Oh my gosh, I totally forgot the most important thing, (thanks Persephone for remnding me, ‘cause the Girlfriends’ Guide was my second favorite Expecting book)…
Anne Lamott’s book “Operating Instructions: A Journal of my Son’s First Year”.
This book has made it into my top five. It did for me as a mother what Camille Paglia did for me as an eighteen year old. Highly recomended.
Are we getting into books? I’ll third the “Girlfriend’s Guide” and throw in a nomination for “What To Expect When You’re Expecting”.
We like the Target brand as well…they have velcro tabs that you can adjust…better than tape.
I would offer a dissent to Pers here though. I would suggest NOT buying tons of diapers…you don’t know how big your newborn will be. If your baby is a big baby, he/she will not be wearing newborn diapers that long (if at all). And of course, the opposite is true. Stock up on a package or two of newborns (you’ll get some free ones from the hospital also)…and then buy as needed. If you like name brand diapers, register at the website for that brand for free samples.
We also use the Target brand wipes…however you can also make your own
See if there is a store around that sells used baby clothes. We have a store called Vintage Baby that sells good quality used baby clothes (and of course you can sell your good quality used clothing back to them).
When it comes to books, What To Expect When You’re Expecting is the most popular pregnancy book…We think it’s “OK”, but there are perhaps better choices depending on your plans. If you’re serious about an intervention-free delivery (“natural childbirth”), WTEWYE will not supply you with enough info.
I already mentioned the Sears series earlier…if you’re into the Bradley method that robinh mentioned…there are a couple of books on that specifically. Check out Natural Childbirth The Bradley Way
Otherwise, you might take a look at Birthing From Within or The Thinking Woman’s Guide To A Better Birth
This thread is totally open to whatever baby stuff you folks feel like chucking in. Birthing info included. Really.
We first time parents are really appreciating this information. 
Elelle, I blush. Thank you!
Hey beagledave, notice that I did say to stock up on diapers in all sizes. Precisely for the reason you mentioned–you never know how big the baby is going to be. My son, for instance, was an average-size baby at birth–7 lbs. 6 oz. But two weeks later, at his first doctor’s visit, he was nine pounds. He wore the newborn diapers for oh, maybe 20 minutes. BUT, since I had stocked up on larger sizes as well, I was okay, and I gave the newborn diapers that I didn’t use to a friend who was expecting.
As for natural childbirth, well, I’ve done it three times. The first time because I wanted to, the second time because I’d forgotten how much it hurts, and the third time because labor moved so freakin’ fast I didn’t have time to get the epidural I’d asked for from the minute I knew I was pregnant. :eek:
Even if you decide you want an epidural, I’d recommend the birthing classes anyway. Labor hurts, and the breathing excercises will give you something to concentrate on while you’re waiting for the drugs. I took a Lamaze class for my first, and I’ll tell you what–it helped a LOT. No, it doesn’t make the pain go away. But it does give you something else to focus on during the contractions.
And don’t worry about what you’ll do during labor & delivery. The nurses & doctors have seen it all. You cannot shock or surprise them with your behavior or your reactions.
And when they tell you to push, push like you’re trying to go poop. Seriously. And if you actually poop some, that’s fine. That means you’re doing it right. And the nurse will just wipe it away and tell you to keep pushing like that.
My sister-in-law said this baby carrier saved her life. There’s also a Swedish designer who designed a shirt that overlaps the bust so that you don’t have to expose everything when you breastfeed, if you plan to do that of course. I’m searching like crazy for a link, but I haven’t found one yet.
I forgot about the Land’s End diaper bag. We’re still useing the one we got for MilliCal four years ago as a weekend/overnight bag for her. They now have a backback out that depending on your lifestyle maybe even better.
I used mostly Stop&Shop Diapers and wipes. They worked great for us. We also still use the wipes for wipes faces and hands on trips.
x27, I second your recommendation of Operating Instructions. I have multiple copies so I can always lend one to newly-pregnant folk. I am happy to see the link to Hale’s because there is often information there that even your doctor or pharmacist isn’t up on. It’s helpful to know a La Leche League leader or someone who has their own copy so you can call.
I must also recommend Baby Bargains by Alan & Denise Fields. They offer reviews and ratings of baby products, and offer information such as which clothing brands run small, what strollers are better for the city, what baby product manufacturers seem reliable, and so on. I can’t say enough good things about this book.
Before buying much, you might see what you can borrow. I registered for a number of things that seemed like “must haves” but then we didn’t use them at all! Our swing was one (Cranky Jr loathed it); the baby monitor was another. I also made sure we had the “vibrating” feature on his bouncy seat and he didn’t care for that, either. We were in a big hurry to buy his crib, but he ended up sleeping in his carseat for 8 weeks (medical reasons) and then in a little bassinet in our room for the next 3 months! It sat empty for months, literally. He couldn’t wear onesies until his umbilical cord fell off, and of course he hung on to his for weeks and weeks.
