I’m working to start getting things ready to pack for the hospital. Yup, I’m a planner and this must be done soon as to not stress me out!
I go on maternity leave in a couple of weeks (at 36 weeks), and want to pretty much have everything ready to welcome baby into the world by then so this tired mommy can rest and relax for a few weeks. That’s the goal at least. So I have starting thinking about what I’ll need to pack to take with me to the hosptial and thought I’d ask advice.
What are some “must haves” to take?
What should I get to wear post-baby? I’ve been told a robe & pjs, but what is best and will be most comfy for me?
Anything I should prepare for that they might not tell me?
I don’t want to pack up our entire house as if we’re taking a 3 week trip, but I do want to be fully prepared. I always appreciate the help! 
karakaejames is the author of this blog: a pastor's wife & soon-to-be mommy! Click on the "about me" link on the side to learn more or send over an e-mail by clicking the e-mail link below...
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January 25th, 2010 at 8:12 am
You’ll find lots of lists online with recommendations for what to take to the hospital, including many that are REALLY long! Here are my suggestions for things that are sometimes missing from those lists, and what might otherwise get left out:
- an extra outfit to take home your newborn (your favorite outfit might turn out to be too big or too small; have a back-up)
- aromatherapy spray to help you relax and feel calmer in the sterile, harsh-smelling medical environment (http://bit.ly/1w8qH)
- bathing suit for your birth partner if you plan on using a jacuzzi to help ease your labor pain and want him in the tub with you
- a big towel for you after showering or laboring in a tub
- massage gel or oil to use in labor (I recommend: http://bit.ly/1yEXcY)
- warm socks and/or slippers
Hope that helps!
January 25th, 2010 at 8:16 am
I was always most comfy in sweats to come home and hang out after birth. I am sure you will be more organized than I ever was!
January 25th, 2010 at 8:27 am
Things I took to make me comfortable were
My own pillow, make-up, magazines or a good book, a journal (I have written to both my girls since I was pregnant with both of them and they are now 5 and 2), a plush robe, a face mask, and comfy slippers. You’re going to be fine, as long as your baby is healthy. What an awesome day that will be!!! =)
January 25th, 2010 at 8:36 am
What are some “must haves” to take?
Bathroom supplies (toiletries, toothbrush, shampoo, etc.)
Robe is very nice (or a bedjacket) for when you have visitors.
Pretty and comfortable nightgown. (Maybe 2, just in case. [I had to have one cut off of me and I never saw it again--but that was with an emergency C-section 6 weeks early]). (Acceptable for visitors to see you in. Be sure to get a nursing one! They are very modest for visitors and yet have an access for baby.)
Just bring one change of clothes for going home in. You’ll be in a nightgown the rest of the time, most likely.
What should I get to wear post-baby? I’ve been told a robe & pjs, but what is best and will be most comfy for me?
I wore a nursing nightgown post-baby/still in hopsital. I had a preggo dress (button from collar to hem) that was loose and comfortable.(Of course I had a C-section and needed NO waist band at all. But you might want to be prepared for anything.)
Anything I should prepare for that they might not tell me?
If you do not want them starting baby on sugar water, insist on rooming in with baby. I ended up with a delivery in the middle of the night, stayed in L&D because they could moniter me better than on the wing for new mommies (high bp). But when they transferred me it was at shift change and no one told me how to get my baby! No orientation at all as to how all that worked. (boo hiss) Just call and say bring me my baby *anytime you want*–but better to insist on having baby in the room with you.
You want to be careful with eating beforehand, since at any point y’all may have to make a decision for a C-sec. *BUT* I knew I was going to be laboring (WORKing) and needed sustainence, so I ate a big ol’ Whataburger between doc’s office and hospital. I did end up with a C-sec, but did not have any complications due to food on my stomach (but that was like 7-8 hours later). So just be prayerfully wise in what you choose to do. (I was glad I ate.)
Latching on can really be painful (was for me), so just be prepared (and if it doesn’t hurt for you, then Praise the Lord!).
Donna C´s last blog ..Updated on January 20, 2010
January 25th, 2010 at 8:37 am
What a luxury to plan ahead – our LO, Summer, came at 32 weeks and I was not packed at all! My husband made trips back and forth for a few days while I was in the hospital and brought we what ever I decided I needed. Here is what I USED (the classes we took told us to pack a ton of stuff like aromatherapy, massage balls, etc…- I never would have used any of it):
1 – Hair powder! not in the mood to take a shower – this kept me looking fresh
2 – Slippers – I wore the hospital issue socks all the time, but needed something to take walks to the nursery in
3 – magazines (to get away!) and journals (to log emotions)-
4 – camera, laptop and zip drive and all chargers(we took so many pictures I wanted to start cataloging them
5 – comfy loose fitting sweats (I splurged on a juicy maternity terrycloth sweat suit in hot pink and it saved my life for months to come!)
