35wks pregnant...what to pack?!

Stephanie - posted on 01/14/2010

Clothes for you and baby, a car seat, and a receiving blanket is really about all you need. Something to do would be good, and toiletries in case you're there a few days. Everything else is provided by the hospital. Though I'd recommend an extra, empty diaper bag, because they'll usually send you home with a lot of things from the room (like formula, diapers, episiotomy pain relief meds, etc.)

Jennifer - posted on 01/14/2010

Some hospitals don't provide pacifiers, so if you think you might want to use on, bring it! I agree that you'll really want your own pillow, and maybe your own sanitary pads. The hospital pads are more like pillows and the pillows are more like pads, LOL! Bring something to read, Q-tips (I always forget those when I go away and I hate water in my ears when I take a shower!) Bring lots of snacks, because it can be a LONG time between dinner and breakfast! Lots of change for the vending machine will give you an alternative to the teeny cups of juice they will bring you. Extra batteries for your camera or your lithium charger, cell phone charger, your boppy if you plan to breastfeed, an outfit for the baby's picture, something to read, (a breastfeeding book is a good idea if you're planning to BF, a name book if you're still making up your mind). If you want to labor in the tub, bring a 2-piece suit if you've got one, so you can feel a little more covered up but still take your bottoms off if you need to. I also asked hubby to bring a suit so he could rub my back in the tub, or help me shower during labor. I liked having my ipod during labor too.

DON'T bring anything of monitary or sentimental value. Things get lost! I work in a maternity hospital, and people bring in things for their babies to wear, like a hat that their grandmother knit for the baby before she died, and it can get tossed in the dirty linens or whatnot and get lost. One lady wore her diamond earrings in for a c-section and took them out before the surgery and lost them! Thankfully, they were found, but don't risk it! Leave your family heirlooms and valuables at home!! LOL

GOOD LUCK!!! ALMOST TIME TO MEET YOUR BABY!!!!

Stevie - posted on 01/13/2010

My DD is still months away but I'm starting to consider what I should pack as well so here's what I'm thinking

For baby: one piece sleeper (hands and feet covered), hat, sweater, a couple receiving blankets, washcloths, pacifiers (if you plan on using them) I wouldn't bother with diapers wipes and formula because the hospital will give you those unless you are set on using a certain brand. Bring your baby scrapbook to record those first moments while they are still fresh in your memory you don't know what little details you might forget in the excitement of everything!

For you: Bottled water and non perishable snacks, gum and or breath mints, toothbrush and toothpaste, your favorite body wash, shampoo, moisturizer, body mist if you can get away with having something scented so you don't smell like hospital I would bring a back massager if you have one so dad can keep you comfortable through your contractions and feel useful (lol) some comfortable roomy underwear and some super absorbent overnight with wings pads, nursing bras or sports bras depending on if you plan to bf or not, any beauty supplies you might want like makeup lip chap hair brush stretchy headband hair ties, a comfy nightgown and or housecoat you don't mind possibly bleeding on, fuzzy socks and or slippers, the phone numbers of everyone you want to call, a camera or cell phone to take pictures with don't forget your charger!

Good luck Mamma!

Gladys - posted on 01/13/2010

Here in the Netherlands, if you are giving birth in the hospital you can ask for a folder with all the things you need to bring with you. (Every hospital here in the Netherlands has different things you need to bring and what they take care of)

Jackie - posted on 01/12/2010

well good luck all i can suggest is chapstick...from all the screaming and breathing etc ur lips will crack...and we don't want that..lol..no seriously it's worth it..

Janelle - posted on 01/12/2010

Thanks so much guys! Your answers were extremely helpful!! :) Definitely some things I didn't think of!!

Melinda - posted on 01/12/2010

Here is the list that my friend asked me to create for her after I had my baby.