After Cranky Jr. was born I started hitting garage sales to get equipment I thought we needed or that I didn’t mind taking a $5 chance on (Rather than a $30 chance). Before he was born, one of my friends checked out a lot of internet lists and had compiled a “must have” list but almost everything that someone named as a “can’t live without” someone else named as “biggest waste of money ever.” Go figure. Babies are different, and so are parents.
What did you take to the hospital with you? I’ve been told to “pack a little bag” of what I want with me in the hospital.
What’s supposed to be in that bag? Some kind of nightie I suppose, or clothes to change into when it’s all over. Maxi’s? Toothbrush?
They’ll give you these disgustingly huge absorbant pads to deal with after, so you can probably leave the kotex at home.
You need a little outfit for junior.
His/her babyseat.
Several pairs of socks for you (preferably one old nasty pair, so if you wear them during delivery and they get icky, you won’t care).
Something for you to wear home (I chose a big loose dress just in case I had a c-section, which ended up being a prophetic choice).
Slippers, maybe. I wore slippers home instead of shoes because my feet were so swollen.
General toiletries
A phone card & your phone/address book (you cannot use a cell phone on the labor/birth ward)
Email address list–they might have email available for you to use
Camera & extra batteries and film
A robe for you (I bought myself a new gown and robe just for the hospital stay and was so glad I did). You’ll probably prefer their gowns because the snaps make breastfeeding easy, but a robe is nice for wearing over it.
Videos to watch (your room may have a VCR)
Snacks for husband/S.O./birth coach
An extra pillow (for husband, or for you, possibly)
CD player & soothing tapes/CDs you like
Some massage tools (whatever is your preference)
Aromatherapy oils, or whatever little B.S. thing you’re telling yourself is going to make labor easier. These last three all fit that category
A notebook and pen. You’ll want to write things down–the name of nurses you adored and want to write a letter about later; the sequence of events. My husband did this and I am so glad he did because it all ran together later.
I’m blanking on anything else.
Whatever you want. The first time, I went by the list in a book, and I didn’t use 3/4 of the stuff I packed. In my area, unless it’s been a traumatic birth, or there are complications, they kick you out within 24 hours. If you know anyone who has given birth in the hospital you plan on going to (or if you are taking birthing classes there, taking a tour, whatever), ask how long the average stay is.
I would say the usual stuff is: clothes to wear home, maxi’s, toothbrush, comb, shower supplies, baby clothes, magazine (I spent time reading while the baby was asleep), pacifier if you plan to use one, and that sort of stuff.
I didn’t use my own sleepwear, because everything I wore got covered in blood (TMI?), so I preferred to mess up the hospitals gowns instead.
babyCenter has a printable checklist.
Of course, you could be like us…check in to the LDR room at 11am, and start pushing around noon.
One thing that I would defintely bring is swim wear for you AND hubby. I changed into trunks to help support/comfort mrs. beagledave in the shower (she went from 5 cm to 10 cm in less than an hour of shower time…)
Yes, bring the swim wear for hubby (and maybe a sports-type bra for yourself) if your hospital or birth center allows you to labor in water.
Other must-haves to bring with you:
water bottle - my hospitals only gave ice chips - I brought my own water with me for my daughter’s birth. Yes, it is safe to drink and eat while laboring in most cases.
snacks (light ones) for yourself and husband
lotion, shampoo, shower gel for you - my hospital the last time around only had Dove soap, which I don’t much care for.
extra copies of your birth plan - I had had my doctor sign one, which was with my chart, but I brought 3 extra copies with me just in case.
makeup/hair stuff, if you use it, for fixing yourself up for pictures afterwards, if you want!
comfy outfit for going home in - you’ll likely still be in maternity pants at least for a couple weeks after the birth, so bring something that fit you at about 5 months pregnant - that’s about the average size you’ll go down to right after giving birth - but ymmv!! 
nursing bra(s) if you are planning on breastfeeding
glasses or contacts, if you wear them
CD’s of music you like
massage oils
-coming home outfit for baby - if it’s winter, a bunting to wrap him/her in as well - I prefer the snowsuits w/ legs as they are much easier to strap them into the carseat that way.
Some women like to labor in their own nightgown/t shirt - I didn’t - my son’s birth was on the messy side and afterwards, I was glad I hadn’t ruined one of my own nightgowns 
.
-tygre
If you go the formula route, try to join one of those wholesales clubs such as BJ’s, Costco, or Sam’s Club.
You get larger size cans at a much cheaper price. You’ll save more than the membership fees just in the difference betwwen them and the supermarket price. Diapers and other sundries are a lot less expensive too! But remember, most of what they have for sale is in large size or large amounts.
