Labor: Pack Your Bags

Dear MrsM-I am 30 weeks pregnant and I am worried because I don’t have my labor bag packed yet!  Worst of all, I don’t even know what to put in it!  What do you suggest?

This is a great question.  When I went to the hospital to have our first baby I packed every item on any labor bag list I could get a hold of.  I am not exaggerating when I say I had four labor bags to take to the hospital with me.  However, after actually having a baby, I can tell you for certain that there is no need to fold up the kitchen sink and shove it in your car. 

This is what I have in my labor bag this time around:

FOR ME: 

-Camera: Because I want my baby’s birth documented for all time.  But not in live action, so we don’t bring video cameras.  That of course is up to the individual though.

-Phone list: Everyone who’s anyone is on the list in order of importance (yep, I ranked my relatives!).  I don’t expect we’ll actually call more than one or two of them, but just in case my hubby has some extra time on his hands (ha!) we’ll have all of their numbers available.

-Phone card: Some hospitals do not allow cell phone use in the maternity ward and don’t have long distance available on the in room phones.  Since hubby isn’t leaving the room except to pee he’s not running to the lobby to use a cell phone either.  Hence, the long distance phone card…for long distance relatives.

-Hair, Makeup, and Bathroom accessories: I packed as much as I use when I’m going to see the Ob/Gyn.  (Enough to look presentable, since there will be pictures taken, but not too much to wear out a pregnant gal).  For me that’s mascara, eye shadow, chapstick, hairbrush and a hair tie on the glamor side and shampoo, soap, toothbrush and paste, mouthwash, and body spray on the hygiene side.  That sounds like a lot, but for the hygiene side of things I recommend going to the dollar tree and getting the mini-travel-sized bathroom stuff and then throwing it all in a freezer sized ziplock bag.  It’ll save you a lot of space and you won’t have to worry about forgetting your toothbrush.

-Granny Panties: A must-have to accomodate the giant sized maxi pad they are going to give you (and you are going to need!) post partum.

-3 pairs of Socks: One for during labor, one for after labor, and one for going home.

-1 Wrap Dress: It’s easy access for breastfeeding, and I don’t have to worry about pants rubbing anywhere uncomfortable.  I recommend picking a dark color (just in case there is some leakage) and remembering appropriate accessories if it’s going to be cold when you deliver (leggings, jacket, etc.) .  This could also be replaced by a button down shirt and a pair of maternity pants, but I like to save the space.

-Nursing Bra/Pads: If you’re going to breastfeed, it’s very important!  Also helpful to bring for the breastfeeding mom is an extra pillow or a boppy-like-thing.

-DVDs/Magazines: You probably won’t have the energy to read an in depth novel, so bring some movies (if your hospital has a DVD player) or some light magazines to read.  Labor can last quite a while and in the beginning be surprizingly boring if all goes well.

FOR BABY:

The hospital provides a lot for the baby while they are there-newborn diapers and wipes, little baby shirts and mittens and hats, and a recieving blanket-all of which they let you take home with you.  So basically you just need to pack one outfit for going home.  I like my babies to be dressed in their own clothes when they go home, but if you only stay a little bit in the hospital all you’d really need to bring is the zip up pajamas, the blanket, and the carseat!

-1 Hat

-1 pair of Mittens

-1 pair of Socks

-Zip up sleeper with feet: Sometimes it makes you nervous to put clothes over your baby’s head because of their fragile little heads and their delicate little necks.  Avoid it altogether by bringing a zip up sleeper!  I don’t recommend the bags though because you have to put them in the carseat and, well, that gets facinating when they’re in a sleeping gown/bag.

-1 Thick Blanket (since it’s going to be winter-you could replace it with just a recieving blanket if you’re having a summer baby).

-1 Burp Rag: In case the baby is a spitter.

-Car Seat: Because they have to get home somehow!

Really that’s about all you need.  Obviously you could add more if you wanted to though.  If you can’t live without your IPod, or you have a focus object from a birthing class, just shove it on in.    Being over prepared is much better than forgetting something!