Hospital Bags?

Well with the news of the induction and the energy of the Nesting feelings... I started packing up things for the hospital stay.  

I have a bag for me: Maternity clothing for the trip home, socks, a few nightgowns, slippers (non skid), a sound machine (for relaxation), disposable cameras, overnight Maxi pads, and a few other minor odds and ends like cards and Salonpas (like icy/hot patches for labor and after).

Bag for DH:  2 changes of clothing, socks, his sketch book (he is an artist... guess I never mentioned that before), money for vending machines, and toiletries (for he and I both).

Small diaper bag for Lilith:  Diapers/wipes, Coming home outfit (it was so hard to find one!), some onesies, birping rags, blankets, recieving blankets, and pacifiers.

I know I'm missing something somewhere... I know I need to pack underwear yet - waiting on the washer/dryer today.... Should I also pack a bag for my 14 yr old for when she comes for the birth?   I didn't plan on it because she won't be staying at the hospital, just there for the labor and delivery.

[lostlilygirl]

i think that's everything i packed... only extra thing i have is a house coat..

[ImmortalOne]

Oh!  A robe!  I wonder if I can find the one I had for the surgery or if its already in that bag.. LOL thanks!  Anyone else have anything that I might have missed?

[joyfulmom]

This post brought tears to my eyes, cause it just brings "reality" to the picture!  So sweet!  I guess pregnancy makes me emotional!  Thanks for the packing list, as I know I'll be in a "frantic mode" when the time comes!  Good luck!

[ImmortalOne]

Oh!  And I packed us both bathing suits, because I remember that with my last two I needed to spend a hella long time in a hot shower with the water beating on my back to help me relax...

Joyful, the reality is just starting to hit me... I mean, yeah I knew I was pregnant, and I saw all the tests and felt the movements and got all the excitement and fear... but it was hard to grasp that one day she wouldn't be there anymore and I would be holding this little human being that we are responsible for... and well, yeah the awe factor is starting to take effect.

God I should so go back to my Nesting instead of hanging out on the forums, I feel there is a ton more to do!

[anxiousmomtobe?]

[Nicole092907]

God I've been wanting to pack my bag and get it all ready.. but I keep thinking well what if I want to wear that and then I'll have it packed up ...and since I'm not getting induced I dont know when I'll go so I dont know how long it will sit in there LoL.... I do still have to go get a diaper bag so I can pack that all up....Yeah a robe definitly I should have thought of that one last time because I doubled up on the gowns they gave me so when I needed to get up no one would see my BUTT!!!  Everyone seems so excited but yet here I am so nervous about giving birth again ...with my DD I wasnt nervous or scared at all but for some reason with him I'm scared to death...although I know that feeling will change after I go into labor I HOPE

[peekawho]

They'll have lots of giant maternity pads for you, and will give you a ton to take home, too.  They'll also give you disposable underpants, which are very nice.  Grab all you can.  

Lollipops are always good, for an energy pick up and to take away that labor-mouth feeling.  Energy bars possibly for DH, so he won't have to leave you if the going is rough and he's feeling like he has to have something right away.  

[ImmortalOne]

Peek  - Thanks for that, do you think there would be an issue if I brought frozen pedialite pops?  They are kinda like ice chips and serve the same purpose.  I am waiting for my kid brother to see if he an come by and take me to the bank and the store so I can get some of these things packed up.  Considered a few other snacks for him too, and the energy bars.... if I can just remember which ones he likes!  Bah, might wait till he gets home for that.

Do you suggest anything for me to bring for the 14 yr old?  We are bringing a laptop (yay for free WiFi at the hospital) so she can go to the waiting room and play a game or something.  

[peekawho]

We let people bring popsicles, so I'm sure Pedialyte pops would be fine.  

The 14 y/o...a laptop is a great idea.  Ipod?  $$ for the cafeteria and the gift shop?  I can't think what else.

Definately consider packing snacks and something sugary for DH.  They can pass out, very few think about eating, their blood sugar drops, and down they go when you deliver.  

[lostlilygirl]

wow... i'm so rude! i never even thought to pack food for DH!!! opps... thanks guys!!!

[ImmortalOne]

LOL she doesn't have an I-pod but can and does spend hours on the computer if allowed... I think my mom has some of those pedialyte pops that I can get from her to save money.  I packed about 20$ total for vending machines and things of that nature, anything else they are gonna be S-O-L I guess, funds are so small right now with the insurance company playing games with my STD I didn't get paid at all like I should've *sigh*.  I guess I could see if I can fit some soda or something into the bags for DH and DD.  Though the nurses and stuff seem to not mind getting those from the fountain down the hall for them.  

[Nicole092907]

My hospital has a little kitchen with pop and other things people can get stuff from while waiting ... I dont know if other hospitals have those kind of things... but thanks for the snack idea I was planning to have my daughter who is 20 months at least be up at the hospital if its not to late and that would work out great for her and probably buy a jug of juicy juice and 1/2 gallon of milk(which she loves and would prefer to have over anything)...might need to get toys to... Thanks I would have never thought of these things!! And you think you have everything prepared ...

[ImmortalOne]

LOL!  We are parents, we are never going to be prepared, even when we think we will be!  

