Is anyone else here an overpacker?  On vacation, I like to be ready for all situations.  Five extra pairs of underwear? Toss it in. Extra jeans because it might get cold and they have to match my tops?  Let’s take them.  Heels because we might go out to a bar or my favorite, clubbing? A must!

Well, packing for vacay is pretty different from packing to go give birth.  From one, you leave with a nice bronze tan, and from another, you come out with a a wrecked body and a tiny baby human, on top of all the crap you brought with you!

So for my trip to the hospital, I promised myself to leave out all the “extras” and to take only the things I really needed.  

I took two bags: a labor bag and a hospital bag.  The labor bag was filled with things I needed to help me through labor.  The hospital bag was filled with items my husband and I needed for our hospital stay and for the baby to come home.

LABOR BAG

Things to Help with Labor

1. 2-3 Copies of Birth Plan – For the hospital staff to be on the same page and so you don’t have to keep repeating your wants and needs.  The plan is crucial for a hospital birth especially because the staff rotate in and out in shifts.
2. Exercise Ball – a great investment not only for labor but for pregnancy too!  There are great labor positions you can try on the ball.
3. Squatty Potty – Ok you probably won’t find this on any other labor bag list on the internet loool, but I gotta be honest– I took a Squatty Potty and I’m SOOO glad I did.  I knew I would spend a lot of time laboring on the toilet (did you know that the toilet is one of the best places to breathe through your contractions?), so I took it in case my feet didn’t reach the floor from the hospital’s toilet (which of course, they didn’t)!   It also helped me poo BEFORE I pushed (#TMI).
4. Heat packs – To soothe lower back pain if you’re in back labor
5. Rebozo or scarf – For sifting your belly
6. Shower cap – So you don’t have to deal with wet hair after laboring in the shower.  The hospital was COLD so I’m so glad I took one. I should’ve taken more than one because my mom ended up throwing mine away on accident after one or two uses and I was miserable with wet hair after that.
7. Swim trunks for dad – In case he wants to help you through contractions in the shower.  It also may be a good idea to bring a pair of sweatpants or basketball shorts for dad to change into when his swim trunks are wet.
8. Waterproof sandals for mom and dad – For use in and after showers.  I ended up wearing my Havaianas the whole time, not just in the shower.  They’re comfy and I leaked blood and body fluids during the transition stage, pushing stage, and after I had my baby.  I made the mistake of putting on pink fuzzy house slippers on when I got off the bed right after giving birth and blood dripped all over them.  Oops.

Things to make the hospital room more home-y.

I was worried that the hospital vibe would make me uncomfortable during labor (think bright white lights, white walls, monitoring machines, hospital gown), and therefore, slow progress, so I made sure to bring things that made me feel more at home.

1. Music – Conoon played music from Spotify on his phone.
2. String lights – To add a home-y glow to the room.  I got the round globe lights and they ended up being so cute that they’re now hanging in Eden’s nursery.  
3. Labor gown – I didn’t take this and I wish I had bought one in time for Eden’s delivery.   The cons of wearing a hospital gown are 1) Let’s be real. First and foremost, it’s not cute!!  2) It makes you feel like a sick patient, which can mess up your mental game. (Labor is SO mental!)  Know that you’re not required to wear a hospital gown– you’re pregnant, not sick! 3) It’s hard to put on and tie on your own.  4) It’s thin and not made of comfortable or soft fabric. I remember feeling SO cold in it after getting out of the shower.

What to Eat and Drink

Because I planned for a natural labor (no epidural or other medication), it was important for me to eat and stay hydrated!  Also remember to bring food for your labor partners. There are a lots recommended food and drink options for you during labor but here are the things that I packed:

1. Recharge – An all-natural sports drink that’s a healthier alternative to Gatorade.  Labor is HARD WORK (so it really is like working out or playing a sport), so you definitely need the electrolytes!
2. Honey Sticks – A sweet, pick-me-up for when you need energy during the Transition Stage.  You won’t be able to eat during this stage because the contractions get really intense and more frequent.    
3. Snacks of your choosing.  I chose Clif Bars and my husband took Beef Jerky.  Your labor partners will probably need more snacks than you, since the only hormones they’ll be running on is adrenaline and they need the fuel.
4. Bottled Water – We took maybe 6 bottles of water, but ended up running out pretty fast.  We regularly asked the nurses for pitchers of water once we ran out.  You probably don’t need to pack this unless you’re picky about water quality.

OVERNIGHT STAY BAG

1. Clothes for mom to go home in
2. Change of clothes for partner
3. Baby clothes: one undershirt, pair of socks, receiving blanket, sleeper with legs that allows baby to sit in car seat
4. Phone and phone charger
5. Camera
6. Toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, chapstick
7. Glasses, contacts, contact solution
8. Blowdryer
9. Hair brush and hair ties

MISC.

1. Car seat and newborn gear for carseat.  It’s recommended to install your car seat when you enter your third trimester.

I hope this list helps you figure out YOUR hospital bag essentials.  No two moms or two babies are the same, so I hope that I gave you enough ideas of what to pack so that you feel most comfortable and prepared during labor and after your baby arrives.