Today we are 39 weeks along, & we are getting so close to our due date! Our boy could come any day now! Although this will be the first time I’ve had to pack a hospital bag for labor (therefore making me “unqualified” to tell you what to pack), I still thought it would be a good idea to share my list with you. I know for myself, it’s been a little overwhelming searching the internet for the perfect checklist. What I found most helpful of where to start, was going on our hospital tour of the birthing center & asking them what they do & do not provide for mom & baby. This helped check off a lot of things on the list. Then I found a very thorough list from Mama Natural (great resource for all things pregnancy related) that I have taken & tweaked to fit our preferences. Perhaps I will even post a blog after we have our baby discussing my hospital list & what I needed, wanted, or didn’t use at all. So here’s what I have created:
Paperwork:
- Copies of birth plan (see image below) // my husband created it & did such a great job
- We decided not to share all our choices on here because they are all preference-based. Some other things you can include in your birth plan (most of these our hospital already does as routine):
- Immediate skin-to-skin
- Delayed cord clamping
- Wait to bathe baby OR will bathe baby at home
- At least 1 hour skin-to-skin before any medical procedures (unless necessary)
- Skin-to-skin with dad after mom breastfeeds
- No circumcision OR circumcision done in hospital
- No vitamin K
- No Hep B
- No students please
- Food & water preferred over IV
- The list goes on!
- We decided not to share all our choices on here because they are all preference-based. Some other things you can include in your birth plan (most of these our hospital already does as routine):
- Insurance card
Clothing:
- Labor clothes (I will probably wear the hospital gown, but I want to have another option)
- Warm socks, slippers, comfy shoes, or flip flops
- Zip up hoodie or cardigan // something warm but easy to take off
- Pajama pants/sweatpants/leggings
- Clean & comfy outfit to leave hospital in // easy access to nurse
- Leggings, tank, & zip up hoodie
- Ponytail holders & bobby pins
- Sports bra & tank tops
Toiletries:
- Body soap
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Coconut oil
- Chapstick
- Shampoo & conditioner
- Dry shampoo
- Hairspray
- Facial care creams & wash
- Make-up
Breastfeeding:
- Nipple cream
- Nursing bra & nursing tanks (I’m just bringing regular tanks)
- Nursing pads (I’m bringing just a couple because my hospital provides them)
Postpartum Care:
- Motherlove Sitz bath spray
- Magnesium and/or Miralax (especially if you have an epidural or will take pain meds)
Soothers:
- Rice bag or heat pad for back labor & after birth pains
Essential Oils & Natural Remedies:
- Orange, lemon, or citrus oils to energize
- Lavender oil for relaxation
- Frankincense oil to help stay focused
- Oil diffuser
- Magnesium oil or BioFreeze for back labor
Snacks:
- Nut butters, trail mix, & other high calorie foods for energy
- Nut or protein bars
- Honey sticks, Lara bars, or energy balls
- Coconut water
- Gatorade
- Meals & snacks in a cooler for middle of the night hunger
Technology:
- Camera & lenses
- Camera charger
- GoPro & charger
- SD cards
- Laptop & charger
- iPhone chargers
Other:
- Pillows/blankets for hubby (hospital beds are uncomfortable)
- Cooler for placenta (if you’re saving yours)
- Journal (have someone to document everything)
- Husband’s clothes
For Baby:
- Receiving blankets 2 // newborn clothing
- 2 “going home” outfits w/ hats, socks, & mittens // 1 as backup
- 1 short sleeve onesie // 1 long sleeve onesie (as backup)
- Diapers & wipes (as backup)
- Car seat (installed properly in car)
- Baby nail clippers/file
Other things to consider (for preference or if your hospital doesn’t provide them):
Birthing ball
Pads or Depends
Tennis ball for sore feet
Red raspberry leaf tea
Baby book
What are some items that you would or wouldn’t pack from the list I’ve created?
For moms, what was one thing you packed that you were so thankful to have at the hospital?
As always, thanks for reading! I hope some of you found this to be helpful.
I think you seem pretty prepared love. Great job mamma.
I know the one thing that saved me were Tucks pads for after. My hospital provided them, but definitely bought more. Also…as weird as people may think, depends were seriously the greatest; so much better then having to deal with a huge maxi every time.
