[Intro Music]
Hello, welcome.
Today I'm gonna do something I'm not sure if anyone's done before.
I've seen a lot of videos called "What I Actually Used In My Hospital Bag" like for pregnancy.
But I'm doing mine a year later.
So I've had a lot of time to think about what I would change or things that I've actually
used or didn't want or whatever.
So I think I'm gonna do that and take a look back.
So recently I watched my old "What's In My Hospital Bag" video here.
(laughs) Yes, look, I'm so puffy.
My fingers are swollen.
I look awful!
But that's what happens when you're really big and pregnant.
Okay, so I just want to give you each things.
What I used, what I didn't use from that video.
I'll see if I recommend it or not.
So let's get started.
First I had like a rolling suitcase.
That was my hospital bag and I actually really liked that.
Just because it's not something you have to physically carry on your shoulders.
You can just roll it along.
It makes it so much easier.
Like for example for me, I was induced.
So I could just roll it myself you know.
Or if you have someone with you, they can take it.
Cause Jenna had a bunch of others things as well.
So I would say yes, a ROLLING suitcase with a handle, that's a good idea.
The next two things are kind of related.
The first one was a really long USB cable or like a plug for your phone.
I think these are 10 feet long.
Plus also a multi-USB like charger/plug.
Both of those are a definite YES!
Like I mentioned again, I was induced.
So we were there a long time.
Plus also we stayed an extra 2 days because our baby was in the NICU.
So, we needed to have our phone or laptops, like whatever.
So, this was really nice cause sometimes the plugs are really far away on the wall.
That just means we have plenty of cord.
We weren't stuck anywhere and it was just really good and perfect.
So I definitely brining some sort of USB plug, like a multi-USB and a really, really long
cord for whatever your phone is, definitely!
Another thing was an external battery.
Now, I didn't actually use this, but I wouldn't say you shouldn't bring it.
I mean, it's really good backup just in case you're in an area that there's no plug or
they're all full or, I don't know.
I mean I just think it's a good idea to have regardless, cause it's pretty small.
The one that I used it pretty small and it works great.
So I didn't use it, but I would still bring it again.
I brought a bunch of quarters and things.
I don't remember, cause it's been a while, if we used them.
Cause we did have quite a few snacks that we brought.
Plus also the hospital food was there, so we just bought that.
But it's not a bad idea to bring with you... for like the vending machine.
Cause you might want something, like a different snack, or you run out, or I don't know, if
you're craving something specific.
Just bring it.
It's a small thing to bring.
So it's a good idea.
I did bring our vlogging camera and the charger for that.
Yes, if you want to film your birth before or after, yes obviously bring it.
I mean, you can use your phone too if you want, but I don't know, it's not necessary.
But I did use it before the birth and I'm pretty sure I didn't use it after, just because
it was such a crazy mess.
But you can do that.
Maybe if your hospital allows it, you could actually film the birth.
But mine didn't.
Also, I would say bring earphones.... like headphones of some sort.
I think it's a really good idea just because.... because I was induced, I was there a really
long time.
So sometimes it's just nice to just put in some headphones, watch something on your laptop
or listen to music.
If you have wireless headphones, those are really nice.
You can keep them on while you're having contractions.
You want to listen to music or do hypno birthing, you can definitely use them.
Next is playing cards (laughs).
Yes!
Well... here's the thing.
If you're induced, yes, bring them.
Bring playing cards, bring games, bring books, whatever... yes!
Because it takes a really long time and we used the cards a lot.
However...
I used them.
However, I would only bring them again if you're going to be induced.
Only because if you're not, you don't have time to play cards.
If you're actually in active labor, then don't.
So I used them, but I was induced.
The next thing is chapstick.
I think I used it a little bit.
But I guess it really depends on yourself.
If you tend to use chapstick a lot, bring it with you.
If you don't, no big deal.
They have plenty of vaseline stuff there.
It's really not necessary.
But I did use it.
