From the article: Packing Your Bag for Labor
Packing for the your labor and delivery can be fun. But what exactly do you put in your hospital bag? Some people take the kitchen sink approach and pack everything, while others have a more moderate approach. What is the one thing you couldn't live without in your hospital bag? Would it be something for you or for your baby? Perhaps something for your partner or family? Share Your Tips
Must Haves
- Don't forget your charger (phone, computer, camera, iPod, etc), lip balm, gum/candy, hand sanitizer, and hair tie.
- —Guest Babies411
Not Much
- I didn't use anything from my bag except a hair tie and my toothbrush. I really like the idea of earplugs and an eye mask, though. There are LOTS of interruptions at night at the hospital.
- —Guest KateC
Lots of stuff
- With my first my water broke early and only half my bag was packed, and I didn't think of these items: shampoo, soap and deodorant! The hospital didn't provide them and I was in utter misery until my husband brought my some... also a washcloth was heaven, i had someone make it wet and used it to wipe my face during birth, it really helped.
- —Guest Eva
my must haves
- I am 25 weeks with my third and my 2 must haves that were not mentioned would have to be earplugs and eye cover for the late night nurses that talk and carry on all night long, im a very light sleeper so even if they didnt talk at all i would hear them walk acrossed the floor! So yes those are my suggestions, i havent packed yet but i have plenty of time
- —Guest mommyof3
Must haves for postbaby hospital stay
- Must haves!!! Your own bathroom hygeine! hair ties, bursh, socks, slip on house shoes, loose pj's. Snacks and Be sure to tell your labor nurses if you will be breastfeeding, they should ask but some forget and put baby on a bottle.
- —Guest Sofia mom of 4
ELECTRONICS
- I don't agree with leaving electronics at home. I was bored to DEATH after both of my deliveries and the 8 channels the hospital provided were awful. I will definitely be bringing my Ipad this time around with a movie or two stored inside.
- —Guest Jennifer
2nd Time Around
- Before my first baby, I took a c-section class at the hospital where a nurse shared 2 great tips about hospital bags. The first was to take peppermint essential oil. She suggested that my husband keep a small bottle in his pocket along with a tissue for the operating room. Inhaling worked wonders for the nausea I experienced during the c-section (and it helped to keep my husband from passing out)! Also, she suggested a plug-in air freshened for the room. I am super sensitive to smells, having a lavender plug-in was so relaxing in the hospital room! It really helped to make the environment a little less sterile. Best wishes, everyone!
- —Guest M.
My UPDATED C-Section Packing List
- I had an C-Section last year. After being induced into an 11 hour labor with a baby weighing 9lbs 12oz and having a 14cm crown, I am scheduled for another (planned) C-Section this year. (My boys are a year apart) Burts Bees Lip Balm - My lips would have cracked otherwise while I was yelling at doctors and nurses. Snacks - 11 hours is a long time to eat ice. Dark Slippers - Yes, recovery is messy. Dark LOOSE-FITTING Pajamas - Would you believe the clothes I wore to the hospital were TOO SMALL AFTER SURGERY? Newborn Clothes - Be sure these are easy to access when they say you can leave the hospital so you can leave immediately! Change - Even if it's just for visitors who found a parking meter closer than the parking deck. Infant Seat/Carrier - to have the new bundle all ready in your lap on the wheelchair to be loaded into the car that should be waiting valet-style running just outside the doors. Cellphone, Charger, Pen and Paper, Camera with extra batteries
- —Guest DBone Holmes
Must have that isn't mentioned
- This is my 4th baby, first 2 c-sec and my 3rd and now 4th vaginal. Pack some squeeze boxes of grape juice. Grape juice is a great way to boost sugar after labor and its a major boost for helping restore blood loss. Take it from a tiny mom who passed a 9.2 lb baby!
- —momof4andcounting
What to pack for the hospital
- I am giving birth in a foreign hospital that does NOT provide me my meds and barely speaks English so instead of not bringing your medications and then needing them, either check with the hospital and see what is provided in advance, or bring your own to have. I have medicines the hospital knows about but will not be providing me and they are not ones I can skip so check with the birthing facility in advance instead of assuming they will be there to meet your needs. This could be a dangerous assumption when you are in pain of labor and delivery and or exhausted after and forget to take your medicines for a few days.
- —Guest Sandra
hospital stays
- I am a p.p. nurse, and I am expecting my 3rd any day. First of all, do not take home meds, even Tylenol, most of the pain meds you get in the hospital have Tylenol in them, and you can damage your liver from taking too much. Most of the stuff I see on the lists should be provided by the hospital. I can say that my hospital goes above and beyond for our new moms. Other than my personal clothing, make-up, phone/computer I'm not packing much. Helpful hint, if you can, use the hospital socks or some rubber flip-flops the first few times up, because its very common to drip blood on the way to the bathroom the first time or two.
- —Guest post-partum nurse/mom of 3
Meds
- PLEASE DO NOT take your own meds to the hospital! From a nurse, I can tell you it can be unsafe, even something as simple as Tylenol PM. I've seen a lot of people saying they were taking medicine because the hospital wouldn't give it to them, there is a reason for that! Other than that comment, my recommendation is to take nail clippers. My nails seemed to grow overnight and drove me crazy, and the baby was born needing a manicure. He scratched his face up terribly in the nursery.
- —Guest Jessy
baby #5 and still lost...
- I'm on my 5th baby but all of mine are preemies. I only had a bag ready for one since they came earlier each time. My main concern was an outfit she could fit! Preemie clothes. For the rest, be cheap, use the hospitals pads, the netted undies they give are awesome, and their breast pads. You will have to buy your own for the rest of your baby's infancy. Save yourself a buck or 2 and get extras when you leave.
- —Guest Tonja
Headband, lip balm...
- I was really glad that at my baby shower I got one of those labor kits a friend bought for me on Amazon-- it had all the small things that made my labor better. The stretch lace headband held my hair back during labor and helped me look presentable in pictures afterwards. The aromatherapy items and lip balm were also great The disposable slippers were nice to use and then throw away (somehow I just didn't want to take home slippers that were on a hospital floor)! I never used natural hot/cold packs before, but the cherry pit pads were the best. They smelled good and held the heat really well, helping to relax my back in early labor.
- —Guest Mari
Best Ever
- Smart Choices Féme Pads! They are gel-filled ice packs shaped like pads that come with super absorbent disposable covers. Healing is quicker & so much less messy than diapers filled with ice. Best find ever.
- —Guest Momto4
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