The Bag You Bring to the Hospital When You Go into Labor, What Should Be Added?

You're very kind to want to do something special for your only daughter.

I may be the only person here to express this point of view, but while I would have been touched by the sentiment, but I'd probably not have personally used the bag.

For me, I wanted to pack my own items. I knew which clothes I wanted to wear (and was willing to ruin if that was the case), which hair brush, shampoo, etc. I wanted to have to make me feel like I wasn't away from home.

I wanted my own underwear, my own clothes (no robes, no PJs).
We also packed items for my husband because he wanted to be there with me. We probably over-packed and didn't use 1/2 of what we brought. We did make use of the camera, DVDs we packed as there was a player in the room. I wasn't in the mood to read as I was so exhausted.

The hospital where I delivered both kids had a stocked kitchen in which good snacks and drinks were always available (including a nestle cookie warmer with fresh cookies 24/7).

The one thing I think would be nice, that it seemed very few other people did, was to bring something to thank the labor/delivery and postpartum care staff. We had my mom bring a big cake from Costco that simply said "Thank you from the Webster Family" and made sure it was available at the changing of the shifts so as many people as possible could have some.

Congratulations on the addition to your family. I hope I didn't ruin your good intentions with my personal thoughts.

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I know I'm late in responding, but I'll add my 2 cents anyway. My addition: Chocolate for the nursing staff (in any form). Nurses LOVE chocolate and a happy nurse is much more attentive to their patient (i.e. your daughter). I took brownies in a tin to my last delivery. You should have seen the smiles when there was a staff change. Each nurse thanked me a dozen times for the treats!

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Definately bring a baby book so they can save the foot/handprints! I brought a small CD player and my favorite mix CD. (Though I guess most people have ipods these days? lol....maybe a music card so she can load up some appropriate music. Instead of a book to read, maybe a journal to record her thoughts before/after. The music and journal kept me company and helped me relax when I was alone (husband home with our 3 year old at night).
Don't know your daughter's relationship with husband, or whatever, but we packed a swimsuit for my husband so he could help me in the shower, and it was a special bonding time for us. A small toiletry kit for him (toothbrush, brush, mouthwash, travel deodorant, etc) so he can feel good when spending long hours with your daughter.

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Don't forget a receiving/swaddling blanket. I didn't have one and the hospital had a policy where they literally follow you out to the car and unwrap your baby to take their blankets back. I had a very sweet nurse who felt bad for me and secretly let us keep the hospital's blanket. But some may not be so nice. You definitely want something to cover them with in their car seats. For me, I never brushed my hair once (though I did brush my teeth). I had a little bit of cover up for under my eyes because everyone is taking pictures of you at your very worst and BLISTEX! My lips were very chapped.

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I did read from one viewer that you should not pack a bag..... I disagree.
If she ends up not using the bag, she can keep this one in her car.

Have you ever been spit up on in public??? I so wish i had another shirt to change into on those occasions. Underwear seem personal, but do find out what kind she likes and move forward. The one thing I would add is a little plush toy that has a pull string music to it. it's so soothing to hear lulabys
when rocking baby.
Congrats!!

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Snacks! I had my last baby at 4:20pm and by the time I thought about asking for food I couldn't get any anymore. Luckily, a nice nurse was able to scrape up something from the nurses lounge for me :)
I never had time for a book, but maybe a little magazine for some light reading. I enjoyed having a journal with me to record memories. Maybe you could write a note to her and the baby on the first page?
Hospital food stinks, so if you could give a gift card to a restaurant nearby that delivers to the hospital maybe she would enjoy that...
Congratulations!

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when I was in labor with my first baby I had the worst back labor in the world. I thought, can I have icy hot?? they asked my doc and he said give it to her! but the hospital didn;t have any. My aunt who was on her way to the hospital stopped at the store to grab some. I have since reccommended it to everyone along with maybe a small massager. It really helped me. Not everone has needed it but its better to be safe than sorry. Good luck and congratulations!

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Definitely skip the book. I brought fluffy magazines and never had time to read them. It's just not relaxing being in the hospital because you're being poked and prodded constantly, getting little to no sleep, and you're caring for a newborn (esp. if she does the "rooming-in" and gets no break).

Pack her camera so she can take pictures of the baby. Also, buy the Always Overnight maxis so she has decent pads. The ones the hospitals provide are like something dug out of a time capsule. I've talked to moms across the country and this is a problem everywhere. We don't know who even makes these strange versions of maxi pads.

As a surprise, you might throw in a card talking about how proud you are of her and how you know she'll be a great mom.

