Hospital bag pregnancy list

What to Expect During Labor

If you’re planning on a hospital birth, you’re in good company: over 98 percent of births in the U.S. happen in hospitals. Though every birth is different, it helps to know what to expect before it’s time to check in to the hospital.

Taking a Hospital Tour

Schedule a tour of the hospital where you plan to give birth a month or two in advance of your due date—most hospitals recommend you tour the facilities at around 32 weeks.

On the tour, a guide will show you where to park, where to check in and what the delivery rooms look like. They’ll also go over labor and delivery options available to you, and show you the recovery rooms. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and if you have a birth plan, bring it with you (also remember to bring a copy when you check in to the hospital).

Checking into the Hospital for Birth

Chances are you’ll be in labor when you arrive at the hospital, though not if you have a scheduled induction or c-section. Luckily, hospital staff members are prepared for this, and the check-in process is usually quick. They’ll ask you for your name and insurance information, and they might also need your license plate number if the labor and delivery wing has a special parking lot.

Once you’re checked in, the nurse at the front desk will put a wristband on you and another nurse will escort you to a triage room (or to a labor and delivery room, if you have a scheduled delivery).

The Triage Room

If you’re in labor when you arrive at the hospital, your next stop after you check in will a labor and delivery triage room. A nurse will connect a fetal monitor to your belly to check your baby’s heart rate. They will also monitor your contractions to see how far apart they are and check your cervix to see how dilated you are.

If your contractions are five minutes apart and one minute long for at least one hour, and your cervix is dilated three centimeters or more, you’ll most likely be admitted. But if labor is progressing slowly, you may be sent home at this point. Don’t worry—you’ll be back soon enough!

The Labor and Delivery Room

The labor and delivery room is where you’ll spend most of your time while in labor at the hospital. Depending on your birth plan and the options available to you, you might bounce on a yoga ball, take a shower or labor in a special tub as your contractions get closer together.

A nurse will monitor your labor and your baby’s heart rate, either once per hour or continuously. If you get an epidural, an anesthesiologist will go through that process with you and administer the epidural in the room.

Most hospitals allow you to have partners, midwives, doulas or family members in the room with you while you’re in labor if you choose, but they usually have a limit. Ask about this during your tour and keep the number in mind as you write your birth plan.

And your family won’t be the only ones in the room with you—during your labor, you might encounter multiple labor and delivery nurses. They change shifts every eight to 12 hours, so the nurses you meet when you arrive might be different than the ones there when you give birth in the hospital.

What Happens in the Delivery Room

When the time comes, you’ll most likely give birth in the labor and delivery room (unless you have a c-section, in which case you’ll be moved to an operating room).

As you dilate to 10 centimeters and start to push, an OBGYN will join the labor and delivery nurses in the room to assist in the hospital delivery. This may or may not be the practitioner you’ve been seeing throughout your pregnancy, but rest assured that is totally normal.

If you’d like, ask your doctor or midwife about the other OBGYNs who work at the hospital beforehand. You may be able to meet them ahead of your delivery, which can help you feel more comfortable when the time comes.

About Babylist

Looking for the best items for your growing family? Add all your favorite baby products to ONE registry with Babylist.

What Happens After You Give Birth

You did it! After the birth, a doctor or nurse may place your baby on your chest for some rest and bonding time. Then they’ll weigh and measure your baby, take some footprints and run some routine tests, such as a Vitamin K injection or eye ointment application (your doctor will go over these with you in advance).

They’ll also perform the APGAR score at one and five minutes after baby is born to assess how they tolerated the birth and then how they’re adapting to the world.

Here’s what is looked at:

Appearance (skin color)
Pulse (heart rate)
Grimace (reflex irritability)
Activity (muscle tone)
Respiration (breathing effort)

Each one is scored on a scale of 0 to 2, with 2 being the best score.

APGAR Score

Score	0	1	2
Appearance	Entire body is blueish	Body good color; hands/feet blueish	Good color
Pulse	None	Fewer than 100 beats/minute	More than 100 beats/minute
Grimace	No reaction	Grimace	Cough and sneeze or cry when pinched
Activity	Limp	Some flexing of arms and legs	Active motion
Respiration	No cry	Weak or irregular cry	Strong cry

After you deliver the placenta (this is typically known as the third stage of labor), you will also be monitored to make sure your blood pressure is steady and there aren’t any labor and delivery complications. If you experienced any tearing during delivery, a doctor will stitch you up.

