36 weeks along and baby could come sooner rather than later! My hospital bag is packed, and I thought I’d share with you what I am bringing along plus some things I’m doing to prepare for birth! Here’s the video version for optimal wordiness ( 🙂 ) and photos below for those of you who can’t watch the video. (FYI, you might have to turn off an adblocker to see it.)
To summarize what I’m packing, most of it is for after the birth! I know from doing this before at the same hospital that I don’t really need much to actually labor and have the baby. Here are the two posts I reference for packing my bag with Mazen (these posts were so helpful for me to reference this time around!): Packing The Hospital Bag and Hospital Bag Reflections.
Here’s a list of what’s in my bag this time around:
For Me
- Day-after PJs and lightweight robe
- Day 2 PJ bottoms and a more cozy robe/sweater in case it’s cold
- 2 nursing tanks
- 2 nursing shirts
- My going-home outfit (leggings, nursing tank, wrap shirt)
- THIN PADS (because no one wants to sit on a maxi!)
- Nursing pads (because I had to wear these for a year last time)
- Going-home granny underwear
- Slippers + socks
- 3 nursing bras (in case one gets leaked on, etc)
- 1 going-home bra
- Bathing suit top that I don’t think I’ll wear in the tub, but I might…
- Nursing cover (for when visitors are around)
- All toiletries I would need for a weekend away, including nice-smelling shampoo, make up and jewelry because I want to look nice!
For Baby
- Day-after outfit that matches mine
- 2 other outfits for cuteness (I remember Mazen’s day after shirt was so big!)
- 1 going-home outfit and hat
- 2 swaddle/snuggle blankets (for cute pictures!)
- One nice-looking burp cloth
- Diaper bag for everything to go in
To Pack At The Last Minute
- Car seat
- Boppy
- Home pillows x2
- Wallet with ID and insurance card
- iPhone chargers x2
- Apple Watch charger
- Macbook + charger
- Kindles x2
- Hair dryer (something I wished I’d had last time)
Am I missing anything?!
Leaving At Home This Time
- Snacks and food
- Pacis
- Diapers
- Baby mittens
- Books
- Speaker
- Prenatal vitamins
- Tablet
- DSLR (iPhone photos FTW!)
On the planning front, I’m also doing a few things every day to get ready for birth.
1 // Eating Dates!
Most often I have them on a spoon with peanut butter for a snack. This article (with links to research inside) has me convinced dates have magic powers. Plus, I love them!
2 // Drinking raspberry leaf tea
Raspberry leaf tea is supposed to tone the uterus muscles, shorten labor, and prevent excessive bleeding. I’m trying to have one or two cups per day. I make a big french press, add some honey, have one mug hot and then sip it cold the next few days. I like both the tea and dates, so I don’t really mind if they “work” or not. At the minimum, the placebo effect always helps!
3 // Working on a yoga ball
My friend Lynsie lent me her yoga ball so I can sit and rock around while I work at my desk. I’ve heard it’s good to keep your knees lower than your hips, and I try to move around more than if I were sitting immobile in a chair.
4 // Squatting and cat/cowing before bed
At bedtime I’m doing Malasana squat on a yoga block. I reached out to my Facebook mom’s group and borrowed two yoga blocks from another mom. I’m sitting on one each night for a few minutes. It’s my favorite pose we do in prenatal yoga, and I find it really relaxing and helpful for my low back too. It’s also good to get all those pelvic ligaments all loosened up! I’m also trying to do a handful of cat/cow stretches and pelvic circles on my bed each night before getting in. This all takes a total of 3-5 minutes, so it’s not a lot. Also I should add “staying active” as an assumed bullet to this list. Walking a little every day at the min!
5 // Prenatal yoga, chiropractic + massage
I’ve been doing all of these throughout my pregnancy, because I’m a big believer that if the body is aligned and limber, the delivery will go smoother. So I have appointments scheduled for these both in the next few weeks and I’m trying to make sure I get to at least one yoga class per week.
I’m also talking to the baby and making him feel safe and welcome, listening to birth stories, and watching Ina May Gaskin on You Tube! (I love her mantra “You’re gonna get huge!“)
Tell me some of the things you did to both physically and mentally prepare?
Does the hospital provide diapers? I had my children in the UK and they don’t provide them, so I took a full pack. I was in for 3 days for my last baby and took lots of baby clothes, but I still had to ask my husband to bring in more baby sleepsuits and stretchsuits as there was a lot of ‘leaking’ going on in the very first days! If I was packing, I would probably throw in another 10 outfits lol!
Yes, they had a big pack of diapers and told us not to bring “anything for the baby.” You are making me want to pack a few more outfits though 🙂
What wireless iphone charger do you guys use?
I ordered it from Apple when it first came out last year. It’s great.
Hi! Thanks for the post – what made you decide to skip the snacks and food this time? Best of luck as you continue to prepare! I agree, dates are delicious.
