Oh, your scheduled C-section is still weeks away so you have plenty of time to pack your hospital bag? I’m afraid to break this to you, but your babies don’t care. Maybe they will wait patiently for that date, but maybe they won’t! With multiples, things can change VERY quickly! Take it from me, you do NOT want to be stuck in that hospital with shampoo that smells like vinegar and chapstick that creates cracks in your lips the size of the Grand Canyon. I won’t even go into the leg hair situation, but let me just say the nurses will soon start calling you Chewbacca and you’ll convince yourself that it’s just phase you’re calling “70’s chic”.
Needless to say, it is smart to take a bag with you to every doctors appointment starting at 24 weeks. I was admitted at 26 weeks and did NOT have a bag packed. Don’t be like me. Be smart. Everything looks great? Yay! You can stroll home to your couch. But if things take a turn, be prepared.
Top 15 items you should pack:
1) Phone charger with extension cord
2) Toiletries: Shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothbrush/paste, lotion (good-smelling!), brush, and nail clippers.
3) Razors. This could have been listed in the toiletries… but it’s too important.
4) Hair-ties
5) Eye mask and ear plugs. The lights and beeps at night will drive you mad!
6) Headphones
7) Chapstick
8) Comfortable robe and slippers/flip-flops (one size up!)
9) Kindle/books/magazines
10) A change of clothes and underwear/pads for when you’re discharged. I used disposable Depends!
11) Your favorite snacks. I lost weight in the hospital because, well, hospital food.
12) Makeup. Sometime you just need to feel more ‘human’!
13) Pillow
14) Cleansing cloths
15) Extra bags: you will have lots of gifts you weren’t expecting!
I did not mention these because:
Clothes for the babies– you will have plenty of time when you are discharged to get them clothes from home to bring to the NICU. It also may be a while before they will be wearing clothes.
Pajamas– The hospital will most likely want you in their gowns with their mesh panties. But, a robe that is comfortable and still allows you to slip an arm out every 3 hours for a Blood Pressure reading is a must!
Underwear– take advantage of the hospital mesh panties. You don’t want to have your own undies there because there’s no way to wash them. Ew.
Nursing pads/equipment– At least for me, my milk didn’t come in fully until way after I was discharged so I didn’t need nursing pads or a bra. The hospital also provided a pump to use while I was there and kept in their NICU room after I was discharged.
Just these few simple things will make your hospital stay much more comfortable. So pack your bags, ladies! You won’t regret it!
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