Hospital Bag?

[bryanarae]

I was just curious when you other mommies or soon-to-be-mommies packed your hospital bag? I am 30w4d and have just started thinking about it. With my son, I didn't pack my bag until the night I went into labour (oops) and had forgotten a lot of things. Now I am wondering if maybe I should pack the bags before I go into labour! lol So, I guess my question is, when should I pack my bags?? It seems like it would be almost impoaaible, considering most of things you need to bring are items I still use on a daily/regular basis. Any ideas?? Thanks ladies! :)
[ I also ask this question because my doctors think I should be prepared for an early delivery! ]

[Joyce49788]

i am going to be 33 weeks on saturday and have yet to start packing a bag... i am pretty sure that i wont go into labor early since i have NEVER gone into labor on my own... even when i had a premature rupture of membranes at 20 weeks back in 91 i never went into labor... soooo i am not sure, will probably wait til next u/s so i know if i have to return or dye the carseat/stroller or not... and then it might be easier to pack. hmmm i have a cloth diaperbag... if this baby is a boy, i could probably dye that too ... when we found out it was suppose to be a girl back in Feb, i went a little overboard with pink stuff... now i am kinda regreting it... but i am not packing girl stuff away until i know for sure that this is a boy..... lol

anyhow i think you ladies have the lists pretty much set... if you dont mind using hospital items then that will help the list be minimized, BUT if you want to use all of your own stuff... dont forget nightgowns or pj's from home... AND pack more than one outfit for baby... even if it is just a few extra sleepers/onesies... just in case there are accidents... especially if you are more than a few minutes from the hospital.  i live almost 2 hours from where i am suppose to deliver at, so i will need extra clothes, just in case...lol

[JoyRenee]

I think it's fine to pack now while you're thinking about it. I always go to Walmart/Target and get some toiletry-size shampoo/conditioner, toothpaste, extra toothbrush, etc. You don't have to pack a ton (which you may have learned from the first time). I'm taking one small bag with me.

All you need are

Two going home outfits (one for baby and one for you)
Socks
Large panties you don't care about ruining
Toiletries
Camera/Video Camera/Batteries
BRING YOUR OWN PILLOW! I hate those flat pillows at the hospital.
Cell phone/call list/charger
Glasses/contacts
Maybe a robe/slippers

I always pack what I can and then leave a little list on top for "last minute items" like the camera and makeup bag and cell phone. The hospital provides most things and you can't use toilet paper after a vaginal delivery (they give you a Peri-wash bottle instead).

[babybemine]

The best advice I got from my friend was to take my own soft toilet paper. Boy was she right.

[itisme0002]

I went way overboard with getting my list ready.  BUT it was a great way to help me stay organized.  I printed my list off, crossed off items that I could pack ahead of time (like extra toiletries / candy / money), then I put stars by the items that DH would potentially have to get on the day of (just in case I went straight to hospital and he was left to bring the bag) like my makeup bag and pillows from our bed (hospital pillows aren't that comfy and you'll need more than they offer you).  

I also knew which nurses I'd prefer, so I listed that.  I basically included info I thought to be important in case I was unable to relay the info myself.  

My best friend who had her baby 2 weeks before me kept asking what she could bring me that I forgot to pack (her hospital bag was lacking a lot of important items), she was in awe of my bag, and said she'd have me pack hers for her next time.  


• Suitcase
• Nursing Bra
• Panties
• Comfy Black Pants
• Black Maternity Shirt (the basic one), and another big t-shirt
• Black stretchy tank top
• Black socks and White socks
• Black tennis shoes
• Makeup Bag
• Toothpaste and both of our toothbrushes
• Hairbrush and Ponytail Holder
• Shampoo and Conditioner
• Makeup remover wipes and deodorant
• Eye drops and Carmex
• Jolly Ranchers (or another hard candy)
• Ginger Ale
• Cash and coins
• Cell phone chargers
• Camera (and charger)
• Clothes for (DH)
• Baby outfit, hat, booties, blanket for ride home
• Baby Book
• 2 pillows from our bed
• Car Seat (base installed, seat available for go-home day)

Things to take care of:
• Make sure (my parents, or whoever) have a key to our house
• Feeding/bedtime schedule for dogs
• Trash Day?  

Hospital Things:
• Nurse -  (insert name here, if known)
• Dr  - -  (insert name here)
• Pediatrician - - (list name and clinic name)
• Need to have a copy of our insurance card available
• Notify Nurse that we plan to breastfeed

[bryanarae]

that's a really good idea! i never thought of making a list as i go through my day. makes plenty sense! thanks ladies.

[nickieb85]

Yeah I did the same thing with my first and waited until the week before my second little boy to pack a bag. Anything you need (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, robe, slippers, socks, anything you need for your baby). Try to go through your daily routine and make a list of the things that you use... That is the best way you can figure out what you really need :) Good luck!

[hkenny]

well some things i was told to being that you may not think of in my prenatal class were shorts for dad incase you want to go in the shower or tub for pain relieve. massage tools for dad to use on you. snacks for dad. magainze or books for mom.

then there is the more obvious things like, chagne of clothes for mom, nursing bra if you plan to nurse, pads if you dont like the hospital ones, clothes,diapers, blanket for baby. camera and extra batteries. the lits goes on, if you go into the may mommy forum there is a list on there that we created, its really helpful!