Alright loves, this has been a highly requested blog post so I figured I better hop to it before some of my mama’s out there have their babies!
As I promised, I would share a post on what I actually used from my hospital bag…spoiler alert, I used most of it! Below is the list with the items I packed, the bolded list is what I actually used and below that is what I packed and didn’t use with an explanation why. xx
What I Packed & Used in My Hospital Bag
- Toothbrush and toothpaste for mom and partner
- Shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, body wash/soap
- Towels (hospital towels are tiny and they’re pretty scratchy)
- Lip balm
- Face skincare
- Brush, dry shampoo, pony tails and hair clips
- Straightener
- Cell phone charger with extra long cord for both mom and partner
- Pillow and blankets for mom and partner
- Birthing gown (although to be honest, I was naked most of the time? But the gown is nice for the beginning stages before things get too intense.) Robe, slippers, pj’s with a button top, socks
- Going home clothes and shoes
- Snacks (You don’t have to go overboard with the snacks as the hospital has them. But nuts, oat bars, dried fruits, coconut water (electrolytes) etc. are all good things to pack)
- Frida mom kit. (You’ll use everything in here and I’d recommend buying extra perineal liners.)
- Reusable water bottle with built in straw
- Copy of birth plan (for partner to give to nurses when you get there)
- Sweater and sweatpants for partner as well as going home clothes
- Drivers license, photo id’s, SSN (important information for your partner to have just in case)
- Battery operated flameless candles
- Essential oils (peppermint and lavender were my favorites. Use peppermint if feeling nauseous and lavender for all other moments where relaxation is needed.)
- Birthing ball
- Camera (can use iPhone but if you’re wanting better quality pics, I’d recommend bringing one. This is great if you have a third person besides yourself and your partner there. Like a doula, parent, sibling etc. Have them take the pics. 🙂 )
- Baby onesie in NB size, onesie in 0-3 month, baby sleep and play footie in NB and 0-3 month, baby socks, baby blanket and hat. (I recommend taking NB size and 0-3 as you just don’t know how big your baby will be and all baby brands sizing runs differently.)
- Portable fan (I was so hot in that final stretch of labor. I had Joey pour ice chips all over my head and chest. A fan is 100% necessary.)
Things I Packed and Didn’t Use
- Bluetooth speaker. (Thought we’d use this but Joe just played music from his phone and it was perfect.)
- Belly bandit and extender (the body is going through SO much. I let it breath and rest for a week before using this at all.)
- Blow drier. (Just let it air dry.)
- Lotion and belly oil. (the body is so exhausted after birth. The last thing I wanted to do was rub lotion on my skin and exert any unnecessary energy.)
- Tennis ball (thought it would be used during labor for massage but my doula and hubby would rub my shoulders so the ball wasn’t needed)
- Swimsuit for partner. (I labored a lot in the shower/bathtub but Joe never got in with me. He was just outside of it applying the water pressure. A swimsuit would be necessary I think if you’re planning on having a water birth.)
- My own breast pump. (Thought it would be good to practice on but totally unnecessary as the hospital most likely has better ones than what most of us get at home. So skip this as it’s kinda heavy and takes up space in your bag.)
As you can see, I really did use most of the things that I packed! If there are any items that I didn’t list on here that you found helpful in your labor/birth, please share! Let’s help each other out during this insanely beautiful transitional period of life. ♥️
