What to pack for my labor bag?
Posted by laurenlovesgoodies on Apr 06, 2011 · Member since Nov 2007 · 2936 posts
Hi ladies!! Its about the time that I should pack my bag for when I go into labor. What did you find ESSENTIAL? What item(s) just took up space in your bag? I do not want to overpack, but I want to make sure that I don't have to send Evan back to the house for anything.
A little background:
- Birth center (attached to a hospital) that is very forward thinking and mother friendly.
- Only 10mins from home.
- They can accommodate vegetarian/vegan diets no problem!
- Evan will not be spending the night as we still have Bella to tend to and do not want to board her. *This might change depending on when/if my Mom can make it up (7 hour drive for her).
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!! :flower:
I've obviously got nothing actually helpful to add as I have never given birth but OH MAN IT IS EXCITING THAT YOU ARE THIS CLOSE TO HAVING A MINI PERSON TO LOOK AFTER!!! : )
Goooood luck with all your preparations and I hope it all goes super dooper smoothly!
Just something to think about- he may have to spend the night depending on how long your labor lasts. Once it starts in earnest there is no way you'll want him to leave. Do you have a co-worker or friend that can take her out and feed her, just in case? Labor is different for everyone, but can last long and be, um, intense.
As for the bag, a couple pairs of underwear, pads, something comfy and easy to get on and off that you can nurse in later, like a nighty that has buttons at the top part, a luna bar or two-something snacky in case its the middle of the night and you're starved and he kitchen's closed. They'll prob. have stuff in the birthing center like ice, juice, popsicles, yogurt, jello, but it may or may not be vegan. Something to suck on, like mints. Of course something cute for baby to wear home. And for me personally, liquid eyeliner, cause thats how I roll. Once you go into labor, you won't care about much. I once went w/o shoes, and had to go home in those little hospital sockies.
GOOD LUCK!!!!
I've obviously got nothing actually helpful to add
:-D Thanks anyway!
Just something to think about- he may have to spend the night depending on how long your labor lasts. Once it starts in earnest there is no way you'll want him to leave. Do you have a co-worker or friend that can take her out and feed her, just in case? Labor is different for everyone, but can last long and be, um, intense.
As for the bag, a couple pairs of underwear, pads, something comfy and easy to get on and off that you can nurse in later, like a nighty that has buttons at the top part, a luna bar or two-something snacky in case its the middle of the night and you're starved and he kitchen's closed.
1) Shit! I guess I didn't think about length of time.... They don't want you to go in until your contractions are 4-5 mins apart. I (was just blindly) hoping that everything would just roll right along in an expeditious manner. I guess we'll have to try and figure something out for Bella.... again; Shit!
2) I didn't think about late night snacks! Thanks!
Also a book!! Late night feedings, or just general boredom, make a bookish type thing a necessity for many.
And of course toiletries, the hospital/birthing center is sure to have some, but odds are they won't be vegan.
I've packed for myself and others bags for general hospital stays of 1 to 3 days, these included:
a change of clothes including multiple pairs of underwear (definitely recommend this post-labor, never know what is gonna leak!)
something comfortable to be in bed in
any chargers for technology that may be necessary
the necessary technology
a book or two or three
toiletries
meds and vitamins, or at the very least a list
and, of course, something from home
And Congratulations!!!!
Hey, you never know. Mine started out 3 min apart, and labor was only 7 hours from start to finish, so you may be the same.
I know I've got a ton of time before I have to worry about this, but I've actually already kinda planned it out in my head.
I don't know if our hospital will have vegan options, but I wouldn't trust them if they did, so I plan on bringing all my own food, and having a back up stock at my mom's house (she lives 3 minutes from the hospital - we live about 30).
And my laptop and camera with cord. Comfy clothes, tons of undies, pads and toiletries.
I'm thinking we'll give our neighbor a key to let the dogs out since we aren't really that close - guess it just depends on timing.
Oh, I'm so excited for you Lauren! I can't wait for details...I'll need details!!!
Oh, I'm so excited for you Lauren! I can't wait for details...I'll need details!!!
Yes.... horrible scary details!! I can totally turn into one of those crazy women that will tell you horror stories just to hear myself talk if you'd like. ;) I trust this hospital's vegan options because we're in Berkeley (hippie/yuppie central that REALLY know what vegan means). Oh! And you should be getting something in the mail in a couple of days. :)
a book or two or three
and, of course, something from home
And Congratulations!!!!
Thanks! Now to find some LIGHT reading material.... I'm pretty sure I won't be reading anything epic.... Maybe I'll find a magazine or two to bring.