This recovery time in the labor and delivery room at the hospital varies depending on the birth, but it will probably be a couple of hours. Friends and family can visit you in this room (and meet your new baby!) as well, if you’d like.

What Happens in the Recovery Room

Once the nurses and doctor are sure that you and your baby are doing well and have had some time to rest, they’ll move you to a recovery room. This is where you’ll spend the next night or two (how long you spend in the hospital depends on your hospital and your birth). Nurses will come and check on you every few hours, refilling your water and making sure you have plenty of ice. A nurse will also help you use the bathroom for the first time after birth, especially if you had an epidural.

Your partner can stay in the room with you, usually on a cot, and the hospital will provide a bedside bassinet for your baby, if you’d like them to sleep in the room with you. If your new baby has any older siblings, they usually can’t stay in the recovery room, but they can visit during hospital visiting hours.

If you choose to breastfeed, you’ll get plenty of time to practice here and will probably meet with a hospital lactation consultant.

Checking Out of the Hospital after Birth

After a day or two of recovery at the hospital, it will be time to head home with your new baby. (You most likely will stay longer if you’ve had a c-section.) The nurses will give you both a final checkup and send you home with plenty of instructions (and probably some disposable mesh underwear).

Someone at the hospital will walk down to your car with you to see you out safely and make sure you have that car seat in there!

This information is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. We do not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here. Babylist may earn compensation from affiliate links in this content. Learn more about how we write Babylist content and the Babylist Health Advisory Board.

12 Cute and Cozy Baby Going Home Outfits

In the first few days of your little one’s life, there are many important moments you’ll want to treasure forever. One of them is unpacking baby’s going home outfit. “Each time my husband and I were preparing to leave the hospital with our daughters, it was a surreal feeling,” says Kristal Bean, a mom of three from The Woodlands, Texas. “The baby coming home outfit is a celebration of that new life and of motherhood.” And since baby has most likely been wearing simple hospital-issued apparel up until this point, dressing them in that meticulously chosen outfit can feel like a rite of passage.

Experts agree that this milestone can have a deep impact on parents. “It’s the moment when being a family really begins,” says Ann Grauer, a doula coordinator and staff lactation consultant at Columbia Center Birth Hospital in Mequon, Wisconsin. “The first couple of days in the hospital is like a starting place, but not ‘real life.’ Now they are truly a family, making their way into the world.” Baby’s first outfit will be remembered forever, both as a keepsake and through the photos you’ll likely share with family and friends.

Though the trend for baby going home outfits is an important tradition, it’s a fairly modern one. Before the 20th century, the majority of births took place at home, so there was no need to purchase special clothing. Nowadays, choosing an outfit is among the first independent decisions many families make for their baby—so it’s a major milestone for many people. Here’s what you’ll want to get—plus some adorable picks for the best baby going home outfits.

In this article:
Baby going home outfit basics
Best baby boy coming home outfits
Best baby girl coming home outfits
Best gender neutral baby coming home outfits

Baby Going Home Outfit: The Basics

So what exactly should your baby coming home outfit include? “Outfits can vary based on what parents feel fits their family’s style,” says Melissa Gersin, RN, a former maternity nurse turned baby-product inventor. “As long as baby has on a diaper and is dressed appropriately for the weather, there’s no right or wrong outfit.” Some parents go all out dressing baby in a beautiful dress, while others just put baby in a basic onesie. But with all that new parents go through, getting baby dressed is, indeed, a major accomplishment, Gersin says.

Baby going home outfit essentials

Keep these bringing baby home outfit essentials prepared ahead of time so you can focus on enjoying those early moments with your new arrival:

• Onesie. “A onesie is a perfect, basic building block for clothing,” Grauer says. “If baby is too cool, more thin layers of clothing can be added. If baby is warm, the onesie itself is the outfit.” Not to mention that these all-in-one looks are utterly adorable!

• Hat. Even in warmer weather, newborns do well with a baby beanie or knot cap, since their tiny bodies can easily lose heat. If you buy a baby coming home outfit with an included hat, make sure it’s small enough for baby’s first days, as they sometimes run big, Grauer says.

• Socks. Babies don’t easily keep socks on, but they’ll need that extra layer of warmth, since “they receive little blood flow to their tootsies,” Grauer says. You can also opt for booties, which may stay on better.

