What To Pack in Your Hospital Bag
There are a ton of hospital bag checklists on the internet and for the most part they all list similar items. Some are more practical than others, and some are lists of things NOT to take, which can be really useful. If you’re looking for a list, here’s a great one from a local doula.
When I delivered my babies in the hospital, I took bags full of most of the expected items. But there were some things I packed that really stood out as essential to my experience, so I figured they might make a difference for you as well!
Lumbar pillow: I took a small lumbar pillow with me that ended up coming in really handy during the toughest parts of labor. I primarily loved it for burying my face in during contractions (I labored and pushed on my hands and knees), but it was also thick enough to fold into just the right height to rest my head on in between contractions. Because it was small and thick, it was more supportive than a regular pillow (especially those thin hospital pillows!). I didn’t end up spending any time in a seated position, but if I had, a lumber pillow would also have been super useful for relieving back pain.
Laptop: I watched The Office on my laptop from the beginning of my labor until I couldn't focus on it anymore and there's no better way to relax in between contractions than watching Dwight set off a fire drill or throw a black plastic bag with a bat in it on top of Meredith's head... I was completely distracted by the show and while I was aware of how my body was feeling as I changed positions and swayed back and forth, I was laughing and feeling pretty relaxed. If you're scared of labor, this might be the perfect tool to take your mind off of things.
Nice camera: I have never regretted having spent time taking photos of my babies' early days. Those first moments and days with your baby are so special and are gone so fast, and are truly going to feel like a blur. You are going to be glad to have high quality photographs to remember them by. Of course, I think partners, not birthing parents, should be taking the pictures...and that's something you can discuss beforehand...but taking a good camera with you is a good idea. Hospitals often have photographers who offer to come in and photograph your baby before you're discharged, but to be honest, that may not always work out. With my first, I was so ready to leave the hospital that we ended up going home just an hour before our photography appointment (that’s how ready we were to get out of there). With my second, my baby just screamed at the photographer. We rescheduled the appointment, but when the photographer came back, my baby was sleeping and the last thing I wanted to do was move her and wake her up. So glad we brought our nice camera with us and got some incredible shots of her first days.
Loose, dark, maternity clothes to go home in: When I was packing my hospital bag the first time, I was so excited to be able to wear some of my old clothes again and I stuck some of my favorites in the bag as a going home outfit. Needless to say, I didn't wear it. Not only does your body still look pregnant when you leave the hospital, you're also wearing layers of pads and diapers and are likely worried about bleeding through them. And above all else, perhaps, I felt like a zombie and though I did shower and put on makeup, I was in no way motivated to put on my good clothes. I was glad that I had packed a bunch of extra maternity sweatpants and shirts that I could use for my ride home (and extra glad they were black).
Eye mask and sound machine: This is actually something I did NOT bring with me to either of my hospital births, but would have been really useful. Sleeping in a hospital is hard, even when you're completely exhausted (it's sort of like trying to sleep on an airplane, except you're in a bed). Depending on how recently you gave birth before you try and take your first nap, you may still be high on adrenaline and find it difficult to quiet your mind, but it may also be bright in your room. Even at night, there will likely be some lights on in your room. There will also be people coming in and out during the day and throughout the night. Put your partner on baby duty, stick some earplugs in, turn on that sound machine, put your eyemask on, and get some rest!
A last tip - don’t be self-conscious about what you pack. If you feel like you’re over-packing, you can always stick some of it in your car in an overflow bag! Having a bag to take in when you get there and a second bag for your partner to fetch if you need it, is a better plan than leaving things at home you might regret not having.
