Pregnancy Week 36: What’s in your hospital bag?!?
23 August, 2015
The time has finally come to pack for the hospital!
Well actually I am a bit late on that one according to my ever-informative pregnancy app… but who’s counting?!?
After coming to the realization that my bag should have been packed at 34 weeks (I guess you can never be too safe!), I promptly put this at the top of my “TO-DO list” and have been chipping away at the task every since.
My teammates know me for being a bit of an over-packer, and I had a feeling that I would be the same way, if not worse, when it came to packing for the hospital, so I decided to come up with a list and stick to it.
Below is a pretty extensive list of the items that I am packing for myself and for Baby Reid as his arrival quickly approaches.
For MOMMA REID
o Insurance, Health Cards, Hospital Forms, and Birth Plan (if you have one)
o Robe
o Nightgown (one that is “feeding friendly”)
o Slippers (for roaming the hospital halls)
o Underwear (think “granny panties”!)
o Pillow & Non-White Pillowcase
o Nursing Top & Comfy Sweats
o Socks
o Towel
o Toiletries (Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash, Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Face Wash, Mouthwash, Lip Balm, etc.)
o “Going Home” Outfit (something that fit around the 5-6 month mark of pregnancy)
o Nursing Pads
o Maxi Pads
o Lanolin Cream
o Things TO-DO (magazines, iPad, and cards)
o Gum
o Cell Phone & Charger (camera on phone!)
o Massage Ball
o SNACKS!!!
For BABY REID
o CAR SEAT!
o Diapers & Wipes (just in case!)
o Penaten Cream
o Soothers
o Receiving Blanket
o “Going Home” Outfit (I am packing a few options in case one gets dirty before we leave the hospital or he is bigger than anticipated!)
o Fleece Jacket or Coat
o Hat, Booties, & Scratch Mittens
o Baby Nail Clippers & Nail File (apparently their nails can be quite long when they are born!)
WHAT NOT TO PACK!
Will I use everything on my list? Probably not. But I feel more comfortable and prepared knowing I will have everything I would want or need in the midst of all of the anticipation, anxiety, and nervousness that comes along with giving birth to your first child!
So I guess the bottom line is to pack whatever is going to make you feel most comfortable during and after labour, and whatever your baby needs to make it home safely. Although the hospital does offer some items during the stay, I prefer to have my own things for comfort.
What I am NOT packing is anything I would be disappointed if it got ruined… No favourite robe or sweat pants, but rather things that I can easily part with!
Now let’s just hope Dad is being as diligent with his packing as Mom is!
Do you have any items on your hospital packing list that I have missed? Share them with me on Twitter and Instagram @Mikkelson12 using #HockeyMom or comment below.
Comments
I found Gatorade was one thing I appreciated having after baby arrived. Otherwise I think your list looks pretty good. Not sure about what hospitals are like out west but for my hubby we brought him his sleeping bag and pillow for the night at the hospital for his so called chair bed.
Posted by Jess on 29 August, 2015
Looks great and you will be great! You can’t always be prepared for everything that comes with a little one, but being ready and comfortable with your readiness truly does help.
Best wishes.
Posted by Sue G on 23 August, 2015
Meggy.....If all goes well and there’s no reason to think it won’t, the hospital will be sending you home the day after Reid is delivered. However, take whatever makes and keeps you comfortable. Take care.
Posted by Betty on 23 August, 2015
Snacks !!!
Posted by Tammy crockett on 23 August, 2015
And for Daddy Reid
Comfy pillow
Beef Jerky, sunflower seeds, and Smarties
Book or magazine (cartoon book is fine)
Cigars!!
Posted by Tom Corley on 23 August, 2015
Lip Chap- my lips got so chapped during labour.
Posted by Diane O’Neill on 23 August, 2015
Take Vaseline to put on your little ones butt as their first poos (meconiam) are very sticky .. But if you put vasoline on first it makes it ways easier to get off!! everything looks good!
Posted by Karen on 23 August, 2015
I think you’ve got it covered! I was most happy about bringing my own pillow as I ended up staying several nights.
Also, our hospital had frozen pads to help with swelling. And sitz bath salts helped a lot too! So I would ask for those.
Wishing you a smooth and hopefully quick delivery!
Posted by Adele on 23 August, 2015
Blow dryer (some hospitals don’t provide this)
Touch of makeup just to look a bit more normal after pushing out a melon. But your so pretty you may not need it...
I used Ihle’s Paste (pronounced: I Lees) available at pharmacy. Best baby bum cream I ever used on my kids. Not a prescription, just behind the counter.
lots of undies as you could go through a bunch
Posted by Anonymous on 23 August, 2015
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