• Leave the mittens at home. You may worry about scratching, but Grauer says that newborns need their hands. “Those hands have been their friends and comfort for nine months and they can even help soothe a baby on that first ride home.”

When you’re figuring out your baby coming home outfit, you’ll also want to consider these factors:

• Weather. Layers are key to anticipate temperature changes. Your newborn take-home outfit choice will vary based on where you live and current conditions. But it never hurts to consider packing an extra onesie or cardigan—just in case. A breathable cotton or muslin blanket is also a great item to have on hand.

• Comfort. “As most babies are likely just going right into a car seat, comfort is important too, so simple is best,” Mitzner says.

• Easy on-off. Simplicity and function reign supreme. Babies need frequent diaper changes, and intricate ensembles make that process more complicated. Cuteness factor is great, but accessibility is key. What’s more, newborns tend to be a bit floppy, and getting them dressed can be a little tricky at first.

Baby going home outfit sizing

Buying the right size for the baby coming home outfit seems straightforward, but it can sometimes be a challenge. Most baby outfits run big these days, with the majority sized for a 3-month-old rather than an infant, Gersin says. This is especially the case for any outfits labeled 0-3 months. “Unless you know your baby will be 9 to 10 pounds at birth, it’s best to only bring clothing labeled as ‘newborn’ to the hospital,” she says.

If you’re worried, bring two options for the newborn take-home outfit: one that’s small and one that’s a bit bigger. But there’s no need to stress too much about this. “If the outfit is a bit too big, baby won’t care and the outfit will function to keep baby warm and protected against the elements,” Gersin says. And if the outfit is a wee bit small? You can make some simple adjustments as needed: Don’t snap the onesie closed at the bottom, keep hoodies unzipped or scrap a too-snug sweater altogether.

Above all else, have fun shopping for baby’s first outfit. Find something you love and enjoy this milestone moment. You’ll be bringing baby home soon, and this is something to celebrate—so don’t stress). Baby will look adorable no matter what you choose.

Best Baby Boy Coming Home Outfits

When looking for the best baby going home outfit, consider factors like the climate, material and style. If you’re due in summer, natural fabrics like cotton and muslin are a great choice. For winter arrivals, opt for fleece-lined hats, cozy booties and bodysuits with long sleeves. Ready to start your search? Take a look at these cute baby boy coming home outfits for inspiration for every season.

Image: Courtesy Burt's Bees Baby

Newborn boy coming home outfit for spring

Rain or shine, this newborn take-home outfit for boys is sure to be a hit. The organic cotton fabric is super-soft and gentle on sensitive newborn skin. Plus, the wrap-style front and nickel-free snap fasteners won’t irritate baby’s umbilical cord stump. Bonus: This look comes with a matching hat for added warmth.

Get the look: Burt’s Bees Baby Dotted Jacquard Stripe Organic Baby Jumpsuit & Knot Top Hat Set, $19, BurtsBeesBaby.com

Image: Courtesy Burt's Bees Baby/Monica an dAndy

Newborn boy coming home outfit for summer

When things heat up, a short-sleeve romper is a great summer-ready newborn look. We adore this kimono-style romper by Monica & Andy—it’s made from GOTs organic cotton, has easy snap-fasteners and comes in a range of cute prints. Pair it with booties and a knot cap to keep baby’s extremities nice and warm.

Get the look: Monica and Andy Sweet Baby B Romper, $25, MonicaandAndy.com; Burt’s Bees Baby Solid Adjustable Organic Baby Booties, $17, BurtsBeesBaby.com; Monica and Andy Top Knot Cap, $12, Monicaandndy. com

Image: Courtesy Old Navy

Newborn boy coming home outfit for fall

Dress your little cub in this darling bringing baby home outfit for fall. The footed onesie keeps baby cozy and warm, fold-over mittens prevent scratching, a two-way zipper prevents any new parent fluster and the autumnal animal print makes for a memorable photo. And get a load of that adorable beanie, complete with bear ears!

Get the look: Old Navy Unisex Printed Sleep & Play Footed One-Piece and Critter Beanie Set for Baby, $19, OldNavy.com

Image: Courtesy Barefoot Dreams

Newborn boy coming home outfit for winter

Keep your little man toasty warm with this four-piece look. The set includes a cardigan, pants, hat and a matching blanket crafted from luxuriously, soft cotton. Now that’s a simple but swoon-worthy newborn take-home outfit if ever we saw one.

