"Must Haves" for Labor and Delivery

I will have to admit that when I packed for labor and delivery I did not think of myself. I packed a basket full of snacks and drinks for my husband and daughter who were my delivery coaches. In addition to their favorite things I included water with the flavor pouches. I also included a camera and a relaxing cd. Honestly, the hospital has everything you need. They do recommend you take a photo to use as a point of focus, but my family was with me so I did not feel I needed that. My daughter is 15 and was very delighted to assist in the birth of her baby sister. She even cut the cord.

After 2 children, here are a few of my must haves:

chapstick
money for the TV and phone
boppy pillow
lanisoh cream
my own pjs
clothes for the baby

food for afterwards when the kitchen is closed and you are starving and the is no food to be had and its 3am. It was my fave thing about my homebirths was I could get whatever I wanted to eat ironically it was baked potato soup both times :)

During labor/delivery...a camera. It was seriously the only thing I used from my bag.

Postpartum:

Don't take a boppy because you won't be able to use it at first (you belly needs to shrink and hips need to "close" a little first).

I literally took two outfits for my son to come home in (he was a May baby and you never know the weather in Baltimore in May), a pair of elastic waist pants and a loose, nursing friendly shirt for myself. I used hospital blankets to pack around him in the carseat.

Don't forget an empty bag. Anything they bring into your room your insurance has already been billed for, so pack it up and take it home - diapers, wipes, formula, blankets, onesies, pads, ice packs, breast pads, etc, etc, etc. (and you could always send some out ahead of time and ask for more!) I have a friend who left the hospital with enough formula to last the first month and it didn't cost her a dime because her insurance covered it.

Also, in postpartum, you will want snacks and drinks. My cousin brought me home made chocolate chip cookies and I swear they were what kept me sane.

In my bag had I snacks for the people who would be with there with me, playdough for me, deodorant, chapstick and a brush. For afterwards: I had 2 nursing bras, breast pads, nipple shield, pjs for me, an outfit to go home (maternity jeans and a big shirt) and my pillow.

I used the playdough to distract myself during the contractions.

Good Luck! Don't forget your camera (and to have it charged)

1. Lip balm or gloss for you
2. Tylenol for your Husband. My Husband had a headache and the nurses wouldn't give him any meds. He ended up spending too much for it at the gift shop.

The major thing that I took besides what everyone else said.....my own pillow....LOL!!!!!!!!!

My must have? A supportive loved one (husband, friend, sister, doula, etc.) to offer encouragement and to push on my lower back (counterpressure) during the contractions throughout the whole of labor and birth! In my case, my husband was working ~almost~ as hard as I was! :)

That was all I needed. I remember my son's birth and my labor as a positive experience - a lot of hard work, but positive!

-D.

Red Raspberry Tea and my hubby. The tea helps your uterus be ready to push, the hubby, well is sort of self explanatory. Oh, and having a great midwife there waiting for you was KEY!!!
If you are in the Tidewater area I can recommend some FAB midwives.
Good luck to you, S.

I had to have my sweat pants and a t-shirt. After giving birth to my wonderful daughter, I was sooo glad to be able to slip into them. I felt more comfortable after I put them on. I wasn't comfortable wearing that hospital gown. I also had to have my camera. I knew I would want to take pictures of everyone holding her, including the nurses. Everyone appreciated the copies of the photographs that I sent to the hospital along with a thank you card. Good luck!

J.,

This is more for your husband (or whoever may stay with you at the hospital). He should pack comfortable shoes! Depending on your delivery, you husband me be standing a lot. Afterwards, he will definitely be on his feet alot (changing baby, bringing baby to you, helping you walk around, etc..). My husband just packed flip-flops for ease, but wished he had packed tennis shoes! Good Luck & Congratulations!!

Depends just in case your water breaks, these are also good for wearing after you deliver instead of those pads that leak. I would also bring hard candies to eat while you are in labor.
Good Luck ;-)

I loved having my boppy with me to help with breastfeeding.

