The Packing List

There are several things I wish I knew as a mother-to-be when packing for the trip to the hospital.  I wish I knew the stuff I really needed and the stuff I really didn't need, for example.  So here is a list of things I felt were necessary and unnecessary for the trip to have a baby.

The Stuff You Need

• Lip balm
• Refillable water bottle (i.e., Camelbak)
• Your own pillow from home
• A blackout mask (in case you can't turn off the lights in your hospital room)
• Snacks for your support person (and for you, after baby is born - late night or holiday babies inconveniently show up when the cafeteria is closed)
• Stuff to do (reading materials or a laptop with some movies) - for during labor and/or after baby when there are no visitors - if you are lucky, your hospital will have free wi-fi.
• MATERNITY CLOTHES (you will still appear about 4 months pregnant, more or less, when you discharge from the hospital so don't think about your skinny jeans yet)
• Baby clothes (a couple different sets and a couple different sizes, in case your child is larger or smaller than you anticipated)
• An empty bag to carry home all the free stuff you'll get from the hospital or birthing center (including diapers, books on newborn and infant care, wipes, mommy-care items like the jumbo maternity pads, sitz bath, medications, and maybe more)
• Camera with charger/batteries
• Car seat (most states require it be inspected for safety before you can go home with your baby)

The Stuff You Don't Need

• Nightgown from home (unless you just really want it - but it might get bloody and gross)
• Candles, scented oils, or other stuff you intend to use during labor - you might not even be thinking about it at all when you are actually in labor
• Toiletries (believe it or not, most hospitals and birthing centers have dental hygiene kits they'll give you and the showers have body wash and shampoo on wall-mounted dispensers) - but if you really like your own stuff, bring it
• Video camera (most birthing centers and hospitals do not permit video of birth because consent is required from all people present - including nursing staff - to have them on video, and nobody has time for that during a birth)
• Diapers, 15 receiving blankets, pacifiers, and other baby gear (the hospital supplies you with diapers and wipes, and you really only need one blanket for the trip home, but hats and blankets are available for baby during your stay at the hospital/birthing center)
• A lot of extra stuff (remember, it all must go home with you)

Even though this isn't my first rodeo, I brought way too much stuff I didn't need and way too little of what I did.