Get Packing Part 1 - Essentials for Labor, Delivery, and Hospital Stay

We get this question all the time. What should I pack in my hospital bag? At the hospital where I delivered my children, the hosptial did provide me with a few neccessities that I did not have to bother bringing myself. I treated my hosptial stay as if I was going to a hotel. Really, if you go in with that mindset it is not so bad. There is room service, housekeepers, and your own personal concierge…ok maybe that is pushing it, but the nurses are very helpful.


Now I did end up having a c-section with both deliveries, and so I did ask a panel of moms what they thought was a necessity for labor and delivery. For check in, be sure to have your drivers license, insurance card, and admission forms.


Here is my essential list for labor, delivery, and hospital stay:

Labor

• A copy of your birth plan (though do not get disappointed if your plan does not go the way you expect it to). The key is to be flexible to a certain degree, and in the end you want a healthy baby.


• Your own delivery gown. I wish this was an option with my deliveries. You will feel so much prettier bringing your own gown, especially in all the pictures. Check out http://www.dearjohnnies.com/ for some trendy looking gowns that the celebs choose to wear.


• Slippers or non slip socks.


• Your iPod if you want to listen to music while you labor.


• Candles and/or aromatherapy to make your sterile room a bit more relaxing.


• Sugar free hard candy or lollipops (your mouth gets really dry).


• Lip balm (your lips get dry as well).


• A pony tail holder or hair band, so that you can push your hair away if it starts to annoy you.

After Delivery

• Camera, videocamera (do not forget to make sure everything is charged and you have extra batteries just in case).


• Healthy snacks because you will be hungry. For those having a c-section, you will be on a clear liquid diet for the first 24 hours.


• Up to date phone book.


• A phone card, just in case your hospital is strick about mobile phone usage.

Hospital Stay

• Your toothbrush/toothpaste, deodorant, and other necessities. If you are picky go ahead and bring soap, shampoo, etc.


• Your makeup bag.


• Hairbrush and other items such as hairdryer or flat iron.


• Bathrobe.


• Disposable underwear. Trust me on this one. My hospital provided the underwear, pads, and soothing items. You might want to check on this with your hospital, since sending out your hubby to buy these items could be frustrating.


• Slippers or non-skid socks.


• A good nursing bra is a must on your list. Bravado Designs makes the best nursing bras on the market.


• A nursing cover so that when your family and friends come to visit, you can continue to nurse with confidence. Check out the nursing covers from bebe au lait.


• A nursing gown or pj’s and a robe. I liked my nursing gowns and pj’s from Japanese Weekend.


• Magazines. Forgot about reading books. You will want something light to read.
  An outfit to wear home. Most likely you will look about 5 months pregnant with the water retention and other extra fluids and lbs floating around. Bring something loose and comfy.

For baby

• Adorable going home outfit, make sure you have a hat.


• Receiving blanket.


• Be sure that the baby carrier seat has already been installed in your car.

Best,

T