To add to the other posts, clothes for the day she comes home. I thought with my first one, I would be able to wear my regular, non-pregnant clothes, yeah right!! Some comfy maternity clothes and clothes for the baby. Also if she likes her own pillow, I know I did, and maybe a comfy blanket. It gets super cold in the hospital and is nice to have some of your own stuff from home.

SNACKS! The food at the hosptal was really bad and I remember calling my husband and telling him to bring me something--anything--to eat! Granola bars, candy, crackers, etc would have been nice to have around. Oh--and not sure the policy on this, but what about a bottle of champagne or sparkling cider?
Congrats Grandma! I think this is a WONDERFUL idea!
My water broke 2 weeks early while my husband was on a golf trip out of state and my mom ended up packing MY bag (I hadn't gotten around to it yet!) for me--no one knows you better than your mom! She's gonna love it!

First off, Congrats Grandma!!!!

I would add some goodies ;) Something to snack on. And hmm.. maybe a nice shirt to wear home or even to wear while there so she doesn't feel gross taking pictures.

I over packed but one thing I did wish I had near by was snackies because I couldn't walk and felt bad asking my mom or hubby to walk down to the kitchen to bring me a snack. Breakfast lunch and dinner didnt cut it LOL

Looks like you got lots of good suggestions so I'll just echo the water, snacks, slip on hospital shoes, lip balm, her own pillow with fresh pillowcase, nursing tanks, yoga type pants, and magazines - I could not have tackled a real book after giving birth (!) but appreciated "junk" mags for entertainment value!

Good luck!

What a great idea! The one thing I never thought of was packing a small portable hair dryer! I have long, thick hair and after 27 hours of labor all I wanted was sleep and to wash my hair!!! Once I got out of the shower I realized there was no hairdryer in the bathroom...I guess I was used to having them in hotels all the time...lol! I sat with wet hair for all of my pictures...it was horrible.
Other than that...I would bring the baby book or something to put the handprints/footprints on (you'll probably want more than one print and they'll usually make you as many as you want). And a few snacks for Mom & Dad too!

Hi,
In there you can also put baby's stuff, if you know what she is having girl or boy, you can buy something cute for the baby and put it there. Burp clothe of her own, a diaper or two :) for when they leave the hospital (just in case). A good book for first time mothers is one like "What to expect the first year" "Baby's first year" , I can't remember the exact name of the books but I think you'll get my point. If you have the time make her a little note book with your advices and wisdom :) I'm sure she'll appreciate that and surprise her with it, she won't be expecting that in her bag :) I know of people that take a cd player (a small one) and play soft music while in labor, you might like to do that too.
Congratulations!

These are all great, but a couple things to add: A disposable camera (someone might forget one), a list of phone numbers (people forget their phones, etc.), something with white noise or a mini-fan (I never could sleep in the hospital with all the general noises), and definitely food and a water bottle. Comfy clothes are also a great idea--I lived in a nursing tank with my second and loved having that at the hospital and some forgiving yoga pants to wear home. Some kind of soft slip-on shoe might be nice, too. My feet swelled at the hospital, but had not before. A few nursing pads might be nice and a small tube of lanolin cream if she is going to nurse, although most hospitals provide that. That is a very nice gift idea, too. :)

something to play music, like an ipod or mp3 player, snacks, a nursing blanket (I had the worst time with people walking in for visits while I was trying awkwardly to breat feed!) a little make-up, like lip gloss...just something to throw on quickly since you get your picture taken so much! Congratulations!!!

As far as PJ's it's nice to have the gowns that button up the front. They come in and check you so much...and if she is nursing, it makes everything easier to get to. I like slipper socks too. And the fuller underwear are best since we put large pads in them. Congrats! Jenn

Hi. She'll need an outfit to go home in (and so will baby) and I would put in a copy of her favorite book. My husband did that for me and it helped calm me during labor to listen to him read it to me.

Will she be nursing? You could include breast pads (to be worn inside the bra to avoid leakage) and Lansinoh (fabulous for sore nipples!!).

Fresh fruit. I brought a tote box with handles, very handy vs. a bag to dig through. Other than that its all about the robe and slippers. Maybe a finger nail file (something to do in bed). My mother read a book to me in the hospital that had me riveted. It was called Shattered Dreams, a book by a former polygamist wife of the FLDS. Crazy interesting!

add some of her special snacks. my mom did that for me (my weakness is sour gummy bears or worms). she also bought me brand new slippers for all 3 of my kids, and packed my favorite magazines for me too. after the babies were born, she went and got my favorite Jamba Juice to sip on while i was recovering the first couple of hours, because you're really not that hungry and they are packed with protein, fiber, and vitamins. also, i love bath and body works, so my mom always got me the travel size of a new scent in the lotion and body wash so i didn't have to bring one from home. also, a special letter telling me how much i meant to her and how grateful she was that i was bringing another person into this world for her to love. i think the letter was the most special to me, personally, and i bet your daughter would love a heartfelt letter as well. if possible (some hospitals don't allow it) bring her ipod or cd player with all her favorite songs so when she is in hard labor she can rock out to her favorite tunes.

