What to pack for the hospital...

When I had Munch I brought WAY too much stuff to the hospital.  I even overdid it the second and third time, too.  I didn't end up needing half the items from the so called expert "Hospital Bag Checklist" I read in pregnancy books, magazines and online.  As far as cute gowns, socks, and wearing your own underwear and clothes, I learned this: don't worry about cute stuff to wear, there are so many gross FLUIDS around during and after birth...things will get ruined.  The hospital has just about everything you need and it gets thrown away or sterilized afterward.  They give you mesh panties: use them!  If you don't like those, bring depends disposable underwear.  Keep in mind, some hospitals MAKE you wear the hospital gown.


I wasn't thinking about journalling, listening to music, reading books or magazines or surfing the web; seems like a good idea when you're pregnant, but seriously, during your hospital stay you've got other things on your mind.


Here is the streamlined list I came up with for this round in labor/delivery/recovery in the hospital.


My Bag:

• Going home outfit  (I suggest 1 dress in case of C-section...you won't want to wear a waistband!)
• Extra clothes for Mr. + athletic socks (for sleeping in-my Mr. doesn't wear slippers)
• Nursing Pillow (if you are using one)
• Socks (just for labor-wear hospital ones during recovery in case of FLUIDS)
• Flip flops for shower
• Robe- (for walks down the hall- unless you like your ass in the wind- hospital gown style)
• Depends underwear (if you don't like the mesh panties from the hospital)
• Thank you card for nurses (in case they are actually nice to you)
• Plastic bags (for dirty/fluid covered clothes)
• Nursing Bra (I only use it for the trip home)
• Breast Pads (don't bring an entire box, you may only need a few, the hospital may also have some.)
• Breast cream (nipples hurt pretty bad from trying to breast feed)
• Pens
• Towel (if you're picky... the hospital has them tho)
• Snacks for Mr. and GUM (questionable breath in your face during labor = bad times)
• Nice toilet paper (the hospital kind is horrible on your mangled kaslopis!)

Toiletry Bag

• Pre-moistened facial cleansing cloths
• Hair ties
• Make up
• Face lotion
• Tylenol for Mr.
• Chap stick
• Toiletries for me and Mr.-razor, hairbrush, toothbrush/paste, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, soap   

Baby Bag:

• Going home outfit for baby + blanket
• Onesies in two sizes, newborn and 0-3 (who knows how big baby will be)
• Blankets/Swaddler (the hospital will have them but you probably want your own)
• Nail file or clippers (most hospitals wont cut baby's finger nails-they will be long, paper thin and sharp)
• Baby Book (for foot prints /Dr. signatures)
• Monitor (if using a movement sensor)
• Gift from baby to siblings (optional of course)

Most Important:

Car Seat

Purse with wallet + cash (vending machines, keepsake birth certificate!)

Phone + charger

Camera + charger or extra batteries
Pillows (bring nice pillow cases you want in every photo!)