Preparing for your first baby and giving birth can be very intimidating for everyone, regardless of if you are a first time mom or not. There are so many questions that may run through your head. Being prepared and ready for your hospital stay is one thing that you can prepare ahead of time and will give you a lot of peace of mind and help make your hospital stay more comfortable and enjoyable. When I was pregnant, I found myself over packing for the hospital and ended up with a lot of stuff I didn't need. I'm going to break down the bare necessities and the "nice-to-have" things you'll want for yourself for your hospital stay so you'll be ready to simply enjoy that new baby.
Must-Have:
- Outfit to wear home
- Toiletries i.e. toothbrush, contacts/glasses, etc.
- Phones & chargers to share your exciting news!
- Camera with extra memory card
- Comfortable "granny panties"
- Nursing/comfortable bras
- Socks
- Shower shoes
- Shoes to wear while walking the halls
- Hospital registration documents
- Health insurance information
- Picture ID
- Cash for vending machines (for hungry spouses)
- Car Seat (not required for you - but you can't leave the hospital without one)
- Hospital Bag or Diaper Bag to take home diapers/wipes the hospital gives you for your baby
Nice-to-Have:
- Pillow from home
- Make-up
- Robe or cute pajamas to avoid hospital gowns - ones that unbutton in front are great for nursing!
- Hair products
- Soft blanket
- Music for labor
- Cards/games to pass the time
- Make-up remover & face wash
- Journal or notepad
- Lip balm
- Breath mints
- Nursing pillow (The Luna Lullaby Nursing Pillow is one of our favorite)
- Phone (You'll want to share some adorable pictures with family & friends)
- Extension cord for chargers & charging devices
All women are different and one mom's must haves could be another mom's afterthought. Above all, the most important thing to remember is something to wear home from the hospital that you feel comfortable in. More likely than not your hospital will be able to provide you with most everything else you need for your stay. Think about yourself and your priorities and make your own must have list before you pack your bag. Keep an eye out for a post on what to pack for baby's hospital stay soon!
P.S. A good thing to keep in mind that most women still have quite a bump for a while after delivery so don't plan on wearing your favorite pre-pregnancy jeans quite yet. Another thing to remember is a c-section could be possible even if you were planning on a vaginal delivery. Bring an outfit that would be incision-site friendly just in case you have a c-section.