![]() ![]() □ Reusable bottle for water– The hospital should provide a big plastic cup (you may have to track one down), but I wish I had the comfort of my own metal water bottle □ Birthing books – I used the Hypnobirthing method and having my husband read the meditations from the book, which helped me manage the pain of most of my labor, until I got Pitocin. It was more for me and this time I’ll add reminders for myself to advocate for me, like to NOT get hooked up to the IV until I absolutely need it. □ Your birth plan – to be honest, I made extra copies and handed them out to the nurses but I doubt they looked it over. □ Any paperwork you may need for the hospital – contact your hospital as you may be able to fill it out prior □ Labor Massage Oil – Not necessary, but I wish I had this the first time around □ Queasy Drops or other sucking candies – You likely won’t be able to eat anything and between potential nausea and dry mouth, I’m packing these this time around □ Extra long phone charger – trust me, you’ll be happy you had this! ![]() □ Bluetooth speaker & its charger– I’m so grateful I had this at my birth, plus a great LONG Spotify playlist (you’re welcome to use mine!)to get you through the birth I almost forgot I was in a hospital setting. We kept the overhead lights off (for a vaginal birth only of course) and they kept the room calm and serene. □ Battery-operated tea lights – I know this sounds silly, but my doula brought these and they made a huge difference. I also had a doula at the first birth who tracked down tape and put them up for me, but I love that these stickers from Birth Bubble are pre-made, self-adhesive and reusable! □ Birth Mantras and other things/photos to motivate you during birth – I made my own birth mantra cards the first time around and gave them to a friend, so I’m so excited for these this time around. The hospital prefers you to wear the socks and you’ll be happy you can was them. □ Socks with grips – the hospital should provide you with a pair but I felt so uncomfortable in them! I much preferred my own which were fuzzy socks but I have a regular pair (linked first) packed for when I overheat too. □ Birthing gown – this is seriously, best $30 ever spent to feel more comfortable during my birth (confirm with your hospital that this is allowed) I highly recommend using a *small* rolling suitcase because mama, you don’t want to be carrying anything when you’re in labor and your partner will be juggling enough, including their own bag, which they should pack soon too! Additionally, using packing cubes will help keep everything contained/separated and easy to find by category. This time around I feel confident that I have just what I need (and in reality, the hospital supplies most of what you really do need), and fit it all into one small bag. Sure, I was prepared, but I couldn’t find anything I brought and totally missed some important things that I SHOULD have brought. ![]() I showed up with a giant rolling suitcase and a weekender bag, complete with my Boppy pillow (FYI, LEAVE IT AT HOME AND USE A HOSPITAL PILLOW) and the nurses laughed in my face at the sight of my giant over-packed luggage. The truth is, I read every blog and article on this topic the first time around and even put this together the first time. Whenever you do pack it up, I created a hospital bag checklist for you (by popular request on Instagram!) to make it super easy to get it done and wisely. Most sources suggest to start packing somewhere around 32 – 37 weeks, in case you do go early. Maybe it’s the stylist in me, maybe it’s the over-achiever, but I started packing my hospital bag over a month ago. ![]()
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