Get the look: Barefoot Dreams Cardigan, Pants, Beanie & Blanket Set, $99, Nordstrom. com

Best Baby Girl Coming Home Outfits

You might be tempted to go with an intricate lace-embellished, button-fastened dress for your little lady, but you’ll want to make sure your choice is comfortable, seasonally appropriate and easy to put on and take off. Lucky for you, there are plenty of options that strike a balance between the pretty and the practical. Below, check out our favorite baby girl coming home outfits for all four seasons.

Image: Courtesy Honest Baby Clothing

Newborn girl coming home outfit for spring

This three-piece cotton outfit will keep baby cozy on a brisk spring day—and it’s pretty cute to boot. The coordinated set includes a kimono-style top, pull-on footed pants and a sweet headband to complete the look. Better yet, the top has convenient fold-over cuffs to protect baby from fingernail scratches.

Get the look: Honest Baby 3-Piece Organic Cotton Side Snap Top, Footed Pant and Headband, $25, HonestBabyClothing. com

Image: Courtesy Kissy Kissy/Janie and Jack

Newborn girl coming home outfit for summer

When it’s warm outside and an extra layer isn’t called for, a sleeveless romper is the way to go. Crafted from the finest Peruvian pima cotton, this one-piece has a delicate floral print and crotch snaps for easy diaper changes. Even in summertime, though, don’t forget a lightweight newborn hat and socks.

Get the look: Kissy Kissy Garden Roses Ruffle Bubble, $39, KissyKissy.com; Kissy Kissy Garden Roses Hat, $12, KissyKissy.com; Janie and Jack Bow Sock, $9, JanieandJack.com

Image: Courtesy Tea Collection

Newborn girl coming home outfit for fall

When the weather begins to cool, a footie ensemble is the perfect baby coming home outfit. We like this mustard yellow pick from Tea Collection. It’s got snap fasteners down the front, foldover mittens and a modern floral print. Plus, your little one will get plenty of everyday use out of this organic cotton one-piece. Complete the look with the matching hat.

Get the look: Tea Collection Footed Baby Romper, $27, TeaCollection.com; Tea Collection Baby Hat Set, $17, TeaCollection.com

Image: Courtesy Burt's Bees Baby/Boden USA/Zutano

Newborn girl coming home outfit for winter

A quilted romper will keep winter’s chill at bay—and this piece’s kimono-style design will make dressing a breeze. Add a baby bonnet and fluffy booties and you have a precious and practical newborn take-home outfit.

Get the look: Burt’s Bees Baby Quilted Organic Cotton Romper, $22, Nordstrom.com; Zutano Cozie Furry Baby Bootie, $24, Zutano.com; Boden Baby Cashmere Fair Isle Bonnet, $60, BodenUSA.com

Best Gender Neutral Baby Coming Home Outfits

Whether you’re waiting until the big day to find out baby’s sex or simply want something beyond classic pink and blue apparel, there are tons of gender neutral clothes on offer. Here, our picks of the most adorable gender-neutral newborn coming home outfits, including options for each season.

Image: Courtesy Hanna Andersson/Baby Mori/Amazon

Gender neutral coming home outfit for spring

Your little one deserves the very best—that’s why we love this adorable set made from pure, pima cotton. The bodysuit is decorated with original Winnie the Pooh artwork, that’ll look lovely on boys and girls. Pair it with these honey-colored booties and a simple white hat for a timeless baby going home outfit.

Get the look: Disney Winnie the Pooh Wiggle Set, $46, HannaAndersson.com; Baby Mori Hat, $15, BabyMori.com; Luvable Friends Unisex Baby Cozy Fleece Booties, starting from $7, Amazon.com

Image: Courtesy Finn and Emma/Primary

Gender neutral coming home outfit for summer

A cotton bodysuit in neutral tones is perfect for summer babies. Finn & Emma has a huge range of bold prints and patterns, including this cute option that reads “I’m new here.” Add a pop of color with accessories like this red baby bonnet and rainbow socks.

