Packing for a Second Hospital Delivery

My due date is sneakily creeping up on me with this second baby.  When I was pregnant the first time, I felt like the weeks and months dragged on in a cruel, eternal sort of way.  This time things have progressed as though someone pushed the "fast-forward" button on our old VCR: time is moving quickly and fuzzily and who knows when I will have a moment to sit back and actually enjoy this pregnancy?! I hit the 30 week milestone already - that's 3/4 of the way! I'm 75% done! And I know deep down that, with all the upcoming holidays and events, the next 10 weeks will speed by even faster than the first 30.

So, as my due date seems to be tip-toeing up without warning, I figured I should pack my hospital bag in preparation.  I've already begun packing for my Little Peanut, since he'll be staying with Nana and Papa while we are in the hospital.  He has fewer requirements, aside from a very lengthy packet that I typed up describing his daily schedule, eating habits, emergency information and Christmas wish list.  Not like my parents are clueless about this stuff... they watch him frequently.  But he's never been away from home without me overnight.  His bag will also include some spare clothes (and some sort of "big brother" shirt to wear when visiting the new baby), his blankie and bear, diapers, etc. The same items I would pack for any overnight trip.

Jared's bag will be up to him (he's a big boy!), but I will have some suggestions for him based on our last hospital stay:

The Daddy Bag:

• Sweatpants and sweatshirt - I kept my delivery room extremely chilly last time, and Jared was so sleep-deprived that his body ceased to regulate its temperature.  He ended up shivering through the last few hours of labor.  
• Water bottle and snacks - My parents will surely treat Jared to some fast food while I'm in labor (like last time) but in between meals, he will need food and water.  I will pack some (peanut-free) granola bars and beef jerky for him to munch on.  I would also consider bringing energy drinks for him, since he doesn't drink coffee.
• Phone charger and headphones
• Gum - Fresh breath is best
• Entertainment - For Jared this means packing his portable gaming device, but it could also mean a book, magazines, tablet, laptop, etc.
• Toiletries - He never showered at the hospital (he had some time after delivery to drive home and take care of some business, including showering), but he was glad to have brought some deodorant and a toothbrush/toothpaste to freshen up before he had the chance to venture home.  Also consider packing some basic medicine for Daddy (for headache, tummy ache, allergies).
• Change of clothes - He will likely bring a couple extra shirts, undershirts, socks and undies to change into when he starts smelling ripe. 

We are lucky that my parents are in town (like, beyond lucky sometimes) because anything Jared forgets, they can bring him.  Or they can keep me company while he runs home.  One thing I never really touched on in my previous delivery posts was the fact that I don't want to be alone in my hospital room. Not for a moment.  This stems from bad previous hospital experiences and the fear that, at any time, something can go wrong.  And I'm the kind of person who likes to have someone I trust around as backup - just in case.  Some women probably relish any time they get alone in the recovery room with Baby.  I'm not one of those women :)

Speaking of previous posts.... I posted a while back about how I would pack my hospital bag for the second baby (it can be viewed here), but I wrote this entire post long before I actually got pregnant for a second time.  Now that I'm actually thinking about being in the hospital again, I thought it might be prudent to revisit this list with careful consideration.  For some more perspective from a mom who has already gone through the birth experience once before, check out my post "Second Time Around Makes Me a... Pro?".  

I will state again: this list has been written with extremely careful consideration.  I'm not about to tell you exactly what kind of pajamas to pack, and I'm no expert on labor and delivery.  This is MY list that I'm sharing with my readers - and my thought process behind each decision.  Get ready for some serious detail!

No Need to Bring:
Diapers, wipes, maxi pads, disposable underwear, swaddling blankets, nursing pads, baby shampoo, booger sucker - the hospital provided much more of this type of stuff than I expected.  I wished I had packed an extra bag to bring all that stuff home with us though!!  Check with your hospital to find out what will be provided, and prepare for some "free" take-home supplies by bringing a spare bag or box.  Also, don't worry about bringing any kind of "entertainment" for yourself (book, laptop, knitting needles, etc.) because any downtime you have will be spent sleeping!

Definitely Bring: 

Labor Comforts -  everyone is a little different, so think about bringing items that you would want around for comfort if you were, say, sick in bed.  Labor is a similar situation, especially if you have an epidural or don't have the option to get up and walk around. 

• Robe
• Slippers or socks - for walking the halls. Hospital floors are chilly.
• Hair ties/pins/headbands - to keep sweaty hair under control. 
• Water bottle
• Music & headphones - I'll use my iPhone, so I will make sure to pack my charger too. 
• Chapstick  
• Focus Item - The hospital doesn't allow anything that burns (candles, incense, etc) but other labor support items can be really helpful.  For ideas, check this site, read some books, or take a birthing class.  I plan to have an epidural again this time, but I'd like to bring a "focus item" (something to remind me that all my hard work will result in a precious little baby in my arms) to help me through labor. 