I agree with everything that's been listed so far. I'd also like to suggest:
a few baby outfits and possibly some bibs (some little babies throw up a lot so you'll want to change their clothes if they do)
maybe some baby wrapping blankets from home (the hospital will provide blankets, but I thought it was nice to have something that smelled like home for my baby)
warm socks/slippers, and flip flops (or other footwear that's easy to put on/take off without bending over)
make sure you pack your toothbrush/toothpaste where it's easy to get to, in case you throw up during labor
hair ties to keep your hair out of your face during labor (if that bothers you)
not for your bag, but keep some old towels in the car to sit on on the way to the hospital, in case your water breaks before you get there.
again nothing to add, but OH MY GOSH SO EXCITING!!!
button-front pjs if you're breastfeeding
laptop & camera
snacks for your SO
pads - if you don't like the kind the hospital offers (I had a box of 'new mother maternity pads')
pillow from home
Good luck!
eta: regarding meds - be careful what you bring with you! if you bring anything more than a prenatal vitamin, your SO will probably have to take it back to the house.. at least this is a state law in Maryland
Luckily, I'm not on any meds other than prenatals. I wasn't planning on bringing a pillow, but I think I will and leave it in the car for Evan to retrieve after everything is said and done. I keep trying to find plain cotton button up pjs with no luck. :(
a few baby outfits and possibly some bibs (some little babies throw up a lot so you'll want to change their clothes if they do)
make sure you pack your toothbrush/toothpaste where it's easy to get to, in case you throw up during labor
not for your bag, but keep some old towels in the car to sit on on the way to the hospital, in case your water breaks before you get there.
These three things are all gross. This is going to be nasty isn't it? :-\ What do babies normally wear while still in the hospital? I've only seen a couple for very brief stints and they just looked wrapped up in a receiving blanket. Do they have clothes on underneath there?
again nothing to add, but OH MY GOSH SO EXCITING!!!
Lol.... and daunting. I keep going through phases of; "Let's get this thing going!" and "Oh dear.... this is awful, but it's too late to back out now!".
I would say just get some 'burp rags', a bib or two, a few onesies, and maybe an outfit for moments you want them to look 'cute' (if that is a concern for you) for visitors, etc.
LLG, sorry to break it to you, but childbirth is gross. Luckily any goo that comes out at the hospital will be cleaned up by hospital staff, but anything gross that happens in your house or car will be your responsibility (or your husband's)...that's why it's worth it to have some towels in the car, and possibly put some between your sheets and mattress, and on the floor by your bed if you have carpet. I took all these precautions and didn't need any of them, but I've heard other people's stories....
And yeah, newborns spend a lot of time wrapped up, but they're (usually) wearing something under the blankets. Just a onesie or a shirt usually, unless it's really cold.
pg ~ I know it is gross. I'm the a-hole pregnant woman in the corner normally gagging when anything pregnancy/birth related is shown/talked about in great detail. Any grosses that happens at home or in the car is being designated as Evan's problem.
Thanks to you both for clarifying what newborns wear in the hospital. I've got onesies and those side button top shirts (to not rub on where the umbilical cord was). :)
Yeah, I tend to gag or at least feel really squeamish when certain childbirth-related things come up also. But when you're actually in labor you probably won't be thinking about the grossness of the situation. :) And with the baby...well, babies are gross too. ::) They have very little control over their bodily functions. My baby was such a spew factory until he was 5 or 6 months old. I hardly even thought about it at the time (other than when I was covered, and I mean COVERED, in it and had to change clothes). I would just wipe it up every time he did it...so like, every 5 minutes...and I got used to having dried baby spew spots all over me until eventually he grew out of it. And now when I see a younger baby throwing up all over themselves or their parents I think it's disgusting, even though it was a way of life for me not that long ago. I guess I'm weird like that.
it seems like evryone about covered it, except that the hospital usually provide the onesie n even your underwear after. i was at a birthing center in sf and was in labor for 87 hours! i had 2 b transferred 2 the hospital for a c-section but the babies clothes were provided at both places, and many pairs of underwear for me. maybe they were special c-section underwear or something. anyway, there are only 2 things i thought went unsaid:
CHAPSTICK! its so a must
as well some form of electrolyte drink like 'recharge'. i know every1 is different but i didnt want 2 eat thru my labor and i just wasnt hungry (altho i wa force fed occasionally :). recharge was really good tho and i believe it helped keep my strength up.
good luck i wish u the best and im excited 4 u. having a baby at a birthing center is a rare opportunity, soak it in :) o yeah! dont 4get your birth plan! ;)
CHAPSTICK! its so a must
good luck i wish u the best and im excited 4 u. having a baby at a birthing center is a rare opportunity, soak it in :) o yeah! dont 4get your birth plan! ;)
I never go anywhere without chapstick. ;) Thank you! I am very happy to be delivering at the place I picked. I've got a copy of my birth plan (I laminated it even). I figured I'd just keep it with me instead of handing out copies to every person involved.... they can all read it when I meet them the first time that way I know they've read it.
My baby was such a spew factory until he was 5 or 6 months old. I hardly even thought about it at the time (other than when I was covered, and I mean COVERED, in it and had to change clothes). I would just wipe it up every time he did it...so like, every 5 minutes...and I got used to having dried baby spew spots all over me until eventually he grew out of it. And now when I see a younger baby throwing up all over themselves or their parents I think it's disgusting, even though it was a way of life for me not that long ago. I guess I'm weird like that.
I guess I'm weird like that too. :) Mine was a major spitter-upper until about 6 months. Like every 5 minutes too. I can't say I liked it, but I got over any "eww" factor really quick.
Now when I see a little baby spit up I think it's gross.
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