When I was halfway pregnant with Jbaby, I started planning what to pack in my hospital bag. I followed the typical lists you see all over Google and wanted to make sure I left nothing behind. Fast forward 18 weeks and I’m completely unprepared at L&D when I’m told by a high risk OB they’d be inducing labor immediately. This meant Jdaddy had to run back home to change (he came straight from base in his uniform) and pack both of us the necessary items for labor and our hospital stay. It’s a lot to ask of a man when I had very little pre-packed and my phone was dead so he couldn’t call to ask anything. However, he totally rocked it. I had everything I needed with nothing that wound up being just dead weight to keep up with. So, I’d like to go ahead and make a list here as reference for me, and hopefully others, later on. :)

  • Wallet – I’m not going to be able to get on base, much less check in at L&D without my mil ID.
  • Birth Plan – Mostly for my doula’s reference because I know the OB who only comes in long enough to catch the baby isn’t going to read my birth plan.
  • Toiletries – Shampoo/conditioner, soap, contact solution, toothbrush/toothpaste.
  • Snacks – I will eat if I want to this time around.
  • Phone charger – I don’t plan to use it much, but zero service means it dies in about 5 minutes.
  • Clothes – Nursing bras and possibly an outfit to wear home. Last time I just wore the clothes home that I had worn to the hospital since I had them on all of 20 minutes before changing into a gown.

For the baby:

  • Clothes – I crocheted an outfit for the baby to wear in the hospital. And of course the going home outfit.

I will not be bringing a nightgown or slippers or anything to wear in the hospital. I’m perfectly ok with bleeding all over their linens and not my own. Also, I love the mesh panties. It’s my favorite part of hospital stays! No diapers or wipes, since the hospital provides those. No diaper bag, no newborn care book, no pillows, photos, gifts for siblings, etc. If it isn’t absolutely necessary, it isn’t coming. There is enough hassle trying to pack up and get myself and the baby down to the car without 50lbs of extra baggage. After all, it’s a hospital, not a 3rd world country. ;)

Anything you mamas absolutely needed that I left off?