Packing your Labour Bags
I packed my bags for the hospital between 34-35 weeks.
Here's what I included:
1) Labour Bag:
I packed my bags for the hospital between 34-35 weeks.
Here's what I included:
1) Labour Bag:
- Slippers and a housecoat for walking around the hospital
- Socks to keep your feet warm
- An old nightie to wear during delivery (or wear a hospital gown)
- Toiletries - lip balm, headbands, hair elastics, etc.
- Digital camera (don't forget to charge your battery)
- Your birth plan (discussed in my next Baby Prep post)
- Snacks and drinks for your hubby/labour partner.
- Hard candy for a dry mouth - I bought Jolly Ranchers, YUM! :)
- Your health card and insurance information
- Sweater for hubby - room gets cool as Momma gets hot!
2) Post-Delivery Bag:
- 2 nursing bras (bras can be properly sized after 36 weeks)
- 12 breast pads for when your milk comes in
- 24 Sanitary/maternity pads - supplied by some hospitals (IWK)
- 2-3 nighties - easy for beastfeeding and allows easy access for nurses to check your vajajay! ;)
- Lots of old undies (your "period panties") - as many as you have!
- Toiletries - everything you need for a 2-3 night stay
- PJs and change of clothes for Dad (if he'll be staying with you)
- Calling card and phone numbers of family/friends
- Money - for snacks, parking ($35 parking @ IWK), etc.
- 2 pillows in coloured pillow cases- extra for you and hubby
- Pens for completing post-delivery paper work
- Going home outfit - something loose and comfy. You aren't leaving the hospital as Giselle Bundchen!
3) Baby's Bag:
- 12 newborn diapers OR 3 dozen if hospital doesn't supply diapers.
- Diaper cream - vaseline, zincofax, etc.
- 3 onesies and 3 sleepers
- 2 receiving blankets (warm blankets if winter)
- Take home outfit
- 2 pairs socks or booties and a hat (season dependent)
Pack 2-3 separate bags. When you arrive at the hospital, you'll only need your labour bag. Leave your post-delivery and baby bags in the car until you are moved to the recovery room. Also, give your health card, etc. to your hubby and leave your purse at home. You don't need to worry about losing your purse!
We leave our packed bags in the car so when "it's time" we only have to worry about getting ourselves to the hospital!
Click here to download my packing list in Word.
If any Moms think something should be added or have any advice - let us know!
4 comments:
Well, I can't comment with suggestions for those lists...but only because you are *prepared*! Not that I find that surprising. ;)
Hi Jen,
I love your blog and I absolutely love this list. I would love to post this on my blog with a link back to your blog.
Can you email me at spearmintbaby@gmail.com if you are interested?
thx, shari
I actually do have a couple of suggestions for your bags for the hospital. I would bring your own blanket too...I found I was freezing afterwards (albeit I ended up having a section)and it was comforting to have my own blanket. And, if you are having an epidural (which I highly, highly recommend), you might find that you swell up pretty bad therefore the undies you bring might be too small. I literally went up 2 sizes and could not fit into the ones I brought. Believe it or not, I would also bring something to do/read...we brought a blackberry and magazines. It was hard to sleep in the hospital so the mags were good to read while the baby was sleeping...
Great advice - I'm definitely going to pick up some trashy mags today!
The blanket/undie suggestions is awesome as well. I had thought about pillows, but not a blanket.
Thanks for your tips - much appreciated to hear from someone with actual experience! :)
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