Checklist for giving birth at the Hospital
So you’re expecting! What an exciting time. This time is wonderful and beautiful but can be very stressful and emotional as well! Take it from me, I’ve had Three! Don’t worry momma, I plan to help ease some of the stress. It can help SO much to feel prepared and organized for this amazing process. I have written a thorough list below and included a Free printable, to help give you peace of mind -You can find the Checklist for giving birth at the Hospital at the end of this post!
This is a Process I’ve been thru three times now and each experience was unique and different. With my first, I was clueless and when it come to packing for the hospital, frankly, I didn’t know what I was doing.
Of course I turned to friends and family for guidance, as well as looked up as many things as I possibly could online. looking back, I see how much I could’ve benefited from a checklist. In honor of one of my nearest and dearest friends ready to give birth any day now, it got me thinking about my three babies and what I wish someone would have filled me in on before going in! The essentials seem like a given, but what could you be forgetting?
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What you Need.
Start with an easy to carry bag or suitcase! Something on wheels is ideal.
First things first, Don’t forget to bring all necessary hospital documents. Your birth plan, if you have it in paper form, your insurance information and cards, and anything else you made need.
Okay, this isn’t a necessity, but I brought my Stainless cup. When you’re in Labor, you can only have ice chips, so this insures they stay intact longer. After you give birth and especially if you are nursing, you will want to drink LOTS of water and your stainless cup, will be a lifesaver.
Your favorite snacks. When it comes to snacks, the hospital will be very limited. I think I settled on some peanut butter crackers in the middle of the night, but Having your own means you get what you want and you can have them whenever you are ready, AFTER you give birth of course. Also You may need to refuel and not want to leave the room for vending machines.
If you are planning to use the vending machine or if you’re significant other will, Make sure to bring Quarters. Since Hubby carries a wallet and never carries loose change, we forgot this little detail EVERY time and he had to chase down quarters to use the vending machines.
A nightgown with a robe. If you are gonna be nursing, I would opt for a nursing friendly gown. Giving Birth starts a pretty heavy period for several weeks so I would suggest darker colors for your gowns and pajamas. A gown will make for easier access going to the bathroom and doesn’t touch the floor. If you don’t want a gown I would opt for Pajama shorts. They’re much easier to maneuver when going back and forth to the restroom.
A pair of non slip socks. The hospital usually will give you a pair when you get there but you will want a pair after they take those off of you. If you get an epidural, you will have to wear super tight compression hose for a while so you may not need but one pair of these.
A pair of flip flops or water friendly shoes. I say this because I used them on my feet when I went to shower. You don’t necessarily need to do this, but I didn’t want my bare feet touching the bottom of the hospital shower. I’m weird like that and I know there are others out there just like me. Right? >feel free to sound off about this in the comments.
Underwear. You will want to bring a couple pair of super comforatble under wear that are equipped for super large pads. You will be wearing Pads for quite a while after giving birth so prepare yourself.
A comfy going home outfit. Something soft and loose will serve best. A nursing tank under a longer cardigan and some comfortable dark yoga pants would be perfect. I got a Nursing tank at target that had a ton of extra support in the chest area, so it could be worn with or without a bra. Your stomach will take quite a while to go down to its normal size, so several pair of loose fitting or elastic waist pants will be your best friends during your healing. Don’t forget a comfortable pair of shoes.
Pillows. Not everyone is gonna thing this is necessary or really needed but I brought the nursing pillow I had been sleeping with every night to the hospital with me. I broke in the nursing pillow before my babies came, because it was perfect support for my head and neck while I slept. You can bring whatever pillow you like, but I would also bring a nursing pillow if you choose to nurse.
Don’t forget your camera. If you’re not using your phone camera, You will need your actual camera and all the essentials on hand. Charged battery, battery charger or extra charged battery, memory cards.
Phone charger. A small cheap extension for for your charger may come in handy, if you plan on using your phone while in the hospital bed.
