Sunday I finally sat down to pack my hospital bag.  Can’t believe I waited until now, but it’s finally done!

I tend to keep things simple when I pack my bag for the hospital. If you have a regular delivery, your stay will be short.  But you will still be DYING for that first shower, and  you will still want some cute and cozy things to wear (and to be in all your pictures!)  But since you also have no idea what will happen when you get to the hospital, it’s good to have a few extra things to be prepared.  I’m purposely preparing for a few more days as I know I’m having a c-section.

Also, check with your hospital.  At mine, you deliver the baby in one place and are then moved to a new floor and room that you will be staying in for the rest of your visit.  Better to just bring in the bag you’ll need with you for labor (like a tote), and then have hubby bring the rest of your things up once you are in your room.  Less to keep track of and potentially lose!

****My biggest tip is to make yourself a list of what is NOT IN YOUR BAG that needs to be.  For instance, if your camera battery is charging, or your cell phone is somewhere else, put it on the list of THINGS TO REMEMBER and then put that list on top of your bag.  I have not forgotten anything yet by doing this.

This list is in no particular order, just as I’m thinking of what I’m packing in my tote for labor:

1. Flip Flops – you will be up walking around and scooting to the ladies room often.  (Plus you’ll want them for the shower when you move to your room later…..think dorm college days.)
2. Make up bag – you don’t really need it, but you don’t know how long your labor will take (we didn’t have Addie until the next morning after being induced at noon the day before), could be quick, could be long.  Nice to know your makeup is in your tote if you want to freshen up a bit.
3. TOOTHBRUSH and toothpaste – remember what I just said about it could be quick, could be long….nice to be able to brush your teeth.
4. A pillow from home.
5. Camera and charger.  Video camera if you want one….I would have shot anyone that came in the room with a video camera.  We just take photos and little videos with our small camera when people visit.  Be sure you have charged your battery BEFORE you get to the hospital.
6. If you want to give yourself a little luxury, I think the dearjohnnies hospital gowns are SUPER CUTE and much more fun to have in those first photos instead of the blue hospital gown.  I’ve seen other options out there, but I love that these aren’t bulky, they are pretty fabrics and soft!  And that they work the same as the regular hospital gowns (ties and snaps) making it easy for your Labor and Delivery nurses (who will be your BFFs for the next few hours!) I can’t wait to wear mine this time!
7. You can bring magazines, cards, a book, laptop, iPod (just don’t forget chargers) – anything else that may help you pass the time.  As it was for us, we had a very non eventful afternoon when Addie was induced.  We really could have done anything until that evening as we were just in the wait and see game.  With Hayden, everything moved much faster as I was already in labor when we got to the hospital as most of the “waiting”  had been done at home.  Just good be to be prepared.
8. Health Directive.  If you do not have one, most hospitals will have something that you can sign, but nice to already have it take care of.  Just bring a copy with you to give to your nurse.  We used a standard form in a Quicken program.
9. Any paper work from your doctors office to pass onto the hospital.  They usually give you a card with pertinent information about you – blood type, Rubella immunity, etc.
10. If you have birth plan, bring this as well.  I have never had one.  I knew that I did not want to be in pain, that I wanted an epidural, and that the safety of the baby was my utmost concern.  Additionally, no matter what you plan, something comes up that can throw the it all for a loop.  So I tend to just have the plan for the basics and know that I’m going to make the best choices as they arise.

This is everything else you may want to keep in the car and bring up once you are in your longer stay room:

1. Another pillow for hubby.
2. Toiletry kit for hubby and a couple changes of shirts, etc.  Unless he will be running home to shower and change, take care of other kids, etc then it’s nice for him to have some comforts too. Remember, he may be up all night with you and greeting family in the morning.
3. For sure take slippers….hospital floor, need I say more??? Plan to either throw them away or be able to wash them.
4. Your toiletry kit – toothbrush/paste, face lotion, shampoo & conditioner, hair dryer, body lotion, deodorant, hair dryer, brush…and yes, I take my flat iron – photos for life people!!
5. I like to have a blanket or throw from home.
6. Laptop & charger – I’m taking it only because I will be there for an extended stay.  Otherwise, leave it at home and enjoy the time getting to know your new little one.
7. Some people like to take a robe, I prefer to take a towel wrap for the shower (less bulk) and for real, after you’ve had a baby, you still look pregnant.  Try getting a hospital towel wrapped around you!
8. I didn’t really take anything cute to wear when I was in the hospital with Addie as everyone told me I would be there such a short time, that it wasn’t worth it.  Hogwash. Even if you are only there a day, I still think you’ll want something cute!  I hate seeing the blue hospital gown in so many of Addie’s first photos.  It’s ok for those first few photos, but when you start seeing me in photos with friends and family over the next day or so, I WISH I had been wearing something nicer.  So for Hayden, I brought 2 cute pairs of PJs. Having a nursing night gown type thing is best, or again a dearjohnnies gown.  I didn’t know about the dearjohnnies gowns last year, so I brought nursing tops and super comfy, soft pants and was TOTALLY happy.  But I would recommend black pants only.  Just sayin…I was also glad that I had brought a few things as I didn’t know at the time I packed that I would be having a c-section and therefore be at the hospital 5 days.
9. A couple of nursing bras.
10. An outfit for you to wear home.  Something comfortable.
11. An outfit for the baby to wear home.  I have the same little pink kimono onsie that each of our girls has worn home.  It’s amazing to me to pull it out each time and see how small they once were!
12. A swaddle blanket for baby to go home in.  I tend to use the hospital blankets, caps and kimono shirts while I’m there as it’s just easy.  But then change baby into her own things as we head home.

OK a few extras.

If possible, ask your doctor if you can fill your pain med prescriptions BEFORE you head to the hospital.  Then they are at home for you and ready to go.  You can keep on the same schedule you’ve been on at the hospital, and there is no rush to pick them up from the pharmacy.  TRUST ME, you don’t want to mess with this program.  This would be known as “Melt Down 2009″ in our house when hubby forgot to pick up my pain meds (but remembered the pool cleaning equipment and I lapsed passed my regular time to take them…..I wouldn’t ask hubby about it, still a “painful moment” for us both!).  This year, mine are filled and ready.

Because I will be in the hospital for more than an overnight.  We have a plan for how the girls get to visit mommy each day.  (Probably more for mommy than them, but I don’t want to be away from my Littles!) So I’ve packed a little treat for them each day.  Some choose to give books on new siblings, or give a sibling there own new baby doll.  Our girls are a little young to “get” the new sister thing. Grams and Gramps gave them their own baby dolls in their own bassinets for their birthdays, which they LOVE!  My treats are more just fun happies for them when they come to visit.  You don’t need to do big things, just a fun minding….I have picture board books, pin wheels, Thomas the Train bath toys (they LOVE trains), and these AWESOME crayon artist rolls ups from Bloom Woosie with a notepad and stickers.  (Stay tuned for my post on Bloom Woosie next week!  Super cute Etsy shop!)

My middle sister is also flying in town and bringing her nephews, so I got them a little treat too.  Easy wrapping job – lunch bag and cute cut out construction paper letter.

VERY LAST THING.…because I knew my c-section date, I made a hair appt and an mani/pedi appt for Monday – nothing like a little pampering the day before, PLUS knowing you are that much more put together for the week!

That’s about it.  Remember, whatever you take with you, you need to bring home with you and will also be bringing home a new baby, loads of flowers and possibly extra gifts.  Try to pack just what you need to be comfortable.

My bag is packed and we are off to the hospital Tuesday!!