I am going in to week 22 and a lot of the discomforts have started to set in for me. I’m always just uncomfortable getting up and down etc so I just wanted to get the hospital bag out of the way before I don’t have time to shop anymore and it starts to get cold. What were your hospital must haves? Please list all items for regular as well as c-section delivery baby and the stay at the hospital. Delivery and labour has been making me the most nervous so it’s the least I have done my research on until I get a little closer. I guess this is my way to start preparing.
Re: Hospital Bag Essentials
This may not be a complete list but I'm sure others will help. I would say:
slippers
dressing gown
socks
stuff to bide your time like books or magazines
maybe download some surahs to help calm your nerves
snack bag
little bits of makeup to help you feel a bit Normal afterwards.
Dry shampoo
hair ties
face wipes
underwear for yourself.
Comfy pjs
maybe a flannel to cool temperature down
car seat for baby - I know here in UK this is a must
nappies for babies
depending on when baby is born - weather wise - blankets or coats
socks for baby/hats/ gloves/vests
thats all I can think of. I've never had a baby before lol so this is just stuff off the top of my head. I have quite a while to go before I have to prepare!
Re: Hospital Bag Essentials
May GOD Almighty make things easier for you and give you healthy offspring, Ameen.
Re: Hospital Bag Essentials
This may not be a complete list but I'm sure others will help.
Packets of shan chat masala, vehsan, karai with a tin of ghee. Lets see what else, sabzi aur ghosht. Chai keh pathi.
Re: Hospital Bag Essentials
No personal experience but I've had two friends who had babies few months ago. One was a c-section and other vaginal delivery. There's not much difference in what you will bring. With a C-section, you're just staying in the hospital longer. Here are things I would recommend based on hearing what my friends and husband have said over time (my husband does deliveries):
** This is for U.S. hospitals
1) Visit the hospital you plan on delivering in. Talk to the nurses and find out exactly what items they provide so you won't have to pack them. Most U.S. hospitals provide things like diapers, formula (if you are unable to breastfeed), hospital gowns for you, sanitary pads, mesh underwear etc. So if you're not picky (for example, some women want to use a particular brand of sanitary pads or want to wear their own gown etc), then you won't have to pack that stuff.
2) Make sure all your insurance papers, hospital forms are filled out and organized. If you have a birth plan, make sure to talk to your OB AND the nurses about it during your hospital tour, and put a copy in your bag.
3) Hospitals here have non-skid socks for patients but if you're picky, then bring at least 4-5 pairs. You'll probably throw them away afterwards so get cheap ones. You can bring slippers if you want but when I stayed in the hospital for 3 days after surgery, I only wore the socks.
4) Hospital will provide a gown and I only wore them after my surgery. My two friends also only wore the hospital gowns. But if you'd prefer, you can bring a loose gown with you. But remember it will get blood and other bodily fluids all over, and doctors/nurses will constantly need to access your vagina/tummy/arms/breasts etc. so buy gowns that are super loose. I would highly recommend bringing a warm robe so you can put that over your gown when you have visitors or walking in the halls.
5) A few maternity bras.
6) Personal items: Toothpaste, toothbrush, hairbrush, deodorant, face wash/wipe, moisturizer/lip balm, shampoo/conditioner, hairdryer, Headband or something to pull your hair back. Try to buy travel size items b/c you will only be in the hospital for a few days. Contact lens solution if you wear contacts.
7) Cell phone charger, camera+charger, Ipad+charter etc.
8) Hospital room will have a TV but if you like to read, you can bring a few magazines or a book or two just in case.
9) Bring a bunch of non-perishable snacks. Protein bars, snack bards, chips, candy....whatever you and your husband like to snack on....pack a bunch of it. Hospital cafeteria hours can be weird and you always want something in the room for a quick snack if either one of you get hungry. Unless you're booking a suite, normal hospital rooms will NOT have a refrigerator or microwave so its important to have non-perishable items handy. Of course, if you have family/friends who are willing to drop off food, that's great too.
10) Pack a separate, small bag for your husband. Toothpaste/toothbrush/deo/shaving cream/razor/underwear/1-2 pair of pants/3-4 pairs of shirts/3-4 pairs of socks/books-magazines if he likes to read any etc. Basically anything he will need to stay in the hospital with you for 3-4 days.
11) If you or your husband are picky about things like pillows or blankets, then pack those too. My friend that had the csection has neck pain and likes to sleep on a particular memory foam pillow. She took that with her.
12) Going-home outfit for you and baby. For yourself, you can either wear the outfit you went to the hospital in OR bring a separate pair of maternity outfit.
13) Underwear: Hospitals will have mesh underwear. I LOVED them when I had my surgery b/c they were super loose and didn't bother my incision. They also can handle the huge pads if/when you bleed heavily. Of course, you can also throw them away on soon as they're soiled. But many women hate them. If you want to, pack 3-4 pairs of maternity underwear just in-case but again, if you don't take them, hospital will give you mesh ones.
14) Approved car-seat for baby. In the U.S., it's legally required. Hospital will NOT release baby if nurse does not see it in the car.
15) Going home outfit for baby. Hospitals will give you outfits/blankets for baby while you're staying there. Of course, if you're picky and want the baby to wear something specific you already bought, bring that.
16) Cozy/warm blanket to put over baby when baby is in the car going home.
17) Make-up: Totally depends on you. I did not wear ANY make-up when I was in the hospital for my surgery and neither did my friend who had the c-section. But my other friend who had the vaginal delivery took small items like mascara, concealor, 1 lipstick, and eye brow fillers with her. And yes, the next day after the delivery when I saw her in the hospital, she actually had the make-up on for the pics and visitors. She said it made her feel better.
Re: Hospital Bag Essentials
Conditioner if you have hair like mine...I thought I might have to shave my head from all the tangles. My arms got tired from detangling in the shower after bed rest.
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Padsicles! Wendy suggested these and even though I had a c-section I used them in the beginning because of the discomfort in going to the bathroom...:(
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Thanks guys! Keep em coming if you have more suggestions. This is the scariest part of all of this, I don't know why.
Re: Hospital Bag Essentials
Because its all becoming real now. :)
OH and pack snacks! Lots of snacks as well as change for vending machines. Husband will get hungry and you will too at odd hours.
Re: Hospital Bag Essentials
Because its all becoming real now. :)
OH and pack snacks! Lots of snacks as well as change for vending machines. Husband will get hungry and you will too at odd hours.
what types of snacks exactly?
Re: Hospital Bag Essentials
Chips, pretzels, cookies, etc.
Things that won't spoil but will come in handy when you or husband is hungry.
Re: Hospital Bag Essentials
is a cabin luggage fine for the packing?
i had initially packed a baby changing pack and then a travel bag for me and then the usual handbag but i thought it was too many bags to handle in case of emergency.
also, do you have to hand in baby clothes to the nurse beforehand so they dress the baby or do you have to dress the baby yourself?
Re: Hospital Bag Essentials
^ try to limit the number of bags. Pack one for yourself (add baby stuff to it), one for hubby and maybe another one for snacks.
you will dress baby yourself.
the list Paheli00 posted is perfect. i recently had a baby and thats what i did too.