Labor & Delivery Must Have’s
I felt a little bit lost as to what I would need for both labor and postpartum so I wanted to share what I packed and ended up using!
This post contains affiliate links. I will make a small commission if you shop my links at no additional costs to you.
What I packed in our hospital bag:
Delivery gown
I purchased the frida baby delivery gown, and it was hands down my favorite thing that I purchased for labor & delivery. The hospital provided gowns are so stiff, and not to mention HUGE! I was so much more comfortable in this cotton gown, and I still had all of the necessary snaps needed for labor and delivery. It was worth every penny.
A bath towel
The hospital provides towels, but they are tiny! We bought a cheap towel that we brought with us that Brian and I shared
A robe for after delivery
I brought a robe that I bought from Target years ago that I preferred to wear after I showered because it was thin, comfortable, and easy to breastfeed in. Most importantly, it was easier to change my pad/hospital undies without having to bend over to remove short/pants. Here’s a similar one. The only other clothing items that I feel are necessary to bring is a nursing bra and an outfit to go home in.
A diffuser
A diffuser can really set the mood for you room during labor and after delivery. I brought this diffuser because it is small and easy to pack. The oils that I brought and used were valor which is grounding, lavender is very calming, peppermint to help with nausea, and helichrysum to help with post partum bleeding and cramping. I also love the premade tranquil roller that is a blend of cedarwood, lavender, and roman chamomile. Shop all of my essential oil favorites here.
Toiletries
I brought the bare necessities with us- shampoo, conditioner, body wash, face wash, toothpaste, toothbrush, CBD beauty boost, brush, hairdryer. I love this travel pack from young living because it really includes almost everything we need, and is compact to travel with. I also love that I can refill the bottles when they run out.
Phone charger
The longer the better!
Baby book
Do not forget to bring your baby book because the nurses are happy to add your little ones foot prints on the designated pages for you! I love the beautiful a simplistic design of this baby book.
Baby items (packed together in a small bag)
Going home outfit- we got the Lou Lou ultimate newborn collection, and it is beautiful.
Seedlings baby wash & shampoo- it was important to me to bring our own baby wash for her first bath that was free of all of the chemicals that are in many of the traditional baby wash products.
Anything you may want to take a hospital picture with- letterboards, name tags, etc. I love this “hello my name is" sign from Heritage Sign Co.
Things that were suggested that I brought, but felt I could leave behind:
Slide on shoes- I wore the non skid socks that they provided at the hospital
A separate water bottle- it is much easier to use the cups provided
A pillow- I was fine with using the pillows provided, and It is just more to carry
Overall, I packed very minimally with the bare necessities, and I took advantage of what the hospital provides for post partum care. I think that I overpacked on clothes thinking I would be more comfortable in a nightgown, but I felt that the robe allowed me to cover up but have ease in postpartum care and breastfeeding.
Lastly, I packed a goodie basket for the sweet nurses and staff as a thank you. Funny story, I packed a basket initially when I started contracting at 36 weeks (I delivered at 40w4d) and I ended up having to refill it because mama ate all of the snacks (not surprising at all lol).
I filled it with ningxia zyng energy drinks, a good mix of healthy and not as healthy snacks, and a few copies of my book “Someday” to gift to people who also welcomed their someday too. Hindsight I should have packed two- one for labor and delivery and one for post partum.
last moments just us
patiently awaiting the arrival of our “Someday”
xo, Kelly
