< Return to Talk
07.18.08, 18:15 PM Expecting
52 replies
what are the *essentials* that i'll need at the hospital when i go to deliver db? (NYU medical center in case it makes a difference.) tia. [ Reply | Watch | Flag ]
Expecting 07.18.08, 06:15 PM Flag
 

Dear UrbanBaby community,

Thank you so much for being a valued member of the UrbanBaby community. We wanted to inform you that we are shutting down the site on July 6th. We are grateful for your participation and support that has helped make UrbanBaby such an important resource to parents for many years.

If you have any questions or concerns, you can email us at urbanbaby-support@cbsinteractive.com.

Thanks so much,

UrbanBaby Support

»
bring your own pillow, shower shoes (although they might not let you wear them) pj's you can walk around in, maybe a robe, toiletries, your own towel, [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.18.08, 06:17 PM Flag
»
Bo NOT bring your own towel..that's what the hospital charges your insurance 5K a night for! [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.18.08, 06:20 PM Flag
»
but the towels stink [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.18.08, 06:26 PM Flag
»
Bring flip flops. With No 1 I fouhd my feet swelled up after birth, adn I couldnt fit my shoes or slippers on.. Didnt happen with No o2, but flipflops are a good bet. Otherwise, nothing. You need nothing, really. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.18.08, 06:17 PM Flag
»
I actually had flip flop slippers... very comfy from the gap. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.22.08, 03:31 PM Flag
»
[ Removed by moderator ] [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.18.08, 06:17 PM Flag
»
I took some luna bars and gatorade and was so glad that I had it. I gave birth at midnight and was so hungry by the time I got to my room at 2am and even more so when in the morning when breakfast was given. I'd add some lansinoh cream if you are planning on breast feeding. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.18.08, 06:21 PM Flag
»
Bring tons of food. Lots of fruit, esp. Given how tender you are down below, you don't want to be constipated in any way. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.18.08, 06:22 PM Flag
»
agree with food and drink. those were the most important things. It was so good to have them when I wanted things to eat. That being said, it could even be essential. I went to l&d in the middle of the night and never got breakfast or lunch the next day, because I wasn't there to put in an order. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.18.08, 06:44 PM Flag
»
I agree too with bring food and drink. The rest is nice, but hospital will give you stuff that's good enough if you really need something - the one thing you won't be able to get is food and drink (other than crap from vending machines) [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.22.08, 03:03 PM Flag
»
A good pillow, stretchy shoes in case your feet swell more, book, ipod. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.18.08, 06:19 PM Flag
»
velour pants, PJ's, big T-shirts, snacks (granola bars etc.)bottle water, tooth paste, [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.18.08, 06:19 PM Flag
»
from op: thanks for the replies. what did you wear home from the hospital? that's where i'm getting stuck, trying to pack this bag. how many pairs of underwear etc. did you bring to the hospital. is one set of pajamas ((or nightgown?) enough? [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.18.08, 06:21 PM Flag
»
I thought that I would fit into my regular clothes no problem, boy was I shocked!!! I wore maternity jeans and a black top but changed into sweats as soon as I got home [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.18.08, 06:23 PM Flag
»
I wore maternity jeans for 12 weeks after because I'd had a c-section and my belly was too tender for normal pants. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.18.08, 06:23 PM Flag
»
I wore yoga pants home. wore them on the way in, so I was fairly certain theyd fit [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.18.08, 06:27 PM Flag
»
np: but if your water breaks before you go to hospital and you're leaking, you might want somehting fresh to change into. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.18.08, 06:31 PM Flag
»
jeans are the worst thing to wear home - so stiff and uncomfortable (i had a vag birth). bring sweats, a big t-shirt and some kind of loose-fitting shoe to wear home, and don't forget something to tie up your hair if it's long. :) [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.18.08, 09:44 PM Flag
»
I wore the same thing home I wore in. I did not wear underwear in the hospital (but left after 24 hours) and wore their gowns. You bleed and didn't want to deal with that on my own clothes. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.18.08, 06:24 PM Flag
