in, toothbrush/toothpaste, brush, chapstick, my personal favorite feminine hygiene products, sudoku puzzle book, camera and a magazine. My husband got bored lol and got a couple movies to pass the time, and we were able to take naps. All my son needed were clothes to go home in and a blanket. Hospitals usually have the nessesities you will need. You're about to have your 3rd child so you already know you need a carseat. I packed my bag a month before my due date because at that point I could've gone into labor at any moment. Ask your doctor, or the hospital you're deliverying at, what you HAVE to bring, and then you can figure out the rest from there.

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I packed my bag about a month ahead of time and put it in the car with the car seat.

Two things come to mind that haven't already been mentioned (although I do second the Girlfriend's guide...):

1- A DVD of your favorite TV comedy - my hospital room had a DVD player and being able to watch something mindless and distracting early on was great for me AND my husband!

2 - A large piece of paper with your favorite quote, Bible verse, mantra, a pretty picture, etc. and a roll of tape. Hang it on the wall where you can see it as soon as you get your room. I wrote my own mantras - one to encourage me during contractions (my focal point) and one to remind me to relax between.

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I always suggest anyone take a tube sock with three (or four) tennis balls. (or a couple of unopened cans of soda.) Just in case you have back labor...that counter pressure is PRICELESS!
I always packed my bag early...very early, JIC. Then just threw things in as I thought of them, as another lady suggested.

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I don't want to repeat what is written, but will add some thoughts:
1. if you have stiches, you may want to bring a special relief cream or pad.
2. phone numbers of friends and family etc.
3. Favorite take out number for after :) (if allowed)
4. Favorite music to listen to.

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For your baby, that depends on the hospital and the distance you are traveling. All I needed was the take home outfit, blanket, and carseat.

For you (I think I put things in as I remembered), anything you want during labor - I have seen lists online. Hard candy, lip balm, etc. I brought my iHome and iPod as I did hypnobirthing, and it was nice to have familiar music while I was in the hospital as I'm not much of a tv watcher. Comfy going home clothes, a supportive nursing bra, toothbrush, brush, makeup or hairspray if you use it. Camera, camera, camera - and before you go, transfer all pictures off the camera and reformat the card (we didn't and almost lost the first 3 days of our son's life). Socks, slippers, old lady underwear (maternity and prepregnancy, just to see what is comfortable. I never wore the night gowns I bought, but I did like the nursing tanks. Birth plans, contact information for family/friends that we were notifying. Books to keep you occupied.

Sorry that is such a messy list, just brainstorming off the top of my head.

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I don't know if you're like me but one thing I need for overnights of any kind are EAR PLUGS! I have found that the hospital environment can be pretty distracting even at 2 a.m. They've gotten me a good night's rest despite my neighbor's needs...

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Warm socks, panties, pajamas, slippers, books/magazines, nursing bra, robe, hairbrush, and your camera (of course!) . :) HTH!
Congrats on the new bundle!

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See if you can find a copy of the book A Girlfriends Guide to Pregnancy. It had a great list for hospital packing to the point where I felt over packed and prepared!

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I packed my bags a few weeks ahead of my due date and had it in the car at all times - just in case.

I personally wanted my own clothes, my own hair products, my own make-up. So, I packed as if I was going on a weekend trip. Of course, I over-packed.

As for the baby - we didn't learn the gender of either of our children before, so we took 1 outfit for each a boy and a girl to come home in, a blanket and the car seat. We kept them in the hospital gowns while there because we simply couldn't prepare without knowing if we were having boys or girls.

Hope that helps.
Good luck and congratulations.

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3rd babies come fast so pack soon and have it handy, you don't need much...
Warm socks
Chapstick
Camera with clean card
Phone with charger
A bedjacket or robe or pajama top for photos
Lipstick and hairbrush (who has time for more?)
Photo of the other kids
Something for diversion: book, DVD, but you only need one
Trashy old bike shorts or gym shorts that you will just throw away instead of washing, if you have any that fit that category
Picture of the big kids

I recommend taking off and leaving off jewelry in case you have any issues, you don't want it taken off for you and get lost -- fingers swelling etc.

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Funny that you should ask this because I'm about to have my 5th baby and wondering the same thing...LOL I don't remember bringing anything but I'm sure I must have. I'm going to pack all my toiletries, a change of clothes, baby clothes and diapers, phone numbers, meds and vitamins etc. I'm having a scheduled C-Section so I'll just pack a couple days before. You could wait to pack or maybe have a list handy in case you should go earlier. That way you can throw things in a bag if you're rushed or your hubby could get things easily if you should happen to have the baby without your bag... you never know...LOL Congratulations and good luck!

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I'm sure that you'll get lots of good responses, but make sure that you have a towel from home. The ones in the hospital are industrial washed and are soooo rough, I thought that I was going to cry even gently attempting to dry the especially sensitive parts of my body. Good luck with the new little one!

I only have one kid, and I didn't pack a bag. I went 3 weeks early with no time to prepare. What was funny was I started my day out intending to use my day off work to go buy a few things and get my bag packed! Instead I ended up being admitted and spent my time alone making lists of stuff for my mom to track down. And I don't know if I used any of it.

I needed pjs that would allow nursing, slippers/socks, toiletries, and a few baby items. Everything else stayed in the bag. I couldn't focus on magazines or tv. I couldn't sleep. I didn't even have clothes to go home in. I wore the stuff I had been admitted in. Next time, I will have that bag packed way in advance! Good luck.

Car seat, your own feminine pads Toothbrush, toothpaste.

I was partially packed because I had just gotten back from a business trip, but I was also 3 weeks early, so I forgot the car seat and had to throw together a bag for my husband.. I forgot his under wear and an extra shirt.