What I Packed for The Hospital!
Today I’m sharing what I packed in my hospital bag!
I can’t believe it’s been three weeks since having Dane! It feels like he’s been here forever and we couldn’t imagine life without our little guy. For this delivery, I had a longer than normal hospital stay. With Kennedy I was in the hospital for five days and Dane with four days. Since I’ve done this twice, I wanted to share things I used during my hospital stay, and new things I brought for the hospital this time. I pretty much ended up using everything except the swimsuit- which I was going to use for laboring in the shower.
Let me share a little background on my delivery. I was induced at 38 weeks because I had a condition I developed in my pregnancy called Gestational Thrombocytopenia, which basically is having really low blood platelets. When I checked into the hospital, they tested my blood and came back with the results. They said I for sure couldn’t get an epidural because they were very low- the lowest they’ve ever been during my pregnancy. I was really sad and scared, but I had my amazing Doula Christy to help me and did Bradley Method Birthing classes. I also did an e-course called My Essential Birth which I learned so much! They started Pitocin, which is a chemical they use to kick start contractions and get your body into labor. After about twelve hours, at the highest level of Pitocin, I was in the most miserable and excruciating pain I’ve ever felt. Each contraction I felt like I was dying and I just could NOT endure it anymore. Also, the nurse did a cervical check and during that entire time, I only progressed to 4cm dilated!!! I felt so defeated and exhausted. My Doula told me I still had a long time to go to get to a 10, even though it felt like I was already in Transition. I couldn’t stand to feel this kind of pain any longer, so I called my doctor and basically begged him to give me c-section. He agreed, but since my platelets were so low, I would be put under general anesthesia instead of being “awake” with an epidural. Within 40 minutes, I was being wheeled to the Operating Room and they begin the c-section. Last thing I remember is waking up already feeling the pain of the incision and being very loopy. It took me about an hour to fully “wake up,” and I was able to see Dane and have him start nursing on me. I will share more about my Birth Story and photos from the hospital in a post soon!
For Mom:
–Spinner luggage to easily wheel it through the hospital and from labor to recovery room.
–Fluffy/ cozy socks with grips on the bottom! I love these ones with cute sayings on the bottom 🙂
-3-4 Pajamas! I brought two of these nursing friendly nightgowns and a regular pair of long sleeved pajamas as well!
– 1-2 Robes. I brought two robes and ended up using both! They can get dirty/ sweaty and gross fast so I’m glad I brought two. I used this light black robe during labor and this blue lace robe for after I had the baby and for pictures!
-Your own hospital gown! This isn’t a necessary, but I brought my own with both my hospital stays. I think they’re more cute, comfy and I feel better in my own clothes. I love this one from Posh Pushers!
-Toiletries // I brought all my toiletries in travel size including shampoo + conditioner, body wash, lotion, face lotion, face wipes, deodorant, etc. I took a shower the day after having my c-section, and I felt so amazing afterwards! I also took a shower every night I was in the hospital, so I definitely used all the toiletries.
-Bring rubber flip flops for the shower!
–Hand sanitizer to keep by your bed
-I also brought my own favorite blanket from home. It was so comfy and comforting having it during my recovery at the hospital!
-I also found this portable makeup mirror and brought it too! I used it to do my makeup or remove my makeup in my bed.
-1-2 Nursing Bras! I would wear these nursing bras day and night, and there are the comfiest ones I’ve found!
For Baby:
-2-3 Newborn pjs/ long sleeved onesies. Try to get the ones with the hand covers built in!
-1-2 Newborn kimono onesie shirts (I love these for middle of the night diaper changes)
-1-2 Newborn hats! I LOVE these beanies from COZYS for Dane!
-No need to pack diapers or wipes because the hospital will provide it for you! But you can bring some in your diaper bag just in case 🙂
-1-3 swaddles. I also love bringing a fluffy blanket such as this Little Giraffe blanket. He LOVES this blanket and being wrapped up in it when we snuggle.
-Portable white noise machine and/or baby shusher
–Pacifier (optional)
-I brought this velcro swaddle, so he can get used to it! But the nurses also provide you with durable swaddle blankets at the hospital that work great too. You can bring your own swaddle too! I love the ones from Little Unicorn because they have the cutest prints, and are soft yet durable.
-1 Burp cloth
-We also brought a gift for baby Dane to give to Kennedy when she met him at the hospital! She got a big sister shirt, this “I’m a Big Sister” book, a baby doll and a new blanket.
For Dad:
-Snacks
-Extra blanket and his own pillow
-His toiletries- toothbrush, deodorant, etc.
-Snacks!! We brought a cooler with snacks for Alex. Labor can be long and having healthy, energy fueling snacks to keep dad going too is important
-EXTRA long phone charger
-Birth Plan! I had Alex be in charge of making sure the nurses got and read our birth plan! We brought ten copies and handed them to all the nurses and the ones new on their shifts.
-Comfy clothes, pjs, slippers, socks, and workout attire if he is helping with labor.
-Rubber flip flops for the shower!
-Alex brought his own towel from home because the ones at the hospital were TINY!!!
Hi! Thank you for the post! I have gestational thrombocytopenia but I’m 29 weeks along. Do you remember what your platelet count was when they said you could not have an epidural? Thanks in advance!!
I have immune thrombocytopenia (and am 26 weeks!) and my hematologist said they won’t do them below 80K, but it could be different depending on the hospital and your OB!
My OB also said it differs depending on the anesthesiologist and/or hospital, but usually 80 or below is the cut off.