In My Hospital Bag

I got my first Braxton Hicks contractions (painless tightening) about 2 months ago. Then only a week or so after I felt my first Braxton Hick, I started getting the real kind. Still much too early to have our son come, Landon and I worried about what my body was doing and what would happen. I remember one particular night we had slept only a few hours as the contractions kept reappearing in hour long sessions and I could help but start to tear up worried about how my little boy would be. Landon, always my rock during hard times, said with a soft smile on his face "God loves this little boy, we have to trust Him." Then he gave me a blessing. After the blessing we felt such calm as we felt the love God has for our son and how we have to trust in His ways when there is nothing in our power to do. And thankfully with some bed rest we have made it to the end of 37 weeks and it is safe for our boy to come at any time.

Since our son could have come much earlier than expected, I have had my Hospital Bag packed for weeks and weeks. I thought I would share what I put together. I had a bit of an idea of what I wanted with me at the hospital, having worked as a nurse in Labor & Delivery, but not knowing too much about the recovery time afterwards, I turned to some other lists. My two favorite resources were from Cupcakes & Cashmere and Jennifer Lee. You can click on the links to go to their lists.

I'm a minimalist so some of you may prefer to have much more than what I have packed, but here are the essentials. I also included some insider's tips from working as a labor nurse.

Forms

• Blood Work Results 
• GBS Results 
• Medication List 

Sometimes the medical forms necessary in a delivery don't always make it from the office to the hospital. The pieces of information you absolutely need when delivering are your test results. If the hospital cannot locate your results they may have to give you antibiotics during labor or give you another blood draw. So ask for a copy of your blood work and Group Beta Strep results to take with you to the hospital just in case. If you take any medications it is also important to have the dosage information on hand.

Snacks

While in labor, you won't be able to eat anything and will be on a diet of clear liquids. But your partner will need to keep his energy up through the long hours and so packing a few of his favorites can make a real difference. One piece of advice I got from a friend who delivered just a couple months ago said to make sure to pack some chocolate for yourself for right after you deliver. Delivering is one of the most exhausting experiences of life and you will want a little pick-me-up just after. I packed one of my favorite treats, Trader Joe's Peanut Butter Cups.

Toiletries

• Lip Balm
• Lotion
• Perfume
• Hair Tie

For the pair of you, you will want all the essentials and a few pampering items for yourself such as lotion, perfume, and a favorite lipstick. Don't forget lip balm! Being in pain is dehydrating and one of the best reliefs is a nice lip balm. And bring your favorite hair tie to put up your hair when you get hot or uncomfortable! I received some CyndiBands hair ties from a friend that I absolutely adore.

For You

• Nightgown
• Robe
• Eye Mask
• Going Home Outfit

Next to your hospital bag or set aside in your closet put what you want to wear to the hospital. You will want something loose, soft and washable. You'll also want to wear shoes that can be thrown out if necessary. I have seen many women lose a favorite pair of shoes when their water breaks! For recovery I packed a nightgown, robe, flip flops for the shower, and a going home outfit. One other recovery essential I packed is an eye mask. You never know when you will deliver and thus when you will be able to first sleep afterwards. An eye mask can be so nice to block out the light in the hospital room when you try and sleep after the baby comes. The one pictured above is a Bucky Eye Mask and was a gift from a sweet friend.

For Your Partner

• Change of Clothes
• Something to Sleep In

The hospital usually provides an area for your partner to rest during the labor process with pillows and blankets, but he will still need some things of his own to make his stay more comfortable. A change of clothes would be nice and something comfortable to sleep in as well. He might want some flip flops for the shower too.

For Baby

• 2 Outfits
• Socks
• Swaddle Blanket

The hospital provides the following items so you won't need to pack them unless you have a long journey home: diapers, hat and nasal syringe. Instead pack an outfit or two for going home, some socks and a swaddle blanket. We packed an outfit with a kimono style opening because new parents can often be nervous about putting clothes over the baby's head. The one pictured above is from H&M.

Other Things

• Music Playlist
• Camera & Charger
• Phone Charger

Don't forget to pack things you might want as distractions or therapeutic items during labor such as a music playlist, movies or games. You will also want to pack your camera and its charger as well as your phone chargers.

- One Last Tip -

My last labor and delivery nurse tip is don't bring everything to the labor room. At times there will be many medical professionals in the room and little space. Much of what goes in the hospital bag is for recovery afterwards which in many hospitals is in a different room from the one you deliver in. If you have too many belongings with you it can become a hazard or inconvenience in the labor room and can be really difficult to relocate quickly should an emergency require you to go to the operating room. Keep the things for baby and recovery in the car and grab them after you are all settled in your new room and just take with you what you need for delivering to the labor room.