I think some of the posts already had it but just in case:

- extra pillow/blanket for hubby in case its a late night delivery and an extra pillow for you
- chap stick and lotion
- socks if your feet get cold with air conditioning on
- reading material for you and hubby
-

My number one item was an old tube sock filled with rick and lavender. My doula would microwave it every few hours so I had something hot for counter pressure on my back. It was wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. I also brought my own tank top and sports skirt to labor in - which was so much more comfortable than the hospital gown. Music is great too.

Don't forget things for your husband/labor coach! Snacks, drinks, etc. And you can always speak to your doctor about letting you have a little food/water. Some docs refuse but some will let you drink clear liquids (water, ginger ale, soup broth) and maybe snack a little.

It's an amazing process - you may want to even bring a small pad of paper for someone to record key points along the way! Even though it's difficult...enjoy the ride!!

I was happy to have a couple of nursing bras with me. Also, if you bring socks or slippers (which I do recommend), make sure they have treads on the bottom or they will not let you walk around in them.

Your most thorough breast feeding book (if you plan to nurse). The nurses are helpful but not always available and don't always have the answers. The lactation consultants are excellent but they don't always have a lot of time with you and you'll have so many more questions than you ever dreamed. Baby nail clippers are a must, along with baby mittens. My daughter came out with VERY long nails and the hospital doesn't clip their nails for you. My daughter scratched her face in the womb. The cut was so deep it took about 3 weeks to heal. Comfy clothes are a must have, too. If you're going to nurse make sure your clothes are easily accessible for that. It's ok to wear pants. I hate nightgowns but I was worried that track pants weren't going to be comfy if I had to have a C-section. They were no problem at all and I had a C-section. I just made sure they were a little big. I also brought my own pillow, body wash, lotion, shampoo, and conditioner. The pillow is just comfy and the shower items were sooooo nice. The shower you take after giving birth is one of the best ever! I also brought a few games (Uno, Phase 10 etc...) Good luck and congratulations!!!!

Music. I did natural childbirth twice and had my CD player with me. It is amazing how a mood can be changed or created with music. Try watching a movie with no music or sound track and you will see what I mean.

A few thoughts:

First, I couldn't face the thought of having to wear maternity clothes again after delivery, so I brought my favorite stretch stretch pants and pajama bottoms - the ones I could still wear at 5-6 months. But kept the maternity underwear because you could soil your own :)

Second, with my second child I was prepared for the potential pain of initial breast feeding. After I had the baby, I asked my doctor to write a prescription for "All Purpose Nipple Ointment." The stuff is magic!!
http://www.kellymom.com/newman/03b-treatments_sore_nipple...

Bring your list of phone numbers to call friends.

And not really a "bring with" but ask the doctor to allow you to have popsicles in L&D. 12 hours of ice chips can make you nuts and its a nice treat. The unit should have them, but you could probably bring your own if the doctor allows it (s/he has to put it on your chart).

I also brough a bunch of colored onsies and hats for the baby. Have fun dressing her in the hospital - s/he is YOUR'S after all!! No reason to be dressed in hospital whites!

Good luck - the next few months are a challenge but you can't imagine how great it will be!!

PS - Cameras!!! And the chargers!!

PS2 - Bring your own sloppers for after too - nothing grosser than barefoot on the hospital floor.

im glad i brought my boppy my own tylonol and pads just in case you dont like what they have to offer. bring babies finger nail clippers so you can do it there. dont forget the camera to capture all the firsts and get picture of baby with friends and family that visit. bring the baby book if you get one so they can put babies foot/handprints in them and you can fill it out there while the info is still fresh in our mind. make sure hubby has change of clothes and anything else he may need sense they wont be worried about providing for him only you. a favorite snack for the middle of the night sense youre sorta stuck there. good luck!

Hair elastic or barrette.
slip on shoes

My own robe and slippers, also for post-partum, I couldn't have done without my boppy nursing pillow.

you already have a lot of great advice!
But the one thing I needed desperately was my husband and my best friend who happened to be a labor and delivery nurse. During my first birth my friend was more of a help to me because my husband slept through the entire labor. for the second birth he was much better! :)
If you can afford a doula I would highly recommend it.

SOCKS. Warm, comfy socks. Because hospitals can be freezing.

