Bump for anyone else that might need a starter list!

I'm Canadian so none of the costs apply. Gotta love free healthcare!

For those of us that do not have great insurance (for example I have a 70/30 plan) I think its smart to bring all those "extras". The hospital may provide you with everything you need, but it will cost you! After getting an itemized bill and realizing those Advil cost $12 a pop, it will make you want to come prepared. I'm paying enough for the things I can't control (Dr fees, hospital fees etc.) that I don't want to pay extra for that stool softener when I have a bottle of colace at home. Just some advice for anyone paying out of pocket or have high premiums - nothing is free!

Reading this just makes me realize... Oh crap, I still have a lot to do! But this helps a lot. Thanks ladies!

First time around I brought all of that &more!!! &i barely used any of it... The only things I will bring this time;

Sweatpants&comfy shirt to leave in

Undies that will be ruined!

My own pads

Baby bottle; my son hated the hospital ones

A change of clothes for dad &for baby

Pjs for dad

Chargers for phones!

Snacks&drinks

Slippers were my best friend lol

Deodorant&hairbrush&hairtie

All the toiletries I brought with me I didn't need because my hospital provided most of it

And my life saver was a bottle of witch hazel which I poured on my pads every time I used the bathroom; it was an amazing cold feeling and relieved the pain wonderfully. That will be the first thing I put in my bag!!!

I didn't even dig in my bag once with my first! I wore the hospital gown and their mesh panties with the ice packs for my tearing and did not shower there at all. She ended up wearing the hospital shirt home even.

I was there only about 33 hours though. I will try to go home even earlier this time. I hate the hospital and every second you are there Cha-Ching!

I agree with PP about the stool softener yes, they will give it to you but every little thing they give you(minus diapers and formula samples) will show up on your bill. Typically an Advil costs $10 so yes your insurance covers it but you are still paying a portion. I plan on bringing Advil(that's what they give for BF mothers) stool softener and hemoroid cream. Also don't think the pump is a bad idea. They wanted me to use one to help stimulate my milk and I didn't bring mine. They gave me a cheap manual one but I am sure I paid for it in my bill.

Be sure to ask for an itemized bill when you leave. I have heard of overcharging a lot.

Also, if you are feeling good go home! They can't make you stay.

Make sure you tell them that you want to leave about 5 hours before you actually do. The paperwork and discharge procedures can take forever.

Take the diapers and formula!! You may be BF but you can use

It later on in case you don't do an entire year. I said no bc I thought oh well I am BF but I should have def taken it. I nursed for 7.5 months.

I'm also due very early oct so i can update with what I Actually used!!

You said change in case of hubby needing snacks which is good. Y'all should also probably be prepared with some cash as well, just in case.

Our hospital doesn't cover food from the cafeteria for hubby. And he *might* want to buy me flowers or something for my pp room, *maybe* ;-)

Great post and you are way prepared! Usually the hospitals are well stocked with essentials, however, you just never know if you'll be moved to another floor if OB is full.

I agree with one of the posters above. I overpacked for my first, but felt much more confident with all my loot. It was definitely a huge pain packing it up on the way out...if you have visitors who bring gifts/flowers (esp. if this is your first).

I probably wouldn't bring the breast pump as it will likely take a few days for your milk to come in and flip flops for the shower and room are helpful.

With my first I packed everything&used 5% of it...

For me I will bring pajamas, socks, flip flops for the shower, lotion, deodorant, toothbrush&paste, phone&charger, lip balm, nursing supplies (nipple cream, nursing bra, nursing pads)

Insurance covers the cost of breastpump while there...

For baby... coming home outfit, socks, hats....

If I need anything else.... will send SO back home, or to the store

My hospital provided just about everything... wipes, diapers, comb&brush, emory board, recieving blankets, bottles, nipples (last time I had to pump and send baby to nursery bc I was in severe pain after csection)

Soap, tissue, disposable undies may not be the best, but their usuable....

Also when my dr came and checked me, she brought me a body wrap.... and put it on me the second day.... so she didnt hve any concerns about blood clots... but it may be different since I had the csection.

The 1st go around we had to pack the bags with stuff we brought, PLUS the things hospital sent us home with... For me, it was an unnecessary hassle. My 2nd go around, I took just the things I named above... and this time around... same thing....

But this may not work out for everyone though.... being that may SO will go home daily &theres a Walmart, Target, and other stores within 2 minutes from the hospital...

Snap shots** Thanks girl you've made my life easier lol ?

Well the tissues and stuff like that is also stuff I'll leave in the diaper bag. My only thought on the pump was if a lactation consultant cane, they could help me learn how to use it. My hubby is the laptop dvd guy, honestly I'll probably forget mine in the heat of it all, I'm just glad he doesn't plan on watching sports lol.

They also may want you to refrain from using a belly band for the first week to make sure your uterus gets smaller on its own and to check for clots. It's also REALLY painful after you give birth. You feel like you got hit by a truck and then it backed up over your lady parts. You want to be as comfortable as possible. Plus, you bleed a lot. Like pools of blood running down your legs. Use the pads the hospital gives you. And ask for a padsicle if they have them.

The hospital will give you stool softener. I wouldn't bring a breast pump unless your baby is in NICU you will have nothing to pump out and if baby is at the breast you just plain don't need it. The hospital products are fine to use like tissues. Ya they may not be soft but your vajayjay will be the main focus of pain and discomfort you won't care if you blow your nose with sand paper. They will also provide a peri bottle *make DAMN sure you get one for the first time you pee* ad a sits bath. Leave the lap top at home same goes for DVDs, you won't have time and its just one more thing that can break or be stolen. I've seen many moms say to bring make up and never seen a woman actually use it. You really really don't need a loofah.

I'm packing super light. We live about 5 minutes from our hospital so anything we forget or decide we need DH can just come grab. I also won't be packing much for daddy since he'll be coming home to take care of our pup and he'll just shower and change then. I'm also packing 1 newborn outfit and one 0-3m outfit as I'm not sure how big baby will be and I won't be getting another scan to determine before she's here.

@vgibs yes I am lol, does it show? Stuff like what?

I liked having flip flops to wear in shower and around room and also brought my slippers with soles. Hospital floors are nastyyyy!!

Are you a FTM? No offense but you won't need half that stuff. Unless you are planning on being there for a week.

An extension cord is an excellent idea! The plugs are never located where you can charge something and use it at the same time.

I have an extension cord packed as well oh and my heating pad in case of back labor or leg cramps....I even have a small fan I may take for labor....

Sounds like everything that is packed in mine but I couldn't get it all to fit in a normal size bag, large husband large clothes, so I have a suit case for mine and husband stuff, along with nursing pillow in it, and the diaper bag with all baby's stuff!

Well done!

Nice!

I'm just glad it fits in a normal size bag and diaper bag, promise I'm not showing up with a huge suitcase lol

You are more than prepared :) congrats!