I think this is a fabulous idea and I am sure your daughter will love it. If you give the bag to her a few weeks in advance, she may have a chance to make additions or take stuff out, depending on what she wants...
If she has long hair, I would put some hair bands or something to hold her hair back.

I know I am coming in late but some hospitals don't allow for those 1st photos people to come in. Send a disposable camera just in case. Also, Dad might want to stay too and while hospitals do keep stuff for mom to stay overnight, they don't for dad. A set of PJ's for him would be good as would a change of clothing. Also hospitals will feed mom for free but will not often feed dad as well. He will be expected to go to the food court in hospital and get food and they usually only take cash.

When I was packing my hospital bag, I read somewhere it's nice to pack enough snacks and drinks for DAD. Especially if it will be a natural delivery, there will be lots of time spent in the hospital room and Dad may not want to or have time to run down to the cafeteria or snack machine when he needs to : )
Congrats Grandma!

Perhaps a book on breastfeeding. I would have loved to have had a little notepad with very secure pages that you can write the times of feedings, diaper changes and naps. There might be a form you can print out and then make a book out of it. You want it to be small enough that when they get home they can carry it everywhere and slip it in a pocket. Maybe some of those candies to suck on for women in labor. A little wooden massage toy or a couple of tennis balls to help with lower back pain. A friend of mine said she most like disposable reading like magazines because you don't have too much time or energy to focus on a novel. Maybe some face wipes so you can wash your face without getting out of bed. Gum or mints. I had a scheduled c-section, so there wasn't really time for anything in the entertainment department because the baby arrived so soon after I got to the hospital. I do know some friends that loved having some movies to watch. Especially something like Friends or the Office, short shows. Most labor rooms will have a DVD player. Congratulations! Enjoy the ride and best of luck to your daughter.

My husband would say a bottle of whiskey! LOL :) But I enjoyed lavendar oil for labor and snacks for after baby comes and before they bring the meal to you. Depending on time of day it can take some time to get food! If she is planning to nurse bring a nursing pillow and the lanolin too. I found what they give you at the hospital wasn't nearly as comfortable. If she's bottle feeding bring the baby's bottle because the ones you get at the hospital practically drown the baby with formula! Spitup!

portable cd player and CLASSICAL cd's!!!!!!!!!! Great for her, the nurses, AND the baby

magazines, gum, pony tail holders.. chap stick or face powder.. I lived in old navy long sleeve t shirts they are light wieght and strechy and old navy sweats with draw string.. that way I felt I wasn't in an ugly night gown when people visted and the sweats were draw string.. so I could tighten them after I lost a little of the baby weight.
L.

I always made sure that I was able to get the First Fotos that were taken at the hospital. They didn't take cards so I needed cash or check book. I also liked to pack a deck of cards. As well as the baby's picture/going home outfit.

Extra water bottles and maybe some granola bars. Though the docs/nurses won't want her to eat solid food immediately after a C-Section. But I remember after both my children's births that I was ravenously hungry, could not get a meal tray from the hospital nearly fast enough! Also I thought the meals they served to postpartum women were way too skimpy! So I had my husband bring me little snack bars. I was crazy thirsty, too, and my nurses were great about leaving me a pitcher of water all the time, but if they're busy it might take a while. So I wouldn't go against doctor's advice on solid food after a C-section but if your daughter is really hungry and hospital meals are too slow or too skimpy, a few apples or protein bars in her bag might really help.

I would also add some inexpensive shower shoes that she can throw away when she leaves (I don't even want to think about what is in the floor in the bath/shower in a hospital. I'm a nurse and know WAY too much... - I know they clean but....)
Also I would throw in some quarters/ crisp dollar bills for snack/drink machines. (Particularly for dad.) My husband was really glad I packed these.
Agree on encouraging her to pack make-up if she wears it (lotsa pics...) Also contact lens solution & case, back-up pair if she wears disposables, and pair of glasses if she wears contacts.

I was always told lip balm and hard candy. The balm was great, but I didn't have time for the candy. Entertainment books for her to read, or keep busy while the baby sleeps (for afterwards), DVD's if the hospital has a player. If she is going natural, I LOVED having my iHome and iPod with me. I also had it going once the baby was born. Granted, that might be a bit much cost-wise, but if she has an iPod, the iHomes are about $60, and if she has that too, iTunes might be a good gift card? Really good nursing bras, and or tanks. A notebook if she wants to write anything down. Maybe a spare memory card for their camera? That is all I can come up with right now.