I have 4 kids, all birthed naturally, yet I am terrified of giving birth again. Oh the pain. I am such a wimp when it comes to pain, yet I am going to be going through it all again in just over 2 months. Am I crazy? Tonight I'm going to pack my hospital bag. And for someone who's gone through it before, forget about those lists that tell you all the things you need in the labor room. I don't know one woman who wanted to play cards, while listening to soothing music and burning incenses. There was so much activity going on that I couldn't even imagine having noise added by a CD player.
This is a list of things I found to be helpful with each of my deliveries:
Insurance card and ID (Get a small clutch and leave the purse at home. One less thing to worry about)
Chapstick (Your lips will get very dry with all that breathing you'll be doing)
Socks (Unless you're a one who prefers the cold, I always froze and you can forget about your feet staying covered)
Camera (It really doesn't matter what kind. Digital, throw away. I used my cell phone camera for one of my kids)
Personal hygiene items--comb, brush, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, lotion. Some hospitals supply you with these items, but it's nice to have your own because it's a crap shoot what brand the hospital uses.
1 change of clothes for you and 1 for the baby.
Car seat, preferably already installed. I believe it's the law in most states that the baby goes home in a car seat and not in mommy's lap. The nurse actually went out and looked in the car to assure that there was a carseat before she released me to go home.
Magazines--I'm a reader so the first time I brought a couple of books thinking I would have plenty of time to read. Wrong. Between the nurses checking my vitals every couple of hours, caring for the baby, other personal coming to take baby's picture, sign the birth certificate, etc and visitors, every time I started reading I was interrupted.
Snacks and change for the soda machine. This is especially important if you give birth after the hospital cafeteria is closed. I once had to wait 3 hours for the nurse to get some food to me (meaning crackers and juice) despite the fact that I hadn't eaten for at least 6 hours prior. I was starved!
What not to bring:
I've given birth in 3 different hospitals in 2 different states and all 3 supplied me with more than enough diapers, wipes, formula, bottles, nursing pads, baby blankets, gowns, hospital "panties" and pads. In fact, it was easier for me and the nurses when I used what the hospital provided and was a whole heck of alot simpler too.
Don't worry about change for the phone and all that. I called the grandparents and that's it. Unless there are complications, they kick you out within 48 hours of giving birth, I called everyone else when I got home. Every one knew this was my plan ahead of time, so no one was offended. My friend gave the list of who to call to her husband, so that she could just get as much rest as she could. I don't know anyone who actually brought birth announcements and actually sat in the hospital and addressed them.
Having a baby is messy. Let the hospital do the laundry and use the gowns and robes they provide for you. Plus they are much easier to lift so the nurses and doctors can squish your belly every couple of hours.
The hospital has plenty of pillows, use theirs.
Most hospitals also have plenty of cups and water. I've seen lists that say make sure you take plenty of bottled water with you. That's just silly.
It's also not necessary to bring a stopwatch. So far every hospital I've been in had clocks, plus the baby monitors keep track of your contractions so you don't have to.
This is a list of things I found to be helpful with each of my deliveries:
Insurance card and ID (Get a small clutch and leave the purse at home. One less thing to worry about)
Chapstick (Your lips will get very dry with all that breathing you'll be doing)
Socks (Unless you're a one who prefers the cold, I always froze and you can forget about your feet staying covered)
Camera (It really doesn't matter what kind. Digital, throw away. I used my cell phone camera for one of my kids)
Personal hygiene items--comb, brush, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, lotion. Some hospitals supply you with these items, but it's nice to have your own because it's a crap shoot what brand the hospital uses.
1 change of clothes for you and 1 for the baby.
Car seat, preferably already installed. I believe it's the law in most states that the baby goes home in a car seat and not in mommy's lap. The nurse actually went out and looked in the car to assure that there was a carseat before she released me to go home.
Magazines--I'm a reader so the first time I brought a couple of books thinking I would have plenty of time to read. Wrong. Between the nurses checking my vitals every couple of hours, caring for the baby, other personal coming to take baby's picture, sign the birth certificate, etc and visitors, every time I started reading I was interrupted.
Snacks and change for the soda machine. This is especially important if you give birth after the hospital cafeteria is closed. I once had to wait 3 hours for the nurse to get some food to me (meaning crackers and juice) despite the fact that I hadn't eaten for at least 6 hours prior. I was starved!
What not to bring:
I've given birth in 3 different hospitals in 2 different states and all 3 supplied me with more than enough diapers, wipes, formula, bottles, nursing pads, baby blankets, gowns, hospital "panties" and pads. In fact, it was easier for me and the nurses when I used what the hospital provided and was a whole heck of alot simpler too.
Don't worry about change for the phone and all that. I called the grandparents and that's it. Unless there are complications, they kick you out within 48 hours of giving birth, I called everyone else when I got home. Every one knew this was my plan ahead of time, so no one was offended. My friend gave the list of who to call to her husband, so that she could just get as much rest as she could. I don't know anyone who actually brought birth announcements and actually sat in the hospital and addressed them.
Having a baby is messy. Let the hospital do the laundry and use the gowns and robes they provide for you. Plus they are much easier to lift so the nurses and doctors can squish your belly every couple of hours.
The hospital has plenty of pillows, use theirs.
Most hospitals also have plenty of cups and water. I've seen lists that say make sure you take plenty of bottled water with you. That's just silly.
It's also not necessary to bring a stopwatch. So far every hospital I've been in had clocks, plus the baby monitors keep track of your contractions so you don't have to.