So excited for you guys. Eric and I cannot wait to see pics!! We are praying for a safe labor and delivery.
Thank you! You’re the 3rd person to recommend the Depends. I have them listed as extra, but perhaps it should be a must!
Love the birth plan. Our hospital was great about allowing us skin to skin time. We also did without shots. I wish I’d brought food for the middle of the night. I didn’t get to eat dinner until 9 and the kitchen was only offering limited choices which I found very disappointing.
My big advice: ask for extra everything before you leave. Especially witch hazel pads*, numbing spray and ginormous pads. Oh and take that squeeze bottle home! It will be your best friend for awhile. How warm water can bring so much relief is quite amazing. If Griffin can’t find you ever I’m sure it’s cause you just needed a few extra refills of your squeeze bottle! (Can you tell I loved this thing?)
*My husband went to the store to try and find more witch hazel pads…they’re amazing. He couldn’t so we mad our own. Cotton pads and a bottle of witch hazel. Soak and store in an empty wipe container. It’s probably cheaper anyway.
Thank you, Heather! I’m glad our hospital is good with skin-to-skin as well. I will try and remember to ask for extra stuff before leaving. I remember doing that after I had surgery, & was grateful I did. Good to know about the witch hazel pads. :) Excited for your 2nd baby!!
Ok, so I’ve been following your blog for a while and never commented. I am so excited for you and your husband. This baby is truly a gift from God!
I know you’re already bringing so many things, I loved having the boppy or nursing pillow. You can use the hospital pillows, I just had a hard time getting comfortable every time I had to nurse. And chapstick! I’m a burts bees addict! I can’t wait to see pics and hear the amazing birth story!
Hi Michelle, thanks for following & commenting! I will try & remember to bring my Boppy. My sister suggested the same thing. Chapstick is something I always have with me… I’m an addict as well. :) Thank you!
Boppy or preferred nursing pillow and breastpump. Your hospital might have both of these for you but I liked having my own. Also a robe is always good to have.
Thanks, I’ll be sure to bring my Boppy! I forgot to include it in the list, but I already have it ready by my bag. :) You and some others suggested it, so it seems important. A robe is an awesome idea! Thank you!!
Excited for you guys, you’re getting so close! One thing I was happy I brought was a robe for the day(s) lounging around the hospital I didn’t have one with Nix and love having it this time.The pads and underwear you sport around after don’t make the tight yoga pants feel too flattering haha so pack accordingly ;). I had a very similar list…I think it’s better to overpack than to wish you had something so I’d pack it all! Things I see on your list that I was very happy I brought my own nipple balm, lip balm and baby book for filling out some of the first few days info and all that. Happy packing!
Thanks, Ashley! I’m glad I’m not the only over packer. It’s fun for me to plan all this out though too. I’ll try & remember to bring a robe. So many others suggested that as well, & it definitely makes sense. Good point on the yoga pants. I’ll bring sweats & long tshirts or something to cover my bum lol.
Beth, looks like you are so ready :) I am so happy for you!! A few things. If your hospital provides (most do) nipple cream, tucks pads, mesh panties, and the extra longs pads (and diapers and wipes for baby) ask for more of each before you leave. You are paying a bill anyways 😉 Soanything after your deductible is free to you. Take it as a blessing.
For the going home outfit for you, I HIGHLY recommend a theory dress type of thing. (I found mine at TJMaxx). I brought leggings (2-3 sizes bigger) but the pressure they put on my tummy was unbearable! (I also brought “cute” undies a few sizes bigger and they were too tight 😂😂 So I fully embraced the mesh parties for weeks PP). All that to say, just in case the leggings are too tight on your stomach, bring a couple T shirt dresses.
And last thing!! YES to bringing makeup and shower items. When you shower and get ready the day after or before being discharged, you feel like a completely new women it’s amazing!!!! (Don’t forget blow dryer and straightener if you need! I curled my hair 😂)
So proud of you and so excited for your miracle baby!! 😘😘
Thanks for the tips, Sam! Yours was so recent, I will take all what you said into consideration. :) The long t-shirt dress is a GREAT idea! Especially if I end up wearing leggings with a large pad haha… the dress will cover my bum.
