My Labor Bags
- I absolutely needed Tucks medicated pads and Dermoplast. But I got so much help from an iPhone app called MyLaborBags. I think all expecting parents should check this iPhone and iPod app out! It's so helpful. It helps expecting parents organize and manage all items they need to buy and pack for labor. There are so many items I did not think of on my own.
- —Guest Newmommy
Snacks
- Snacks for Dad, Nothing to me is worse than a cranky hungry Hubby while I am trying to work! After labor I am usually STARVING so the snacks will come in handy for me too! Also bring some activities for the Dad to occupy himself with a bored Dad is an annoying Dad! My Hubby is the type that needs something to do so if I bring something for him to occupy himself with during the slow moments of labor all of the attention can stay where it belongs... On me and Baby!
- —c_beckner6
The baby book!
- I brought my son's baby book, and had the nurse put his little feet prints and hand prints in there right off. I also took his crib card and all the other papers they gave me and put them in, plus my camera, to capture those brand new baby moments! Also, thank you notes. I left a thank you note for my doctor and for the nurses who cared for my son. Its nice.
- —Guest Rachel
One more important item not mentioned!
- After reading all these wonderful suggestions- my additional item would be a book to put advice/comments in by visiting family & friends. You can save the front page for baby's footprints. It's so overwhelming when everyone visits and starts barking advice/comments about this & that. Save yourself the stress of remembering it all when you are absolutely exhausted already! Have them write out their advice/comments in your book- you can go back & reference it any time & if you don't like the advice, you won't hurt their feelings by getting defensive, irritable or tuning them out. You can always go through your book later and ignore the comments/advice that aren't particularly your style. Good luck!
- —Guest Libby
Slide on Slippers, another must have.
- You need at least one pair of slip on slippers. With the birth of my second child, many well wishers stopped in. It was sweet, and also messy. Dirt from shoes, crumbs from sandwiches- walking to the bathroom was at times unpleasant. Covered clean feet for baby three...plus the regular items.
- —Guest nola
Things you never think of...
- Next time, I'll remember lip balm. I'm also surprised that so many other people mentioned Depends/adult diapers. Those were the two things that I never would have thought of that turned out to be the real "life-savers." (Okay, maybe that's an exaggeration, but they both provided a level of comfort that I would never have anticipated.)
- —Guest Rachel
Must have!!!
- I could not live without lip balm when I was in labor. All of the heavy breathing dried my lips out. It is definetly the one thing I could not live without!
- —Guest Alicia
Comforts
- You need to be comfortable, blankets, hot water bottle, wipes to wipe face if needed. Bring stuff that is light, that makes you feel at home.
- —Guest Sabrina
Underwear
- I can't live without clean underwear and my own menstrual pads.
- —Guest Sabrina
Prepackaged Labor Bag
- My first time at the hospital I went into labor quickly and forgot some of the must haves. This time I am prepared. I have a pre packaged labor bag from an online store. It is ready to go! The baby clothes that come with it are really cute. I can't wait for baby number 2. Any day now.
- —Guest katiemom
Necessities for Hospital Bedrest
- I have to start packing a bag as I'm 31 weeks with complete previa (3rd child) and they are telling me that I may start bleeding and have to spend some time in the hospital on bed rest before a scheduled c-section (my first). So far from reading all of the above suggestions, I'm going to pack: DEPENDS, pajama pants, my husbands t-shirts (we'll have to bottle feed, however I may be able to pump), socks and slippers, a fan, my comforter from home, pillow from home, crosswords, my iPod, digital and video camera, laptop, toiletries, my robe, crystal light lemonade (I love the sugar free stuff!), sugar free gum, bananas, and of course some chocolate if I get stressed! My husband will bring baby gear and clothes. What am I missing? That's right - my kids!! I don't know how I'm going to do being away from them overnight and as I'm a stay at home mommy, I don't have any "work" to keep me busy in the hospital. Ugh! Any others I'm missing?
- —jgillaspie
Well..
- I will NOT go without the gas-x this time! I was SO bloated after my c-section the first time around and they would not bring me any of that stuff.. Just some NASTY hot tea with some other junk in it! YUCK!
- —Guest MomTo2Boys
What I packed for Labor
- Ok so this is my 2nd and I'm due in a month. I packed my macbook lap top and charger, spare camera and charger, extra cell charger. Then I have the gowns, robe, sweats, jeans, tanks, sweater, and a sleeper and 2 blankets and hat for the baby. I also made sure to pack a 2nd make up bag with my essential beauty pieces. I didn't take the time with the 1st one and the pics looked horrible. So this time I've made sure to pack what I "need". Pads are definitely a bring it your self item and I hadn't thought of depends but now am thinking I will try. Thanks for sharing experiences on here and good luck to everyone!
- —Guest guest
my essentials
- I am pregnant with my third child. I am 31 weeks and my bag is packed. In it I have two button down night shirts, a bra, 4 pairs of nursing pads, 4 pairs disposable underwear, one un-opened pack of overnight pads, two pairs of non-skid socks, lotion, comb, depends for heavy bleeding, and an outfit to go home in. For baby I have a bag with a coat, one piece outfit, socks, onesie, hat, blanket, carseat cover blanket (it's winter), bulb syringe to suck mucus or spit-up from the nose, and hand sanitizer.
- —Guest threesacharm
Great Suggestions
- I'm due in a few weeks and haven't gotten around to packing my bag, but all of these suggestions are great and I'm definitely going to start packing soon. My mom gave me a dress she wore after having my little brother (back in October). She said it's just in case I end up needing a c-section; she said I won't want anything touching the place they cut open so this dress is perfect. There's my suggestion to anyone planning on having a c-section, and to anyone who has had to have emergency ones in their past pregnancies. Hope it helps!
- —Guest First Time Around