Headphones may be something you want to consider for laboring. I took mine and didn’t use them but some people like to be left in their own head space when they’re in pain.
The baby Book. Make sure you inform Hospital staff that you have it, and give it them ahead of time. They will only ink their foot once, so if you want a print in your own personal book, they need to have it when the make their prints for their records. You may also want to record stats. You will have a lot of paperwork to bring home with you, so I just made sure to slide everything into the baby book.
You will want to pack a toiletries bag as well. This will be mainly individual preference but I will give you a quick run down of what I included in mine. I had hubby pick up travel sizes of my favorite shampoo and conditioner. A shower will be the best thing you experience after giving birth and you will want to have your own personal stuff with you. My personal hair products, I brought my leave in conditioner and my hairspray. If you use a blow dryer, you will want to bring one as well as any styling tool you may use. I brought my basic skincare and makeup. I did put on makeup the day after my babies were born because we took so many pictures and had visitors. Most were only family but I was prepared. I used Johnson’s bedtime baby lotion with lavender for myself after my shower, as well as on the baby.
Breastfeeding Mommas-This section is for YOU
Breastfeeding is such a personal choice. If you choose to breastfeed, you need a nursing bra. Where I gave birth all three times, there wasn’t a whole lot of help or support for this sort of thing, so I was kind of on my own. You will live in a nursing bra for the next year or so, depending on how long you decide to nurse, so you can leave the hospital in this. Often times they are way more comfortable that typical bras. You can start HERE shopping for these. Which brings me to my next point:
A Nipple cream. Let me tell you… When you first start your breastfeeding journey your nipples are more than likely gonna crack and bleed at some point. It can be very painful and you will Def need something to help them recover quickly. I used Coconut oil instead of actual store bought cream, you can use it for a host of other things as well.
A Breast Pump-If you plan on using one and just want to have it in case. It literally took 4-5 days for my milk to fully come in with my first baby and that was him exclusively nursing. I eventually had to give him a bottle or two of supplemental formula until it came in all the way. After a few days, I used my breast pump and it caused my milk to start flowing in full swing. Fun Fact- Most insurances will provide you with a breast pump FREE! If a Medela pump is on your list you can apply here to see if you qualify.
FOR THE BABY:
First things first, you will want a car seat to carry the baby home in, like the Evenflo Revolve360 Extend All-in-One Rotational Car Seat with Quick Clean Cover. It has the ability to rotate towards you for easy buckle and unbuckle and comes in a range of different colors.
Start with the the Diaper Bag to pack all of their things in. You can include things like diapers and wipes and other necessities but you won’t need any of those things in the hospital. They will provide you with diapers and such for the baby. Only thing you may want or need extra is Baby lotion.
A coming home outfit or if you’re like me, two or three. I brought several outfits with all three babies because each time I was undecided on exactly which one and just in case something didn’t fit properly. This includes socks and/or shoes for little one as well as a hat, cloth bow or beanie.
A swaddle and hat or cloth bow. Babies LOVE to be swaddled after birth and will sleep more comfortably the tighter they are swaddled. Babies also have a harder time regulating their body temp on their own when they are newborn, so swaddle blankets and something on their little head helps tremendously, as well as lots of snuggles from mom and dad.
Baby nail clippers/ hand mittens. My daughter was born with super long, lethal finger nails. She and I both were all scratched up by the end of the first week.
A Door hanger! This isn’t a necessity, but it really helps in the hospital for visitors to see a personalized door. We brought our own all three times, and I think some of our family had something sent over as well. This Little Craft company called The Withers Co on Facebook makes some Adorable Door hangers! Or you can find them on ETSY.com. You can even turn this into a DIY project and make your own! If You are a Crafter and Craft Files are something that interest you, feel free to send me a message or comment below and I will send you the link to some Pretty awesome Craft files I have created!
The Baby or Babies, depending on your situation, won’t require a lot in the hospital. Just your care and attention.
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