Hospital/BirthingCenter/HomeBirth....What's in your bag?

[mama2seth&trey]

I just ordered my birth kit yesterday for our HB. The MW is supposed to send me a list of other things needed but I think she forgot. I'm going to have to email her. The shower curtain liner is a great idea. I guess I will get those from the dollar store. I've been wondering what I will need.

[popsi]

I have my list too, but that's as far as I got with packing! But, funnily enough just before I got on the computer my DH reminded me that I must pack my bag! Should really be listening to him instead of goofing off!

Coupla questions though: what is UC? and Why pack so many things the hospital give out? Don't they give you pp pads and all kinds of meds and sprays etc? Also, when in the hospital will you have the opportunity to use a sling/wrap? Just wondering

[ecomother]

Originally Posted by popsi I have my list too, but that's as far as I got with packing! But, funnily enough just before I got on the computer my DH reminded me that I must pack my bag! Should really be listening to him instead of goofing off! Coupla questions though: what is UC? and Why pack so many things the hospital give out? Don't they give you pp pads and all kinds of meds and sprays etc? Also, when in the hospital will you have the opportunity to use a sling/wrap? Just wondering

UC is unassisted childbirth, which means you give birth at home without a midwife or any other assistance. I'm bringing the sling and wrap to the hospital just in case I get a chance to use them, I might not get to but I'm excited about getting to wrap a newborn and don't want to wait till I get home

[jc12551]

Originally Posted by popsi I have my list too, but that's as far as I got with packing! But, funnily enough just before I got on the computer my DH reminded me that I must pack my bag! Should really be listening to him instead of goofing off! Coupla questions though: what is UC? and Why pack so many things the hospital give out? Don't they give you pp pads and all kinds of meds and sprays etc? Also, when in the hospital will you have the opportunity to use a sling/wrap? Just wondering

The hospital doesn't "give" anything. Some people (like me) who either have to pay a lot out of pocket or don't have insurance prefer to not use the overpriced items at the hospital. $35 for a pack of pads I can get for less than $5 at walmart is an example from my last birth. Some people (like me) also have sensitivities to certain dyes/fragrances and have to bring items that we are not allergic to. Or the hospital doesn't provide items. The birth center I hope to deliver at provides nothing. You have to bring diapers, wipes, clothes to labor in, etc.

[BLargy]

Originally Posted by jc12551 The hospital doesn't "give" anything. Some people (like me) who either have to pay a lot out of pocket or don't have insurance prefer to not use the overpriced items at the hospital. $35 for a pack of pads I can get for less than $5 at walmart is an example from my last birth. Some people (like me) also have sensitivities to certain dyes/fragrances and have to bring items that we are not allergic to. Or the hospital doesn't provide items. The birth center I hope to deliver at provides nothing. You have to bring diapers, wipes, clothes to labor in, etc.

Yea that... I don't have insurance that was as good as last time and they still did not provide a lot.I will use only a select few items they provide because of how much more bulk they will add to my bag if I pack them.


I have my sling packed in my baby bag. It's where it will be stored when not in use. Naturally I only packed more clothes in my baby bag than necessary because
u.s. aren't always the most accurate at guessing weight. My baby could range from 7lbs to just shy of 11. My son came home in premie stuff!

Last time I relied on what they had and I ended up unwashed! Bleh. Also I vomited a lot during labor....so wish I could have swished mouth wash or even brushed my teeth. If I am Gbs positive again I will be there guaranteed for 48hrs after birth. Washing with my own stuff helps me feel human again. I never received anything like episiotimy spray at the hospital...in fact I had to beg for an epi bottle and lanolin. The lanolin is to harsh for my nips so I am gonna use coconut oil this time.

[1healthylady]

Originally Posted by mama2seth&trey I just ordered my birth kit yesterday for our HB. The MW is supposed to send me a list of other things needed but I think she forgot. I'm going to have to email her. The shower curtain liner is a great idea. I guess I will get those from the dollar store. I've been wondering what I will need.

Our midwives have us get 3 shower curtain liners, two of which are for the birth bed. Put one liner down, make the bed with a set of sheets, put another liner on top of that, and make the bed with a second set of sheets. That way afterward they can just strip the top layer off and throw that in the washer and the bed is already made for after we're cleaned up. I'm still not sure what the 3rd liner is for.

[tibeca]

If I end up at the hospital, I will have hit my deductible, guaranteed. At that point, we are covered at 100%, so I'm going to take everything I can get "for free."

