What's In My Hospital Bag

I have to preface this with saying that this is my THIRD baby.

With my first - I packed so much stuff, because I read all the blogs and compiled lists on lists on lists and thought I needed 100 different things. I had everything. I thought I would rather have more than what I needed than less - but actually it ended up being a pain in the ass because I don’t like my stuff to touch the ground (OCD, much?) and when I had several bags - it was hard to keep them all on a surface. Not to mention getting everything home, and unpacked, with a new precious baby.

With my second - I packed my bag right before I went to the hospital. (Read PJ’s birth story here - you’ll see that I stayed home for a while doing laundry and computer work before actually going over to the hospital). I literally just threw some clothes and toiletries into a Lululemon duffel and said LEZ GO.

With this baby - I want to have a little more preparation. There are some oils I want to bring with me, for comfort and sleep, and a few other things I wish I had last time. My bag isn’t actually packed yet, because I use a lot of this stuff on the reg’ - but this is my list.

And I’m also including things on here that I won’t be bringing and why - I hope you will find that helpful as well!

WITH ALL THIS SAID - here’s what I will be bringing with me!

MY BAG

Can I also say that I have a bikini wax, mani, pedi and blow out done - hopefully. This is not IN a bag, but something I like so I feel better about my life. Moving on...

Identification/Insurance Info: Basically, I just need to remember my wallet...

Robe: Still on the fence. I brought it twice with the other kids and never used it. But I am always cold so I’m not sure why I haven’t used it. I think (as long as it’s not super plush and taking up a lot of room) it’s nice to have as an option to cover up in bed or out of bed if you want to walk around. I have a long black floral one. Black is great for hiding any, er, staining. Staining is inevitable.

Bra and Undies: To wear home. My bras tend to be more like bralettes that I just fold down for nursing, but I do have some nursing bras as well. I mean, I go to Nordstrom Rack/Marshall’s and get the, like, $10 Calvin Klein bras with no support, wires, padding, anything. They work great for nursing and for keeping nursing pads in! I also like to have the option of wearing underwear, but also might just wear the mesh underwear they give out at the hospital. Also, don’t bring fancy underwear - bring a pair you would not mind burning after. On that note…

Mom Diapers: I will bring 1-2 of these as an option to wear home as well. I get the cute, fitted diapers from Target or Amazon (Depends or Always) because they are EASY. Don’t bring the whole pack - just a single diaper or two.

Nursing Pads: I get the disposable Lanisoh pads and will put them in the bralette for the ride home. You can also do this throughout your stay, but I prefer to just wear the hospital gown.

Going Home Outfit: This needs to be an outfit I’d be comfortable wearing while 6 months pregnant. I will pack all black / dark gray clothes (again, the bleeding...) and some flip flops.

Which brings me to Flip Flops: In lieu of socks or slippers for walking around the hospital, I like to have flip flops. I use them in labor - they are easily washable or rinseable in case something happens - and I can wear them when I get in and out of bed to use the bathroom (or if I decide to shower). To save room in my bag - I’ll just use them to go home in as well.

Toiletries: Aside from the must-have everyday products I use (toothpaste, toothbrush, face wash, deodorant) -  I’ll bring this nipple balm. You should get all of the accoutrements you need for your nether region - Tuck’s pads, cooling Dermoplast spray, pads - from the hospital. DEFINITELY plan on having Tuck’s pads waiting for you at home. I line them up all over my diaper to make that whole area feel much better. I also really love this perineal spray for postpartum or Claraderm from Young Living (oils: here). I also recommend a scrunchie so you can have your hair in a topknot during labor (keeps it away from sweat and will give it a cute curl after!) Lastly - LIP BALM! My lips get SO chapped during labor.

Hand Sanitizer: I’m crazy. I use it after I wash my hands in hospitals. LOL. I like the Thieves brand by Young Living.

EXTRA LONG Phone Charger: You never know where the outlet is going to be in relation to your bed and you are going to need a TON of phone charges if you are anything like me. Contacting everyone - spending time on social media while baby sleeps - you’ll want to have an easy plug-in spot and an extra-long charger guarantees access from anywhere.

