Packing for Hospital Stay

When getting ready to have a baby, most women begin worrying about packing for hospital stay, almost from the moment they see those 2 beautiful lines appear on the pregnancy test. Although most women wait until the eighth or nineth month of their pregnancy to do so, it is not a bad idea to have a list ready to go of everything you want to take along, well in advance. Because when the time comes for you to go.....packing for hospital stay will be the farthest thing from your mind. Knowing what to pack is very important. You really don't need very much when you go to the hospital, and all valuables (such as jewelry) should be kept at home to be safe. Here is a list of things you will want to bring along with you for the entire hospital stay:

Your birth plan

Video/digital camera

Glasses if you wear them/ contact solution

Hair ties

Shampoo, conditioner, soap, shaving items, light makeup, chapstick, toothpaste, tooth brush

Paper to place the baby's footprints for baby book

Clothes for baby

Clothes for mommy, although you may find wearing a pair of your husbands boxers and the hospital gown to be the most comfortable (especially since you will be bleeding rather heavily for the first day or 2)

Bathing suit, if you plan to use the tub or have a water birth

Snacks and bottled water (dad will probably be starving at some point during labor, so bring snacks so he doesn't have to leave the room to get something)

Change for vending machines

Phone numbers of the people you will call

INSURANCE CARDS!!! Make sure you know both of your social security numbers as well.

Nursing bras

Your going home outfit (you will still look 5-6 months pregnant when you leave the hospital)

***Don't forget that dad's role is very important. Make sure he has an outfit he wants to wear during the labor and delivery, and pictures. Putting him in charge of the bags and packing for hospital stay, may also help him feel like he is doing something to get ready for baby too.

Packing for hospital stay is something you should definetely do by 37 weeks, if not before. Most women will not go into labor before 38 weeks, and some not until 42 weeks, but you can never be to careful. It would also be a good idea to keep your bag in the car. I know from personal experience that having a bag packed is very important. I showed up at my weekly doctor's appointment and ended up being induced immediately because of an issue arising with the baby and I didn't have my bags with me. You cannot predict what will happen, so always being prepared is the best way to insure you as worry-free a stay as possible. Don't forget to do your birth plan WELL in advance, and give a copy to your doctor too. For more on what a birth plan is, click the link on the left.

Since you are getting ready to have a baby, it wouldn't be a bad idea to learn as much as you can now about breastfeeding . It is surprsingly difficult for most women, but the rewards are endless.

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