Hospital Bag Items:

For Mom
1. Comfy underwear that is a bit big on you- more room for pad or less restricting for c-section
2. Maxi Pads- I liked the overnight with wings. The hospital will give you pads but they are very thick and you can really feel them.
3. Sweatpants- loose and comfortable, dark colors (because of the bleeding). I think you only need 2 pairs.
4. Zip Up Hooded Sweatshirt- when/if you are breastfeeding, it is easier to open up a zipper. Remember that your belly is still going to be big right after you have the baby (most people look like 5 months pregnant), so don't bring tight sweatshirts.
5. Loose T-shirts or tank tops (I lived in a wife beater, sweats, and zip-up)
6. Nursing bras- if you aren't sure if you can nurse, don't buy too many bras.
7. Socks and slippers (the slippers could come in handy when you are in labor)
8. Flip flops for the shower
9. Toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner and soap (buy the travel bottles). I brought a shaver as well.
10. Make-up: lip shine, bronzer, etc. Lots of people will be coming to visit so you might as well look pretty :)
11. Chapstick: your lips can get really dry while you are in labor
12. Magazines (books can be hard to concentrate on), DVD player, mp3, etc.
13. Snacks for you: the hospital gives you 3 meals a day but no snacks!
14. Bottled water
15. Cell Phone charger
16. Camera and charger/batteries
17. Towel for shower and mini towel for labor and face (feels really good to have a nice wet towel around your neck)
18. Hair bands, headbands, etc.: can come in handy when in labor

For Spouse
1. Extra change of clothing (boxers, t-shirt, etc.) in case he is in the hospital a while without going home
2. Toothbrush
3. Snacks

For Baby
1. Take-home outfit- weather appropriate
2. Car seat and Bundle Me
3. Pacifiers (if you plan to use them)
4. Ziploc bag for the baby's important papers and mementos (wrist bracelet, forms, etc.)

Tip: I used a small suitcase with wheels (instead of a duffle) so I didn't have to carry it out after I had the baby. If you can't fit everything in one bag, bring a back pack or small along since you will probably have gifts to bring home with you from the hospital.

Tip: Take as much as you can from the hospital: diapers, cloths, extra pre-mixed bottles of formula, etc.

Tip: Have husband bring the Snap N' Go to the hospital when you are ready to leave (or whatever stroller you plan to use at the beginning). I see people walking out carrying the baby in it's car seat and it is so silly. If you bring the stroller, you can put the baby in and push it out. You can also put stuff under the stroller.

Teresa - posted on 01/12/2010

Sounds like these two got it mostly covered! :) The only other thing I wish I would've had time to grab while running out the door was my own pillow. Hospital beds aren't the most comfy and that's where you spend most of your time, so to help make it feel more like home this time, I'm going to take my pillow and maybe even one of my own blankets.
Congratulations and good luck!

Kylie - posted on 01/11/2010

Its true the hospitals provide CLOTH nappies but i personally find them to be a pain it the ass so you can pack yuor own dipsosables and use them i did for my two kids just take enough for 3-4days, alos pack a going away outfit fot the baby, oh and if you dont want bbay to wear hospital clothers you can packa few extra outfits for her to wear whilst there,(pack longins just in case its cool and windy and sumer clothes too)-pack a 0000 and 000 outfit cause you wont know how big bubs will be. List of stuff needed for you: Lots of breast pads, sanitary napkins (the long maternity ones) the ones the hopistals supply are horrible you feel asnd they look like your wearing nappies, moisturer and a good lip palm (i found this a heaven sent as my skin and lips were so dry and i was parched), shampoo and conditoner, all other toiletries:deodoratn, toothbrush etc, A good book, nursing bras take a few cause when milk comes in you may leak a bit, lots of comfy loose fitting singlets( you dotn know how much your belly will go down), loose fitting pants, pair of comfy trackies and pyjamas, socks if you get cold feet, a cardigan, (as can get cold in there with air con on)slippers and a pair of thongs unless you dont mid wlaking around the hospital in your slippers, your camera and camera charger, lots of plain not your good underwear! ( as may get messy as will be bleeding heavily espeically first few days), makeup or lippie it will help you feel better trust me especially when having lots of photos or photo taken for newspaper, thats all i can think of.Good Luck!

ME - posted on 01/11/2010

Oh...yeah...something to upload pics to the internet if you have out of town friends and family who won't want to wait for the pics!!!

ME - posted on 01/11/2010

The baby will only need weather appropriate clothing to wear home from the hospital, and maybe one or two diapers and a small pack of wipes...the hospital ought to provide everything that you need for him or her...for yourself...bring toiletries, a hairbrush, reading material, movies, music, and VERY comfy clothes to wear home from the hospital...you may want a robe to wear in case you expect visitors, and a nursing bra or two if you intend to bf...if bfing, you should also bring nipple butter/salve, and breast feeding pads (leaking can be a problem early on for some women)...GOOOOOOD LUCK!!!!!