Ok I'll admit it. I'm a bit of a planner. And I love making lists because otherwise I am a hot mess. So when I was pregnant and my hormones were raging, I was pretty obsessed with planning what to bring to the hospital. I researched and asked around and then wrote up one heck of a list.

Because I have food allergies and am also admittedly a health nut, I was anxious about being stuck in a hospital for several days without home cooked meals. So I decided to do something about it.

Below is my updated guide to labor and delivery hospital stays "checklist". I hope you find it helpful in planning your own stay. And if you have anything you'd like to add, please mention it in the comments below!

I also have a few additional pointers to help prepare for your special stay!

-Cait

A few tips...

Pack a few weeks in advance and leave your luggage by the door (or in the car). I left mine in my house because I wasn't sure which car I would be heading to the hospital in. Turned out to be a good plan because I ended up in my father's car....

And speaking of cars...you might want to have a plastic bucket, garbage bag, and towel at the ready for the car ride. My water broke while we were heading to the hospital in my Dad's car and I had to use a reusable shopping bag, the only thing available, as a towel (sorry, Dad!)

Make a homemade soup a few weeks in advance and freeze it in a microwaveable container. I made chicken soup with organic veggies from my garden. It was so delicious and tasted like home!

Bake and freeze some high protein muffins for a healthy breakfast option.

Print out copies of your "leaving the house" check list and have them somewhere visible in your home so that someone else can help if necessary. When you're having contractions and in full on labor, you won't want to be barking orders at anyone. This helps prevent that unnecessary stress.

Make sure you have a plan for a pet sitter of you have any pets. I left clear instructions for my parents for looking after our dog.

Hospital Stay Packing List

Purse:

• Driver's license, insurance card, hospital forms, wallet

• Copies of birth plan

• EXTRA LONG phone charger

• ear buds or headphones

Suitcase:

• 1 bathrobe or cozy nursing sweater

• slippers

• 2 pairs of snuggle socks

• postpartum undies (though you'll likely use the hospital ones!)

• 1 or 2 nursing bras (and maybe a few nipple pads)

• loose sweatpants

• bath towel and flip flops

• comfortable WALKING shoes for laboring

• your leave-the-hospital outfit (comfortable and seasonably appropriate!)

• music player

• diffuser & essential oils

• nursing pillow

Food bag:

• Electrolytes, energy drinks/chews or coconut water

• A sweet labor treat

• A sweet postpartum treat

• High protein snack bars

• Glass Tupperware bowls for microwaving food

• Your waterbottle of choice

Cooler:

• prenatal vitamins and other supplements

• fresh organic fruit (apples and grapes keep well)

• homemade soup (chicken soup with bone broth has tons of health benefits!)

• an easily microwavable high protein postpartum meal

• high protein muffins or energy bites

• hard boiled eggs

Toiletries:

• toothbrush and toothpaste

• lip balm

• skin cleanser

• deodorant

• hair brush and elastics

• body soap, shampoo & conditioner

• body lotion

• nipple cream

  
  

Baby bag:

• baby clothes (3 newborn outfits)

• diapers and diaper cream

• 3 swaddle blankets

  
  

Car:

• car seat pre-installed

• bucket and towels for car ride in

#prenatal #hospitalpackinglist #healthypregnancy