Having a Baby? The ONLY 5 Things to Take to the Hospital

With my first pregnancy, the fear of actually going through labor was a dark shadow over my last trimester. My all-encompassing denial of this part of the process of becoming a mother meant I could not make myself read anything about labor, listen to any friend who wanted to share her delivery story, or even tour the hospital. I insisted my husband take me home during lunch on the first day of our two-day childbirthing class because I was so freaked out. Anytime I started feeling that panic rise up at the thought of going through labor (which happened with increasing frequency as the weeks went on), I just told myself that the nurses and doctors would know what they were doing, and that it would all work out.

So that’s how I ended up in the hospital to have my first child with two suitcases and a backpack.

Unarmed with information, I brought everything I thought I could possibly need – clothes for me, clothes for the baby, tons of reading material (mostly work-related, ha ha), iPod, laptop, blackberry, a journal to capture those wonderful first moments, etc. This was all packed and ready to go at a moment’s notice – in week 35 of my pregnancy.

Oh, the benefit of experience. With my second pregnancy, I packed the one and only bag in week 39.

I took FIVE things only – and here’s what they were:

1. Old work-out socks. I’m not going to go into all the details here, but trust me on this: you will not want to wear any of your own clothes while you are actually in the hospital. The hospital gown works just fine for nursing and sleeping. You are going to be so exhausted, the thought of changing clothes will tire you out, anyway. All you need are socks, and bring your oldest pair that are still good enough to wear in semi-public but that you don’t care about throwing away if needed.

2. A robe With my first delivery, I wouldn’t have even needed this because I didn’t leave my room the entire time (my entire stay was less than 48 hours). However, with the c-section, I was in the hospital longer and they were more diligent about me roaming the halls. So, for decency’s sake, a robe was necessary. Target has some great options!

3. Clothes to go home in. When you have the baby, you lose a lot of weight – the weight of the baby, the placenta, a lot of fluid, etc. But, even with fewer pounds on you to lug home, you will need maternity clothes to go home in, because it will be a while before your joints and body shift back into position (I’m kind of wondering if they ever will). Don’t let anyone sell you on “transition” clothes for going home; if your maternity clothes actually end up being too big for the trip, count yourself as one of the lucky few.

4. Clothes for the baby to go home in. While the baby will be quite happy in his hospital t-shirt and blanket for the time he’s in the hospital, the hospital really doesn’t want you to take the baby home dressed in their property (although your baby wouldn’t care). But, you probably want to get some cute pictures of the baby in his car seat for the first time, and in your home for the first time, so an outfit for their memories is a good idea.

5. Something to read (or your laptop). Neither one of my labors were long (with Jack, my first, I only had 4 hours in the hospital before he was born; 2nd one with Luke was an elective c-section, so labor was nonexistent), so I didn’t even need either of these before delivery. And after delivery, you are a) so tired and sleepy, b) trying to nurse/feed a baby who’s very tired and sleepy, and/or c) so overwhelmed by the astounding experience you’ve just had, that somehow reading your latest O Magazine or the news on CNN.com doesn’t seem remotely appealing.

Now, armed with more information, you can pack confidently for what will be one of the most important days of your life.

This post is dedicated to Baby Abigail Theresa.