»
Agreed (about not wanting to bleed on my own clothes!) [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.22.08, 03:06 PM Flag
»
I wore the hospital disposables(underwear). Stick in a nice pair to go home. I wore a skirt and tank top home. (August). Dd was in a onesie. I would take two pairs of stretchy comfy pants and some simple tops (2). (To be blunt, you have some bleeding after birth and want to have some extra just in case. Stick with the hospital underwear for that reason too..) [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.18.08, 06:24 PM Flag
»
np: I think disposble underwear is awsome! [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.18.08, 06:27 PM Flag
»
Don't even bother with the "nice" ones. You'll be blobbing all over for weeks. Grandma panties and huge maxis and/or Depends are the way to fly. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.18.08, 06:29 PM Flag
»
I guess to me, in that mind set, grandma panties are nice. Something cotton... But come again, I probably wore the disposables home. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.18.08, 06:32 PM Flag
»
I also used the hospital disposable underwear and they were great but ran out pretty fast. Since my DH is on the thin side, I also borrowed some of his old boxer shorts (I think they're Hanes/jockey). They are made of the same material as tighty whiteys but have the long legs and are very comfortable. They were great for my C-section scar since the waist band was much higher than women's bikini underwear. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.18.08, 07:27 PM Flag
»
If you're having a c-section, bring raisins!! Hospital food is SO constipating and they won't let you go home until you can poop. Let me tell you, I was WAY more scared of that first poop than of the operation itself. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.18.08, 06:21 PM Flag
»
i gave birth at nyu..just to warn you, it's gross. def bring your own toiletries. you have communal showers in the hallway, so may also want robe or dh's old big shirt to walk halls in. phone charger, too. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.18.08, 06:24 PM Flag
»
will they let you use your phone? [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.18.08, 06:27 PM Flag
»
yes, they do now. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.18.08, 06:28 PM Flag
»
glad to know this. thanks. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.18.08, 06:39 PM Flag
»
yes and if you share a room (i only got private room second nite) you are so lonely..especially if first kid cause you feel so alone and lost. you need that phone, even if to text or email with your dh or bff late at nite when you cant use room phone cause they turn it off and/or out of respect to your roommate.. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.18.08, 06:29 PM Flag
»
so good to know this. thanks! anything else to know about nyu? i'm due next week btw...does it ever get cold with the a/c in rooms? would i need anything like a cardigan or something? [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.18.08, 06:35 PM Flag
»
[ Removed by moderator ] [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.18.08, 06:45 PM Flag
»
thanks. : ) [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.18.08, 06:48 PM Flag
»
You are so funny..def some hormones cranking through you post aprtum!! [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.18.08, 06:37 PM Flag
»
going home outfit for baby, shampoo, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, flip flops or socks, phone charger, camera, lip balm (lips can get pretty dry in that environment), LOTS to read. Enjoy the quiet time to yourself coz that's the most you'll get for years to come. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.18.08, 06:49 PM Flag
»
Bring Depends! (you'll want them when you get out too, assuming a vaginal birth), and granny panties. I would also bring first aid ice packs, paper towels, and my own surgical gloves (or condoms) to put ice in for a sore cooch. Also, I was induced (w/ cervidil, a cervical ripener, but kicked me into labor, so I didn't end up needing pitocin to start), and was *so* happy to have my walkman w/ calming cd's, my snoogle pillow, a few pictures (copied onto copy paper) w/ scotch tape to put up on the wall, and an aromatherapy spray -- I don't do this at home, but it was great to "own" the space and keep myself focussed within for the nighttime hours before my contractions kicked in. I also ended up laboring on an exercise ball provided by the hospital (I'd bring one if I thought I might use one at all), and can't imagine it any other way. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.18.08, 07:11 PM Flag
»
Good god - you are only there for a few days! [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.21.08, 11:48 AM Flag
