packing your bags?

[wannababy1229]

Hi Ladies--At what week are you packing your bags for the hospital? I'm now 30weeks and started to think doing soon. What are your thoughts?

[suzhan]

I got this from another site....seems a bit excessive, but at least you won't forget anything.....

Hospital Checklist

Things to put in your car in advance:
*Extra bed pillows in case you want / need them at the hospital
*Bags or small bowl / bucket in case you are sick during labor and need it while in route to the hospital.
*Large garbage bag or plastic sheet to cover your car seat if your water has broken, or breaks in the car in route to the hospital.
*Baby's car seat, properly installed in the backseat. (Be sure to have it checked out at your local fire station!)

Labor / Birthing Bag:
*Pillow from your bed at home (take this when you leave for hospital) It's very comforting to have something with your familiar scent and comfort, the hospital pillows usually suck!
*Snacks for yourself - Hard candy, gum, suckers, whatever you like. Something to keep your mouth moist & fresh during all that breathing! Plus something light, like a granola bar, in case you want a small snack if you've been there a long time!
*Bottled water or Gatorade, if you don't want the hospital water that sometimes isn't very tasty!
*Lip balm!
*Massage oil or lotion and massage tools. Be sure to bring something unscented, or only very lightly scented so it doesn't turn your stomach while in labor!
*Thick, comfy socks
*Slippers with non skid bottoms (ones you aren't concerned about ruining if they get wet from fluid or blood!)
*Hair scrunchies or clip, and brush.
*Paper fan, something DH can fan you with when the hot flashes happen.
*Music CDs or MP3 player if you have one.
*Your focal point (wedding pics or pics of your other kids are great!)
*Prioritized phone number list, everyone you need to call and when.
*Cell phone, fully charged & extra battery if you have one.
*Lots of change for vending machines.
*Camera charged & ready, plus extra batteries
*Film (if you have a 35 mm requiring film)
*Camcorder, charged & ready! Extra battery, extra videoo tapes.
*Lamaze book, if you were given one at lamaze class.

Post Partum bag:
*Nursing PJs (way more comfy than hospital gowns) -*Hint*- I bought some cheap ones off Ebay so I wasn't concerned if I bled on them!
*Nursing Bras, in a larger size because you WILL expand!
*Comfy robe!
*Big Maternity undies
*Toiletries (I bought a bunch of sample sizes of everything in advance so I had them all packed in baggies and in my suitcase and ready to go!)
Here's a great list:
Shampoo / Conditioner
Body wash / Deodorant / Saving cream / Razor / lotions
Toothbrush / toothpaste
Makeup (have it all ready in a makeup bag so you can just grab the bag & go when it's 'time' !
Blow dryer, curling iron.
*YOUR going home outfit - Something cute, but very comfy!
*Baby book and Pen, so you can jot down all those first moments while they are still fresh in your mind and you have the time to do it!
*NOTE* You may want to put the baby book in your Labor bag if it has a place for the baby's first footprints, the hospital nurse may do it for you in the delivery room at the same time they are putting them on the hospital card. If you ask them when they are checking you in, they will put the book in the basinette so it's ready when they are doing everything right after the birth.

Baby's Going home bag:
*Blanket
*Onsie
*Going Home Outfit
*Burp Cloth
*Receiving Blanket to take home to your dogs if you have them
(Take one receiving blanket to the hospital to have in the baby's bassinette, or have the baby sleep in, then after 24 hours, have DH take the blanket home to the dogs so it has the baby's scent on it and the dog's can check it out and get used to that smell.)

[cowgirlclass]

Wannababy as far as "when" to pack your bag... I packed my bag about 34 weeks with most of the stuff on suzan's list, but as I was packing I kept in my mind that if I go this early it will most likely be a c-section as they would not let the baby labor. As far as my baby bag, I didn't really pack it till 35 weeks. At 35 weeks I got my entire baby bag ready. This past weekend I finished packing mine with everything needed for "labor" minus my pillows that I will grab from the bed as I go. I do need to download all my pictures off the digital camera and put it into my labor bag now just to make sure I DO NOT forget it. I already changed the batteries just in case but I will pack the camera tonight, especially with all the contractions I have had today However, I am scheduled for a June 6 induction date, so I have kinda taken that for granted. 7 days and a wake up

Good Luck,
Cowgirl

[PebblesUK]

Hi

I'd definately have an emergency bag ready now. You can add to it the closer you get. I had one with just shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodrant, spare pair of knickers etc. As I had Ellie at 26 weeks I was so not ready. Getting Paul to bring me in clothes was a nightmare, I put on so much weight in my pregnancy so couldn't really fit into the pre-pregnancy thongs he brought me in the day after my section!

Best of luck to you
Jo

[hhb]

The thong comment cracks me up!

I had my son 5 years ago at 39 weeks after my water broke at home, and I was walking around packing my bag in a complete daze. I couldn't even think of what to bring, even though I had read about things for months! Needless to say, there were some things that I forgot, but I ended up doing fine without them.

I am only 15 weeks with twins but I'm planning on having a bag ready to go at around 30 weeks, just in case I'm rushed to Boston (over an hour away) and am there for a few days (they won't deliver at my local hospital prior to 34 weeks if there's time to get you to Boston). My DH would have NO idea what to bring me. My labor/delivery went so quickly with my son that I've been told as soon as I feel something weird in future pregnancies to get to the hospital ASAP. So I guess I'll be buying extra deodorant, toothbrush and paste, etc., to pack away and I will make sure there's a good nursing bra in there, too!

Good luck - I can't wait to get that far along!

[LauraLou]

My water broke at 35 weeks at 1:00 am. There I was with a towel stuffed between my legs, half asleep, trying to pack a bag. I definitely don't recommend it!

I ended up packing a lot of prepregnancy clothes, which I was definitely not able to wear. I guess I thought after I delivered I would magically be back to my normal size. Not the case! So be sure to pack some maternity clothes.

[hhb]

That is funny about the towel. I'm sure you will never forget that!

Sweats are great for after, especially if they have a drawstring (although I'm not sure if that would be comfortable after a C-section). I did not like the nursing bra that I brought with me, so having a few of those on hand would be helpful (if you're intending on nursing). I totally forgot PJs and ended up wearing a hospital gown or my sweats to sleep in, so I'll bring those too.

I've been so miserable this pregnancy so far that it's actually fun thinking of this right now.