What You Wish You Would Have Brought with You to the Hospital

A snickers bar (or 4)! Sometimes you just need a treat after all that work. I never had a binder after my c-section, but I heard they really help. I think you can ask for one if they don't offer it or take one with you.

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Thank you cards. Lots of people like to bring lots of stuff...and if you let the thank you cards go, it can be overwhelming to catch up...but if you write them out as you need to, it's much easier. I had plenty of down time in the hospital where I could have written out thank you notes (and I had c-sections) Good luck with everything!

A robe and slippers. They keep it freezing in there.

FOOD. I delivered my daughter in the late afternoon and by the time all was done and we were in the room -- I had had nothing all day and the hospital cafeteria was closed! They gave my husband a list of local takeouts but it was miserable. Bring good snack bars, etc. Some hospitals do have kitchens for patients on the floors and might have cereals, yogurts, etc., but find out what food they have in "off hours" and think about whether you want to have some favorite snacks there. Your body clock will be badly thrown off and you may not be hungry at normal times, but starving at weird times. So be prepared.

Chapstick, I wish I had it on for the delivery. I'm not even a chapstick user, but my lips got so dry and hurt and they wouldnt let me have anything but ice chips.
and socks.

Have someone bring you fresh fruit to nibble on. An eddible arrangement is wonderful. A hair clip or ponytail holder, slippers and funny DVD's to watch instead of crappy daytime TV.

Well I am a cancer patient so my reason for going to the hospital is completely different than yours but may still apply, pictures of my children and grand children and an ebook.

I have had 2 c-sections, first one emergency, second one scheduled, and a third one in a couple of months. I'm in Arizona Here's my list:

Going home outfit for mom/same as coming outfit? Yoga pants and long loose fitting t shirt

robe of own for walking halls, breastfeeding, going to the bathroom? Nothing too fancy

flip flops for going home, walking the halls, and the shower- I also wore just hospital-given socks at first when feet are cold

baby car seat

Baby going home outfit, hat, socks, mittens, comfortable and weather appropriate

Some baby outfits for hospital? For pictures- comfy and cute

pacifier- the soothies they give you are not recommended for breastfeeding, so I bring another brand to try just in case

baby blanket for going home

ziplock, large for important stuff for baby that you get

check-in paperwork, identification, insurance card, pay flex card, etc

journal and pen

nursing pads (you could also just request some at the hospital)

toothbrush, toothpaste, floss

Q tips

Razor

old socks

granny underwear - big oversized soft briefs

nursing bras

camera, memory stick, extra charger

baby book, archival pen (my hospital will give fill in the hand and footprint page)

breastfriend nursing pillow-not BOPPY( this was VERY valuable for me until the incision healed, way better than pillows but super expensive so try to buy/borrow secondhand since you don't need for long

shampoo, conditioner, bodywash, facewash

make-up

hairbands

lotion

chapstick

deodorant

comb

mp3 player

reading material/ebooks or other time wasters like cross word puzzles, deck of cards, or whatever you like to do

husband food, change of clothes, books, mp3, toothbrush

I found at my local hospital that the nurses can get you pretty much anything you need if you are willing to ask- breast pads, cream, pump, blankets, diapers, etc- so don't worry.

I didn't think that hospital food was horrible, but I requested the salad and fruit plates and turkey sandwiches in effort to not eat dairy-since my kiddos were sensitive. Just make requests that sound light and healthy when they take your food order! :) I did pack some granola bars and popcorn for in-between meal times.

10 months ago I had my 3rd child and I finally figured out what I should have brought. Food. Mama...hospital food sucks. I am SO GLAD I brought apples and a loaf of banana bread I had made myself. It was so good to be able to eat something and not have to wait for hospital jello.
L.

If you are planning to breastfeed, bring your nursing pillow. The hospital pillows make it impossible for nursing!

One of my girlfriends brought me a gift bag filled with old magazines, sticker books (yes, like kids sticker books), coloring books, and crayons... LIFE SAVER!! You don't realize how bored you get in whatever 'down time' you have... I took the pictures I colored and gave them to the nurses, they were all over the nurses station, LOL!!

A gun to deal with anyone who saw me and said "how are you doing?" I was in labor for 3 days, yes I was NOT doing well, huh?
LOL
Honestly, after the baby arrived I wanted nothing but stare at my baby, I didn't have time or wanted to read or look at magazines.
This for before:
- CAMERA so important
- hair clip
- chapstick, boy did I use this a lot
- extra underwear
- baby outfit (something like pjs, don't try to dress a newborn with something that has buttons or extra "accessories" really won't help)
- if you wear makeup, maybe some lipstick and a hair brush

Good luck!!!

My own pillows....a hairband, little baby files (for scratchy fingered nursers). warm slippers and my own conditioner

more over the counter pain meds. They charge way to much in the hospital.

A few things that I'm glad I brought:
Boppy
laptop
My own Pillow
Chapstick
Make Up

I just packed my bag last night, but I'm not having a C-section, so not sure how that comes into play. Here is what I packed

My own pillow (i'm bringing 2 this time)
Travel Mirror (if u have one)
toothbrush/paste
Shower cap (if u dont plan on washing ur hair there)
Shampoo/Conditiner/Hair gel etc (if u plan on washing your hair there)
Make up
Chapstick
lotion
hair band/ponytail holder
flip flops to go to the bathroom in
socks (which i think the hospital gives u) to walk around.
snacks for u and hubby

Robe
underwear
Nursing bra
I haven't had a C-Section, but I would think a dress or a nighty for you to go home in, no pants or skirt since its a C..

Outfit for baby to go home in (last time I took 0-3 months and it was too big on him. I didnt know there was a differnece between newborn and 0-3) so this time I'm bringing 1 of each. Like someone else mentioned, nothing fancy with extra accessories, cuz 1)u cant dress them up the way u want to since you're having issues of your own, and 2) they're soo tiny all this extra jaz just makes it hard. I'm taking one of those "sleep and play" outfits to make sure she stays warm, and comfy with not too many elastics etc....

Hope this helps, and good luck!!!

Your baby book--the hospital will often print baby's feet for you.

Activities/food/books, etc. for your hubby! All that downtime you have waiting? He has it too!

Cell phone charger/camera charger.

Laptop--Our hospital rooms had wi-fi so we could send e-mails right away (this was pre-smart phone era!)

Best of luck to you, and congratulations!

My husband bought me a bobby pillow and brought it to me while I was in the hospital after delivery. It made nursing the baby so much more comfortable. If you plan to nurse I recommend either getting one or borrowing one to try out.

A hair tie or headband and a nursing pillow

Baby journal! Both times I had plenty of free time to sit and work on it!
What I forgot the first time: clothes to look presentable in (baby was in the nursery and I had to go out of our room to feed her every 3 hours).
And make-up. Not important to everyone...but I looked like a zombie (and not because of childbirth either).
HTH! Congrats!!!

Food! I never got what I ordered and would have killed for a sandwich! LOL
Speedy delivery!

My pump-for nursing
hard candy /throat drops for dry throat.

Sinus medicine! Mine was a surprise c-section (he was breach), and after so many days of breathing recycled air, my allergies/sinus' were killing me.

My nipple cream! I had forgotten it and realized it when I needed it!! When my Mom went to buy me some more she also came back with little ice-packs to use after nursing ~ I thought it was silly......until I used them!

I shouldn't say I had forgotten it b/c I didn't forget it, I just didn't bring it! I was at the hospital at 35 weeks for some testing. They admitted me! I didn't have anything!! My husband had to pack me a bag and he forgot to pack it :)

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