I’ve learnt to pare down my hospital bag checklist with each child. I’m currently 36 weeks pregnant and have yet to complete my hospital bag. I’m more concerned about getting ahead of Christmas shopping and dealing with stains on my rug. Priorities, right?
I’ve decided that if I really need “more” I live in the same city in which I’m delivering. And If I want something I didn’t pack, my husband, mom or sister can go home and pick up any desired items.
This is my first planned hospital birth. This feels strange in some ways, as I don’t know what I’ll need to “labour” in a hospital. I’ll have my body and my determination, my midwives, and my husband – and I think they will be the main “things” to get me through a hospital birth. Feeling empowered and being well supported during labour are my top items to pack!
The Basics
Top 2 physical items:
- Snacks
- Comfortable clothes
The reason why I say snacks and comfortable clothes? Because labour is a marathon. You need to keep up your energy with bursts of calories. I definitely didn’t feel hungry during labour, but I was offered a few things to sip and eat to help keep me going. In the past, I’ve been in active labour for 6-8 hours before the pushing stage. And I then pushed for 2-3 hours in both labours. That is some intense calorie burning! This time I’ve packed some Squoosh and Slammers smoothie pouches from Baby Gourmet as well as some pineapple coconut water for electrolyte balance. Who has time to chop fresh fruit or snacks when your water breaks? I’m more like, “Let’s get the kids sorted, I want to hop in the shower, and oh, call the midwife!” Thank God for wonderful conveniences like Baby Gourmet pouches!
When women plateau or fail to progress, I love the advice from “Natural Hospital Birth”: eat, cry and move. If you have more questions about this, ask me! Hence why I say comfortable clothes and snacks!
The Expanded List
For Mom:
- Sweat pants and nursing tank to wear home (or something comfortable like a maxi dress). If you want to be more glam, feel free. In my case, I just want to get up, get home and get into my own bed to snuggle with my little family. The only people that are allowed to come visit on this first day are Nana and Grand-Poppy. Nothing can shock them – you should see what I wear to their house every Sunday morning for breakfast, I shock myself in fact. When it comes to glam, I also don’t plan on bringing a hair dryer or make up. That is the LAST thing I want to do when, I’ve metaphorically speaking, run a marathon. Note: If you do show up at my door, please leave the pizza and red wine under the rug and back away slowly. Hehe.
- Music (I like having music on during those long labour hours!)
- Snacks
- Phone charger
- Hospital/birth centre documents
- Health care card
- A few pairs of underwear
- Showering toiletries (hair brush, shampoo, soap, etc.)
- Swim suit for birthing tub
- Loose nighty (not your Sunday best, if you know what I mean)
- PJs
- Sweater – even though it was summer when I delivered my first, I could not warm up after delivery.
- Warm socks
- Flip flops
- Music (I like having music on during those long labouring hours!)
- Comfortable clothes to labour in
- Pads
- Change of clothes for hubby
- Warm sweater
For Baby:
- Diapers for baby
- Maxi-Cosi Carseat
- Babyblanket
- Two sleepers for newborn
- Onesie for newborn
- Hat for newborn
- Baby scratch mitts
If you want to see some options for the “Ultimate Baby List”, check out my list here for some a la carte options for first time moms!
What were your “I can’t live without” items for labour and delivery?
Having had three csections, on the last one I felt like a professional. I made sure to have movies and snacks and ear plugs. For the baby I brought a soother cause my kids loooved sucking and I did not enjoy them using me to do that.
Author
OH I forgot about headphones. I want headphones! I hate ear plugs but head phones – YES!