Here are some links to top rated packing lists there are.
http://www.americanpregnancy.org/planningandpreparing/pac...

http://pregnant.thebump.com/pregnancy/pregnancy-tools/art...

They might not link right to it though.

So, I was in labor for 22hrs, so you may not need some of this stuff, but I'm SO GLAD I had it. I brought my ipod with music, I hooked up the stereo speakers they had their. I brought my computer and movies and most importantly I brought my own socks and underwear, but something I was okay throwing away before I came home. They tell you not to both with underwear, but I couldn't stand wandering the hospital without it, after they give you something weird and ugly, but wonderful, but before birth I wanted something of my own. Socks were a must, the things they give you stink, I actually brought sock and flip-flops, because that made me comfortable and I walked the hallways for hours!! Good luck and congrats!!

Besides all of the normal stuff, I know that when I go into labor with my second child (due in October) the one thing I definitely don't want to forget is my big purple yoga ball! I have to admit that I look kind of silly waddling down the hospital halls with a huge purple bouncy ball, but it helped me tremendously with labor the first time around. Sitting on the ball and slowly moving in small circles really helped releive a lot of the pressure you experience during the labor process. I stayed on that ball right up until I asked for my epidural - which I could have held off on, but I was scared to miss my window of opportunity to get one! LOL

Good luck to you! :o)

J.,
I took my own pillows and was so glad that I did!

K.

Slippers are a most because you will want to walk around and most certaintly do not want to do that in bare feet in the hospital. My nursing gown was very nice to have with me. Lastly, it may sound silly but make up - after delivery put a little make up on. The first child I did not do this and I looked a sight but the second I did and it made me feel so much better and look better (you will appreciate it when you see photos!)

When it came down to it, the only thing I 'needed' was my husband and an additional pillow. Afterward, I was happy to have soothies for my boobies, a good nursing bra, slippers and a toothbrush. I stayed in the hospital gown, kept the baby in the clothes they provided as well as the blankets they provided, and didn't need anything else until the day I left. I went home in the clothes in which I came (sadly they still fit) and my baby came home in his going home outfit (though I stashed as many swaddle blankets and long sleeve tees the hospital had for him as I could) I was happy to not have a ton of things to pack up and carry home, as was my husband.

Three things helped me greatly:

1. An extra pillow. They are at a premium at hospitals.

2. Just go out and buy some Depends disposable panties for the bleeding. This was the best advice I got with my first baby!

3. Hospital blankets stink for swaddling the baby. I would bring a stretchy blanket for swaddling, or a "Miracle Blanket."

If you haven't already, I would watch "The Happiest Baby on the Block" DVD by Dr. Harvey Karp. It saved us the first couple of months with our baby. You can get it at the library or order it used off Amazon. The info is also in a book of the same name, but the DVD is more helpful because it shows the techniques in action.

Best of luck to you! B.

You don't want to take too much.
The suggestions of robe and slippers are a must. Something for your husband to read/do is a must. Don't bring too much for the baby, the suggestion of preemie clothes is a good one too. The babies are so little when they come out. You really only need one outfit with legs. With my first baby I brought one of those gowns and then it didn't work with the car seat. Bring the booties, pants, shirt, and a cap. You shouldn't need to bring diapers. With my second I brought wipes instead of using the cotton and water and he just ended up getting a rash from the wipes! so you really don't need to bring them. The one thing that I am really happy we had with my second is a small lamp! The lights are either really bright or off and I really liked having a small lamp at night to change the baby and such without turning on the bright overhead lights. Even the sink lamp and bed lamp were too bright for me. Remember to relax and enjoy those moments when you have the little one. You will figure out what to do and if you have trouble nursing do ask for the lactation specialist's help right away. I nursed both for a year and am glad I worked through the struggle in the beginning with my first. Don't forget the nipple cream and use it! Lanolin: New Evidence to Support Its Worth!