The next thing I'm pretty sure... we didn't use it.
I don't think most of you will use, unless you're Deaf or your spouse is Deaf (laughs).
But, they're hearing aid batteries.
We didn't end up using them there, but you know it just happened that we didn't.
Obviously it's good if you have hearing aids while you are there.... it's always good to
have a back up battery.
Which I always have regardless, but we didn't use them.
Next is a menstrual cup.
Obviously I don't need it but Jenna didn't actually also.
Again it's just one of those things we always have in my purse regardless.
Just because sometimes you forget and you might start soon.
You just never know.
We didn't use it.
Next is a conditioner and yes, Jenna did shower.
She she used her shampoo and conditioner.
I personally don't' use conditioner.
I don't need it.
But in general.... yes.
It's so, so important to bring all of your shampoo, conditioner, face wash, I don't know,
soap.
Whatever you have with you, cause I used all of them.
Because after you give birth or if the other person is there supporting you, your support
person, they're there a long time.
So you really need to take a shower and it feels so much better.
It's really important you use them and I would bring them again.
The next thing is snack and YES, bring snacks!
Because while your in labor....
I mean I was awake for a really long time.
Which means I wanted to eat.
Luckily I was able to eat.
I believe some places wont' let you, but I could eat.
Jenna was eating as well.
So we didn't want to pay too much money for hospital food.
Um, but again, we used all of our snacks and you definitely need to bring some.
Regardless if you're in active labor or not.
If you're induced or not, bring snacks! (laughs) Also, bring a folder with you.
It can include your birth plan or just any other paperwork for the hospital.
Definitely bring it with you.
You don't have to bring a birth plan if you don't need to.
Our birth plan pretty much went out the window.
So it's not really important for me, unless you have a really strong resistance to something,
I wouldn't bring a birth plan.
You can just inform them and that's fine and half the time they don't even read it.
But a folder's definitely a good idea cause they will give you lots of different paperwork,
brochures, and stuff like that.
So bring an empty file folder with you.
We used it.
Um, nursing tank tops or nursing bras, yes.
If you intend to breastfeed, whether you're just trying to breastfeed or not, definitely
bring those.
They're really nice to have.
It's easy to just unclip, clip back on.
It's very comfortable just walking around.
Plus, you know it kind of helps to compress your stomach a little bit after birth.
Regardless if you have a c-section or vaginal birth, it's just really nice to have.
I really liked that even though I didn't end up breastfeeding for very long.
It was still really nice to have.
Tennis ball in a sock.... no.
We didn't use it.
I honestly just think it's so much better... like Jenna just used her hands to nod and
prod on my back and I don't think the sock thing works, so no.
Um... the next thing is adult diapers.
Again it's kind of a preference thing.
I didn't end up using them.
I brought some and I never used them.
I just used, like the hospital had really thick pads.
Like really, really big menstrual pads you'd say.
I just used theirs.
Honestly I liked them.
Um, but some people really don't like the feeling of pads.
They feel that they're not... like... secure.
They're not comfortable.
So if that's you, bring adult diapers with you.
It just kind of envelops you better I guess.
I don't know.
But I never used mine so I wouldn't bring them again.
But I just used what the hospital had and took advantage of that.
The next thing is actually a few different types of clothes.
Yes, definitely bring very, very comfortable clothes with you.
If you're the pregnant person, bring all maternity clothes.
Because after birth you're still gonna be very puffy and swollen.
I would just bring maternity clothes like a tank top and pajama pants or sweat pants
or something like that.
Just really comfortable clothing.
Don't try to be pretty or cute.
If you want something specifically for pictures, maybe get a cute robe or something like that.
I did have a short sleeve robe which was SO worth it!
I always get really hot, so a long sleeve robe, I wouldn't like that.
But it was really nice to just have something to tie on and come off easily and put back
on.
But short sleeve made it really hot, so I definitely recommend in a used short-sleeve
robe.
Plus, also for clothing, make sure you bring enough for a few days more than what you would
think.
