Hospital Bag

Can someone post a list of all the necessities??? I have one from my doctor, but would like to see others.

Thanks

Re: Hospital Bag

Toiletries
Bathrobe
PJ's (preferably a long shirt because the nurses will be prodding and poking all the time and it will be annoying to keep pulling pants on and off)
Thick pads (the hospital provides them but they're HUGE!)
Tucks
Extra undies that you plan on tossing afterwards
Going home outfit for you and baby
Slippers
Socks
Flip flops for the shower
Clothes and toiletries for DH
If you're planning on breastfeeding: Lanolin, breast pads, a boppy pillow (My LIFESAVER for breastfeeding after having an unexpected c-section) and nursing bras
I also brought a small cd-player for when I was laboring - it really helped to have calming music.

That's all I can think of for now!

Re: Hospital Bag

Beth's list is GREAT...

I would just add.... HAIR TIES, you can never have enough of them!

Maybe your make-up bag????

SOmething to munch on...if you get hungry at night!!

Ill never forget: I never ate the hospital food...so DH would pick me up something for dinner.... (but that was pretty much the only meal I was eating)

One night... I was starving.... SO I got up...pushed the baby isolete down the hall to the fridge and raided it!!! (there was nothing there but litte things of juice and milk...) I was soooo sad :( The next day I made DH bring me little things of snacks!

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Bring your OWN pillow and towels. I was soo happy I did.

If you are BF bring a copy of Nursing Mother's Companion Guide and a small notepad with a pen. Write down each time you nurse, which side, how long. Keep track of wet and dirty diapers..that is how you know you are nursing enough.

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Definetly your own pillow. The hospital ones are so flat. After the 1st night I had DH bring one in for me since I was going to be there a few days. Towels? that is up to you. I didn't care that they were really small.

As Marissa said, bring snacks. You never know when your going to get the munchies.

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Ohh yeah, snacks are so important! I woke up at like 3am RAVENOUS and shaking - I called the nurse and asked for food and she went into her private stash and brought me cookies and graham crackers. They were the best damn crackers and cookies I've ever eaten!

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I'll tell you what I DID use out of all the stuff I DID pack....

my toiletries
only one set of PJ's (Pj pants and a maternity shirt)
towel for shower
toothbrush and toothpaste

I SO did not use everything I packed....I wore the hospital gown till I took my shower and used the mesh undies they provided because I did not want to ruin my own granny panties (as much as I hate them). The mesh ones were actually kind of comfy/soft.

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All great feedback, I don't think I would have thought about snacks.

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oh yea....snacks are good. Money for vending machines too!

I asked for food and got it no matter what hour it was (I had cheerios at 3am!)

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My hospital (NS Manhasset) didn't have the mesh panties, so if you are delivering there bring your own.

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This was very helpfull thank you sooo much..
also a camera right??

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Absolutely a camera!!! (disposables are great or regular camera, WITH extra film and batteries..)

I dont think any LI hospitals have the "mesh panties" Shana was talking about..

Bring several EXTRA pairs of undies, as the pads from the hospital were HUGE, but (St. Charles) had a Sumo style band that kinda kept the pad in place.. if you get what I am saying. The first night I strictly wore that and the hospital gown, because I bled so much. the next day I think I tried panties towards visting hours, but thanked god when I was told roads were still closed cuz of a blizzard.. lol..

I did hide the extra granny panties so DH wouldnt think I was cracked! And if I ruined any AT the hospital, I chucked them there!! HTH!

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I'm adding one more thing I packed in my bag. Lysol!! I am making my husband spray everything down before I use it. I'm such a germaphobe! Also a diaper bag for baby with take home outfit, undershirts, diapers, etc. just in case. Oh yea....the newest thing now is making a pretty sign for the nursery bassinet. I saw this at the hospital when I took my tour. All the girls printed out or handmade these crafty signs with the babies name on them(and siblings pic if any) and the nurses attached it ....

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My gf just gave birth in Jan and brought her diaper bag with essentials and was glad she did. Those of us having winter babies also have to pack blanket/bundle me's. I don't want that stuff in my suitcase with dirty clothes that I eventually change out of.

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Also bring phone numbers of people DH should call after you deliver and a pre-paid phone card for out-of the-area phone numbers. Cell phones are NOT ALLOWED in hospitals. They interfere with many of the infant security systems and medical equipment.

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This post is great, thank you! I put it in my notebook!