Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Made the switch and what to pack?

I was finally able to speak with someone in my OB's office today and they said it's fine if I want to stick with them for monitoring for the rest of the pregnancy and then deliver at a different hospital. Which was great news! However, there is a very good chance my OB will be busy delivering someone else at the private hospital because as the nurse said "I'm due at a very busy time." I guess there are lots of Spring babes due?? So, I may have to have the OB on staff at the hospital deliver Samantha. Which I am totally fine with. Our bigger concerns are having the proper help available to our girl (IF need be) and that we have a private room where we can stay together as a family after the birth. So we are happy with this decision. And we are going on a tour of the birth center in early March.

I know this is super early to be asking, but what are your suggestions on what to pack in the hospital bag??? I want to pack ours early because I have this fear of heading to the hospital in a rush and forgetting everything! I know the hospital gives you a list of what you should bring (as we got one the other night at the private hospital) but I want the opinions of all you bloggers out there! Because I think you probably have a more realistic list that maybe worked for you. Please include what we should pack for all of us, Mom, Dad and Baby....

Thanks!

16 comments:

Stephanie said...

One big thing to check off your list, I bet that's gotta feel good. I can tell you I didn't use a quarter of the things I packed (a robe, other pj's slippers, underwear, bra) none of it. I seriously stayed in hospital clothes (gown and mesh undies) the entire time. I had no desire to ruin my clothes. A boppy is good if you plan to BF, we also didn't use anything for the baby other than what the hospital provided. The only thing we needed for her was her going home outfit. I'm sure many people will comment with their extensive lists, but these are just a few of the things I remember.

kkasun said...

Never too early to do this . . . . considering how many times you ahve been to the hospital all ready (if it makes you feel better, I went 8 times total).
I posted my list here, http://thekasunfamily.blogspot.com/2011/09/hospital-bag.html , I hope it helps!

Jes G said...

never packed for the hospital, but ashley at calmly chaotic had a great post about what she packed when she was delivering her twin girls.... i think they were born around september.... so her post is probably around there..... definitly worth chedking out
glad you are happy with your decision to switch hospitals...i don't blame you at all. i cant imagine being in the hospital and my child being moved to a different hospital.
xoxo

Amber said...

We packed WAY too much. This time I will take an outfit to wear home for me and the baby, our camera, and some good socks. I didn't even use my boppy.

Samantha said...

What a relief!

There are different schools of thought on packing for the hospital. There are the minimalists and then the people like me... I packed a lot and I was happy to have my own stuff. I can't comment on what you'll need for labouring since I had a planned c-section.

I switched to my own clothes as soon as they removed the catheter. I showered and was happy to have my own toiletries, towels and blowdryer as well as flip flops for the shower (hospital floors are disgusting). I was also happy to have my pillow, camera, iPhone with charger, lip balm, hair ties and underwear.

The hospital will have everything Samantha needs but again, you may want to bring your own clothes, diapers, etc.

So exciting!

clvconlon said...

We packed way too much also, which was tons of fun when we were trying to leave... The two things I will say are that I felt way more human in my own clothes and that my cucumber face/body wipes were a life saver because the room was super warm.

Lauren said...

So happy you are able to make the switch but stay with your same doc in the meantime. My necessities were cozy socks, my own pj's and comfy nursing bra (like the soft sportsbra-ish kind) and tolietries. That first shower post baby is heavenly and having fresh stuff to put on was great. Boppy pillow was a must for us too, mostly for Rob to chill and watch movies while I rested. If you have a fridge your fave snacks/beverages are great too! It's never too early to pack! Also extra receiving blankets and newborn hats for baby, I got sick of looking at the the same striped ones every hospital has! Samantha will need some PINK in her life :)

Chon said...

things are starting to come together!!!! oh god I am getting so excited for you ;) as to hospital bags there are some great checklists on the web. I just bought mynappy bag and I am so excited ;)

L said...

Like a lot of the other ladies, I ended up bringing way too much stuff with me to the hospital. I ended up wearing the hospital gown during labor and once I was in the post-partum unit I lived in my hubby's athletic shorts, a nursing sleep bra, and slippers. I had a t-shirt to put on when there were guests, but that was about it. I didn't end up using my boppy either, but I know a lot people do. One thing I wish I would have brought with me was extra socks for the baby - his feet seemed cold the whole time we were there.

