Childbirth: What To Pack In Your Pregnancy Hospital Bag
/Before I gave birth, I read countless articles on what to pack in your childbirth hospital bag. Looking back, I feel like they were written by people who never had a baby!
You do not want to over pack and drag this giant bag into the hospital. Remember you will be in labor, trying to breath through contractions. And your partner will be freaking out. So here are the essentials:
Maternity essentials to survive labor and delivery:
Cute Hospital Gown – A lot of stuff comes out of you when you’re pushing. Now think of the used gowns the hospital gives you– no thank you. Trust me, get a gownie. Tons of different colors/pattern options. My husband got me a really cute delivery gown from Gownies. Do I look cute? Oh and I'm sitting on the ball. I got so many compliments on it from nurses and other labor-ers! Don’t spend a fortune on a gown.
Phone charger – If you get an epidural you’re not moving from your bed, so get a charger cord that is extra long to reach from the outlet to wherever your bed is. A long cord for the iphone and here’s one for the Android. You have to keep every one up to date on what is happening.
Ipad or Kindle: My labor was 37 hours – And I didn’t know to bring my iPad or Kindle Fire . So the hours felt much longer with zero entertainment.
A maternity or nursing bra – I wore an underwire for 37 hours of labor and after everyone was like “why did you do that…” Maybe because no one told me not too. FYI underwire is terrible for you if you’re going to breastfeed because it can cause mastitis. Try this great maternity/nursing bra.
Shower caddy – not for the shower, but to have at the table next to you or on your hospital bed. Keep anything you want nearby! No one told me to bring one but I got this one for my next so in case my husband is a asleep or has left to get something to eat and I can’t get up, I’ll have everything like my phone, ipad, books etc within arms reach.
Labor Ball – have your husband pump when you arrive! Learn from our mistake!
Lip balm – my lips were so chapped I was going crazy! Hospitals are dry! I wish someone told me to bring this!
Non skid socks – Get these for after you deliver and you don’t want have to bend over to put on shoes or do anything.
Ear plugs – if you’re getting a moments rest, take it! Or maybe you have to share a room. I got these amazing ear plugs before I gave birth. They were a lifesaver.
Snacks– I brought these snack packs filled with yummy goodnessbut then I wasn’t allowed to eat for 37 hours. Thankfully they saved my husband so bring some even if only for your partner depending how your labor goes. If you don’t like nuts, Amazon has TONS of snack pack options!
Soft, comfortable pants – After you give birth, you’ll want a few pairs. You will look 5-6 months pregnant a few weeks after you deliver. I packed regular shirts but soft pants I lived in for months! Amazon has a ton of options. I liked pants I could go out in and they didn’t look like pajamas, but I probably did sleep in them.
Disposable under pants – you never knew these existed until now, but they will quickly become your best friend. I loved these underpants and I ordered extra before I gave birth to have when I got home. You will use them for a week or two or in my case 3. Also I grabbed a bunch from the hospital on my way out the door! Then I got these cotton from Haines to wear the weeks after. I think I wore them for like 3 months before I switched back to my cute regular ones.
