FOR YOU- labor
• Your birth plan.
• Your insurance card and any hospital paperwork you need.
• Your eyeglasses, if you need any. Even if you usually wear contacts, you'll probably need or want to take them out at some point during your stay.
• A hair band and barrettes, if you think you might want them.
• Lip moisturizer- This is an item most mommies-to-be don't think about bringing to the hospital, but believe it or not, all the heavy breathing and licking your lips during labor will make your lips VERY chapped and sore, so you will DEFINITELY want to bring this!
• A bathrobe, nightgown, slippers, and a couple of pairs of socks. Hospitals provide gowns for you to use during labor and afterward, but most will allow you to wear your own clothes if you prefer. Choose something loose and comfortable that you don't mind getting ruined. You'll need to wear a gown instead of pants so that your practitioner can check your cervix. Choose a top with short, loose sleeves so you your blood pressure can be checked easily and so you can slip your top off easily if you want to change and have an IV in place. You might also want to bring your own slippers and robe for walking around during the early stages of labor. If you don't want to risk soiling your robe, you can ask for a second hospital gown to wear as a robe to cover your backside.
• Entertainment: Something to read, a handheld video game, an iPo....
• Massage oils or lotions, music, an extra pillow, whatever you need to help you relax. (If you do bring your own pillow, be sure to use a patterned or colorful pillowcase so it doesn't get mixed up with the hospital's.) You might consider bringing tennis balls or a rolling pin in case you have back labor and need them for massage.
For your partner/labor coach
• Money for parking and change for vending machines.
• A few basic toiletries, such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant.
• A change of clothes
• Some snacks and something to read during the early stages.
• A camera/video camera and film or tape or a memory card and batteries. Someone has to document the big event! (NOTE: Not all hospitals allow videotaping of the birth itself, but there's usually no rule against taping during labor or after the birth.)
• A bathing suit. If your partner wants to take a bath or shower during labor, you may want to jump in with her.
FOR YOU- Postpartum
• A fresh nightgown.
• Snacks! After many hours of labor, you're likely to be pretty hungry and you don't want to have to rely on the hospital's food. So bring your own crackers, raisins, and granola bars.
• A nursing bra, breast pads, and maternity underwear, if you'd prefer not to wear the net panties they'll give you at the hospital. Chances are, whatever underwear you do wear the first few days will get stained, even with sanitary pads (which the hospital provides).
Also bring some of your OWN pads to place into your panties- the ones the hospital gives you are like giant boats!
• Toiletries. Toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, body soap, hairbrush, lip balm, deodorant, lotion, and makeup: if it's important to you. You might also want to put some make-up on in the early stage of your labor before things get rough (if you have time), because some mommies like to look nice for the pictures that will probably be taken of them.
Just a reminder: Hospitals will have soap, shampoo, and lotion, but you might prefer your own brands.
• Your address book and prepaid phone card or cell phone. After the baby's born you'll want to call family and friends to let them know the good news. Note: Some hospitals don't allow cell phones to be used in the labor and delivery area, so you may want to ask about it ahead of time.
• A going-home outfit. Bring something roomy and easy to get into — believe it or not, you'll probably still look 5 or 6 months pregnant — along with a pair of flat shoes. The last thing you'll be worrying about when you go home is whether your outfit is fashionable.
For your baby
• An infant car seat. You can't drive your baby home without one!
• A going-home outfit (one-piece stretchy outfits are easiest) and a snowsuit if it's very cold
• A receiving blanket/ burp cloth (a heavy one if the weather's cold)
• A pair of socks or booties
• A cap (although they'll usually give you one at the hospital)
• Baby nail clippers or emery board. "The hospital where my son was born didn't supply clippers for fear of liability, and as a consequence my son gouged his face before he was 12 hours old.
Also bring some baby mittens, so that your baby doesn't scratch his/her face! Their nails can usually be really long after they're first born!
What NOT to bring
• Jewelry
• Lots of cash, credit cards, or any other valuables
• Work. Yes, we actually know fast-track types who have sent business e-mails from the hospital room, made work-related phone calls, and reviewed spreadsheets.