You can always just keep them in the car, like in a separate bag or something.
Just put it in the car beforehand.
Cause we ended up staying two more days cause our baby was in the NICU.
I was so stressed and I was a mess that I refused to leave the hospital.
Like I wouldn't do anything and then Jenna didn't want to leave cause I was so stressed
out.
So we didn't go home to get more clothing.
So I think we ended staying in the same thing for almost like the whole time.
Well... but I mean it was fine.
But just kind of warning, you never know what's gonna happen.
Slippers?
I would say yes.
I brought like a flip-flop type of slipper.
Again that's really gonna depend on you.
I actually only used them a little bit.
I don't know if I'd bring them again.
I probably wouldn't to be all honest.
I'm not...
I don't want to say... that sounds awful that I don't care about germs, but I kind of don't.
Like most people put on socks or slippers and walk around the hospital, but I just walked
around with no socks, just bare foot and I was fine.
I didn't care.
Um, so again I would not bring them, but again that's up to you.
The next are nursing pads and yes I would say to bring them.
I didn't do well with breastfeeding.
I didn't end up leaking or anything.
But if you're trying to breastfeed and you're fortunate enough to have enough milk, and
a good supply, then it's definitely worth it.
Just bring them with you.
If you want disposable that's fine or you can get the re-usable, washable type.
That's fine as well.
But I would bring them just in case.
It's not gonna hurt.
Dermaplast...
YES! (laughs) YES!
That stuff is amazing!
The blue bottle only though.
That stuff is just wonderful.
I definitely used that.
If you're having a vaginal birth yes.
Because that area down there gets all screwed up.
So yes get it!
I think some hospitals provide it, but mine didn't.
I don't think.
But I already had it.
Heating pad?
I did not use my heating pad personally.
Just because, I don't know, I think I forgot about it or something.
But some people prefer to have heat when they're in pain.
I was in full back labor and it actually might have helped.
But the only reason I didn't use it, I would still recommend to bring it though.
Just because the hospital does have like um disposable like heat things you can put on.
But you can end up using a lot and it's really wasteful.
So just bring a heating pad.
It's not gonna hurt.
But I didn't' use it.
The next is just toiletries in general.
Again, yes bring them with you.
Like I mentioned before, shampoo, conditioner, face wash, uh soap.
You can bring a... uh, like a razor if you want to do that for your legs.
But I really doubt you're gonna use it.
You can bring make- up.
You can....
I mean it's just something else.
I might make another video about that.
I never used it.
I didn't care.
But again, up to you.
Another thing we brought was my own towel.
I would definitely recommend bringing your own towel.
If you can, a really big towel you can wrap around.
Cause the hospital ones sucked.
So we definitely used it!
The next is my breast pump.
I did bring it with me.
I never actually brought it into the hospital and in all honesty, unless you want someone
to help instruct you how to use it, I wouldn't.
Cause the hospital will have their own extra strength hospital grade breast pumps and they
worked really great.
So I would say you really don't need to bring one.
I never used it.
Snacks for the nurse.... rest of the staff, YES.
Now, I didn't use them cause I gave them away.
But I think they were really grateful for that.
It's just kind of a thank you for all of that.
Cause they do SO MUCH work helping and it's just worth it.
So bring it.
Um, bottles....
I don't know.
It really depends.
If you know for sure you're not gonna be breastfeeding at all, obviously bring bottles with you.
That would be helpful.
I think the hospital would have them for us if you need those.
Cause we did end up bottle feeding him a little bit cause of my breastfeeding problems.
But you can bring them if you know that.
But if you're not sure, bring them anyways.
I never used them, but it didn't hurt to have them.
So that's just kind of my opinion.
A car seat... yeah duh!
We're still using it... great.
For the baby bag, we had some hand sanitizer.
I mean in all honesty, it's just cause it was connected to the backpack bag.
That's what we used from now on.
But you definitely don't need that, the hospital has plenty.
