What Should I Bring to the Hospital?

I don't know what you've been told but I would say definitely bring your own pillow, face wash, baby wipes(for you since you can't take a shower) tooth brush, and your favorite movie or books, and of course a change of clothes to wear home. I brought my own underwear and pjs but you'll bleed so much you don't want to soil your own stuff so just stick with the "panties" and gowns they give you at the hospital.

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All the previous responses were right on! I especially agree with bringing snacks for the hubby along with warm clothes. It's the hubby who will probably be getting up the most for diaper changes since you will be recovering, so keep him well fed and warm. What I regretted not bringing was a little something for the nurses. You will go through a number of nurses and each one will teach you something that you will be grateful for. It's nice to give them something to say thank you, even if it's just a little candy with a sticker saying "it's a boy/girl." You won't have time to go back afterwards since you will be busy with your new little one. Congrats and enjoy your little bundle of joy! -S.

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I deliveed at Scripps-Mercy--nice place. My husband says the man needs snacks and drinks and a jacket. You'll be warm but my husband claims the AC is high in the delivery rooms. I also liked CDs to listen to (or an ipod) in the delivery room. Bring your own undies, socks or slippers and your own jammies for your stay in the hospital I liked the ones that were like big night shirts that butttoned down the front--you'll be nursing and need easy access. They have a nursing store at Scripps Mercy if you need a nursing bra or anything in that department. They provide clothes and diapers for baby, but you might want to bring a cute outift and hat for pictures.

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Hi H.,
I to am a first time mom and I delivered at Scripps-Mercy San Diego. I remember packing all my essentials like they tell you too. What I didn't pack was enough goodies for my husband and we were there for 5 days. Even though he was able to go get food while I breast feed our daughter he said he would have much rather ate crackers,chips,cookies,trailmix and etc... just so he didn't miss anything that was going on... If you plan to have a c-section then go prepared as though your going camping but remember you get catered to but your other half will not... Make sure to take your soap, wash cloth/sponge, face wash,hair brush, hair tie, a bigger bath towel ( I wish I did), your fav pillow ( I wish I did), outfits for your new little one ( cause the onesizes they have aren't always the right size), and anything else so your comfortable!!!!! Make sure you take loose fitting clothes (like your maternity) to wear out of the hospital. I wore my maternity clothes for 1 1/2 months after I delivered because of my c-section... The hospital will provide a gown but bring your own robe. You will also have to wear these net like boy short or underwear and the extra long pads make sure to bring your own pads for when you go home cause walking in those extra long ones is uncomfortable. The room will be well kept depending on how you like it. if it is too cold or too warm let your nurse know. You will have one nurse for you and one nurse for your baby. They will change as the shifts change. Like I said my husband stayed with me the entire time, so the end of our lamaze class I filled out the admission form and requested a private room so my husband had a bed to sleep on next to me...As for food, you will get breakfast-lunch-dinner and any snacks when you want. You get to choose off a menu what you want for those 3 meals also...Make sure to pack nursing pads whether you breast feed or not ( I bought the ones from walmart called Curity which are in a pink box with 66 pads and they work great verse all the other and I have tried them all). Bring a few recieving blankets to cover yourself while your feeding. Well, I hope I helped a bit... Congratulations and may you have a safe and blessed delivery!!!

L. B.

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I would like to first say congratulations. I had the same problem when I was packing my bag. I was lucky not to overpack with the help of my cousin (mother of 3). She gave birth 1 month before I did.
1.) If all possible wear the hospital gown. You get a fresh one anytime you want or need.
2.) Tolietries
3.) Bring a robe
4.) Slippers/socks
5.) Bring your own sanitary napkins. I found the ones provided by the hospital were just to big. Wear the funny net panties they give you, this way if you stain them its ok.
6.) Bring comfy clothes to go home in
7.) Can't forget that cute outfit to take the new little one home and for any photo ops :)
8.) My husband was allowed to stay with me overnight so anything he might need. He could always go home if you need anything.
9.) camera
Hope that helps. Good luck!!

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If you are planning on a natural childbirth you may need more pain relieving items. I had an epidural. What I brought - a few movies to watch while we were waiting, my comfy pillow, a nursing bra and 2 changes of comfy clothes and bathroom necessities. A camera to take pictures and an outfit to take our son home in.

