[**jessie**]

I know this has been asked before, but I don't remember the answers. I've found many internet lists, but they all seem quite excessive. Surely, I don't need a huge suitcase?!

I mean, won't the hospital supply most things like diapers, maxi pads, breast pads, ect?? Or do I need to bring my own?

Do I need to pack a whole diaper bag for going home when it is only a 30 min drive?

Also, do I need to bring a pair of pajamas for each day I might be in the hospital? Here, you can stay in the hospital 7 days after a normal vaginal delivery... it's thought of as a time to rest, heal, get help with the baby and breastfeeding. I doubt I will stay that long at all, but I can't count it out. Can't I just wear my bathrobe over the hospital gown? I don't think I own 7 pairs of pajamas!!

TIA. I love all you gals

[Nami]

The hospital does supple pads, diapers, breast pads and even these nifty granny underwear-like things.. not sure what to call them, they are netted and not real underwear but help a lot when you're in pain and have them huge pads on(At least we have them here, not sure about other places). As far as PJs, I'm not sure, I didn't stay over night but I wouldn't think you'd need so many, could be wrong though.

[LisanAndy]

I brought..

*Change of clothes to go home in
*a bathrobe to walk around in during labor and when family is visiting so if I went to the bathroom no one got to see my butt LoL.
*My toothbrush and hair brush
*The baby book to write in
*A change of clothes for the baby to leave the hospital in
*Nursing pads
*Underwear and a nursing bra
*Socks or slippers
*Camera

That's all I can think of right now

[**jessie**]

Thanks Lisa and Nami. Lisa, that sounds like a much more reasonable list.... more along the lines of what I was thinking. Some of the 'lists' have like 30-odd things on them. Heck, I'm not planning on moving into the hospital permanently, lol!!!

[LisanAndy]

Yeah, I agree It's just easier to have a small bag. I'm too busy nursing, holding her, diaper changes, family visiting, ect. to worry with anything else

[Mars]

I'm not sure how it is in the UK but I took everything when I went to the hospital.

[*Anna*]

A few things I brougbt that helped me during Alexas labor and birth were my ipod- to listen to my hypnobabies, chapstick cuz my lips were dry after the birth, a headband to keep my bangs out of my fave, and my big body pillow- helped having it there cuz its so comfy!

[Frozendesire]

Packing a full diaper bag is handy. Even if it's just a 30 min drive it's nice to have packed and ready to go even at home... so packing it now with out baby here will be nice. That's what I would do anyways. I've always kept the diaper bag nice and ready for anything.

I don't normally bring much with me when I pack. I bring a couple pairs of PJs because leaking does/might happen. I bring my own pads just because I find their's SUPER uncomfortable under regular clothes (like when you go home) But I put these in the diaper bag anyways so I have them all the time the first 4 or 6 weeks. Nursing pads. Toiletries. Couple pairs of comfy pants. Slippers. Robe. Undies. Socks. 2 - 3 shirts. Nursing bra. And then extras like labor stuff and camera/phone etc.

[~*sierra*~]

ooh this is a great thread, my SIL has been wondering what to bring with her.

[Resi]

I packed all kinds of stuff and didn't need most of it. I would bring the following:

Personal Hygiene Products (shampo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, deotrant, etc.)
What ever you use to get ready for the day (blow dryer, make-up, contact case, etc)
Going Home Outfit
Bathrobe
Nipple Cream
Camera
Video Camera (if you want to bring it)

Baby going home outfit
Car Seat

Those are the basics. Next time I won't bring much at all! I wore the hospital gown and socks they provided. I used their pads and baby supplies.

[~*Bethy*~]

the first time I WAAAAAAY overpacked - the 2nd time I brought: *reminder I had a csection*

*few shirts
*2 pairs of jammy pants
*socks
*nursing tank top
*breast pads
*few clothing items for Morgan (I played dress up with her the very first day, it was so much fun!! - BUT clothes for baby isnt needed)
*my XBOX game system for hubby (4 days with nothing to do for hubby while baby is sleeping LOL)
*Pillow (hated theirs)
*down throw blanket (I hate their "heavy blankets", just used their sheet and my blanket)
*blankie (yes, I do have a blankie)
*boppy
*Camera
*iPod
*purse

that was about it....

I will say one thing to add to the above.... pack as little as possible!! I packed wayyyyy too much and it was just a PITA. Just take bare essentials and leave spares/extras sat out in the spare room or your room and have DH bring it in if/when you need it.