I was so nauseous during labor that I didn’t eat anything, and then once in recovery I could request anything to be brought up. I’d rather eat fresh food than a bar if it’s an option, so I just don’t think I need to bring anything. Thomas might want to pack a few snacks though, but he’s packing his own bag 🙂
Makes sense! By the way, would be so fun if Thomas did a guest post on how HE is preparing for first time fatherhood, and even what he is planning on bringing to the hospital! Even just a recap of the things he is excited and nervous for would be great to read.
I would love that, but I don’t think with his personality that is in the cards : )
I love your duvet! Where did you buy your bedding?
Best of luck these last few weeks before that sweet baby arrives
I recently wrote about the duvet here. It’s linen and I love it!!
Thank you!! 🙂
Stayed active with walking all the way up to my induction (1 week overdue). I got a pedi the night before my induction which was an AMAZING way to unwind and relax. Question, what prenatal vitamin do you use? Best of luck to you girl!
Usually whatever is on sale! I’ve done once-a-days and am currently taking these.
Love your office desk …where did you get it?
It’s the Whitney desk from PB!
I sat and bounced on an exercise ball when I was pregnant and it felt really good on my lower back and hips. Also, after my son was born we could swaddle him and sit on the ball and bounce and it soothed him! I guess it reminded him of being in the womb. 🙂
Your hospital bag looks good. I’m surprised you’re leaving snacks home. I was pretty hungry throughout our hospital stay so I was happy when my mother-in-law brought us a couple boxes of Kind Bars. Everything it seems like your doing to prep sounds GREAT. It’s all the things I did too! Brought back memories. 🙂
I’m hoping someone brings me a Kohr Brothers Oreo Snowstorm
Yoga ball, lots of walking even though I was having lots of pubic bone pain, and frankly, lots of sex ? I swear that’s what got baby going at 38 +6.
Funny story about my hospital experience: we went to the hospital just to get checked at 11 pm, and my husband only grabbed a new shirt and that was it. He ended up in the same socks for like 2 days (I had kind of a rough stay and he didn’t want to leave, I had a catheter inserted after birth and was in horrendous pain). His feet STUNK. Tell Thomas to pack lots of socks!!! Lol
Hahaha thanks for those tips! 🙂
Kath I just read that if you are experiencing Braxton Hicks in the second and third trimester you should discontinue drinking that tea. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/red-raspberry-leaf-tea#side-effects-and-dosage
I’ve been having BH for months and am only on my first week of tea, but I have a doctor’s appt at noon and will consult!
Checked with my doctor and she said it was OK (just don’t be drinking gallons of it)
Ah, you seem so well-prepared! I’m so excited for you and your family, Kath 🙂
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You are legit the most prepared person EVER. I literally packed nothing and each time my husband would say ‘where’s your bag” and I’d say “I didn’t pack one. You can come back home after the kid’s born and get what I need then” and off we’d go. I’m just not a planner. Special labor tea and yoga blocks? You are on it girl.
Hahaha. I overpack for everything 🙂
Night two I picked a really crappy dinner (pot roast when I COULD have picked baked mac and cheese) and I was STARVING by the time I could eat again. Anyway, I don’t have any tips but here’s my favorite hospital memory. The night my daughter was born my husband brought my son up to see us. Dad was holding the baby and she heard me say something and turned her head to find me. It was the COOLEST thing.
Awwww!!! Heart melting!
The one thing I am sooo glad I brought was a ginger ale- I get so nauseous and tend to vomit during labor. Unfortunately my hospital is an @ ice chips only” type place, so I always snuck a few sips here and there. In fact my last labor I made my husband stop on the way for a bottle, even though I KNEW I was super close to delivering, got to the hospital and was 9+ centimeter s! I think the ginger ale while sick stems from childhood and just made me feel better ?
That’s a good idea but if I’m nauseous I can’t drink anything. I threw up last time too.
Be prepared for a quicker labor second time around!!
I’m hoping for that!!
Hi there! I’m 17 weeks pregnant with my first so this post is helpful anyway but what really drew me in was the photo of your desk. I started working from home in July and have ideas but not plans for putting together a functional space and this desk is exactly what I had in mind. Where is it from? Thanks!
It’s the Whitney Desk from Pottery Barn. We love it.
Thanks!
I wish I liked tea lol oh well I’ll load up on dates!!!! I think I forgot to tell you that I bought that matching outfit too in blue! Can’t wait to see the pics! Ha ha
Yes – we will be twins from afar!!
I had my second baby on the 6th of September (second boy, miscarriage in between), and this time I brought along some “adult diapers” that my sister in law gifted me after she had her baby. The first time around, I did mesh undies and hospital pad for a couple days, then maxis that my other sister in law had gifted. I thought they were great, but adult diapers changed my life! As soon as I leaked through my mesh undies, I put on a diaper. They were the Always discreet variety. Slim fitting, hold in your wobbly tummy, and you don’t have to worry about a pad shifting!
That is a very good tip!
This is a good idea! My maxi pad would always “shift” too far off-course in the mesh undies, so I ended up leaking all over sheets, etc. This sounds nice!
