What to bring to the hospital?

[Anonymous]

Any advice on what to bring to the hospital when giving birth? I'm getting closer to my due date and don't really have the time/energy to shop for slippers or special pajamas if I can help it. What about underwear? I did already purchase a couple of nursing bras so at least I have that. Thanks for your input.

[Anonymous]

Hi, check out this thread. I'd posted a similar question a few weeks ago and got some excellent responses:

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1384.page#5877

[Anonymous]

Knit tops you can just pull up are easier for nursing than buttons--so a t-shirt and pj pants are good. Something you won't mind seeing in photos.

The hospital will provide weird mesh underwear and pads, but you may prefer to have your own--maybe bring some old ones that you won't care if they get ruined. I didn't like the pads they provided, be sure to have some maxi pads for when you get home, too.

[Anonymous]

What about a seperate outfit for the babys 1st photo?

[Anonymous]

Don't bring a lot! I touched almost nothing in my suitcase until I got ready to go home. I liked the mesh panties myself and just wore two hospital gowns (front and back) most of the time, but I had a rough delivery and didn't really care what I looked like! I do recommend bringing along a big bath sheet from home to shower with. The hospital towels are like glorified dish towels they're so small. I used their towels for the messy stuff and my big (old and dark) bathsheet to dry off the rest of me.

[Anonymous]

I second the PP, I brought tons of stuff to the hospital, and hardly used any of it -- except for my own towel and hairbrush/toiletries. I didn't mind the mesh panties.. they are so light, you don't really even feel them, so I thought they were comfortable (sounds crazy, I know!) And I was fine in the hospital gown, too.. but I didn't have a lot of visitors. The time went so quickly (we were out in less than 2 days).. I suppose for those who are in longer, robes and other things would be nice.

[Anonymous]

I highly recommend some good smelling bodywash/shampoo. Nothing was more heavenly than my first post-baby shower scented of coconut! Also bring your phone/address book.

[Anonymous]

If you stay in the gown, then there is no need for any kind of special top. I just wore gowns the whole time (but, I was only there for two/three days all told; I might have felt differently if I had a c-section). The main thing I would recommend is to bring your own pillow. I hated the ones at the hospital. I would also consider bringing snacks. You could be without food for a while, so as soon as you get up to the post-partum unit, you may very well be starving. A toothbrush is the final thing I wouldn't go without. As for clothes... unless you are one of the fortunate few, you will in all likelihood still look 6-7 months pregnant when you go home; bring an extra maternity outfit to wear home. With my first, all I brought were regular clothes, and I ended up wearing the outfit I wore TO the hospital home!

Don't stress too much about what you bring. You can always send DH home after the baby is born to get anything you forgot.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't bring a lot (and I didn't bring a lot for my first (vaginal) delivery or second (c-section)). Either way, you are going to bleed. Plus, think of all the germs in the hospital. I tossed the fancy slippers and robe I bought for my first delivery -- I didn't want to track those hospital floor germs in my house. The hospital mesh panties are great -- I actually hoarded a bunch so I would have some to bring home. The hospital gowns are fine and they provide easy access for your doc to check your stitches (which you'll probably have regardless of the kind of delivery). I brought a disposable toiletry kit (toothbrush, paste, deodorant, shampoo, etc.) and didn't bring any of it home with me (germs). Bring a going home outfit for you and the baby. There are tons of good lists of what to bring for you, your husband and the baby online. I'd go through one of those lists and try to edit it down to the bare minimum and then see how many of those things can be disposable.

[Anonymous]

I also brought a handpump of purell so I could clean my hands before meals, taking meds, and touching the baby.