Before getting pregnant, I had never stayed in a hospital overnight. It was an intimidating part of having the baby that I hadn’t really thought about until half way though my pregnancy. Of course I turned to my “Everything Pregnancy Organizer” that I had been relying on a lot, as well as Pinterest, of course!
The “Everything Pregnancy Organizer” plus my notes from my first pregnancy!
My intimidation grew quickly with all the lists of “what you need to have”, “what the minimalist needs”, etc. I compiled the few lists that seemed to have items that fit me, added the missing items into the planner and packed the bags. A few weeks later, I was given the opportunity to try the chosen items out when I spent a night in the hospital (the same I would deliver in) when I went into pre-term labor with Jake at 34 weeks. The doctors and nurses were able to stop the contractions, and instead of staying in the hospital for an undetermined number of weeks I was sent home, on bed rest, to watch Netflix, read, and re-do the hospital bags!
Below is the list of 10 items ( ok, really 10 categories, this isn’t the Marriott after all!) I had with me when Jake was actually born (on time and fully healthy!) and the highlighted items are what I will be packing the second time around, which will be here before I know it!
- Snacks. Easy things like granola bars, cookies, peanuts, plus a few waters and Gatorades for the middle of the night feedings. Our hospital has a full kitchen we can order from, so we didn’t worry too much about real meals, we just needed snacks and drinks for my husband and I when the kitchen was closed.
- Journal. I kept a journal throughout my pregnancy so I wanted to record his birth story (really more of a timeline because I was so tired!) before forgetting it.
- Pre-Admission paperwork. I’m not sure we really needed this, but it made me feel better to have it. Just in case!
- Clothes. The most comfortable loungewear/pajamas you have (and maybe the biggest) that it would be ok for your dad and father in law to see you in! I didn’t walk around the hospital a lot, but the few times I did, it was nice to have my yoga pants. This time I’m adding my bathrobe and even more extra underwear (again, large size!). Nursing bras are key, if you plan to go that route. Flip flops or slippers as well since putting on shoes was a little challenging and I liked having footwear on in the bathroom.
- Personal items. For showering and feeling like yourself again! I packed what I would take for a weekend trip, including chapstick, a loofa, travel size toothpaste/toothbrush, shampoo, conditioner, face wash and body wash. I also threw in a razor (can’t remember if I used it!) and make up, which I know I didn’t use, but wish I had before the hospital photography team took our pictures! I will (maybe!) be ready next time!
- Baby items. When Jake was born we didn’t understand the wonder of newborn sleeping gowns. We thought sleepers were the be all, end all. This time, we will be taking a few gowns and some sleepers, along with a blanket, hat and mittens, plus the nursing pillow! We also took a baby sized Winnie the Pooh, so baby would have a friend in the plastic bed. Everything else we needed the hospital had, so we didn’t take diapers, wipes or anything like that.
- Nurse gifts. My mom brought these for us, they were just a little gift bag with Mary Kay unscented hand cream with some candy. I was so glad we had something to say thank you since the nurses were so wonderful during our stay! They all seemed very appreciative.
- Dad items. We under packed here, but he also went home to take the dogs to doggy day care and showered then. We will make sure he has extra clothes, shower gel, toothbrush and toothpaste this time around.
- Recovery items. Not knowing what to expect I brought the HUGE Always overnight pads, tucks wipes with witch hazel, and Tylenol. Everything else was provided by the hospital in a large bag that was awesome even after we went home. I still have it ready to be filled with the same items this time.
- Camera and video camera. For obvious reasons! Plus the chargers, please don’t be like us and charge the camera, then leave the battery in the charger! We will not make that mistake again!
So that is it! We had 1 overnight bag for me, one for Jake, the camera bag, and this time we will have one for dad. It did feel like we were moving into the hospital, but we used all these items and I was glad to have them, so we will do the same again, for the most part!
What did you have to have during your time at the hospital?
