What to Pack for the Hospital

Hi everyone,
I am almost 33 weeks pregnant with identical twins and I am starting to get that itch to pack for the hospital. I was wondering if anyone had any helpful suggestions on what I should pack for myself and for the twins in anticipation of the twins arrival. I am planning on breastfeeding and at this point it is looking like a c-section but A just flipped to head down so there is still hope for a vaginal birth. Any suggestions would be very much appriciated!

 

Obvious things that I forgot?
Blow dryer, flat iron, contact case, toothbrush, toothpaste, face wash, mascara. I didn't have ANY of those! Oops!

Otherwise:
-Granny pj gown (with the buttons down the front) for easy nursing and so that you have no elastic on your incision, should you end up with a C section.
-Granny undies (same reason, SUPER high waste is best).
-Regular pj's (in case you're able to deliver vaginally, most people are more comfy in pants, but still go for button down top).
-Slippers! With rubber soles.
-Camera (with extra batteries or the charger).
-A phone list for the hubby or any other family that you want to get the news out.
-Your own pillow if you think it would make you more comfortable.

I can't think of anything else! Can you see how I'd forget the basics? My memory is terrible.

 

I forgot my hairbrush. I missed it after awhile.

You said you are planning on nursing. Do you have a twins' nursing pillow? If not, most of us at the Breastfeeding Forum have used the EZ 2 Nurse twins pillow. It works really well at getting 2 babies nursing at the same time. I would also recommend nursing bras and a nightie with an enclosure. I'll be honest, I did not spend much time at all dressed- I wore the hospital gown until I went home practically, but I wish in hindsight I'd have gotten dressed earlier.

I packed outfits for the boys to wear home which were newborn size. I think they both could have fit into 1 of the outfits. I wish I would have gotten over myself and packed a set of preemie clothes just in case. Although mine were not preemie per say, Orion dropped to 4lbs10oz b/c of nursing in the first week and really swam in everything that was newborn sized.

 

I already packed mine. I forgot the slippers! Ups!

I pack a pijama, robe, the granny panties, toothbrush, tooth paste, face cream, hair clips, champoo, conditioner, my twizzers, breast pads, nursing bras, toilet pads because I hate the ones they give at hospital, two premiee outfits, 2 caps, socks, 2 undershirts, and 2 blankets! I need to put my outfit for going home,too.

 

lip gloss! especially if you do have a vag birth, all that mouth breathing dries your lips out like you wouldn't believe.

 

Definitely pack something pajama wise that you're willing to wear in the hallway in case you need to go visit your kiddos (but hopefully they'll be in room with you!). My guys were in the Progressive Care Nursery, so once I was up from the c-section, I was back and forth between my room and the nursery all day long. I had a set from Motherhood that was really comfortable and appropriate to be seen in public. It was just a pair of loose capri pj pants with a tank top and a cotton "jacket" to go over. I wore that the whole time I was in the hospital.

 

at least 2 pairs of pjs or gowns. I had a set with pants a nursing top and a jacket and a nursing gown with a matching robe. BIG panties, BIG pads, I took my ipod that dh had downloaded my "labor mix" to and totally forgot it and never got it out of the bag LOL. Chapstick, hairbrush, toothbrush toothpaste, body wash, one of those body sponges (get a cheepy so you can throw it away, hair bands if you have long hair, your own pillow, charger for your phone, camera with extra batteries. I can't help as far as what to bring for babies because mine didn't come home with me. We took a bag that had diapers and clothes thinking we would bring them home with us because they said nicu a couple of days but their lungs were to wet and they were there 11days.

 

Hmmm, let's see....

Pajamas/comfy clothes for after the birth
A robe - have to have this, especially if you are wearing the hospital gown that opens in the back during labor
My own pillows - I bring 4; the hospital ones are terrible! And make sure you put bright or distinct pillowcases on them so they don't get mixed up with the hospital ones.
Tweezers - I can't live without my tweezers
Chapstick
Nursing pillow
ipod with my "labor" music
cameras, cell phone, chargers
nursing bra and pads
underwear and pads - I wear my same maternity underwear after and I like to have my own pads with wings rather than the huge, diaper-like hospital ones
notebook and pen - I like to have my dh take notes about what happened while I was in labor; I write up a little birth story when we get home
toiletries - shampoo, toothpaste/brush, lotion, etc.....
a book to read/ a couple magazines - like I ever have time to read, but I bring something just in case
a diaper bag with all the baby stuff for going home - diapers/wipes, a couple outfits, blankets, burp clothes
Gowns for the babies while in the hospital - I like to dress my babies in the hospital and the gowns are the easiest thing for the nursing staff
a going home outfit for yourself - a comfy jogging suit or something; don't expect to fit into your pre-pregnancy clothes right away

I'm one that actually doesn't bring slippers. I just wear the little footie socks that they give you. I'd rather not walk around the hospital with my slippers and then wear them in my home.

That's all I can think of right now.


***This is my experience with my singleton births. It might be different this time around. I guess I'll know soon enough!

 

One thing I really suggest is your own hats for your babies. Usually they just have one standard newborn hat at the hospital and especially because they are ID you will have no idea who's who in your pictures (or in general) unless you have different hats. It Lalso saves you from having to always look for the bracelet. I can now look at my girls pictures from after the birth and know who's who...if it weren't for the hats I'm sure they would have been mixed up, lol. GL!!!

 

Good info! I mean, I did this with my four year old, but this is different!

 

Thanks Mama's this is all awesome. I am going to start getting organized tonight! I am getting really excited! Thank you all for your help~

 

I'm at 29.5 weeks and I was thinking about this. I have to order my nursing pillow, just waiting to see if anyone orders it off my registry in time for the shower. Otherwise, I am waiting for Swagbucks to post my gift cards to Amazon so I can spend less out of pocket for it.

Things I did NOT use in the hospital with DD:

PJ's, I wore the gown the whole time but this time I will bring a button down granny nightgown
Underwear - I'd rather ruin the mesh ones but I'll pack a few pairs just in case
Slippers - I also preferred to wear the socks they give you, even though on me they are like knee highs
Any of the entertainment I brought. We just used the laptop when we had down time or we napped.
The exercise ball, DH couldn't carry it with my bag and he never went back for it.

What I wish I had with me:

Nursing pillow, which is why I'm ordering it
My own laptop (remedied that this time)
A nightgown instead of pj's (nursing ones don't open enough for my large chest)

Hopefully I'll get the bag set correctly for me this time and have what I need and leave stuff I don't at home.

 

I mean this with absolutely no disrespect, but I just spit out coffee reading that. A flat iron? You wanted a flat iron???