What to bring?

Question

Hi girls! 💕
For all of you that have delivered already at what week did you start washing all baby clothing and blankets for them and when did you start getting their diaper bag ready? 
Also, what are some things useful to take during labor ? (For mom and dad) I’m really unsure of what are necessities I should take or just what you found useful to take.

Answer

For the hospital, I always say to keep it minimal because the more you take, the more you have to keep track of while there, and the more you have to unpack once you get home! 
As for care for you, your hospital should provide everything. You will basically want to take any clothes you may want to wear while there or wear home. Comfort is key! I usually take some black pajama type pants, T-shirt’s, sports bra, a tank, a nightgown dress and a robe. The nurses will be checking you down there for the first like 24 hours so easy access is key. I personally stayed in the hospital gown most of the first day, until I could shower and then I put on my own clothes. I take minimal makeup. Mascara and eye shadow. Take shower stuff such as body wash and shampoo. I buy the travel size so I can just pitch it at the hospital before we leave and it’s less I have to unpack at home. Deodorant, toothbrush, etc. basically anything you may want if you were staying a night or two in a hotel. I plan to get an extra long phone charger for this time around because outlets are usually not close to the bed and you can’t move too far from the bed! 
For my husband I pack a pair of athletic shorts, a T-shirt, and a toothbrush just in case the delivery is unexpected, he at least has an extra set of clothes and a toothbrush. 
This time around with Covid, I plan on packing a few small snacks and possibly drinks since we may only be able to leave the hospital once a day, if at all. And idk how strict they will be about anyone bringing food to the lobby or getting food delivered since they aren’t allowing visitors. So something to snack on between the hospital meals will be helpful! 
As for baby, again, the hospital will provide everything. I kept our babies in what the hospital provided until right before we went home because similar to you, they are always checking baby for things or doing tests so it’s just easier than undressing them all the time. I took a paci, a hat (the hospital ones aren’t the greatest), baby mittens, the outfit we planned to bring them home in, and anything you may want if your hospital does newborn pics. Such as bows, swaddles, etc. 
Hopefully that helps! Let me know if you have any questions!

Answer

We had everything washed and put away about a month before, actually right after my baby shower to be exact. I suffered from gestational hypertension and it started a week after my shower so I'm glad we had everything ready. 
I honestly didn't need anything while in labor because I slept the whole time, but I recommend phone chargers. I also recommend overpacking clothes because within the first three hours my daughter had two accidents. My husband and I also found ourselves rewearing clothes because we had not planned out how many outfits we needed.

Answer

I started washing stuff about a month-6 weeks before his due date. Which was good because he came two weeks early. As for my hospital bag I didn’t use half the stuff I brought. My big ones were a fluffy/comfy robe and I brought a pillow that comforts me. I would definitely recommend bringing something that brings you comfort. I would say one change of clothes is all you need. They come in to push on your stomach so often and check your bleeding I found it pointless to put on the loungewear I brought until we were discharged. I’m a big skincare junkie and while I did bring my routine. I didn’t use it. My sleep schedule was so off and I was grateful to just take a basic shower the last thing I was worried about was my skincare 😂 I would bring something like a tablet/computer for movies/tv. At least at my hospital the tv channels were not ideal so I wish we would have brought some of our own movies to watch when we weren’t sleeping.

Answer

36 weeks because you want it ready by 37 weeks just in case. Giving birth between 37-41 weeks is considered normal

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