The girl scout in me came to the surface as I was the latter type of women, I had no clue what I'd REALLY need, but just like most birth plans, what you prepare for is not usually what you end up with. Being the kind of person who loves lists and also loves over preparing for things, I read like every.single.packing list I could get my grubby paws on. Then I started my own list, and for the last few (six) months of my pregnancy I added, deleted, and reviewed my packing list. Then around Week 37 I started piling all the junk I was going to pack in the hallway which eventually made it into a duffle bag, which was never really opened until after the little peanut was born...so much for all the labor items I thought I'd need. HA!
So without any further introduction, here are the Top 10 Lists of what I was glad I packed...and what I never even used.
Top 10 Things I used in my Hospital bag
1.) Cell Phone Charger- this should be like a *duh* item in this day an age but I was so glad I had an extra one already thrown in my bag so I didn't have to remember to grab the one by my bed as we rushed out the door, this was the ONLY item we took out of my bag before the baby came, and since I labored all through the night I was glad I had it so my phone didn't die and I could keep people updated on my progress.
2.) Make-up Wipes- ok this was the second thing I got out of my bag after my baby was born and I had some time to finally center myself. With day old make-up and sweat crusting my face and visitors wanting to come and take pictures, I knew this was the closest thing to a spa that I was going to get for a while. I really like these small travel packs from Target, but really whatever works for you.
3.) Snacks- I had really packed these because I intended to be a rebel who would "eat if my body wanted to eat" during labor...but really it didn't. Food never once crossed my mind, especially when my taco dinner was making its second appearance (TMI?) sorry. But after baby girl was out and they gave me the green light to order breakfast, something in my brain turned on and was like "oh yeah, we're hungry and we can't wait until the cafeteria food comes". So the Luna bar, goldfish crackers and fruit snacks were amazing! They were also good later in the evening as I was starving and was up most of the night with baby.
4.) Hair Stuff- Whatever this means to you, pack it. I had a butterfly clip, bobby pins, hair binders, and a brush. I have some crazy wavy weird hair so I was glad to have the options of taming my showerless hair for photos/visitors
5.) Dry Shampoo- Speaking of dirty hair, this stuff is AMAZING. I love love love it, I use it on my roots if they are looking a little greasy, and even on my forehead and nose in the summer if my face is seeming a little shiny. It's great.
6.) Robe- My husband got me this robe from amazon for my birthday I specifically asked for this one because I knew it would be perfect for at the hospital with my summer baby. It's cotton jersey material so its light, it has nice big pockets, and the tie is attached to the robe so it doesn't get lost...just be careful when going to the bathroom...that's all I'm gonna say.
7.) Socks- I also brought flip flops and slippers and didn't use either of them until I left the building. But I was glad I had my little sports socks to wear, kept my feet a bit warm and clean from the hospital floor, and also let me know how swollen my ankles still were. YAY!
8.) Deodorant- I wasn't at the hospital long enough, nor did I really want to use their shower, so having deodorant helped me feel a little less stanky.
9.) Toothbrush and Paste- Again, one more nice thing that helps you feel like a human again. I' not sure why, but it did. Maybe after going 24 hours without having brushed my teeth, having tossed my cookies (well tacos really) and then just generally being human, brushing my teeth after labor was a wonderful experience.
10.) A Good Going Home Outfit- Every Hospital packing list is like "don't expect to be back in your pre-pregnancy jeans when leaving the hospital"...I don't know who would think that but they deserve to have their skinny jeans in their bag as their going home outfit just to realize duh...you just carried a human for 9 months your belly is going to take some time to deflate. But I can't stress the importance of having something really really comfortable, especially up top for your much larger tatas. My nursing tank I brought to wear home was a *little* bit tighter than I normally wear because my girls were just so much larger than I'd expected, so please, plan ahead for this and for the weather, be comfortable!
And of course
The Top 10 Things I DID NOT NEED in my Hospital Bag
1.) Shower stuff- I was not there long enough really to shower, plus with visitors, being tired and generally trying to care for a newborn, I didn't have much time. I was glad to get home after 24 hours and take a shower in my own bathroom. Wish I hadn't bought that special travel kit...
2.) Tablet/Laptop/Whatever technology you wont use- I didn't touch this, I used my phone, and really phones do everything you need to do while in the hospital.
3.) Clothes- Besides my going home outfit, I didn't need any clothes. I wore the hospital gown, which was actually really cute because honestly I was taking it on and off for nursing all the time, getting checks from nurses every however many minutes, and it was comfortable. Plus, less laundry!
4.) Underwear- You wont need it or want it. Everything everyone says about mesh panties is true, they are amazing, they hold it all in, they aren't yours so you don't have to do anything with them later, they are great.
5.) Nursing bra- Ha! I haven't even put a real bra on since my baby was born, 4 months ago! I love soft comfy sports style nursing/sleep bras now, but I certainly did not need anything while at the hospital, they just chilled out under my hospital gown..real classy like
6.) Camera- Nope never did I even remember to take this out. My phone took all of the pics while I was there, which by the way phones take such great pictures these days!
7.) Lanolin and breast pads- My milk wasn't even really in until I got home so nothing leaked, and I wasn't sore or hurting yet so I didn't need any cream or anything.
8.) Tucks Pads- Ok these and Dermoplast were things I didn't know anything about but everyone raved about them so I bought both and didn't use either. Sure I was a little sore after delivery, but I never felt I needed anything besides the ice packs from the hospital. Maybe if you have a more difficult delivery you want these but I really didn't even know what to do with them if I *did* want to use them, so yeah
9.) Baby Stuff- The only baby items I needed or was glad to have were her going home outfit, a cute blanket for photos and her car seat. Everything else you need the hospital supplies. But if there is something else you want, go ahead and bring it, since baby stuff doesn't take up much room.
10.) Towels and Swimsuit top- Ok these never got used because I didn't get to have the birth I dreamed of, laid back in a warm jet tub while I peacefully hummed through contractions...with high blood pressure and induction I was pretty much chained to the bed, so no water frolicking for me :(
What did you pack in your hospital bag that you were so glad you had? Was there anything you packed that you never used?
I literally packed nothing when I had my toddler. Well I didn't have the time to anyway. I went in to have a check up and was told I was going to have her that very same day. I did ask hubby to bring me back a comfortable robe for when visitors came by and my Kindle so I can have something to read while I was in the hospital but everything else was provided for me. My camera took all the pics I needed although I had an amazing camera. Great checklist!
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