the motherhood diaries: what to pack in your hospital bag.

preparing for the hospital – it looks different for everyone.

I overpack for everything.

When I was preparing to pack my hospital bag, I spent weeks – no, months – researching and reading about other moms’ experiences. Eventually, I came to the conclusion that less was more. However, even the “less” that I tried to pack ended up being way more than I really needed.

Now, everyone’s experiences are a little different. There are always small details or variations that will effect exactly what you’ll need or want to have with you in the hospital. For example, I had this picture in my mind that I would get dressed and ready the day after Fischer was born and take a bunch of photos in the hospital room. However, in my specific experience I had a bit of a rough go the morning after and it sort of set the tone for the rest of our stay there. I showered but I ended up just putting on a clean hospital gown for comfort and didn’t get into actual clothes until the end of our (slightly extended) stay (re: Fischer’s jaundice levels were above average and it extended our hospital stay 2 days longer than anticipated). I ended up being in a total of 0 photos and therefore could’ve left my hair supplies and most of my makeup at home lol. Then again – if I had been up to the task and didn’t have them with me I would have been bummed out!

What I’m getting at is that, ultimately, what you pack or don’t pack is completely up to you. To be quite honest with you, you could go to the hospital with absolutely NOTHING and still be ok thanks to the GREAT care the hospital takes of you. They even had toiletries waiting for us and almost everything I was expecting to need (including a fully stocked diaper bag!) was already all set up in our recovery room when we got there.

All that being said, I would say there are still a few things that you should definitely pack in your hospital bag. Here is what I will be bringing the NEXT time I’m packing my hospital bag for labor:

what to pack.

CLOTHES

1. One pair of high waisted comfy pants
   High waisted is key JUST IN CASE you end up with an unplanned C-section. Also, the term ‘comfy pants’ is highly subjective here. I kept reading that you wouldn’t want to put on anything tight after delivering a baby – which TOTALLY makes sense. However, the pants I packed were those foldover yoga pants which were tight on me while I was pregnant. But by the time I put them on a few days after giving birth, they were loose and really not ideal especially since the ice packs I was using down there were heavy and made undergarments and pants sag as it was! I think the next time I will something like along the lines of these pants. They look perfect – roomy in the crotch, drawstring/adjustable and a fold-over comfy waist!
2. One nursing tank
3. One robe
4. Loose Pajamas
5. 2 or 3 pairs of full coverage BLACK underwear
   They’re not always pretty, but trust me, its the only way to go for the first month or so after having your baby. The hospital provides disposable undies which I honestly used most of the time we were in the hospital, but there may be a point where you just want to put on something normal. I say pack black and pack multiples because a) blood and b)… blood. lol sorry, it’s just a fact of life after having a babe.
6. A going home outfit
   I ended up going home in a pair of jeans, nursing tank and sweater. It was January and snowing the night we brought Fischer home, so I’d say your outfit really depends on the weather and your preferences. If it were warmer, I honestly might’ve just gone home in the comfy pants and nursing tank I brought. Whatever you bring to go home in, just keep in mind the comfort level… down there. If you bring jeans, you may even want to bring a comfortable dress as a back-up just in case putting regular pants on is the last thing you want to do at the time!
7. Socks + a pair of slippers
   For walking around and for wearing while pushing.

TOILETRIES

1. Toothbrush + toothpaste
2. Face wash and moisturizer
3. Shampoo + Conditioner + Body Wash
   Nothing feels better after having a baby than getting the go-ahead to take a shower lol! That being said – it’s up to you whether you bring these three items since, like I said, the hospital may provide them for you. I just like to be prepared just in case and I honestly just like to use my own products.
4. Hair Tools and Products (Hair Tie and Dry Shampoo!)
   This is definitely according to your preference and its totally up to you if you want to bring the whole shebang (straightener, blow dryer, etc.)  You should DEFINITELY bring a hair tie (or clip) for pushing and dry shampoo!
5. Makeup
   I brought my entire collection last time and, like I said, really didn’t end up using much of it. Next time I will stick to the basics: Mascara, bronzer, blush and maybe some eyeshadow.
6. Nipple Butter
   If you’re planning to breastfeed, of course.
7. Nursing Pads
8. Maxi Pads OR DEPENDS
   I ended up just using regular pads because by the time we left the hospital my bleeding was extremely minimal. Not everyone’s is, though, and I’ve heard so many people recommend just using Depends. Again, not glamorous, but not a lot about giving birth is 😉 If you’re going for Depends, I recommend ordering them online if you dread awkward looks at the store lol!

ELECTRONICS

1. Phone charger
2. Camera, SD Card, Extra Battery
3. Laptop or tablet/iPad
   Not for any type of work – but I would recommend this for entertainment! G and I ended up watching a bunch of episodes of a show on his phone while we were in the hospital and it would’ve just been nice to have a bigger screen/interface to do so on.

FOR BABY

I don’t think we’ll even bring a “diaper bag” to the hospital for our next baby. The hospital provides everything from diapers, to wipes, blankets, caps and even onesies – and sends you home with so much. So, in my opinion, less is definitely more in this category!

1. Going home outfit
2. Hat (especially in cold weather)
3. Props for photos
   Anything you may want for photos like a letter board, customized name tag, stuffed animal, etc. I didn’t think of these things this first time around, but I’ll be ready next time for some cute photos! 🙂
4. One blanket – for the ride home (especially in cold weather)

SNACKS
The hospital provides mama with snacks and food, but it’s not always something you want. I’d recommend bringing a few things you like and definitely some things for Dad. Here are some suggestions:

1. Oatmeal packs (the kind you just add hot water to that come in a container you eat out of
2. Granola bars
3. Pretzels
4. Trail Mix

Alright, I think that’s pretty much it! Have any questions or other things you’d recommend from experience? Feel free to leave them in the comments below!