»
wow, some of these posters sound so high maintenance. pillow? aromatherapy? the nurse admitting the first time mom after me looked at her 3 matching luggage bags and asked "for your next child you'll have just one bag, right?" [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.18.08, 07:21 PM Flag
»
lol [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.18.08, 07:27 PM Flag
»
ha, ha, if you met me, you'd know I'm *so* not high maintenance (lucky if I've had a shower in 3 days). diy, more like, I don't expect much, so if there's something *I* can do to make myself feel comfortable during a what is a very intense time in an unfamiliar place (where you are pretty much a number), it makes sense to me to do it. I'd bring all I mention above in a heartbeat for a second baby, and gatorade, probably not much else. Being able to focus inward, remain calm, and "claim the space" in preparation for what turned out to be a very fast, intense labor was a godsend. Really nothing "high maintenance" about it. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.18.08, 09:11 PM Flag
»
oh, yeah, the stuff for caring for the vajay is what I *wished* I'd had, so I guess I'd bring more the second time, not less. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.18.08, 09:14 PM Flag
»
EARPLUGS! Sometimes with your extended family in the room, sleeping/resting can be difficult. I asked for them while in labor but by the time they showed up, baby was here! :-) [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.21.08, 11:29 AM Flag
»
There are two essentials you MUST bring to the hospital: some cash and your insurance card. Everything else is optional. You won't need anything while in labor and during the birth. Let DH go home then and fetch you things you want once you are in recovery, [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.21.08, 11:32 AM Flag
»
The maxi pads they gave me after the birth were about 1.5" thick, so I was very glad I had brought my own pads - I used the Always Ultra Thins with Overnight Protection (or something like this). It was the highest level of protection but were very thin... a HUGE improvement from those hospital pads! [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.21.08, 11:35 AM Flag
»
you need to bring your vagina, that is about it [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.21.08, 05:05 PM Flag
»
VAGINA [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.21.08, 04:53 PM Flag
»
chapstick [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.21.08, 04:54 PM Flag
»
Boppy [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.21.08, 05:48 PM Flag
»
Wouldn't call this an essential, but we brought along an iPod with small speakers and it was pretty calming for me during the labor and also gave me and DH something to listen to since I didn't feel like talking much. I wouldn't bother with slippers, you'll get socks from the hospital. Definitely bring your own pillow if you have problems sleeping on other pillows. Do you need to pre-register or bring along free parking passes? Remember to bring those too. I had my DH run home and get the Boppy, but it's not necessary immediately. Nursing bra, camera, car seat (or have DH get it later), ~two outfits for baby (the hospital should have diapers) [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.22.08, 04:01 PM Flag
»
Gave birth at Columbia twice. Just needed my spouse and my strength. Everything else was there. Birth is a flat fee. No charge per pad or pill nonsense as referenced above. A couple of hours after baby emerged spouse went out to get me a pastrami on rye. That was not available in the hospital at 2am. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.23.08, 10:01 PM Flag
»
Had my second dc at Columbia and HATED it. Awful nurses and terrible care. Had a c/s (great OB, thank God) and had to go without pain meds as nurses wouldn't respond to my calls. And after the surgery at midnight, I lay in recovery area for FIVE HOURS--because they couldn't find anyone to move me. Eventually, they made my dh help push me (and they were terribly rude about it). Wouldn't let my newborn out of nursery until "shift change", so I went 7 hours without seeing her after 45 minutes or so in recovery. Called the nursery sobbing hysterically, demanding my baby, but it didn't matter (after that, I didn't let her go until they insisted on taking her for PKU and ped check-up) Went entire shifts without seeing anyone. FILTHY private room. TV didn't work. Phone didn't work properly (could only receive calls after they finally fixed it). Dh was home with #1, so couldn't advocate for me. Would only recommend Columbia to my very worst enemy. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 12.04.08, 03:49 PM Flag
Refresh » New Post »
Select Category
close [X]

close [X]

Select a Category (only 1)

category
Stages
Regions