I just realized i have no alcohol for the baby at home... *ponders* God what else am I missing?!

[hopefully mother of 3]

Maybe you want to think about what to bring that can help you be more comfortable during sleep.
I would have killed to have my body pillow once I got in that hospital bed. I can't sleep without it.
Also my room was freezing and it was the middle of August. Me and DH froze in those little hospital blankets.

[ImmortalOne]

Hopefully that's a great idea too.  See that's why I asked people here, because the lists made by the "experts" aren't always knowledgeable on first hand basis!  I will probably wash that tonight and my pillow I've had since I was like 10 (yeah I know a 20 yr old pillow is really unhealthy no matter how much I wash it and what I wash it in... but... *whines*)

[Nicole092907]

oh yeah that it is a good idea my pillow would defintely comfort me and my blanket ... do they have fans at the hospital or am i going over board ... I usually sleep with my fan on at night to help me sleep

[NataliesMommy]

The hospital provides non skid socks so socks and slippers are not necessary to pack.  They also provide pads of all sizes.  Try to remember to pack as little as possible.  We ran into a problem fitting everything into the car cause of all the flowers and stuff that people sent/brought to us at the hospital.  This is such a great time for those that are packing.  Makes my heart skip a beat.  Blessings to you all.

[joyfulmom]

When I had my DD 12 years ago, my DS got to ride on my hospital bed to my room after delivery.  He was 3 yrs old at the time and thought that was pretty neat.

[Darkestlight]

I'm being induced in about 4wks.... when should I pack my bags?? I guess right before?

[rubyolivia]

Hey! Like peek said...I have snacks packed!! I also am planning to grab the laptop when we leave so that I can A)talk to all of you and B)email pics asap!. The only other thing I have packed is Max's baby book so that we can get his feet and hand prints in it. Oh and I packed a little notebook I bought so that I can write down feeding times, which side he was fed on and changing times since I'll be kind of sleepy, I'll want to know when DH changed him last, etc.  Other than that, I think you pretty much have everything packed that I do.

[rubyolivia]

OH yeah...I also am bringing my cell phone charger and a pic of my doggies! lol

[SeeingSpots]

Make sure you have a list of contacts for calling people with the good news that Lilith is here.
The obvious toiletries-- toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, brush, deoderant, disposable razor, etc.
I have long hair, so a couple of scrunchies for brading my hair and keeping it out of my face
during labor and nursing.
I took a Boppy nursing pillow for use behind my back during labor and nursing or proping afterwards.
A tube of "Lansinoh" lanolin for my boobies after nursing.
Magazines for DH... until labor got actively going, he had a lot of downtime.
And of course, the carseat already installed in the car for the drive home!
Good luck!!!

[ImmortalOne]

Okay!  I came home after some errand running (courtesy of my 17 yr old kid brother thankfully!).  

I got a bunch of dried fruits, with some peanuts and m&m's and a few other things to make a "trail mix" for the DH and the DD for during the delivery.  It's got dried banana's, apples, and pineapples for them and then the rest of the good stuff.  I will be finishing up the mixing of that when the DH loses his headache tonight.  

With my long hair and habit of braiding or putting into a ponytail/bun and going I have a few hairties packed and a brush, and I have the toiletries you listed.  

I will need to pack the cellphones and chargers (Gah!  That means like 4 of those damn things.... it sucks that I work for a cell company sometimes!).

As far as "too much" I don't expect to be getting many presents in the hospital or at all in fact.  We didn't have a shower and the big thing I want is a sign outside the house that says "It's a Girl" for the day Lilith comes home.  I never got something like that with the first 2, I thought it would be nice.  Also, we'll have 2 cars going home anyway, or that is the plan.  My parents and my DH.  I don't want Lilith in our car (its really a beater car that we've nursed for more than a year and has something like 250k miles on it).  So space isn't that big of an issue either I assume.  

My mom has next week off for the most part from work, and DH will be picking up more hours, so I'll have my Mommy with me hopefully a lot of the time.

List of contacts... you mean people keep those separate from the names and numbers in their cellphones?  LOL I'm lost without my phone... and we are allowed to use them in the hospital.  

p.s. Ruby, toss me your number on myspace and I'll toss you mine to exchange conversations and texts!

[kjbutcher]

dont forget an outfit to get her picture taken in, unless that is the coming home outfit.

[SeeingSpots]

Our hospital has a "no cell phone" policy, however once our son was born my dh asked the nurse if he could use his anyway, and she said, "it's fine with me".

As for the sign out front... well, you may want to be careful... I wanted one too (it's a boy!), but right before I had him that whole story broke about the child abduction.  The lady had a sign out front, some wacko woman saw it, rang the doorbell, slashed the mom's throat, stole the kid.  Mom lived (thank God) and called police.  They caught the wacko a few days later and got the baby back.  BUT, the mom then was warning other moms-2-be about the danger of displaying a sign advertising you have a newborn at home.  I guess if you live in an off-the-track safe area it's okay, but do think about it.

Have a great night!

[ImmortalOne]

Wow!  That's really scary!  Luckily my family will be here with me afterwards (along with my DD's).  But that is really creepy.  Maybe because I live in such a small community and a secluded street with about only 10 houses away from the main road it will be okay.