What to pack for the hospital
We had just got home from a nice evening out with my husband's parents. Casually chatting in the kitchen, all conversation abruptly halted and I suddenly became the center of attention. Gush! I felt an explosion of water and immediately thought with horror that I had started to wet myself in front of everyone.
But let me back up a bit. My husband and I had been planning a home birth and hadn't put any thought into preparing for the hospital or what to pack when "the time came". So, at 32 weeks pregnant, standing in my kitchen, with family staring at me as I soaked the floor, my first thought was not to grab the hospital bag and head out the door with excitement. I was totally confused, as was my husband. As I lay in bed to rest, my mother in law and husband packed the hospital bag.
After the birth and we were nestled into our hospital room, I eagerly looked into the bag they had packed to see what treats I would find. I found roughly 10 pairs of bikini panties, the makeup bag with colors I no longer use, a camera, I Pod and practically an entire wardrobe for the baby.
Let me just say, you do not need TEN pairs of panties. Trust me, you will be rocking the mesh ones the hospital provides until it's time to leave, and when you do leave, you won't want bikini cut panties (especially if you just had a c-section). So, here is a list that I've come up with from what I wish I had while I was in the hospital.
For you:
- Birth Plan
- An outfit from the third trimester to go home in. You may be the lucky one in a hundred that leaves the hospital not looking pregnant, but even then you will want to be comfortable. Pack your favorite third trimester outfit and leave the hospital in comfort.
- BIG underwear
- Nursing bra
- Breast pads
- Dressing gown. It's nice for when visitors are over and you don't have to worry about messing with pajama bottoms.
- Makeup
- Ear plugs and eye mask
- Toiletries
- Camera
- Music
- Prescriptions, contacts or glasses
- Chapstick
- Pleasant smelling lotion
- Journal
For him:
- Favorite snacks
- A book, crossword puzzle or some form of entertainment
- Complete change of clothes
- List of contacts and their phone numbers
- Money for the vending machine
- Chargers for electronic devices
For baby:
- One Outfit
- Mittens to prevent scratching
- Hat
- Car seat
- Pair of socks
- Blanket
The hospital provides you with everything you will need for the baby while you are there. From formula to diapers, so don't worry about packing a diaper bag. All you'll really need is what baby needs for the trip home.
I also suggest that you put your "nesting" to good use and pack your hospital bag in the beginning of your third trimester, that way you won't end up with a million pairs of panties and no toothbrush!
