I can’t believe I am just 18 short days away from the last possible day the baby will arrive. It is entirely possible that I will go onto labor before my scheduled cesarean date so I need to start thinking about packing bags and getting ready. I am full-term as of this Saturday so it could truly be any time now!
I need your help though because, unlike in the past, my mind is not functioning on the same level and I am having trouble putting a list together. Here is what I have thus far. Let me know if you see something I have missed.
Me
- Deodorant, brush, rubber bands for hair, makeup?
- Change of clothes
- Slippers
- Socks/underwear
- Pajamas for comfort on day 2
- Nursing Bra
- Nursing Cami
- Breast pads
- chapstick
- camera with new SD card
- Laptop/charger (free wifi!)
- cell phone/charger
- wear slip-on shoes
- pillow for self/nursing
- extra pads
Baby
- blanket
- carseat (in the car)
- picture/come home outfit
Kids
- movies, games
- colors/coloring books
- surprise present from baby
- change of clothes
- diapers for Joley
- protein bars, snacks
Hubs
- money for vending machine
- snacks
I know I am missing something! Can you think of anything you would want to bring?
Additions/changes in pink! Thanks for the suggestions!
Kelly says
Bring an Ipod with head phones so you can listen to music, or you can use it to block out call lights and nurses who like to talk loud in the middle of the night. I could not sleep at all myself after I gave birth. Don’t forget to keep an umbrella in the car incase it rains. Don’t forget the bathrobe .. Good Luck!
Stefany says
Ahh yes, loud nurses. That is true.
Bathrobe… don’t have one. 🙁 I always try to get into my own clothes (jammies) as soon as I can though so hopefully I won’t need one when it is all said and done.
Rose says
Oh, don’t forget the baby book!
Stefany says
I don’t have one. 🙁 I just haven’t had the $$ to get one for her.
Rose says
We all try to forget about the pads! I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m first in line to FORGET THOSE THINGS!
Are you sure they’ll provide you a pillow, even to take home?
You know, rather than drag an extra tote bag, maybe you could use a larger bag than you planned on? One less thing to keep up with ya’ know.
Things to take for the baby, I never took more than a couple of outfits because if someone brings a gift, the hospital usually gives you quite a few little odd n’ end things.
Stefany says
Yeah, at least at the other hospitals I have had abdominal surgery, they had a pillow to take home. I have 3 of them in my basement. 🙂
I don’t expect many visitors but she will stay in her hospital clothes until the day we go home anyways. It is just easier.
Mya Maternity says
Don’t forget about carseat for the baby as well as blankets for the little one.
That is exciting. Good luck with everything.
Stefany says
Thanks! The carseat will be in the car already so easy to pull out. Blankets… I think I need to find those still. eek
Rose says
I agree with Anna about the baby finger nail clippers.
What I noticed missing off your list that I forgot to bring along was pads.
I was stuck using those things that the hospital calls pads. Take your own for comfort and other obvious reasons.
Don’t forget the baby’s car seat.
Wear easy slip-on shoes for when you come home to keep from bending too much.
Also, a small pillow to keep tucked against your incision for afterwards and the ride home.
Make sure you have something to bring home the items the hospital gives to the baby, an extra tote or even an EMPTY diaper bag. Since you’re sent home with the things the baby will use.
You can always throw in a roll of duct tape, it’ll serve a purpose for SOMETHING. 😉
Stefany says
The car seat will be in the car already. 🙂
I only wear slip on shoes anymore so that one is easy. They should give me the belly pillow that I use there so that is okay. Ahh, yes. An empty bag is a good idea for sure!
Pads… ugh. I guess I was trying to forget about those. 😉
Anna says
Hi Stefany,
I don’t think you need that baby fingernail clipper as they do not recommend to cut the baby’s nails for some weeks after are born.
I would take my own pillow with me, I can not sleep well unless I use my own pillow :).
What about some relaxing music or music you like? Are you allowed to take this?
Good luck!
Stefany says
That is funny you all keep saying that about the nail clippers. Things must have changed because the first baby I had (5 years ago) actually had that on the list the hospital gave us. They said they won’t do it there so bring some ourselves to trim their nails.
Donna Marie says
I have to have extra blankets, my own pillow and my heating pad for my back. Birth plan if you have one, list of family/friends to be called and crayons, paper, markers etc. for kids.
Congrats and good luck!
Stefany says
Thank you! Coloring stuff is a good idea!
I do have a pillow already but had it for breastfeeding. I don’t want to bring my own because of bed bugs (I am freaked out about them) so I need to grab another cheap pillow for me.