That said, no one offered me a peri bottle, lanolin or breast pads. No offer of a toothbrush, paste or mouthwash, etc. Treat it like going on vacation and you won't be disappointed. That said, everything I asked for at the hospital they found for me, no matter how difficult. I am however concerned that due to a LOT of food allergies, staying at the hospital would mean providing my own food, which would SUCK!

With my hospital birth, I had 3 bags packed. 1 bag to take to labor (with camera/charger, snacks, pillow, music, toothbrush, etc). 1 bag for the actual stay in the hospital (clothes, laptop and charger, phone numbers of whom to call/e-mail, extra toiletries, etc). 1 bag for the baby. That held all the diapers and "free stuff" I took from the hospital, the baby's going home outfit, blanket, coat (it snows in April in WY), etc.

After the birth, I had my mom take the "labor" bag back home. She brought the hospital stay bag up to the room from the car as soon as I was assigned to my room. Then when my mom came to pick us up she brought the baby's bag. That means I didn't have to move all those bags at once. AND, because my mom was awesome, each bag was easily unpacked, clothes washed and things put away, because it wasn't all jammed into 1 giant bag!

[popsi]

Originally Posted by jc12551 The hospital doesn't "give" anything. Some people (like me) who either have to pay a lot out of pocket or don't have insurance prefer to not use the overpriced items at the hospital. $35 for a pack of pads I can get for less than $5 at walmart is an example from my last birth. Some people (like me) also have sensitivities to certain dyes/fragrances and have to bring items that we are not allergic to. Or the hospital doesn't provide items. The birth center I hope to deliver at provides nothing. You have to bring diapers, wipes, clothes to labor in, etc.

Originally Posted by BLargy Yea that... I don't have insurance that was as good as last time and they still did not provide a lot.I will use only a select few items they provide because of how much more bulk they will add to my bag if I pack them. I have my sling packed in my baby bag. It's where it will be stored when not in use. Naturally I only packed more clothes in my baby bag than necessary because u.s. aren't always the most accurate at guessing weight. My baby could range from 7lbs to just shy of 11. My son came home in premie stuff! Last time I relied on what they had and I ended up unwashed! Bleh. Also I vomited a lot during labor....so wish I could have swished mouth wash or even brushed my teeth. If I am Gbs positive again I will be there guaranteed for 48hrs after birth. Washing with my own stuff helps me feel human again. I never received anything like episiotimy spray at the hospital...in fact I had to beg for an epi bottle and lanolin. The lanolin is to harsh for my nips so I am gonna use coconut oil this time.

Got it! Thanks for explaining I actually didn't realize the hospital charges for each little thing... But, if they can I'm sure they take advantage! (EG. I had an emg'y a while back for my DD and I didn't know till afterwards that they charge me about $30 for a 1/2 tsp of motrin!! AND I had some in my purse; I just figured they were offering... Now I know better )

Thanks to e/o for this thread- I actually packed most of my bag last night! YAY me! It's a very small bag bec. last time I packed too much and didn't need most of it. I figure if I am there too long (praying not!) my DH can go home and get what I need then.

[bruenderbaby]

I have my list from my last time. My hospital also provides all kinds of stuff for me and baby. Even hazelwitch pads! What I forgot last time was to have other items I needed at home ready to go. It is a little embarrassing for your mil to have to go pick up pads. Luckily, she didn't mind, but we should have had enough.

Here are my lists: (None of which i have packed yet. :P)
Hospital Packing List
LDR:
-music
-list of relaxing techniques for hubby to use with you
-own outfit to labor in
-hair ties
-slippers or socks
-cameras
-extra photo cards and batteries/chargers
-phones with phone numbers/chargers
-water bottle with bendy straw
-honey (for energy)

Recovery:
-nursing gowns/pj’s
-slippers and socks
-toothbrush and toiletry items
-change of clothes to go home
-shoes (to go home)
-baby’s going home outfit
-baby blanket for trip home
-overnight stuff for hubby (if staying)
-chapstick/make-up (to feel ‘normal’ again)

To have at home:
-pain meds (Motrin)
-pads- both panty and nursing
-Epson salts or Dreft (my mom and mother-in-law both recommended it)
-Colace (or something similar)
-Hazelwitch pads
-Lanolin

[nickiep]

I started to pack my bag today and i packed two pairs of underwear. my brain froze after that. thank you girls for refreshing my memory.. off to the room i go now.