Get the look: Finn & Emma I’m New Here Bodysuit, $22, FinnandEmma.com; Finn & Emma Bonnet Hat, $14, FinnandEmma.com; Primary Baby’s First Sock Sunburst, $15 for a set of 2, Primary.com

Image: Courtesy Gap

Gender neutral coming home outfit for fall

A long sleeve top, beanie hat and pants with feet will keep your little one cute and cozy as the air turns crisp. Plus, that monochromatic baby bear print is perfect for boys and girls.

Get the look: Gap Baby 100% Organic Cotton Bear Outfit Set, $45, Gap.com

Image: Courtesy H&M/Old Navy

Gender neutral coming home outfit for winter

Searching for a special newborn take-home outfit? Jazz up a standard bodysuit and pant set with a gorgeous knitted sweater and hat, perfect for those blustery winter days.

Get the look: H&M 2-Piece Merino Wool Set, $50, HM.com; Old Navy Unisex 3-Piece Slub-Knit Bodysuit, Pants & Hat Layette Set for Baby, $19, OldNavy. com

Plus, more from The Bump:

Types of Newborn Baby Clothes Every New Parent Should Own

How to Dress a Newborn

Best Baby Clothes Brands for Every Wardrobe Need

🎖▷ Why you don't have to worry about weight gain with Lamictal

psychology

5,698 2 minutes read

If you're worried that taking Lamictal (lamotrigine) might cause weight gain, there's good news. It probably won't affect your weight much. If anything, you're more likely to lose weight due to Lamictal than gain weight, but either way, the changes are likely to be pretty small.
The effect of Lamictal on weight has been little studied and various clinical trials have found minimal effect. In fact, some researchers even considered the drug as a possible remedy for obesity and as a remedy for overeating. This information should be reassuring for people with bipolar disorder, as many of the medications used to treat this condition can cause weight gain. nine0003

Lamictal findings and weight gain or loss
Lamictal is an anticonvulsant that can be used to treat seizures such as epilepsy. It is also used as a mood stabilizer for bipolar disorder.
In the first clinical trials with the drug, 5 percent of adults with epilepsy lost weight while taking Lamictal, while 1 to 5 percent of patients with bipolar I disorder gained weight while taking the drug. The researchers do not disclose how much weight patients have gained or lost. nine0007 Meanwhile, a 2006 study comparing the effects on weight of Lamictal, lithium, and placebo found that some Lamictal-treated patients gained weight, some lost weight, and most remained about the same weight. Weight changes are usually not many pounds anyway. Obese patients taking Lamictal lost an average of four pounds, while the weight of non-obese patients remained virtually unchanged.
Relationship between weight gain and other bipolar drugs
Weight gain from medications used to treat bipolar disorder is unfortunately quite common. Some mood stabilizers commonly used for bipolar disorder, especially lithium and Depakote (valproate), carry a high risk of weight gain.
In addition, the atypical antipsychotics Clozaril (clozapine) and Zyprexa (olanzapine) tend to cause significant weight gain in people who take them. Finally, some antidepressants, notably Paxil (paroxetine) and Remeron (mirtazapine), have been associated with weight gain. nine0007 Therefore, if you are already overweight, you and your psychiatrist may want to consider additional weight gain when determining your bipolar medication regimen. Based on this, Lamictal may be a good choice.
Lamictal as a possible treatment for obesity
Lamictal has also been studied as a possible treatment for obesity in people without epilepsy or bipolar disorder.
In a small clinical study of 40 people conducted in 2006, researchers randomly assigned participants to receive either lamiktal or placebo for up to 26 weeks. Each participant in the study had a body mass index (BMI) between 30 and 40, placing them in the obese group to the level of severe obesity. Those who took Lamictal lost an average of just over 10 pounds. Those who took the placebo lost about 7 pounds in the meantime, so while those who took Lamictal lost more weight, they didn't lose all that much more. nine0007 Another study in 2009 looked at Lamictal as a remedy for overeating. This study involved 51 people with the condition that 26 of them received Lamictal, and 25 - placebo.
Those who took Lamictal lost more weight than those who took placebo (about 2.5 pounds vs. about one third of a pound) and did have significant improvements in blood sugar and cholesterol lab test results. However, Lamictal did not appear to affect other aspects of the eating disorder when compared to placebo. nine0003

All payments to pregnant women-checklist

Catalog of the Maternnel Municipal Municipal Center-Conditioning Police of the OMS 9000 , features, photo, address, phone.