pregnancy: what I packed in my hospital bag

packing for the hospital can be overwhelming. I often wonder if I’m taking too little or too much, but I’ll tell you what I have learned from my previous two experiences and what I found to be the MOST useful for a hospital stay after giving birth.

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for baby …

our hospital is very generous and provides diapers and wipes, formula bottles, soothers, the nose suction thing (lol don’t know the name), blankets, newborn hats, and a little shirt. I’m sure there are more things too that I just can’t remember right now – but we don’t worry about taking diapers, wipes or formula with us because those things are stocked in the room for us.

some things I like taking my own of are …

soother/clip

bows (for any specific pictures)

onesies/sleeper outfits (newborn + 0-3 month sizes)

mittens/socks

nail clippers (their nails are always so sharp lol)

burp cloth

swaddles

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for myself …

my experiences at the hospital have been nice, I don’t have to change rooms for delivery or afterwards and I like how spacious the rooms are at my hospital. I am provided with a robe/hospital gown and the bathroom is stocked with pads, mesh underwear, and all the necessary ‘cleaning’ and sanitary products for after birth care.

I do take my own undergarments but I typically don’t wear them for the first day after birth just in my personal experience, I like doing skin to skin time with my babies and I also don’t want to dirty my underwear with blood – because TMI but it totally happens!

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my biggest thing about staying at the hospital is I want to feel/be clean. I hate feeling dirty or stinky or yucky .. so I take my own toiletry items.

I’m packing with me this time …

dry shampoo

razor (I try to bathe while I’m at the hospital even if it’s just for a quick minute, and I shave my legs or armpits if I feel it’s needed)

deodorant/lotion

toothbrush/paste

self tanner (mine is more of a light bronzer, just to add some color to my face)

hair elastics (I wore my hair in a ponytail for my first birth and I wore it down for my second, I didn’t get too sweaty or anything and I personally felt ‘prettier’ when my hair was down – but elastics are nice to have)

makeup wipes/washcloth (both my previous births happened during the night, and my babies were born in the morning, so I wasn’t wearing any makeup during labor. it’s nice to cleanse your skin and wash off any sweat and just feel clean!)

makeup bag (minimal, I don’t take a lot. I do like mascara, a little foundation or concealer and brows – especially if I’m expecting family or taking pictures – I want a little makeup on)

as for clothing and other packing list items …

high waisted leggings (I’m wearing them in these pictures, these are my favorite and I’ve worn them SO much this pregnancy!)

bellaband (something tight to fit snug over my belly, I try to get into a tight fitting shapewear type piece to help my stomach retain shape – I didn’t do this with my first baby and I feel like I felt a difference. my stomach with my second baby got smaller and tighter faster than with my first)

nursing bra (I will try nursing, so it’s nice to take)

sweat pants (take comfy clothes! since both my girls’ births happened at night, I was actually already in my sweatpants when I arrived at the hospital. it’s good to take clean ones for when you leave though)

nursing tops ,here’s a cardigan I own

pillow/blanket

long phone charging cord/portable charger (linked my favorite!)

camera

socks/slippers (my feet get so cold at the hospital in their beds, socks are so nice to lay in bed with, and take slippers or flip flops for when you’re walking back and forth to the bathroom)

this is just a little list of things I found to be helpful or things I realized that I actually used. what’re your must have’s for the hospital???

I asked on social media and some of you mentioned taking your own snacks (this is genius! I’m always hungry and want my own food), taking headphones to zone out to music while in labor, essential oils, and shampoo/conditioner.

Navi is absolutely excited about having a new baby come into our family. even though I don’t think she fully grasps just how much life is going to change. I know for sure – that I’m NOT ready. lol our house already feels so busy and somedays I’m not a very patient mom or wife. I have a lot to work on, but I know what beautiful blessings my children are. I am so grateful and happy that I get the opportunity to learn from them, and love them and teach them. so while I am nervous, I am also excited.

these bags from Biaggi are so cute (they actually fold down and zip for the easiest storage EVER!) and I love that they’re so lightweight!

while I packed a bag for baby and I for the hospital, I’ve also packed a special bag for the girls’ to take to their grandparents house. because when it’s ‘go time’ for baby to arrive – we will be dropping them off at grandma and grandpa’s house.

I wanted to do something special for them to have a little gift inside along with their pj’s, a change of clothes, diapers, underwear, books, activities, toothbrushes, etc. – pretty much anything they’d need/want at a fun sleepover party! I’ll be sharing more about this soon!

Biaggi bags – thank you for sponsoring this post

baby girl isn’t named yet, but we have an idea about what we like. can’t wait to share with you once she’s born!

thanks so much for reading!

let me know – what was most helpful/useful to you in your hospital bag??

xo, Jensyn