re: hospital bag/ baby bag

Quoting kr.r:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Andrea0510:</b>" They say she can only do pap smears and take ... [snip!] ... that isn't a obgyn from delivering which sucks ass!"</blockquote> Grrrrr. Are there any birthing centers in your area?"

Nope. I drive a hour to see the OB's i'm going to now just because thats the only decent hospital around here. For my second i will probably consider a home birth if all goes well but it still makes me kind of nervous.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Andrea0510:</b>" Nope. I drive a hour to see the OB's i'm going to now just because thats the only decent hospital around ... [snip!] ... around here. For my second i will probably consider a home birth if all goes well but it still makes me kind of nervous."</blockquote>

Understandable. I mean, things can go wrong pretty fast, but I want to believe modern hospitals want us to obsess over that and get scared into giving them our money as well as upping the chance for being pressured into unnecessary medical interventions, which cause more harm than good. Women were having babies long before hospitals took over. I'm very much of the opinion that giving birth is our domain and we should take back what is rightfully ours.

Quoting stephanie del moral:" I've you tubed so many videos and so many women tend to carry so many little things i don't think ill ... [snip!] ... MUST take for my son i over packed for him but under packed for myself lol. what were the things you most needed for yourself?"

This is a guide i used, Not entirely, But roughly, You don't have to have everything on the list, But it gives you a fair idea of things you might need, And things people may pack.

For Labour

• Hospital paperwork - registration card/health record or similar
• Medicare card and/or private health insurance company card
• Lip Balm/paw paw ointment
• Hair bands
• Iceblocks
• Water bottle
• Phone
• Phone charger
• Phone credit
• Camera
• Camera battery charger
• Video camera
• Facewashers
• Gatorade/Powerade/Lemonade
• Snacks, drinks and spare clothes/swimmers/towel for your birthing partner - in case they want to get in the shower with you.
• Snack food
• Thongs
• CD or ipod etc if you want (or think you will want) music!
• Heat pack
• Socks
• Baggy shirts/singlets
• Mints
• Birth plan
• Stress balls
• List of phone numbers
• Massage oil
• Spare change
  

For Mum

• Shampoo/conditioner/shower gel
• Shower puff
• Towels
• Clothes
• A book to read (maybe a breastfeeding book)
• A pen/notebook
• Your own pillow
• Nice clothes to wear home/wear in photos
• Moisturiser
• Posh toilet paper/flushable wipes (hospital toilet paper can be rough, post-birth)
• Maternity pads
• Cheap pack of black undies/mens undies
• Pyjamas/nighties - ones with easy access for breastfeeding
• Paw paw ointment
• Ural - will help take the sting out of your pee
• Ear plugs
• Hairbrush
• Maternity bra
• Snacks/lollies/chocolate/fruit drink (poppers), muesli bars
• Dressing gown
• Slippers
• Nursing pads
• Spare change
• Nice clothes that make you feel good, don't dig around your waist and are easy to breastfeed in
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Makeup
• Deodorant
• Plastic bags for dirty clothes (for you and bub)
• Maternity shirts (you wont shrink back down to your old size overnight!)
  

For baby

Check what your hospital provides before you pack for baby ...

• Nappies
• Singlets x 3
• Grosuits x 3 (at least) - in at least two sizes!! take some 0000 clothes and some 000 even a 00000 if you like, that way whatever size bub is they will have something to wear
• Beanies
• Mittens
• Blankets/bunny rugs
• Nice going-home outfit for bub
• Muslin wrap
• Socks
• A dummy (just in case, washed and sterilised)
• Big tub of wipes