Labor and Delivery -- What to pack?

When it comes to packing for labor and delivery it can be a bit overwhelming.  What will you need/want? What will fit? What does the baby need? How big a bag do you really need for 2-3 days? Do you want your own stuff or the stuff the hospital ill give you?  Many of these questions you will have to answer for yourself and you will definataly be able to, just as you are pulling out of the hospital and headed home.  Here are a few of my suggestions.

Birthplan- and if you don't have one you should make research some online and make one, it helps the doctors and nurses know what is important to you.  Even if it's just things like giving them a paci or not giving them a paci.

Your own pillow!!!

Labor and Delivery PJ's-  You know if you are the type of person who hates wearing hospital gowns, or totally doesn't care.  I dream of Sushi Labor and Delivery gowns are super cute, practical and $22 on Amazon.com  this is one of those I am getting you the info, you decide what you think.  I went with the hospital gown.

VERY loose regular sweat pants.  I had a C section (unplanned) and it hurt for anything to touch my insicion.  you will also be wearing a pad the size of a 2x4 and possibly an ice pack ( really) in your underwear you do not want anything fitted.

Brestfeeding tanks/bras, if you plan on breastfeeding, when you are new to it, it's a huge pain to try and pull up a big t shirt.

Breastfeeding PJ's- They make you feel pretty or at least human and they are conveneinet, totally worth the splurge. I have some from pea in the pod similar to their short sleeve V-Neck Nursing Pajamas, that are pants and a top and LOVE THEM!!!  I will say for the hospital i mostly wore nursing nightgowns, because with my c-section i didn't want to mess

Bathrobe- unless you want to wear the hospital robe everywhere buy yourself a robe that is thin (terricloth gets HOT and bulky) and long. Again you don't want any chance people can see your undies.

A pack of cheap undies- their is a lot of bleeding, the hospital will give you disposable underwear, but if you want to wear your own be prepared to throw them out.

Breast pads- in case your milk comes in in the hospital.

Lanolin - if you forget yours ask a nurse for some, they have trial size tubes

Cross Snap T's for baby- again the hospital can provide these unless you want your own.

Hat for baby-  I would splurge and buy a cute boy and girl hat if you don't know what you're having.  It's pretty much all they will be wearing, excpet and blanket or swaddle, for the pics you take in the hospital.

Swaddleme- the nurses could swaddle really well, but we couldn't and since Josie roomed in with us most of the time we were way more confident with the swaddleme's. ( The nurses loved them too)

Normal toiletries- toothbrush, toothpaste, hair brush, shampoo, brush, makeup, possibly a razor....

Newborn footie Pj's- fun to take the baby home in something cute, but keep it practical.

Paci- If you are breastfeeding it is highly recommended you don't give your baby any kind of nipple but the breast for the first week or two, it can hinder their ability to latch.  We told every nurse that took Josie to the nursery, please no paci.  But if you want to start with the paci bring your own, some hospitals don't offer them and others might have a kind you don't like.

Camera

Laptop or ipad....

Phone- with charger, amazing how many people forget the charger, we did. :)

C-Section

If you are having a C-Section prepare yourself for a longer recovery than your friend having a vaginal birth.  You are having surgery, but here are a few things that will make your recovery a little faster and less painful. Make sure you get plenty of rest, let people help you and you will recover a lot more quickly!!!

Gabriealla Post Partem C-Section Girdle (available on Amazon) This was a life saver.  I wore it every day for about 4 weeks and it helped me recovery so much!!! It also allowed me to pick up my toddler sooner!
GlamourMom Nursing Bra nightgown-  Get this for yourself for the hospital you will not want to wear pants over your incision and you jut feel so much better in this than the hopital gowns!!!
Slippers you can slide your feet into- you will not want to bend over to put socks on.

Pharmacy

Here are a few things to have on hand when the baby arrives.
Infant Tylenol
Infant Ibprofin (although they cannot have this until 6 months)
Children's benadryl (in case of some kind of allergic reaction)
Anal Thermometer
Forehead Thermometer ( these work so much better than the ear)
Gripe water
Saline Spray
Baby Vicks rub
Humidifier
Vicks waterless vaporizer pads for the humidifier
Vitamin D Drops (breastfed babies don't get enough vitamin D)
First Aid Kit
Suction Bulb ( They will give you one at the hospital and if they don't, ask for one, they are the best)