When I packed my bag for Coston’s delivery, I based my packing list on what I read from other mom blogs or advice from my amazing doula and my bag was STUFFED. I felt super prepared, but when I got home I realized how much I totally over-packed. So this time I’ve paired it down to what I actually used or was glad that I had on me even if I didn’t end up using it. So consider this an ESSENTIALS packing guide - or at least a good simple jumping off point to cover all your bases.
The best GENERAL advice my doula gave me about packing was to only bring things that you are okay washing in super hot water to sanitize after your hospital stay. Don’t bring your nice silk pillowcase, your cozy down pillow, your favorite blanket, your sherpa slippers, your silk robe…NOPE. If you want to bring that stuff for comfort, bring easy to clean and lesser favorite items in case they get left behind or can be put through a sanitize cycle in your washing machine. This is ESPECIALLY relevant right now with Coronavirus.
So now some notes about my actual list above (which can be saved and printed for your own use by the way)! I’ve broken it down by items you’ll need for laboring, post-birth and throughout your stay, and going home. Below I’ve shared some notes on specific items or why I’ve made the decisions that I did.
FOR LABOR
This section is based on items you’ll need for distraction and comfort through labor. My hospital immediately puts you in a gown so they have access to all your monitors and IV, and they had birthing and peanut balls I could use to labor with which means I didn’t need to bring those items or any extra clothing for this part. Obviously don’t forget your ID (you’ll need that to check-in) and your phone, but I’ve also added an extra long phone charger because you never know where the plugs in your room will be. It’s nice to be able to plug in so you can FaceTime friends and family while still being able to move around the room to try different laboring positions. A large and insulated water bottle is nice to have because even though the nurses are pretty good at bringing you whatever you need, it’s nice to just sip on ice cold water throughout the day and not need to call for some every hour. The bluetooth speaker, iPad, and headphones are all for good vibes and entertainment. I packed these things for my first birth and actually never used any of them, but I’m packing them again because I like having the option. For Coston’s birth I was able to have Michael, my doula, my mom and sister all there to labor with me, but things are different this time around because of Coronavirus, so I am only permitted one birth partner (obviously Michael haha) and we might want to chill out and watch Netflix to pass the time. I know some people get really into making birth playlists and I did make one but never listened to it. Surprisingly, as I was puking throughout the whole day of labor I only wanted to watch the cooking channel on the hospitals TV haha. Lastly, if you’re taking your own photos (which you will be if you are delivering during this global pandemic), do NOT forget to charge your camera battery and bring the charger and an extra memory card. MAJOR fail if you’re in the middle of all the action and your camera dies or your card is full.
FOR COMFORT
I can only speak for myself here, but I ended staying in a hospital gown throughout my stay. I had big dreams to wear cute robes and cozy sweats but the nurses and doctors are all up in your business doing uterus and down-below checks and you’re breastfeeding every like two minutes so it never even crossed my mind to put something else on. You might feel differently so it’s nice to have the option of a fluffy robe, just plan to sanitize it when you get home. The nursing bra is nice to wear for some extra support if your milk comes in while you’re in the hospital and your boobs are huge and feel like they’re EVERYWHERE. My milk didn’t come in until a couple days later so I never needed it, but because my body is onto round two and might kick into gear quicker I’m packing one just in case. And FOR SURE pack nipple cream because nobody likes a dry and cracked nipple situation. I was also super grateful to have my comfy plastic slides on hand to wear with or without socks while laboring through the hospital hallways and to wear into the shower after birth. ***NOTE: My hospital provided Tucks Witch Hazel Wipes, Dermoplast Numbing Spray, and a peri-bottle during my stay, but if yours doesn’t I HIGHLY recommend packing these items. You can read more about these in my Post-Partum Care post if these items are new to you.
FOR SELF-CARE
It should be noted that the hospital does not provide toiletries (hi, it’s not a hotel), so if you plan to shower, pack your favorites. The day after birth, a warm shower felt SO NICE and I was happy that I brought my favorite stuff from home so that I felt at least a little normal while I was navigating all this newness and a VERY sore body. I took an hour to myself and washed my face, showered, brushed my very tangled hair, put on some mascara and chapstick, and slathered my body in lotion and Aquaphor (hospitals are DRY). I felt like a new woman and was able to relax better after that.
FOR GOING HOME
Let me reiterate here that you’ll want to wear something LOOSE when going home from the hospital. I was so, so pumped full of IV fluid from labor that I was still swollen all over two days later. Also, you still have a belly and look a few months pregnant right after birth so the idea of shimmying into spandex leggings and pulling them over my mesh undies and GIANT diaper-like pad sounded like my personal idea of hell. I opted for a comfy sweat set, but if you’re planning for a summer birth, a t-shirt and sweat shorts or a t-shirt dress are both great options. Unless you’re a celebrity, nobody is going to be waiting outside the hospital doors to accost you with a camera, so don’t put pressure on yourself to look like a supermodel strutting the runway on your way out. We packed ONE cute outfit for baby because we knew we’d want to take a couple pics of baby girl in her first outfit leaving the hospital, but for our Coston’s stay he was simply swaddled in a hospital issued blanket or skin-to-skin on Michael and I. You’re changing their diaper so much and their skin is so baby fresh that I would imagine fabric of any kind feels very foreign to them. And last but not least, my friend told me before Coston’s birth that I would want a Boppy pillow to sit on in the car and on the couch when I got home. Boppy pillows are those half moon shaped pillows that you can use to prop up baby while breast feeding, but this was incredible advice. Here’s some TMI for ya, pushing during labor can obviously cause tearing (resulting in stitches down town) but they can also cause BAD hemorrhoids and you do NOT want to be putting any extra pressure on that situation. Sit your tush in the middle of that Boppy pillow and breath a sigh of relief.
Now that I’ve given you way more info than I’m sure you ever expected to receive, I hope you feel a little more mentally and physically prepped! This list can be saved and printed to use as a guide while packing your own bags and I truly hope it hope it helps you feel prepared and comfortable in the hospital! The image below is totally shoppable and are the actual items I’ve packed in my bag. Just click on any item and it will take you to the product page. Or to make it super easy you can also shop everything all in one place in my Amazon Shop!
