What's in your hospital bag?

motherscomfort · 09-07-2008, 04:46 PM

Hello all,
I am preparing to attend my first birth and I am starting to put together my bag of things to take with me to the hospital. I was just wondering what you have in your bags. Did you ever find that you had forgotten something that would have been really useful? Did you start out bringing way too much stuff or not enough stuff? Is there anything really unusual in your bag that I would never think of bringing but I should? I'd love to hear your ideas and suggestions!

doula Michele · 09-07-2008, 05:49 PM

We have discussed this topic many times... just do a search.
But I hardly bother with anything anymore. I make sure I have extra clothes, in case I am wearing something inapproriate for a birth. I rarely ever dig in my bag at all, and i am getting annoyed having a pile of crap with me all the time.
BUT just this week I put in a jar of instant coffee. I though I was being just genius!! LOL There is always a kettle around, but lots of times the coffee machine is broken.

amymaew · 09-07-2008, 05:51 PM

I'm with Michele - the most important things in my bag are for me lol - a change of clothes, water, a book (it's a long hour to wait for a cesarean, especially after a 30 hour labor). I rarely use anything in my bag for the mom.

FLLucinda · 09-07-2008, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doula Michele

We have discussed this topic many times... just do a search.
But I hardly bother with anything anymore. I make sure I have extra clothes, in case I am wearing something inapproriate for a birth. I rarely ever dig in my bag at all, and i am getting annoyed having a pile of crap with me all the time.
BUT just this week I put in a jar of instant coffee. I though I was being just genius!! LOL There is always a kettle around, but lots of times the coffee machine is broken.

I have my sweatshirt, change of clothing, a small pillow (yep don't like to have to ask for one but seems my births have been mostly over the 24hour mark! Water, snacks, change, small bag of toiletries, pads/tampons if needed, chap stick.
Kneeling board, a few massagers, lotion to do massages, a book, paper to take notes on, client chart, camera, i-pod and usually speakers.

I find that I started with a whole bunch of stuff and have pared it down to the above.
I LOVE the idea of the instant coffee Michele!

Guess what's going on MY bag right now since I'm on call and mama is any minutes now!!

DoulaKaren · 09-07-2008, 08:42 PM

For moms, I most often use a hand-held fan, my favorite nubby massager thingy, two black "picture day" combs, and Trader Joe's organic not-terribly-sweet lollipops.

For me -- luna bars and personal hygiene stuff. I don't have a change of clothes but I really ought to.

Tiffany Hensley-Cummings · 09-07-2008, 10:36 PM

honey for Moms.

SamiNoodle · 09-12-2008, 12:54 AM

Extra sox/ undies incase I get splashed (in that event the hospital will let us use spare scrubs so no need to bring a full change of clothes). A one-liter bottle for water and electrolyte mix. Breath mints, change for the vending machine. Lucinda- I think I'll take your pillow idea. If you do the search for prior discussions you'll see I HAD a big list for the bag I took to the first birth. Lesson learned in one day. KISS -keep it simple sistah

--Sami

Cherylkind · 09-22-2008, 01:14 PM

I'm on the I used to carry tons but don't anymore team too.

My bag includes: Honeysticks, lotion, the birth partner book, a bradley book, 2 hot compress things, a massager or two that I rarely use, change for the snack machine, my cell, a charger, socks, a sweater, money, and my rebozo. It all fits in a small messenger bag.

motherscomfort · 09-23-2008, 09:00 AM

what's a rebozo?

hesperia · 12-10-2008, 04:20 PM

A robozo is a piece of woven fabric about 5 meters in length (?), used in various ways during labour. Can be used as a tug rope for assisted squatting, to help mom pull forward if labouring in a seated position, used on the belly in a hand and knees position to 'wiggle' that baby into a better position and relieve pressure from the back. Same wiggle but with mom on her back. Used for double hip squeeze effortlessly with two people. You can tie it in knots and put it over a closed door and have mom pull down on it while you are free to rub/squeeze her back.

They can be pricey, but it was one of my first purchases, I don't have too much else in my bag.

They are a traditional Mexican shawl.

Garden Doula · 12-10-2008, 04:35 PM

Clothes, camera, FOOD!, oils, massager, toiletries, lollies, lip balm, rice bag, hot packs, notebook and pen, hypnosis birth partner guide, small bowl, flannel cloths of all sizes, breath neutralizer and assorted Emergen-C type things to add to water if mom needs nourishment.

For my first birth I brought wayyy to much. Each birth I bring less and less. But I do pack my personal stuff separate from the stuff that I use for mom. That way partners/dads don't have to feel weird looking in my bag for a tool.