Packing the bag

I thought about packing my bag for labor and our hospital stay on and off since the day we found out we were pregnant. Something about the ritual of getting that “go bag” together and putting it near the door was so romantic. It would be ready for that fateful moment when I knew I was in labor and my husband PJ and I rushed out the door to the hospital to meet our babe! Me, breathing through the contractions; him, ushering me out the door; me, yelling to get the toothbrushes; him, fumbling with the keys. Just like the movies said it would be.

It wasn’t quite like that for our birth story, but I was happy that we had our bags packed when our baby arrived earlier than expected. It helped ease the worry in the moment, knowing that we had one less thing to think about.

One of the best things you can do is pack all the items you don’t usually use day-to-day early, and then keep a list at the top of your bag with all those last-minute items that you can grab on your way out the door, like your hairbrush, toothbrush or glasses and contacts.

Here are the items that I recommend bringing with you for your stay:  

For the laboring babe:

• Lip balm / ChapStick

• Toothbrush and toothpaste

• Hairbrush

• Two short gowns, loose t-shirts or these great Pretty Pushers

• Robe

• Hot or cold pack to relieve back pain

• Pony tail holder or bobby pins to keep your hair off your face

• Contacts, glasses

• Travel humidifier

• Hard candy, like lifesavers, to have during labor

• Warm non-slip socks and slippers

• Warm blanket to make the bed feel more cozy and comfortable

• Music playlists – one that you could go to sleep to, and one that you want to dance to.

• A pillow

• Cell phone and charger

• Things to help you feel good in recovery, like face wash, lotion or makeup

• Nursing bras and nursing tank tops

• Weather-appropriate outfit to go home in – I suggest your stretchy cozy maternity pants, a nursing tank and a sweater. You’ll want to feel comfy and that bump will still be there for a bit.

• Essential oils or massage oil

• Personal pictures that make you feel loved

• Breast pump and parts, if you plan to breastfeed. You can keep this in the car, you may not need it during your stay

 For birth partners:

• Copy of the birth plan, if you are using one

• Phone chargers

• Toiletries, like a toothbrush, hairbrush, deodorant, shaver and mints for fresh breath during labor

• Comfortable clothes, including a sweater, lounge pants, socks and slippers

• A pillow

• Snacks that do not give off an odor, like crackers and cheese, fruit, nuts, granola bars

• Water bottle or favorite beverage

• Swimsuit to get in the shower or tub and assist in labor, if you’d like

• Reading material for when labor is slow or your help is not needed

• Cell phone and charger

For the little babe:

• Clothes for going home – weather-dependent; a onesie, pants, socks and hat

• Receiving blanket

• Crib-size blanket to keep warm outside or in the car

• Properly installed car seat. Hospitals will not allow families to leave without one. To ensure it is installed correctly, you can get it checked at a car seat inspection site in Colorado. They also provide virtual checks.

If you forget to pack something, don’t worry about it! Your friends and family can drop it off for you, the hospital may provide some of these items and your doula can always pick it up on the way in to support you.