Moving in or just having a baby?

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

I had to go in to the L&D unit for a test last week and couldn't help but chuckle and some of the "first timers" arriving for a delivery...Looked as if they were checking into a hotel for about a week or so. I remember taking a prebirth class and reading "what to bring to the hosp". I don't even bring all that stuff for a weeks vacation..

With baby #2 i just threw my bag together right before I came in. What are some of the things you recomend moms bring to the hosp?

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Specializes in Community Health Nurse.

Hi Michelle :)

I can't speak for other moms, but I'll tell you what things I found necessary to pack:

Toothbrush, toothpaste, comb & brush, maternity bras (if breastfeeding...bras designed for that purpose), nursing pads to catch the leaky milk between feeds, plenty of panties, houseslippers, robe, easy open gowns (if you want to wear your own), an extra blanket and pillow (the hospital's blankets never kept me warm enough and their pillows sucked too.) :D

I would take my Bible, pen and paper, lotion, shampoo, bathsoap, makeup, camera with film and fresh batteries, and a few telephone numbers I needed to call before discharge.

Oh, I'd also take a set of clothes to wear home from the hospital.

Before discharge, have the baby's car seat and outfit to wear home brought to the hospital.

Guess my list pretty much explains the amount of luggage you see mom's bringing to the hospital, huh? :rotfl:

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I just threw things together to get ready for my 2nd childs birth as well - I think it all fit in a Walmart sack - a change of clothes for me and baby, toothbrush, hairbrush, slippers... and I guess that was about it. Of course, we were only in for around 24 hours, so we didn't need THAT much stuff. :)

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I was one of the first time moms that packed everything. I had a big suitcase for me and a small one for Dh and baby. I had 2 pillows, a comforter and my purse.

I ended up spending 2 days in labour and having a c/s. I was thankful for all my stuff.

The most useful thing I brought was a radio. It made the room feel cozy and was a great distraction.

The things that I brought that were a waste

- breastpads. The baby was latched on almost constantly so there was no leakage.

- my own pads. I bought the huge overnight ones but nothing worked as good as the hospital ones.

- my own PJ's. I never wore them once. I wore hospital gowns. At night I even took it off to make BF easier. Between the lochia, night sweats, incision drainage and itching from the duramorph I didnt want any clothes on.

- my own clothes. I got dressed after my shower on the 2nd day. It felt good but it drained every last bit of my energy. Then I had to undress for bed anyway.

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i would definitely agree with cheerfuldoer about bringing blankets and pillows-i was hospitalized about three months ago and was never comfortable.

(then again, it might have been the constant pain and/or IV meds i was allergic to that may have had something to do with that...)

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Had to answer this as I had my kids in the dark ages! With #1 - 1980 - I brought a small overnight bag. With #2 - 1985 - I went to a routine OB appt and was dilated to 7 already without knowing it. Since I was double parked (this was in Spain) I went and moved my car and then walked two blocks to the hospital, had the baby in about 15 minutes and went home that night! All without any luggage!!!

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