Bridget said...

I'm with Steph on this one- we packed waaaay too much shit. I stayed in the hospital gown nursing sports bra and mesh undies for sure. Emily stayed in whatever the hospital provided until going home day. One great thing that my doula (I highly recommend hiring a doula)suggested was to get a glade plug in that was lavender scented (it's supposed to be relaxing) I loved not smelling the "hospital smell" during delivery and recovery. Boppy, nipple ointment and nursing bra/tank for sure if you want to BF. Oh and the baby book if you want hand/foot prints.

Jill Dorsey || Made with Moxie said...

Ditto with the packing too much. Both times. (you'd think I'd learn.) This is what I'd pack: baby's going home outfit(something newborn size. Even JQ at 10.5 pounds wore newborn size), something for you to wear home (something comfortable, but still maternity. I did goucho pants, a tshirt and hoodie), deodorant, make up (If you care for first pics) facewash face wipes (good for an easy "shower" without leaving the bed), flip flops, camera and comfy clothes for dad. Have an empty bag to take stuff home from the hospital with (diapers, that blue booger sucker, blankets, etc.) I honestly didn't pack ahead of time a) because I couldn't spare to leave a maternity outfit packed and b)labor is long and slow. It gave me something to do during the beginning part. I just made a list and left it out with my bag.

Kacey said...

It must feel like a weight off now that you've chosen a hospital! I agree with some of the ladies, that I liked having my own PJs. I was having a planned c-section so I knew to pack PJs and clothes to come home in, that were loose around the middle and I could nurse in.

Jenny said...

haha I packed way early too...
I didn't read all of the replies so I'm sorry if this is list of things already said:

- BRING YOUR BREAST PUMP!!! I didn't and Jeff had to run out and buy one (I hated that he had to leave the hospital at all...). You might not need it right away but for me, it was a lifesaver because between A having latch issues, and my boobies not cooperating with hand expression, it was the ONLY way my colustrum was coming out.

Bring the most absorbant maxi pads you can find. I totally underestimated how much PP bleeding there would be. They'll have some in the hospital but I prefered the store bought ones.

A headband for labour! I chose something cute so that I wouldn't feel totally hideous when I looked at that first photo of us ;)

-I was (unexpectedly) in the hospital for 4 days so I was very happy to have packed my yoga pants and a couple of loose T-shirts to wear. I couldn't get out of the hospital gown until the second day but I was so happy when I took it off.

Bring snacks for DH...I had water bottles, crackers and granola bars packed. I also made sure he had at least a couple pairs of underwear and comfy pants and slippers

some people might suggest music...I was not in the mood to listen to any but it doesn't hurt to have it on hand. I also brought colouring books thinking it might be good to pass the time if I wasn't in too much pain during labour--that wasn't the case.

For Abbey all she really needed was a couple of PJs, a swaddling blanket and, if you want, a cute going home outfit.

HTH :)

Amy said...

When you tour the hospital see where your husband will be able to sleep. At our hospital they only had a chair that folded out. We had a big room so we brought a twin air up mattress for him to sleep on and would raise up against the wall during the day. It worked great for us. I brought my own nursing PJs, robe, and socks. I was induced so the outfit I wore up there was the same one I wore home. I packed clean undies for going home, but the rest of the times used the mesh while in hospital. I packed travel size toiletries I use and hair products. I only packed my little man's going home outfit. The rest of the time he wore the hospital issued shirt and hat. I brought my breast pump and boppy too. Of course, the most important was our camera.

Rebecca said...

Glad that you felt comfortable enough to make the change over. No clue what to pack with you as things have really changed over the years as to what you'd need. Pads perhaps?

Vicki said...

Ditto to the above comments - I brought too much. PJs with a top and bottom cause it was easier for nursing. I bought a pack of cheap undies that I could throw away if they got soiled which I liked having because I didn't care for the mesh ones. I also brought my own pads cause they are thinner. I forgot my hair dryer and wished I had it so I recommend that and lastly, bring your own pillow! Also, the phone/camera/etc chargers.