So excited for you guys! And you’ve got a great plan! Great job guys! One thing I suggest is not wearing anything with a zipper. The zippers get in the way while nursing and can easily scratch that sweet new skin. I’m guilty of that! And then you feel awful! Lol. Cardigan is definitely the way to go! :) We are praying for a wonderful delivery and healthy baby and Mommy! And we are praising God for this awesome addition to the McGrath family! Woohoo!
(Also wanted to add that I was group b strep positive with our first and had absolutely no problems with it. 😀 )
Love- the Derton and (senior) Place families
Thanks, Cortney! That’s really great advice about the zippers. Something I hadn’t thought about. I’ll bring cardigans for sure! Thank you for all your prayers!!
You are very prepared my friend! Great job! I would say, even though you don’t forsee a c section, you may just want to think about the possibility. And what your birth plan will be if this happens, for instance they will have to cut the umbilical cord right away. Let them know you want it left long, so Griffin can cut the remaining. What are the hospitals rules if you do have a c section with skin on skin? I didn’t get to have skin on skin with my boys till I went back to recovery, but with Bella, they gave her to me once they wrapped her up. She never left my sight. Just some thoughts coming from a mom of 3 c secstion. :)
Hi Jen! Thanks, I’m looking at my birth plan as a guideline & not a rulebook haha. Our hospital midwives don’t do c-sections unless NEEDED. However, I have 2 friends that recently birthed there & had emergency c-sections, so I know it’s a possibility. I will talk to Griffin about asking for skin-to-skin right after if I have a c-section as well. They said they are usually able to do it unless medically they can’t right away. Thanks for the advice!
I’m so excited for you guys! One thing Jesika did was bring little gifts for her nurses. She said it meant so much to them and was so thankful she did that. David also got them Starbucks during labor. They LOVED feeling spoiled and gave Jesika and Mila the BEST care ever! Just a thought ;0)
That definitely sounds like something Jes would do, & I’ll have to also remember to bring them gifts or treats. I originally had that on my checklist, but I didn’t post it because I was trying to keep it shorter. The Starbucks thing is also a great idea! You & your family are the best at gift giving. :) Thank you, Renae!
I would add slippers and a robe if you have one. you think you’ll get dressed but you may not want to especially the first day or night after you give birth. it’s nice to grab a robe and slippers if you have to leave your room. or put on after breastfeeding and for when guests pop in. i found nice to have. :)
Best of luck!! Birth is an awesome thing, parenthood is better! :)
Thanks for the tip, Andrea! I have my slippers on the list & already packed, but I’ll be sure to bring a robe too. You & so many others have suggested that. Great idea!!
This doesn’t have to do with your list but moreso for having your home stocked when you’re back. You will be incredibly sore, and what the hospital gave you for relief will run out. I purchased a container of Tucks (hazel witch) pads, extra large over night pads, and a refreezeable ice pack that is easily bendable. The hospital will probably give you disposable ice packs, but they lose their cool so fast. I bought a gel heating/cooling pack and it’s amazing! With nursing, I found that my breasts were super sensitive the first few weeks, especially at the hospital. So I brought a super soft nightie that had barely any support, but enough to at least hold my nursing pads in so I didn’t have to wear a bra. Too tight of bras anyways are a no bueno simply because they can cause milk duct clogs. Everything else looks awesome!! Oh! Just in case you have a big baby-bring a 0-3 month outfit too along with newborn clothing. My first didn’t fit in her going home newborn outfit!!! So she had to wear a onesie from the hospital!! Haha! I was prepared with more sizes for our second haha!
Sounds great! All really good advice, & I appreciate it. Thank you so much!!
Bethany we are so excited for you guys!! It’s been fun watching you progress along a few steps ahead of us too. :)
Have you considered providing an editable version of your birth plan to your readers? I know I would love to customize what you guys did for us! It’s such a great visual!
XO, Jaclyn
Thanks, Jaclyn! So excited for you guys as well. Yes, that’s a great idea to provide something for my readers. I will ask Griffin how to do that (because he’s more tech savvy than me), & hopefully I can work it out! Thanks for suggesting it.