5 – and of course, minimal makeup, nail file, PILLOWs ( a must) and a pen – there is a lot of stuff to fill out.\
Best wishes and relax! if you forget something, someone will bring it or the gift shop will have it.
January 25th, 2010 at 11:20 am
Hospital gowns are not comfy so I went and got my own gowns to wear at the hospital during labor and delivery. It’s hard to stand and move around in pain when your booty is hanging out! Oh! And the ones I found had several buttons at the top for nursing! That was great too. Also the soap and shampoo that the hospital provides is not always the best so I would bring my own. And house slippers! Make sure to bring a positive attitude!!.. phone charger, contact solution, glasses (if you have bad eyes like me), pony tail holder, snacks, your own pillow, camera of course, and stuff for baby too. They have diapers and shirts for little one but I liked having my own for kamdyn. Now that I read it over it does sound like the whole house but I used all of it and I’m sure more! And I used babycenter.com- they have a checklist for hospital bags, plus stuff for daddy. Good luck!
January 25th, 2010 at 11:20 am
Just got out myself so….warm socks, slippers, hair ties, ditto on the gowns I never wear those things.
January 25th, 2010 at 11:21 am
I will tell you to pack more like you are going away for a weekend, everything that would make you a little more comfy.. I always did something that was neat, I would put a pic in the baby’s bed, that way in the middle of the night as they are checking bands and such I could just look up and see their siblings pics and know it was my baby, make sure you take snacks for your self if you think you might want or need something that you cant get at the hospital, I also know that Dean would hardly leave my side, you know that first hand, so I would also make sure that he was packed and had what he needed.. As far as the baby is concerned. Little outfits. SOCKS.are very important, and of course a blanket that she can be wrapped in,,, one of those miracle blankets in a design would be nice, alot of the blankets now days are too bulky… I was never allowed to wear anything other than a hospital gown during labor, but afterwards I always had my own outfit… You could put a picture of brother jack…love you!!
January 25th, 2010 at 11:21 am
Chap stick!!! sugar free hard candy to suck on while in labor (if they will let you have it) I wouldnt pack too much for the baby, Just a going home outfit and a blanket. And a bow! LOL Camara chargers! Snacks for after you have her. For you and hubby. Vending machines are pricey, so stock up on chips and water or whatever else you like. They should have a fridge in your room. Nursing bra, pajamas that you dont care about getting ruined. icky stuff happens. Nothing white!! Nursing shirts. Or oversized tee shirt. Your pillow, and hubbies
IPOD, towels, hospital towels are horrible!Brand of pads that you prefer. Hospital ones are a bit uncomfortable but honestly work great. dvds if your hospital has a dvd player, or you could bring that too!! Heck, throw in the kitchen sink and you should be covered!! 
January 25th, 2010 at 11:22 am
Your nursing bra, comfy clothes to come home in, your diaper bag with an outfit for baby girl. Like Mindy said, like you are going away for the weeknd. Leave your skinny jeans at home.
January 25th, 2010 at 12:12 pm
Good lord! I’m gonna have to rent a U-haul just to get everything there! Don’t forget Family Guy, computer for blogging and something to smuggle a little white fur ball into the room in!
PS – what the crap is hair powder? That just sounds gross.
brookjames´s last blog ..Video Of The Week
January 25th, 2010 at 3:31 pm
i agree with most of what everyone has said…
1. bath stuff… shampoo/conditioner/bodywash/toothbrush/toothpaste
2. slippers/non slip socks
3. pads
4. comfy clothes (yoga pants/tank top)
5. nursing bra
6. going home outfit for baby
7. cameras/chargers
8. chapstick
i didn’t bother taking stuff to look “pretty”. it’s the hospital and honestly there just wasn’t any time to get all dolled up. they wouldn’t even let me out of bed for 3 days
January 25th, 2010 at 3:31 pm
I’m going to email you a list that Shannon Hess sent to me. She is Mrs. Organized and she was SO much help to me! Reid is just 4 months older than Braden so it was all so fresh in her mind and I really appreciated all of her lists! I’ll send them to you right now!
January 25th, 2010 at 3:31 pm
A robe comes in very handy because walking around in those hospital gowns is not very easy and if you walk while having contractions it will come in handy!
January 25th, 2010 at 4:42 pm
I say the only thing you really need is a full tank of gas… that way if you forgot something you can just send brook to go get it.
January 25th, 2010 at 5:53 pm
All those suggestions are great. Certainly socks. Those hospital ones are lame. And, of course, all things to make you pretty
Don’t worry about too many clothes. If you have a typical delivery, you could go home the next day
If you have a c-section, girl, you won’t be worried about your clothes!
I’ll be praying it all goes smooth for you! Email me anytime!
January 25th, 2010 at 10:30 pm
Not sure about California hospitals, but mercy only has dry babywipes and you have to wet them, so I would recommend taking a pack of wipes. Congrats!!!
February 17th, 2010 at 12:24 am
[...] to so many of you, I have some great ideas of what I need to pack for the hosptial. I’ve gotten started and plan to finish up in the [...]