Packing for the hospital

I remember calling my sister up before Eli's due date asking what the heck I was suppose to pack for the hospital. I knew it wasn't like going on a vacation, that's for sure, so I really had no earthly idea what to bring.

Now that I've been through 2 births here is what I would recommend packing: (in no particular order)

For yourself and partner: (I always pack 1 bag just for the delivery and another larger bag for our 2 day stay)

• Drivers License, insurance card (try to pre-register a few weeks before if your hospital allows it)
• Birthplan (if you have one!) 
• Your pillow (let's face it...the hospital beds are not the most comfortable. I put an older pillow case on just because I didn't want my nice one to get dirty)
• Socks for your feet during delivery and after. I went and bought some cheap cute socks at Target to wear during delivery. You go from burning up to freezing cold (at least I did) so sometimes you might want them on, and other times you might not want anything on your toes. BUT, I would buy a CHEAP pair because they can get dirty and you probably will want to throw them away ASAP. I know I did!) 
• Load your Ipod with your favorite songs so you can listen to it during labor. This might help you and it might not, but it's a good idea to have it just in case! 
• CAMERA!!! 
• Video Camera! 
• Flip flops (Again I bought a cheap pair at Target and then threw them away before leaving the hospital. They are nice to wear in the shower and around your room while you stay)
• Chargers for your phone, computer (if you bring one)
• Snacks for the hubby! Unfortunately, you won't be able to eat anything than ice chips during L&D, but your husband can and if he is like mine, he gets HUNGRY. I had a big ziplock bag packed full of his favorite things. I also ate some of the items during the 2 day stay as sometimes the hospital meals just weren't satisfying. (imagine that!) 
• A robe
• Comfy clothes! I'd suggest leaving your jeans at home girls. If you don't have any comfy pants, then go out and buy some. I like to get out of the ugly hospital gown ASAP so I always bring some comfy, light weight pants and shirts. 
• If you plan to nurse buy yourself some nice tank tops with support. That way you can either unbutton the top layer you are wearing or simply lift the top layer up to feed the baby. I would recommend waiting on buying a nursing bra until you know what size you are going to be. (believe me... they can GROW!) 
• Clothes for your husband as well as his toothbrush, shaver, etc. (whatever he uses on a daily basis)
• I always like to take a shower as soon as I feel up to it and dry my hair and put on makeup. You might not care what you look like, but I always feel so much better when I look halfway like myself. So pack your hair dryer, flat iron, whatever you use.... along with your makeup, face wash, etc.
• The hospital will have your bathroom stock full of pads for the bleeding that takes place after delivery. They can be pretty big so if you prefer your own, then pack some of those. You might have a lot of bleeding or you might not. It's whichever you prefer. 
• Some ugly underwear you don't care to ruin and throw away! Again, I went to Target and bought a pack of 5 or 7 cheap underwear to wear during those first few weeks when you have the post-partum bleeding. Leave your thongs at home! Comfort is the key here!! 
• A notepad/pencil: I read a blog where the mother of the woman giving birth kept a record of how the day progressed. It was so neat to read and I wish I would have had someone to do that with mine. They kept track of how many cms dilated she was at what time, what the doctor would say, the nurses, visitors, etc. What a great keepsake! 
• If you want your baby's first foot prints in their baby book, then bring that and have the nurse stamp them in there when they are doing the same thing for the birth certificate, etc. 
• Possible some light reading (I never did, but if you are a big reader and won't have a lot of visitors, then go ahead and throw something in!) 

For the baby:

• going home outfit
• blanket
• hats (if you want him or her to wear one other than the hospital one)
• outfits for the 2 days if you'd like, or they can just stay in the onesie from the hospital. It's fun to dress them up of course, but they are also perfectly fine in their onesie all swaddled up. 
• have the car seat installed in your car and ready to go a few weeks before your due date. That way it is in the car already and is one less item you have to worry about. The hospital will not let you leave without one. 
• You DO NOT need diapers. The hospital will have the baby's cart stocked full of diapers and you will take any you do not use home with you. 

I'm sure I forgot some things and will add back later if I think of any.

If you are reading this and have already experienced giving birth, what would you recommend bringing?