Bag for labor/delivery

[Anonymous]

ok, so this might be a really stupid question, but I'm in the process of packing my postpartum bag for my hospital stay.

how much stuff did people bring? are we talking "gym bag" sized bag or "rolling carryon-sized suitcase like you'd use for a 2-day trip?" I packed a gym bag but my bathrobe takes up nearly all the space so I'm wondering if I should just bring the rolling bag.

anyone?

[Anonymous]

I have a gym bag size. The contents of my bag: Bathrobe, toiletries, slippers, and towels. I plan on wearing hospital underwear and using all hospital supplies. I'll have my hubby bring me going home clothes after the labor.

[Anonymous]

This is the PP - I packed towels as I remember the towels from my last birth being very unsubstantial....

[Anonymous]

We actually packed 2 bags (larger quilted bags) - 1 for labor and 1 for post-partum and plan to do that again for baby #2 coming soon. I left the post-partum bag in the car and just had hubby get it once we got into the post-partum room (2 days later!).

In labor bag (from memory and it's been a few yrs so I may forget some things)
- snacks and drinks for DH (i didn't want him leaving the room for too long - he tends to wander and get lost a lot :wink
- portable DVD player with some musicals and TV series (came in handy being stuck in that room for so long)
- chapstick (really handy during and after labor)
- magazine/books for DH (again worked out due to long labor)
- video camera/digital camera with plugs/batteries
- phone book so we could call people with status
- pregnancy boppy pillow
- regular bed pillow for me and for DH
- quilt (was in post-partum bag, but he slept in labor room over night so he went and got it)
- washcloth
- can of lysol (i'm a clean freak and I asked DH to spray the bedrails, doorknobs, and whole bathroomd down)
- hand sanitizer for DH
- focus item (I used a picture)
- birth plan if you made one
- my own comfy sock
- baby book (asked nurse to make baby foot prints in book while doing it for birth records)

In post-partum bag
- nursing pj's
- light weight robe
- slippers
- going home outfit for me and baby
- a few baby recieving blankets
- long onsies for baby (i just felt like dressing baby in her own clothes right away)
- toiletries


I can't think of anything else, but most or probably all of these items are not NECESSITIES, but I felt better with them. It's funny because I am a planner/list-maker, but usually an efficient and light packer. It seems like we took a lot, but we use everything.

[Anonymous]

I always have to laugh when my new mom-to-be friends try and figure out what to bring to the hospital for the 48/72 hours.

First off, don't forget to pack a few things for DH who is most likely staying overnight with you.

Second, remember you are at the hospital - not on a deserted island - send your DH home if you forget something or find that you could really use X, Y, Z.

It really isn't a big deal. Pack the practical things. For some, the essentials are a onesie, socks, comfortable t shirt and maternity pants, toiletries, cell phone/charger, camera, and flip flops. Other people don't pack so light and load up. Just use your judgment and go with it.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I'm not packing *too* much, just having trouble fitting it into my gym bag.

* Bathrobe (my big terry cloth one that is comfy and dark-colored in case of stains)
* slippers
* flip-flops
* going home outfit (roomy black workout pants and t-shirt.)
* books for me and babydaddy (we're readers and i expect downtime here and there)
* luna bars for a quick snack
* sample-size toiletries for the shower
* going-home outfit for baby & receiving blanket
* cell phone charger

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I'm not packing *too* much, just having trouble fitting it into my gym bag.

* Bathrobe (my big terry cloth one that is comfy and dark-colored in case of stains)
* slippers
* flip-flops
* going home outfit (roomy black workout pants and t-shirt.)
* books for me and babydaddy (we're readers and i expect downtime here and there)
* luna bars for a quick snack
* sample-size toiletries for the shower
* going-home outfit for baby & receiving blanket
* cell phone charger

How about a camera?

[Anonymous]

Great lists. I need to pack my bag this weekend...just in case! That's for the great tips!

[Anonymous]

My bags are about half packed but I can't really finish until I know I'm going....toiletries, hairbrush, hair dryer....I use those things daily.

[Anonymous]

I assume you really don't need to pack a quilt for the hubby and pillows, right??

[Anonymous]

When we checked in to be induced, the entire nursing staff burst out laughing at us. We had a large rolling suitcase, a duffle, a DVD player, our carseat, and our coats.

We looked like imbeciles. But we sure had everything we could possibly need!

[Anonymous]

Next time we'll be sure to have a change of clothes for DH--I puked all over him during labor!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I assume you really don't need to pack a quilt for the hubby and pillows, right??

I'm the poster who mentioned this. DH wanted to stay overnight even in the post-partum room and he is really picky about his pillow, so this was his suggestion. I grabbed a quilt (we have many since my and I both make them) and I thought it would make my post-partum room feel a little more like home. It worked out well though since he had to spend the 1st night in the L&D room and was more comfortable than the hospital issued blankets.

I also gave birth in Feb in the middle of a snow storm, so the comforts of home seemed important.

[Anonymous]

to 14:46 poster - daddy's bringing the camera. and apparently a video camera, though he's been instructed not to take pictures of the hoo-ha! (i can just see the commercials now for "Pregos Gone Wild in Fairfax!")

[Anonymous]

Now that we expecting #2, I went back to watch the video from #1. It's sweet and funny to watch some video of the labor - at the beginning all smiles and hearing the baby's heartbeat to shaking my head at DH because I culdn't smile any longer - too busy concentrating on the contractions. I also have video of the birth and the first comments from everyone - me, DH, dr's, Grandma. It's really neat to watch now.