When I was in the hospital, I didn’t really feel at all like eating once labor started. So snacks for me was moot.
Cal however, was hungry. Just bring a set of clothes for you, a set or two for baby. A blanket or two for baby. A robe and nightgown for yourself, and slippers. And don’t forget the Car Seat for the ride home. Make sure it’s in the car before SO comes to take you home.
Things we liked having:
*Carseat and stroller.
*Diaper bag - a good sturdy one!
*Onesies especially for layering in winter.
*Wipe warmer in winter and for newborns. Once my son got a little older, he didn’t “fountain” as often because of the cold air and cold wipe.
*Waterproof changing mats.
*Crib sheet savers (at least 2) for when he spits up a lot.
*When baby can reach for things, a playmat which has toys hanging over him, is absolutely wonderful. My son is 8 months old and still loves his. (Also, I don’t mind if he spits up on it as much as I mind him spitting up on the carpet.)
*When baby is around 4-5 months old, an exersaucer is also wonderful. My son still loves his. Also, I can leave the room for a little while and know he’s not getting into anything he shouldn’t.
*Cloth diapers for spit cloths.
*Baby bathtub, towels and wash cloths.
*Dishwasher container for nipples and bottle rings.
*CD player and some lullaby CDs.
*Diaper rash stuff.
*Stuff for umbilical cord: alcohol & Q-tips
*Asperator (for snotty noses)
*Nail clippers (when he’s old enough) This is an absolute must because those little nails are really sharp!
*I love rompers!
*Receiving blankets.
Didn’t use much:
*Swing (although one night it was a must!)
*Bouncer (Used it a little just to have some place to put him out of dangers reach while I had to do something away from him. Also, used it a few times to feed him his jar food when I was too lazy to use the highchair.)
*Bottle drying rack (mostly just used the drainboard.)
*Infant carrier (We had a Baby Bjorn, which was the most comfortable one we tried, but I still didn’t use it much.)
Don’t even own:
*A changing table. Mainly because we didn’t have the room for it.
*Boppy (breastfeeding didn’t work - but I really tried!)
*Breastfeeding stuff…see comment above.
Didn’t like:
*Gown sleepers (drawstring ones are dangerous!)
*Sleepers with seam near ankle in front (My son always got his toes caught on the seam.)
*Crib bumper pads - When my son started moving around his crib, I removed it because I found him with his face against it! He doesn’t seem to miss it.
This is all I can think of at the moment.
If you have friends who have had kids, ask them to visit and call you. It really helped me get over a lot of my fears to be able to talk to someone I trusted who had gone through it.
Make sure you ENJOY your little bundle…don’t worry too much! You’ll do great! Congratulations!
Before the birth of our first, my wife was told to eat on the way, because she might be throwing up a lot and it would be a LONG time before she got to eat again (I would recommend asking your doctor or the hospital what they think about eating during L&D. Apparently some allow it and some don’t)
She stopped at Burger King on the way to the hospital for a Whopper. Turns out that the baby was breach with her legs in, appropriately enough, the fetal position. For 3 weeks after, our daughter had her legs always pulled up. She looked like a pineapple when we swaddled her. The Dr. recommended a C-section, which she had.
Problem is, they don’t allow you to eat for 6 hours before surgery. If there are complications, and they have to put you under general anesthetic, it is much safer to have an empty stomach. As a result, she had to go through 2 hours of labor because she had eaten.
Abe Babe, how long ago was this? I thought C-sections were generally done with epidural anesthesia.
One thing I’d like to mention is that you might look into hiring a doula, especially if you are considering natural childbirth. They are trained in relaxation techniques, helping you find the right position, etc. It’s also nice to have someone to take the pressure off your SO so he can just enjoy the birth rather than having to be a coach. Having two people to run interference with the staff is also good. The nurses can get a bit over the top about fetal monitors and whatnot. (I remember one moment when my doula very calmly and politely suggested to one nurse that the height of a contraction might not be the best time to take my blood pressure.)
Some doulas can also help you get started with breastfeeding.
This was ony four years ago. At Northwestern Hospital in Chicago no less.
And I forgot to mention, the wife also stopped on the way to the hospital and got me a bottle of 25 year old Scotch (“The Macallans” BTW)
Also, bring your favorite pillow and/or teddy bear. I had to buy the wife a decent pillow from Michigan Avenue.
Ah. I suppose that general could be required for one reason or another. I do remember being told that I could only have juice or broth at the hospital, not that I was really in the mood for a big meal.
I hope you shared the Scotch.
I really do!
You have no idea what a help all of this is.
And for those interested. . . . .
It’s a boy! [sub]I found out yesterday[/sub]