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What's in your bag? Packing a hospital bag for L&D.

Packing a Hospital Bag. thirsties
One more month...supposedly. I have one more month until this baby arrives. So...what better question to ask than what's in my hospital bag?  I started packing my hospital bag about a month ago when I experienced some annoying and (somewhat) concerning preterm contractions. It's not that I was thinking I'd go into labor that early but I needed, okay wanted, something to do that was productive since my doctor wanted me to relax a bit. In my two labor and delivery experiences I've gone early so for the control freak in me early preparations work in my favor. What's in my bag?
  1. Two nursing sports bra
  2. Two fashionable hospital gowns. One is from this adorable Etsy shop, Mod Mum. (not pictured)
  3. A few pairs of underwear; the hospital will have some super awesome postpartum underwear to go along with the gigantic pads for you to wear while you're there. It's not a bad thing to wear their special underwear, afterbirth is well, um, very messy to say the least.
  4. Postpartum Mama Cloth - it's ten times more comfortable than disposable pads. 
    Hospital Gown Hospital Bag. Thirsties
  5. Going home outfit for myself.
  6. Bathroom bag filled with toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, face wash, shampoo, hair product, and daily medications. I'm also going to pack some make up but that's going to come a little later and I may send hubby home to pick it up.
  7. Muslin swaddle blanket for baby because baby should be comfy too!
  8. Glasses
  9. Slippers
  10. Breastfeeding pillow - I didn't bring it with my first delivery but I had to with my second because when I left the hospital with my first I didn't even really get how to use my breastfeeding pillow. Bringing it with me gave me lots and lots of practice.
  11. Tablet for entertainment. Duh! What else would I would do for entertainment in between visitors?
What I haven't packed but should?
  1. Going home outfit for baby - I don't know the baby's sex so I haven't packed an outfit yet.
  2. Nursing scarf - Again for visitors when baby's needing to nurse; this isn't something that everyone has to pack though. You don't even have to cover up if you don't want to. It's a personal preference.
  3. Hubby's clothes. He still needs to pack but we're only ten minutes from the hospital so he'll most likely come home to grab some necessaries after the baby's born. If you live farther away from your hospital your partner really should pack a hospital bag.
What about you? What do you pack for your hospital bag?
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139 comments

  • Great suggestions!

    Darci on
  • I ended up packing about an hr before we left for the hospital, but that’s not what I recommend. I was working up until the last minute and didn’t have time before hand, but I thought I would have time during early labor. Turns out I had a precipitous birth in ~3.5 hrs and barely made it to the hospital on I time. I ended up using my gym bag so all I had to add as was a change of clothes and an outfit for the baby. Didn’t even stay in the hospital for 24 hrs so just ended up showering at home anyway.

    Leela R. on
  • I definitely over packed for both baby and me when I went to the hospital. I’ll say that the most important items I packed were nursing bras and my own comfy pjs. Going home outfits for me and baby were also key

    Meg on
  • Snacks! for me and DH

    Jenny W H on
  • Nice list. I will be giving birth at home again for our second. But this is still good to look at and make sure I have these items out and ready for birthing day :)

    Amanda on

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