Packing Your Hospital Bag for Childbirth

Packing Your Hospital Bag for Childbirth

When you are nearing those last few weeks before your baby is born it can be hard to think of anything other than getting that baby out of your body. These last few weeks before the baby arrives are an important time for preparing to make the transition into motherhood (or the addition of baby number 2, 3, 4, etc.) There are several things that are necessary when packing your hospital bag for the few days that you stay right after the baby is born. Here is a list of the things that helped the most when I went to have my kids. Some of these things were especially helpful with regard to medication free child birth. This list does not include the basics like clothing, toiletries and an infant car seat. These are additional items that have proven to be helpful in the past for me.

1.       I pod w/speakers and a variety of songs. I used an iPod during my son’s birth (my daughters was too fast) Over the course of my labor I listened to everything from Enya to Coldplay right up to Kanye West’s “Stronger” while I was pushing no less! This was a welcome distraction from the pain and helped me to feel more at home.

2.       A bathing suit for you and Daddy. During my second labor I took a warm shower and my pain went away almost completely. It was very soothing and helped me to relax.

3.       Snacks for the Daddy. You will likely be restricted from anything but ice during your labor. Not that it matters much, with no pain medication you will be more focused on breathing and meditating than eating anyways. My first labor we were in the hospital for 19 hours before the baby ever graced us with his presence. My husband would have starved without the Oreos, Doritos and various candy my Sister provided him with J

4.       Shoes. Hospital floors are cold and dusty feeling. There is more on those hall way floors than it seems. It helps to have a clean pair of slip on shoes for you and Daddy for when you have to take baby to hearing tests or out for a walk around the maternity ward.

5.       Pictures/Gifts from older siblings, family members, etc.  When I had my second child I brought a giraffe from my son to give to her at birth. I also brought pictures of him and our close family to show to the baby. The pictures helped me when I missed my son too. (He was not allowed in the hospital for our two day stay – boo RSV season!)

6.       A heating Pad. During my back labor my heating pad was my best friend. Both times I used it during labor at home and in the hospital. It eased my muscles after all the hard work.                           

There are many items that we brought but these were the ones that stood out as most helpful and comforting when I was giving birth and those first few days post partum.