In recent years research has concluded that not only is a 100% pure lanolin ointment or cream soothing to new mothers' nipples but it can also prevent nipple trauma by maintaining the internal moisture of the skin. ( http://www.breastfeed-essentials.com/allaboutcreams.html )

Megan, Mama to a 3 1/2 year old girl and 1 1/2 yr old boy

My sister in law gave me the best advice on what to take and so glad for telling me b/c I had no clue....
There are some great advice that others gave you.
This is what my sis in law advised me to take:
1.Definetly take your boppy! It's great for support especially holding the baby all the time and feeding. The best thing she told me to take! Made it easier on me while I was recooping.
2. Your own robe and slip on shoes to walk around the hospital. I brought my own prego pjs but did not end up wearing them but it was a great suggestion. I did not want to mess them up.
3. Music- CDs.
4. Small snacks for you and hubby.
5. Take whatever you can from the hospital for the baby- diapers, lotion, blankets, hats, whatever...
6. Some magazines have a coupon for a free Similac hospital bag that has things in it. I would take that coupon in and have it with your things to take to the hospital. Put it somewhere where you will not forget it. I ended up having that coupon and they gave me the free diaper bag plus another diaper bag that they gave out. Hey its free, not the prettiest- just black but I still use the diaper bag as a backup diaper bag with extra clothing, diapers, etc that I leave in my car at all times.
7. Take premie clothing as well to come home in. My lil one was 8 lbs 5 oz and came home in premie clothing b/c the newborn outfit was too big. Dont forget socks, blanket, etc for the lil' one.
8. Make sure you and hubby know how to properly put the baby in the carseat and where the harness over the chest goes. We took pics of the baby coming home and sis in law pointed out that the harness should be a little bit higher on the baby......well we did not know.
9. Yes, take camera! Take it everywhere! Also make sure someone else is taking pics as well! We got his first bath, took pics of his lil' feet, etc.
10. Decide before hand if you want nurses to give baby pacifier or not. Some people do not want to give pacifiers and others do. I did not want my baby to get a paci in the hospital b/c you hear all kinds of stuff about paci, breastfeeding, eating issues etc. Well long story short nurses took my baby for testing and he came back with paci sucking away. We decided to let him have it then and then take it away from time to time. He did great. My hubby and I questioned ourself on the issue. May not be a big issue with you....
11. Soap, lotion, etc for me b/c sensitive skin.
12. Pen and paper to record/track eating, bowel movements, additional notes.
13. List of email addresses or phone numbers that hubby or friend can call/email out when you have baby. Maybe designate a family member to contact one of your friends and have that friend who has list of friends to forward the email from your hubby.
14. things to keep hubby busy.
15. Nursing shirts. Easier to use than pushing the gowns down or off.
I wish I did bring my own pillow and a pillow and blanket for the hubby. Those chairs for the hubby's are not comfortable(well the ones we had).
Also I wish I ended up taking my pregnancy journal with me so I could of filled out the labor delivery part out while fresh in my head. I know there is more but cant remember all but you have other great suggestions to help you along from other Mommies

Congrats and wish you the best!

1. The book "Natural Hospital Birth" to remember position ideas and the page of ideas of things my husband could say to make me feel better 2. a rolling pin which my husband and doula use on my back 3. honey sticks 4. a fan for my face

Since I knew I would be there a couple of days, I packed like I was going out of town overnight. I brought 2 or 3 changes of easy slip on clothes/pajamas (like a nightgown or comfy sundress...I just couldnt stand the thought of people visiting me and baby and looking a mess!!! lol), socks, hair brush/comb, a good book and popsicles (instead of ice chips...they really helped). I also brought my own toiletries (soap,lotion,toothpaste/brush) since the hospital grade stuff is harsh). Looking back (over 10 years), I really wish I would've had music or a movie for distraction during the early hours of contractions. It was hard kinda just laying around waiting for the big moment. It would have kept me a little calmer and not on edge. Best of luck to you!!!

1. Crocks or slip on shoes.
2. Bras!
3. Bring a pack of the biggest pads you can find. The hospital will give you some, but remeber you get charged for every little thing.
4. A robe! Nothing like coming out of the bathroom to find a room full of people.
5. A loose fitting dress for going home.
6. Hair ties if you have long hair.
7. Whoever will be in the room with you should pack some drinks and snacks for themselves. You won't want them to leave during.

Good luck.
M.