**Your pain management is a very personal choice - do your research and take careful consideration before making your birth plan, and try not to judge others for their childbirth decisions.  I repeat, it's a very personal decision for every woman.** 

Recovery Comforts -  even though post-birth recovery is a time of bliss and excitement and you will likely be staring contentedly into your newborn's perfect face, it's also a time of  discomfort (and pain) and, again, similar to being sick in bed. 

Not pictured: pillow, going home clothes

• Pillow - with a non-white pillowcase to distinguish it from the hospital pillows
• Nightgowns or Pajamas - preferably grungy ones that you won't mind staining.  Also keep in mind that you will be examined every couple of hours, so access to your Lady Zone is pretty crucial. Easy access to your Milk Zone will also be important if you choose to breastfeed.  And there is always the possibility of needing a C-Section, which would leave an incision in the lower abdomen.  Pants that are tight against your lower tummy won't be comfy, so take that into consideration as well.
• Big Undies - again, that you won't mind staining.  The hospital provides disposable underwear, but it's not very comfy.
• Clothes to wear home - I plan to choose reallllllllllly comfy maternity clothes, since I don't expect to be much smaller leaving than arriving.  I will also need a warm coat in January - don't forget to think about what the weather will be like when you leave the hospital!
• Toiletries:
• toothbrush and toothpaste
• shower supplies
• hairbrush (the hospital provided a blowdryer)  
• makeup (you'll be happier to pose for pictures if you feel you look your best)
• facial wipes or face wash
• deodorant
• lotion 
• soft toilet paper (the hospital gets their toilet paper straight from the tree... meaning: it's not soft.  I plan to bring my own, cushy TP from home, since my Lady Zone will be sore already)
• prenatal vitamins (if you choose to breastfeed, you'll want to continue taking these for the duration) 

everything packed along with makeup bag

Nursing Comforts - Breastfeeding your baby is a choice - not a requirement.  There is a lot of pressure to be a nursing mom, but it is ultimately up to you.  Many of the best parents in the world opt to bottle-feed their babies. But if you do choose to breastfeed, many hospitals, like mine, are very supportive of this choice by making it standard practice for your baby to "room in" (allowing baby to sleep in the room with you at all times).  I also had no fear of the nursing staff giving my baby a pacifier or a bottle without my permission - this is likely practiced at your hospital as well.  And if you aren't sure about your hospital's policies and procedures regarding these things, don't be afraid to ask.  I hope to give myself the opportunity to successfully breastfeed my second baby, so I will bring:

Not pictured: Boppy

• Nursing bra or supportive tank top - it's nice to feel like your Milk Zone is well-supported if you plan to have visitors
• Lanolin - baby may not latch properly right away, leaving you with sore nipples
• Boppy or other nursing pillow - this is a bulky item that I chose not to bring the first time, but wished I had.  Keep in mind that poor positioning of the baby during breastfeeding can potentially be the single breaking point when it comes to having a successful nursing experience, and hospital pillows may not give you the kind of positioning you'll need.
• Nursing cover (optional) I got my yellow one from this website!

Tech and Other Essentials

Not pictured: Camera, treats for nurses

 

• Camera and charger
• Video camera and charger (Optional. My camera and phone happen to have a video function, so I won't be bringing my camcorder this time.)
• Phone chargers 
• Cash - for snacks and meals
• Notebook - for recording thoughts & feelings, as well as important information and instructions from the nurses/doctors
• Insurance information (for you and for the new baby)
• Extra bag or box - to bring home the hospital-provided diapers, as well as any gifts or flowers you receive
• Gift for older sibling "from the new baby"
• Treats for the nurses - many people I know have recommended bringing cookies or candy for your nurses.  I didn't even think to consider this the first time.  And I may or may not have the time/energy this time, but I do like the idea of thanking my nurses with something sweet.

For Baby   

For the hospital stay

For the trip home

• Outfit to wear home
• Socks and mittens - or consider baby nail clippers to prevent scratches
• Vaseline - coating baby's bottom will make it easier to wipe off those first few sticky meconium poos
• Onesies or sleepers to wear in the hospital - we didn't dress Little J while we were staying in the hospital with him - just swaddled him in his diaper.  But this second Baby will be born in the dead of winter, so I will pack some warm, snuggly clothes this time.
• Hat - my hospital provides a hat for baby to wear home, but I will pack a spare anyways 
• Weather-appropriate travel supplies - warm hat, extra blankets, car seat cover (like these)
• Car seat (strapped into the car)

I packed most of these items (the ones I don't use on a daily basis) into my small duffel bag.  A suitcase would do just fine as well, but I like the option to have my beefcake husband masculinely swing my bag over his shoulder as we walk into the hospital... if you would like a bag suggestion, this is the bag I'm using for my stuff and baby's stuff.  The items that I haven't packed yet are written on a list so that I can throw them into the bag at last minute - things like my phone charger, robe, wallet, etc. that I can't really pack away this early. 

I will reiterate: this is my personal list.  My suggestions for Mommies-to-Be who want some advice for packing.  Please note that I am not a doctor, nurse or midwife - nor am I a professional of any kind.  I'm just an overly organized Mommy who likes to be helpful :)

Happy packing!