There are so many ways to pack your hospital bag.
What do I bring?
What do I need to leave at home?
What are the most important things?
For some moms, packing a hospital bag is very exciting; choosing the perfect clothes, imaging the moments, being very prepared and ready for the moment went you decide to drop everything and head to the hospital.
For others, packing is a "Laboring experience." the anticipation of the upcoming events becomes overwhelming, so packing is the last thing you want to do.
The good news is that you don't need to take EVERYTHING. Image you are taking a short trip in a nice hotel. All you need to take are your personal belongings and any comfort items that are important to you. Hospitals and birthing centers will have shampoo and conditioner, was clothes and towels, heating pad, pillows and blankets (Not super comfy ones).
The items below are listed as a building set. Based on our experiences, we have seen families use the following items and appreciate their being with them from "Essential" to "All The Things."
WHAT TO PACK FOR YOUR HOSPITAL BIRTH
ESSENTIAL:
Wallet: medical card, ID, Debit or Credit card
Cell phone & charger
2 Shirts
2 Pants with elastic waist
Slip-on shoes
Personal Kit: toothbrush & toothpaste, chapstick, any medication & glasses
Carseat
ADDED COMFORT:
Robe
Slippers
Book/magazine
2 Nursing bras
Personal Kit: lotion, facial cleansing cloths, brush, hairbands, shampoo & conditioner
Hand fan
Water bottle
Snacks
Headphones
Baby: going home outfit, muslin blanket
Underwear for going home
A BIT MORE FOR THE UNKNOWN:
A printed copy of your birth plan
Pillow
Preferred nipple cream
Breast pads
Extra outfits for baby
Essential oils
Hand cream
Battery-powered fan
Towel
Bluetooth speaker
Flipflops
Eye mask & earplugs
Resources your DOULA will have:
Any tools you imagine for pain management: birth ball & pump, tennis balls and/or massage tools
TENS Unit
Rebozo or woven scarf
Meditations and/or affirmations
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