Ear Buds: So I can listen to music or a podcast to distract me a bit during labor (or for after baby comes if I am bored). In fact, I need to remember to charge them…

Laptop: Yeah… I own my own business. I like having the option to log into email if I want to! Don’t judge! There is a lot of downtime in those 2 days post-birth...

Snacks: THINK ABOUT FLAVOR AND TEXTURE. You are doing a lot of work, before and after, and you need to have your bases covered for sweet, salty, savory, crunchy, chewy, etc. I will bring some green packets for water, some oranges, some healthier protein bars, my homemade trail mix (dark chocolate, dried cherries, almonds and cashews), some GUMMIES (duh) and pretzels for during labor and after. Luckily, we are right in the city - so John can get me things as I want them. I don’t like the hospital food at all, so we always order takeout.

Book: I didn’t bring one with the other babies, but I want the option of something to do when I’m not sleepy and I am tired of looking at my phone.

Diffuser / Rollers: I’m big into oils these days. Obsessed with the different scents and how they make me feel! I’m going to bring a diffuser to run while I am in labor, and also for after the baby is born. What a nice way to make the room smell amazing, right?! Learn more about oils here, and here’s specifically what I’ll be using:

During Labor -

• Valor / Stress Away / Joy (a few drops of each in diffuser)

• A few drops of Lavender on belly (calming relaxing)

• 1 drop of White Angelica on heart

• Stress Away roller on feet/wrists

With Baby -

• Gentle Baby / Lavender (a few drops of each in diffuser)

• A drop of Trauma Life – A blend for any trauma to the mom or baby, physically or emotionally, brain and nervous system balancing, most comprehensive oil in dealing with trauma, and is a tissue healer

BABY BAG

(but actually, I just use one bag for both of us)

Swaddle: I have used a lot of different swaddles in the last 4 years - but I am really digging the Ollie World swaddles and will be trying them with baby 3. You’ll get a swaddle blanket from the hospital, but these pre-made blankets are just so much easier (any brand). I haven’t brought swaddles to the hospital before, and I’m curious to see if this will help in any way.

Pajamas: Just because I am going to try this swaddle technique, I’m going to bring 3 PJs to test out with it.

Going Home Outfit: Something soft and easy, with footies, and a hat.

Pacifier: We had to ask for one last time and they kind of gave us a hard time about it, so I’m just going to bring one.

WHAT I’M NOT BRINGING

Pajamas: Childbirth is not cute. It’s messy. The last thing I want to do is have blood on my new pajamas. I’ll stick with the hospital gown! There are hundreds available for changing whenever I wish, easy for nursing new baby, and using the bathroom.

Slippers: I don’t want my feet touching the ground, that is for sure, but I also don’t want my HOME slippers walking around the hospital and then transferred back to my living room. Yuck.

Socks: I will use the hospital’s socks for while I am IN BED. Why bring my own?

Nursing Pillow: Brought this for Carmen and never used it. You have access to endless pillows in the hospital, so just stack them up to get comfortable and it’s one less thing you need to worry about.

Pump: If, for whatever reason, we need to pump - the hospital should help with what they have on hand or John can run home. We haven’t needed this yet.

Makeup: LOL. I don’t wear it to begin with - definitely the last thing I want to worry about! I prefer to get family pics taken at home than to have the sterile hospital environment be my photo backdrop. I will have some pics taken by my doula just so I can remember what happened.

Birth Plan: I brought one with Carmen and didn’t use it. John and my doula both know my preferences - and I’m able to help as well when I’m not having a contraction.

Diapers/Wipes: Hospital has plenty. Of course there are brands I’d rather use - but I am okay to use what they give me for 2 days.

Home Pillows or Blankets: At risk of them getting dirty, and also, there are plenty at the hospital that I’m just going to assume are clean.

Any questions I can answer for you? Drop them below! Of course, everything above is my opinion only, and you might find you need something else! If you have any tips for others reading this post, let us know in the comments!