Um, wipes?
In all honesty, you don't need them.
The hospital has PLENTY there.
I mean you can probably end up stealing some before you leave too.
So you really, really don't need to bring your own at all.
A baby jacket, again it depends when the baby's born.
If it's cold outside, you can bring a jacket.
But just remember, you can't have anything too thick.
Like no type of puffy jackets in a car seat.
So the best thing to do I would say is if it's cold, don't bring a jacket.
Just bring like something thins that's long sleeved and then you can get um, a winter
car seat cover.
I'll show you over here.
Yeah, so get that.
It's a better idea and then you can just put a blanket over their legs if you want to or
whatever.
A swaddle blanket?
Yes, we did use it for pictures.
But that's about it.
The hospital has tons of blankets that you can use.
But again, it kind of depends on your preference.
But we did use it, but I would just bring one.
Uh, lotion, a spray bottle...
I wouldn't bring either of those.
It's really not necessary.
If for some reason you needed lotion, the hospital would have some.
But we didn't end up using it.
Um, nail clippers and a nail file, again, we didn't use it but it's not gonna hurt to
have it.
I think the hospital has if you need it.
Again that's up to you.
We didn't use it and probably wouldn't need that for the day or two that you're there.
Baby hat?
Again, up to you.
If you want something different than what the hospital provides.
The hospital hats aren't exactly the cutest thing ever.
But we did end up using our hat, especially because it was cold outside.
So that was just to kind of bring him home.
So I would say, maybe one or two just to have it for the drive home.
Baby socks YEAH!
Again it just kind of depends if they are born in the warm seasons then you don't need
them.
But if it's cold, yes.
We actually used newborns and they actually keep their socks on well.
But we used ours.
Like uh, scratch mittens... um. (sighs) We never got ours to work.
They would always fall off.
I don't know.
So we didn't use them.
They would just always fall off after like a minute or two.
So, I wouldn't recommend bringing them.
I would just say bring the long sleeve onesies that you flip over their hands.
Those work better.
Or just socks, you could put those over their hands.
The last two things are bringing diapers....
NO, you do not need bring them at all.
The hospital has PLENTY again.
You can steal some too and put them in for the way home.
So do not bring them.
Don't waste your time.
The last thing is a pacifier.
Um, I know that can be controversial to use it or not to use it.
So again, that's your decision on what to do.
We did end up using the pacifier from then on.
Just FYI, I can explain more in another video, but we've had no issue whatsoever stopping
him using the pacifier, but I can explain that more in another video if you want.
But he used a pacifier while he was in the NICU.
They kind of just gave him one...
like whatever.
So we used it from then on.
So you don't need it, and the hospital has them.
So again, I wouldn't bring a pacifier with you.
If you really want a specific one, the hospital will give you one.
So, yeah that is it.
That is what I used, didn't use, recommend for a hospital bag.
hopefully this was helpful.
Again, it kind of depends on your hospital.
What they do have, what they don't have.
Everyone's a little bit different, but overall, I would say...
I would say bring more than what you think.
It's never gonna hurt to have something you don't end up using, instead of not having
something you wanted.
So again, I mean... just kind of remember when you're packing, pack for longer than
what you think you're gonna stay.
Cause you never know.
You could have an emergency c-section, the baby could end up staying quite a long time
in the NICU, for a few days or a week or whatever.
You never know and sometimes it's just hard to leave them.
So again, you just never know.
Pack more than what you think.
I'm not supporting don't be minimalist in the hospital but that's just my opinion.
So, hopefully you enjoyed the video.
Let me know, what were the type of things you used in your hospital bag?
Or if you're going to be birthing soon, what are the things that you're packing?
Are they different than mine?
Let me know!
We'll see the next time, if I'm pregnant again, hopefully later.
We'll see if I pack the same things.
I'll look back on this video and the previous one too.
Ok guys thanks so much for watching.
See you in the next video.
Bye!
["Puppy Love"]