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Packing when you're expecting

Modern Mama

Towards the end of pregnancy, expecting mamas who plan to deliver in a hospital get to pack that hospital bag. For me, packing the bag was a much different experience for my first and second pregnancies.

During the first round, I remember consulting pregnancy books and blogs on what to pack. I even went so far as to ask my childbirth education instructor for any tips. This resulted in my bringing pretty much everything but the kitchen sink to the hospital. I used maybe 20 percent of what was in the bag.

During the second round, determined to leave the kitchen sink at home, I managed to just pack a smaller bag. With that, of course I forgot a few things.

This has led me to share this list with expecting moms:  

 

• Documents and Identification - your drivers license or other identification, birth plan, and a health care directive if you have one.

• Camera and video camera.

• Toiletries - Everything you want for that after birth shower - shampoo, body wash, razor, toothpaste, toothbrush and lip balm. • Baby wipes - some hospitals do not provide moistened baby wipes.  Be safe and throw a pack in the bag (pack them in a ziplock though as the packages can leak).  

• Celebratory snack and beverage - Everything you want for that special after birth snack and toast

• Partner/coach - if your partner or coach is staying with you in the hospital, then a change of clothes for them and their overnight stuff (medicines, toiletries).  

• Swimtrunks/swimsuit for coach - these come in handy if you want to get in a shower or bathtub while you are in labor.

• Going home gear - clothes for mom, baby and partner and blankets for baby

• Carseat

• If you have an older child(ren) - presents for them from baby and a picture of them to have in your hospital room.

• Most importantly, an open mind - regardless of your birth plans, birth has its own plan.  So, make sure to have an open mind in the event this don't go as planned.

Congratulations and happy packing!

Mary Piasta-Valluzzo is the ultimate Sonoma Modern Mama who loves exploring the town with her eldest son, Bobby and her brand new baby boy, Constantine Joseph. She writes blogs about anything and everything related to parenting young children, including at her own site here. She is also a board member of the Sonoma Valley Mothers Club, an organization that supports women with young children in everything from parenting to socializing. The club is open to all Sonoma moms. For more on the club, visit sonomamothersclub.org or call 996-9890.