If we brought anything else I don't remember using it. Hope this is helpful.

I say bring very little. I am having my fourth in May, and with the first one we brought a bag that looked like we were going on a month long vacation. By #3 I had it pared down to books/magazines, button down pajamas (for nursing) an outfit to wear home, and toiletries. With #1 and #2 I spent the whole time in the hospital gown because I was so overwhelmed, but with #3 I had a lot of visitors so I brought cute pajamas that buttoned down so that I could get easy access to the boobs for feeding:)Good luck!

I don't know if you've been to any classes yet but they tell u to bring an exercise ball and more but when the time comes you won't use it. If i were you i'd bring some soothing music and something to play it on to calm you. You can also bring some comfy blankets and pillows besides that you really don't need much. Oh and bring good covered outfit for baby :)

I would bring a nursing nightgown (unless you want to wear the hospital ones) a tooth brush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner (but if you forget they will probably have the hotel sample kinds for you to use) Bra and underwear, something for your baby to wear home, diapers and something really comfy for you to wear home. oh yeah also a brush and something to put your hair up. Other than that i think its just whatever you want to bring that will make you feel comfortable. I wouldn't stress too much about it though they have pretty much the necessities at the hospital.

Don't forget chapstick.
Don't forget your phone charger (and possibly camera battery charger).
Those net panties just got too huge for me, so I wore my own dark underwear.
And your husband may want to bring his laptop if he's staying with you - it will keep you both entertained, and if you can get internet access you'll be able to share those first photos!

I brought a change of clothes, pajamas, socks, a going home outfit and blanket for the baby, phone numbers, and toiletries. You could also bring make up if you like, so you can feel pretty. I also brought some cash and my checkbook to purchase the "My First Foto" of the baby. This was an offer by an independant photography company. You didn't have to get them, but I liked them.
I am the mother of 4.

Congratulations H.! I, too, am a mother of one. He is 6 now.

I had a C section. So I stayed longer in the hospital. Here's what I brought

1)Camera or video recorder if you want to do that sort of thing

2) Outfit for the baby to come home in (Something that won't bother his/hers belly button because it will have a clamp on it) Hat, socks, receiving blanket, binkie.

3) Toothbrush and toothpaste

4) Comb or brush. (You'll care about your appearance now that you can see your feet again.)

5) Your most attractive and comfortable maternity outfit.

6) Robe,nightgown, slippers.

7) Maxi pads (the hospital will have the ones you don't like.) You'll experience why.

8) Something that comforts you (your favorite lotion or perfume, Your ipod)

9) I brought my "What to Expect When You're Expecting Book".

10) List of phone numbers of who you want to immediately share the news with.

11) Car seat with one of those things to keep the baby's head still(they have to learn that too) while you are bring him or her home.

God Bless your new little family. Have a wonderful life being a mother. Tell your husband to get plenty of rest now.

I know you've probably gotten tons of responses by now but i thought i'd share! with my first child my husband and i listened to the websites and brought everything they said and ended up not needing most of it! so what i brought with my second was just slippers or if you want a pair of thick socks so you don't have to worry about taking them off and putting them back on. your feet really will get pretty cold!! also, they always say to bring you own robe if you don't want to wear the hospitals as well as panties. the first time i used my own stuff and had to throw it away because of blood stains. you can use as many hospital gowns as you need and they work very well as robes too! also the hospital provides you with these net panty things so you won't have to worry about ruining yours. you'll probably want some travel toiletries of course and your own pillow and a pillow for you husband. the most important thing i can think of is for something for your husband to do. like a book or gamebook or handheld gamesystem or even a travel dvd player or maybe ALL of these! my husband got very very bored and they don't get the most comfortable places to sleep so he was up a lot just pacing and making me crazy. you probably won't need much because you'll be so focused on what's happening with your body! also your hubbie will need cash for vending machines and stuff because the hospital doesn't provide for family members. of course you'll need clothes, blankets, and a carseat for the baby but the hospital provides blankets and clothes while there and also diapers and they let you take any extra diapers in your room home. okay well i hope this helped. all the luck to you guys and CONGRATULATIONS!!

R. S.
Mommy to a gorgeous 2 yr old princess and 7 month old lil man! the lights of my life!! smartest thing i've ever done was become a mommy!