Hospital Preparation List: Checklist for Mommies, Babies, and Even Daddies!

It's down to the final few weeks of your pregnancy and you're panicking. You know there are many things you need to have packed and ready for your trip to the hospital, but you have no idea where to start. Don't worry! Every expecting mother goes through this panic. It's very normal, especially since us pregnant women tend to be a little extra panicky (gotta love them crazy hormones!).

In order to help me not to panic, I decided to make a list of things I know I, my husband, and our newborn will need when we make the big trip to the hospital. And yes, don't forget, Daddy is going to need things too!

• Admissions Paper/ID/Insurance Card: Mommy is going to need all of these in order to make her stay much more smoother. What we have done during my pregnancy, is that my husband carries around with him my Insurance Card and ID just in case I go into labor and he forgets to grab my purse.
• Clothing: Be sure to bring extra clothing, especially pajamas or gowns, because you probably don't want to wear a hospital gown your entire visit. Be sure to bring clothes for you to come home in as well. You are also going to want to bring a pair or two of warm socks because hospitals tend to be very cold.
• Nursing Pads: You've probably already been leaking a little bit of breast milk (or colostrum) already, but after you have the baby you'll be leaking a lot more. It's a good idea to have Breast/Nursing pads to help you from leaking excessively.
• Feminine Pads: After you give birth, you will be bleeding for some time "down there". It's best to pack a few panty liners or pads to help you feel cleaner. Most hospitals will provide you with some in case you forget to bring your own.
• Hair Accessories: During labor it's nice to be able to keep your hair pulled back and out of your face, so be sure to bring pony tails, hair clips, or whatever it is that you like to use to pull your hair back.
• Personal Hygiene Products: Body wash, shampoo, razor, toothbrush, toothpaste, bath towel, etc... All the basic items you're going to need to make you feel fresh and clean.

• Diapers: Most hospitals will provide you with diapers, but it never hurts to bring your own.
• Baby Wipes: To help clean those lovely baby messes.
• Clothing: Bring enough outfits to last your newborn a few days, because you never know how long you'll have to spend in the hospital. Be sure to bring an outfit for your newborn to come home in as well.
• Winter clothes/Summer clothes: If you're having a winter baby, be sure to bring extra articles of clothing like a jacket, gloves, hats, etc.. If you're having a summer baby, you still need to have quite a few warmer articles of clothing, but not as many.
• Car Seat/Carrier: Most hospitals will not allow you to discharge with your baby unless you have a car seat or baby carrier, so make certain to bring one of these with you so you wont have any trouble bringing your little bundle home.
• Cord Blood Kit: If you're planning on saving your baby's cord blood, your doctor will need the cord blood kit immediately after the baby's arrival. Your Cord Blood Consultant should provide you with one of these several weeks prior to your due date.
• Bottles and Accessories: If you don't plan on breastfeeding, be sure to bring bottles, nipples, etc. to feed your newborn.
• Formula: If you don't plan on breastfeeding, be sure to bring formula so your newborn wont go without food.
• Blankets: Receiving blankets, swaddling blankets, and normal blankets to keep your baby nice and warm.

• Clothing: Daddy of course is going to need a few extra pairs of clothes because he's probably going to be at the hospital just as long as you and your newborn.
• Extra Cash: It's never a bad idea to have a little extra cash for things like food, little things you might have forgotten, etc. etc..
• Cell Phone and Charger: It never hurts to bring your phone charger, especially once you consider the amount of texting/phone calls you'll be making to announce to friends and family the birth of your newborn.
• Camera: You're probably going to want to take several pictures of your newborn baby, so be sure to bring a camera or a cell phone that can take decent pictures.
• Personal Hygiene Products: Body wash, shampoo, razor, bath towel, etc... All the basic items you're going to need to make you feel fresh and clean.
• Reading Material/Music: It's going to get pretty boring at the hospital while you waiting for Mommy to heal and for the doctors to make sure the baby and mommy are safe to check out. Be sure to bring reading material or music to help keep you from getting too bored.