Personally I'd take 2 sets of PJs and have DH bring more if you need them. So you have 1 spare pair incase you leak (it's very common to leak onto your undies). I took cheapo undies with me as I really didn't fancy disposable undies but it's individual preference.

Are you in germany just now? Here in UK my hospital provided: nappies, cotton wool, baby blankets, towels for showering, breast pads, maternity pads, and a great big bed cover thing incase I leaked (i loved that bed pad thing!! I was uber paranoid about leaking on the bed). Ask your midwife if your hospital has these things as it will really save you a lot of bulk/space.

If you hope to BF, take your boppy if your hospital don't have any, I really wish I had taken mine.

[freesiangel]

I have a huge list of items I'm bringing. I know there's a lot of items I may not use, but I'd rather have them with me in case I want them, kwim? Since I already spent the night in L&D once I know how sucky it can be to be lying there with none of your own things and you're in this strange place and I would've killed for my own stuff! This is my list - yes, it's long...

Hospital Bag

My bag:
Sports bra
Nursing bra
Nursing pads
Lanolin cream
PJ's/nursing cami
Fleece pants
Socks
Undies
Clothes to go home in
Contact solution/case
Chapstick
Glasses
Makeup
Shampoo/conditioner/body wash/face wash/lotion
Brush/hair ties/clips
Deodorant
Toothbrush/paste
Pillow (in a bright case to separate it from the hospital pillows)
Flip flops for shower
Robe
Tylenol
Pads

Misc Items:
Laminated copy of my birth plan
Wallet w/ ID
Laptop
Cell phones/chargers
Camera/charger
MP3 Player/CD's
Focal object for labor
Snacks
Money for the vending machines
Phone number to the Asian restaurant that makes sushi!
Swimsuit for DH in case he needs to help me in and out of the shower/tub
Extra set of clothes/socks/etc. for Jer
Massage thingie
Books/magazines/anything I think may temporarily distract me from the pains of labor, lol
List of people and their phone numbers to call
Bag of candy for nurses (c:
Notebook/pen

Diaper bag:
Coming home outfit
Backup outfit in case it turns out to be a boy!
Extra onesies/socks/hat
Pump and bottle (just in case)
Receiving blanket x 2 - one to bring baby home in and one to bring home to the dogs before we go home
Baby book so they can put in footprints
Pregnancy book so I can keep filling things out
Babil nail clippers/boards

Car:
Carseat

[~*Bethy*~]

you shouldnt need the tylenol since they have that covered there for after birth meds they give you.`

[Angelaosaurus-rex]

If you are giving birth in Germany you need to bring pretty much every thing. They did supply the baby's diapers and wipes and mommy maxi pads but that is it. Bring water bottles with you unless you like the bubbly kind because that is all they will have. And bring snacks!!!! You will get bread for breakfast, lunch will be a big meal and then bread a some really nasty looking cold cuts for dinner. Also bring a towel and soap and stuff because they don't provide that either. Deff bring a robe because you will more then likely get a room mate... I had NO privacy at all.

[**jessie**]

Originally Posted by angelalesina

If you are giving birth in Germany you need to bring pretty much every thing. They did supply the baby's diapers and wipes and mommy maxi pads but that is it. Bring water bottles with you unless you like the bubbly kind because that is all they will have. And bring snacks!!!! You will get bread for breakfast, lunch will be a big meal and then bread a some really nasty looking cold cuts for dinner. Also bring a towel and soap and stuff because they don't provide that either. Deff bring a robe because you will more then likely get a room mate... I had NO privacy at all.

Thanks Angela. I will be giving birth in Germany. Very good to know- I wouldn't have thought of bringing a towel and soap. I have heard about the roomate thing. My SIL had some crazy lady that wouldn't stop talking all day long... needless to say, she went home the next day to get some privacy!

[bittersweet]

Bringing some of your favorite snacks is a good idea. Unless you arent a picky eater and are fine with vending machine stuff to snack on. Some gift shops sell snacks, but its like buying snacks at an airport...EXPENSIVE!! I plan on bringing a box of granola bars and some dried fruits.

[freesiangel]

Originally Posted by ~*Bethy*~

you shouldnt need the tylenol since they have that covered there for after birth meds they give you.`

I'm actually bringing the Tylenol for Jer... He tends to get headaches when he's stressed and the last thing I need is a crabby husband because he has a headache!