What do I Pack in my Hospital Bag?

It's getting to be that time! The weeks have flown by and you're getting closer to meeting that little baby you've been working so hard on growing. Now you're wondering what you should pack in your hospital bag! When should you pack your bag?? I always got mine ready around 36 weeks and kept it close to the door, or you could put it right in the car. Here are some essentials to help guide your packing!

Angela Roberts Photography, What to pack in my Hospital Bag

Documents:

• Your Birth Plan
• Insurance card
• Your pediatrician's information.
• If you are saving cord blood, you will need a cord blood kit
• If you are saving your placenta for encapsulation, you will need a Placenta encapsulation kit.
• Did you hire a doula? Make sure your team has your Doula's Info! Labor is unpredictable and you may not be able to make the call yourself.

For you...

• Water bottle- when I labor I drink so much! I like to have my own water bottle so the nurses aren't running every two seconds to fill up those little cups!
• Slip on shoes and robe for walking the halls and around the room.
• Cell phone charger, I bought a 6 foot one so I could still reach my phone.
• Toiletries: Chap stick (all the breathing dries out those lips), body wash, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, hair brush, HAIR TIE, toothbrush, tooth paste and maybe a little makeup. It feels AMAZING to shower while laboring and especially after!
• Camera! You might not want to remember those last moments of labor but you WILL want to remember those first moments with your baby!
• Distractions: tablet, book, crossword puzzles, drawing pad...whatever helps you pass the time and keep stress levels down during early labor.
• Snacks, snacks, snacks! Many smaller hospitals don't have many food options during the off hours, and baby comes when baby wants! I always pack snacks for hubby and I for laboring and after. You work up QUITE the appetite birthing a baby!
• If breastfeeding: lanolin cream and breast pads. Most hospitals supply a pump while in the hospital, talk to your provider about getting a breast pump for at home.
• Nursing bra's/tank tops, yoga pants, whatever you feel comfortable in.
• Boppy Pillow.
• Things that bring you comfort (your own pillow, favorite blanket, essential oils, lotion, music)

For baby...

• Coming home outfit! This was always my favorite thing to pack!
• Swaddle Blankets, you won't need these in the hospital, but I loved being able to wrap my baby in something I picked out for them!!! 
• Baby book for footprints (if your hospital does them) and little notes from the hospital staff.
• A fresh 48 session lined up to capture you and your new baby!

Did I miss anything that you wished you had?