I loved the video. 🙂
Excited for the next month of updates!
I used Hypnobirthing during my pregnancy. During the final month, I would have a warm bath every night and listen to the “rainbow relaxation” track and visualize the kind of birth I wanted. I will definitely do this again if I have another.
I have heard good things about the Hypnobirthing app!
I feel like I’d probably leave my Apple Watch and charger at home…one less piece of expensive technology to keep track of. It’s not like you’ll get a ton of steps in the hospital, although maybe you could track labor as an “other” activity LOL. If it’s a comfort thing on your wrist though, I get it, I feel totally “naked” without earrings!
Best of luck, Kath, sending you all the good vibes for a quick, safe birth!
Ha ha I’m definitely going to have the heart rate monitor running during labor! Just kidding. Sort of. I use it more than anything just to monitor texts and emails that come in so I don’t have to be on my phone very much, or check the time 🙂 It’s another one of those “for the two days I’m chillin’ in a hospital bed” than for use didn’t labor. Also: totallly naked without it!
I’m curious why you refer to the hospital baby clothes as gross. I loved the sweet little hospital undershirts that they put my babies in. I even saved the one my first born wore home from the hospital.
I guess that was harsh language. It was just a way too big shirt. So not gross just not cute. Just the baby inside!
So glad to have done perineal massage to stretch things out before birth. It’s also a way to get the husbands involved with birth preparations! Good luck with everything!
Throw in a paci! I ended up with an emergency csection and a baby who LOVED suckling and a uterus that contracted every nurse over my stitches. A paci saved me for one or two moments so I could rest while someone else held her!
I will!
I’m so excited for you!! I hope labor goes smoothly! I’m a fellow RD mama and wrote a blog post on eating dates in your 3rd trimester around this time last year while I was pregnant with my 2nd! I did eat them religiously, and have NO clue if it actually helped or not (too many variables!) but I did have a fairly easy/quick labor…obviously I’m using those terms loosely though ?! Labor is never easy. But sooo worth it!
That’s good to hear! 🙂
Oh man, snacks and foods were at the top of my list for all of my four babies! Not for during labor, but for nighttime when I was up every few hours and the hospital kitchen was closed. But being hungry is the worst thing ever for me. 😉 I always wished I was just at home with my kitchen. But was never brave enough to do the labor/birth part out of a hospital.
Are you bringing sibling gifts? Like a gift from M to the baby and a gift from the baby to Mazen? Just something little. I found that my older ones where so excited for this. Also are you banking the baby’s cord blood? If so, don’t forget the collection kit! Best of luck to you!
Oh, This is bringing back memories! So very excited for you!
I would definitely suggest prenatal acupuncture to your prep list. I did this toward the end of each of my three pregnancies and think it made a tremendous difference in prepping my body for labor. Good luck!
I did acupuncture with Mazen and my water broke the next morning! It could have been a coincidence, but I’m a little scared it might happen again too early this time.
I don’t *think* I saw it in your list, but don’t forget a giant empty bag for taking home hospital diapers, wipes, gifts, and little odds and ends you collect from being there. I actually needed 2 this last time around! Almost to the finish line!
Empty bag is a great idea!!
I heard a recommendation recently to bring a sound machine, not just for the baby but for yourself! It helps drown out the hospital noises. I will definitely be bringing my dohm next go-round.
That’s a great tip. I have a white noise app on my phone that i think would be great for that.
I strongly second having white noise! It helped signal my body that it was time to sleep and reduced noise. So helpful. I think it is also helpful to at least think about how you will care for yourself if you end up needing a c-section . . . not to detract from positive birth thoughts, but help feel prepared.
Yes that’s a good tip because I’m sure few people go in expecting one if it’s not planned. Any c-section mamas want to chime in? I would think the hospital would have everything on the medical side. Maybe a nightgown that wouldn’t have a waistband would be wise to pack?
In my experience (5 babies), someone is always willing to run by the house to grab something you ended up wanting but didn’t think or want to pack! Pack light, snuggle with baby – let friends and family do the work. 😉
There’s not too much extra/different in your hospital bag for a csection mama. Pants that are loose around the incision are key. My doctor strongly recommended an abdominal binder for support. Pack high fiber snacks and have a plan B in mind if all the water, prune juice, healthy snacks don’t do the trick (think glycerin suppositories-bowel movements can be tough for csection moms). Ask the nurses for all their tips for csection recovery, and know you will have to be mindful of weight limits and not driving for two weeks. MJH follows many “gentle csection” procedures now, so while a csection wasn’t what I had hoped for, I knew things had come a long way and I appreciated all they did for us!
Thank you!
Make sure you bring warm clothes for Thomas! My husband was FREEZING at our hospital in June and needed extra blankets and fleece jackets, ha! Now he tells all the expecting Dads to pack warmly!
I brought my own bath towel last time around (5th baby) and it was AMAZING. Made me feel so much better post-birth.