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Below are my recommendations on packing for your trip to L&D, including things that were unnecessary and some unconventional things we found very useful!
Packing for MOM:
Your own hospital gown - I packed two, one for delivery and one for once I was cleaned up. I found both on Etsy and was glad to have them. They were more comfortable and fit better than the gown provided by the hospital. Make sure it has snaps or Velcro at the sleeves for easy access breastfeeding.
Water bottles - they give you a water bottle there with a straw at the hospital that I thoroughly enjoyed, however, I drank SOOOO much water through delivery/recovery that I found it extremely convenient to have a 6-pack of water bottles there for when I needed a refill at an inconvenient time (like the middle of the night).
Thin robe - I wore a thin robe over my hospital gown or in lieu of my hospital gown at times for comfort.
Two nursing bras - I always had one on. This Hofish brand on Amazon has been my favorite.
Going home outfit - choose something comfortable that would fit you about 6 months pregnant. Your uterus is still enlarged.
Hair ties
Headband
Seeing glasses - I didn’t even bother with contacts, just wore my glasses the whole time.
Chapstick
Boppy - I used this to aid in establishing breastfeeding. It made learning more comfortable.
Snacks - you order breakfast lunch and dinner from the hospital, but I was hungry nonstop and so grateful to have packed easy to eat and favorite snacks. Also, this sounds random, but my sister brought in a basket of pre-washed fruit that was incredible for snacking. It was so refreshing and hydrating. Ask someone who is visiting early to bring you washed and cut or bagged fruit. Otherwise I ate peanut butter crackers, RX bars and trail mix.
Nunn hydration tablets - I brought these, but never ended up using them. Theoretically great idea so I left them on the packing list. But they were unused in my case.
Individually wrapped prunes - constipation is a scary and real post-birth problem. My sister brought me a bag of individually wrapped prunes and encouraged me to eat one (or two) with every meal to prevent constipation and make my first postpartum poop less painful. Highly recommend. I swear this was a game changer for me.
Pillow - For those who know me, you know “squishy” was with me (yes, my pillow has a name!).
Packing for DAD:
Pillow
Blow up mattress (hear me out) - Conley brought a blow up mattress just to see if it would fit in the room, with the expectation that it may not in which case he would just leave it in the car. Sure enough, it fit!! He was thrilled to have it and was able to get decent sleep while we were at the hospital. If you have one, might as well throw it (and some sheets) in the car and make the call once you see your postpartum room.
Comfortable clothes for lounging around the hospital for 2-3 days, pajamas, clothes to go home in.
Robe - Sounds odd, but this was great for skin-to-skin time between baby and dad.
Nerves of steel - I was a WRECK when we were discharged from the hospital and was so nervous about the car ride home with baby. Conley was probably also nervous, but for my benefit, acted confident and comfortable driving our two-day old home.
Packing for BABY:
Two swaddle / hat combos - this is for pictures, but not necessary.
A blanket - again, for pictures. You can put this on the hospital bassinet (we forgot to) to have a cuter background for swaddle pictures.
Mementos - do you want baby’s footprints on something in particular? Handprints?
Going home outfit - bring a few options since you don’t know how big baby will be.
A blanket for the carseat - especially if it’s chilly, a little blanket to drape over baby’s legs on the car ride home.
Car seat - I would practice getting the car seat in and out. The hospital will ask you to bring up the carseat to show you have it and it’s helpful to be experienced (dad) in handling the carseat. We had the registry specialist at Buy Buy Baby show us how to install and play with the car seat a few weeks before my due date.
Miscellaneous Items:
Long phone charger for both of you. Consider a portable phone charger (like an anker or mophie) if your phone dies quickly.
Portable music player (plus charger) - we really enjoyed having music play during delivery and afterwards.
Birth plan - include information about preferences for your birth, any requirements for your birth or religious practices, reminders to yourself (like cord blood banking kit!), and your doctor and pediatrician information. I developed my birth plan after going through the childbirth class my hospital offered. My birth plan is below for reference.
Travel white noise - this portable Hushh is with us at all times and we used it from day one.
Vitamins / Medication - Conley and I both brought our own vitamins and any prescription medication we take. I continued my prenatal vitamin regiment. I cleared it all with the doctor at the hospital, but it made me feel like I was doing something positive for my body after a HUGE day.
Toiletries - I’m a germaphobe so in addition to my own toiletries I brought my own towel and shower shoes. I loved it/thought it was worth it. Conley thought it was overkill and was happy to use the towel provided by the hospital.
Notebook and pen - once baby arrives, there are so many visits from doctors for the baby and you. You will want a place to write down all the important and helpful information.
Cord blood banking kit (if you choose to do so).
CHAMPAGNE! Not a typical item for the hospital bag, but it made for a super fun post-birth party / toast.
Easy slip on shoes for both mom and dad.
Extra bag to bring stuff home from the hospital - I will do a separate post on postpartum gear, but the hospital has some of the best products that they will send you home with!
Unnecessary Items:
Postpartum/baby supplies in general - you do not need any supplies unless there is something specific you are really set on using. I brought all sorts of stuff including the FridaMom postpartum kit, diapers, wipes, nipple cream, etc. I did not touch anything with the exception of the Hushh travel white noise listed above. If you feel the need to have stuff (I get it, I did because #firsttimemom) pack it and leave it in the car.
A book - I saw this on multiple hospital checklists online. LOL to the thought of reading a book during labor. Definitely did not need.
Breastpump - I saw this on some hospital bag checklists and it is not necessary. Confirm with your hospital, but to the extent you need to pump, they should provide you all the necessary gear.
Pajamas, favorite socks, normal underwear (LOL) - I packed all sorts of comfy clothes for myself and didn’t touch a thing outside of my robe. You are being examined constantly so easy access is necessary for both mom check ups and nursing. You live in the hospital gown. Also, you feel kinda gross being at a hospital so it’s nice to just wear the hospital socks they give you and throw them away as you want new ones.
LBB’s Birth Plan - I suggest emailing your birth plan to yourself and your partner/spouse so you can easily pull it up and print it out to have handy in the room for your L&D nurse.
Delivery:
Our plan is to have a safe and healthy delivery - however that may be
Would like to receive an epidural
Mom's Doctor - Dr. Chris Seeker (AAOBGYN)
Baby's Doctor - Dr. Ari Brown (411 Pediatrics (512) 327-0411)
We are saving cord blood and have a cord blood banking kit to be processed at hospital
After baby is born:
Baby’s name will be ____________ Anderson Covert (first name TBD, Crockett or Conley)
Dad will cut the umbilical cord
We have items to get handprints/footprints
We have a football for baby’s stats to go on
Need to keep first blankets to bring home for dogs
We would also like to be a part of the first bath experience.
Mom would like to set up a lactation consultant appointment during the hospital stay (notify at check in to hospital)
Baby will be circumcised in hospital - Dad would like to be present.
If Baby is taken anywhere after delivery, Dad would like to stay by baby’s side the whole time
Jaclyn & Conley’s To-Do after birth
Let SailPoint know – both Jac's boss and HR
Turn on out of office emails for Conley & Jaclyn
Notify insurance company of my last day of work so they can process my short term disability. Either call XXXXX or email XXXXX to confirm the last day (I suggest figuring out any logistics pre-delivery and then including the specific information in your birth plan.)
Add baby to insurance within 30 days of delivery (I set up a calendar alert that started the week before LBB's due date and repeated weekly for a month on my calendar, Conley's and my mom's so this would not be forgotten)
Oder extra birth certificates
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