by Adrienne Shelar

Created on: May 13, 2008

Congratulations! You're pregnant-and you're almost due. It's time to pack "the bag". For all you first-time moms (and perhaps a few procrastinating next timers), you should do this around 30 weeks, just in case you end up going into labor prematurely.

I've been to the hospital a total of 4 times. By the last pregnancy, my bag was so tiny my husband laughed and said I was being silly. I thought I over packed.

So what do you truly need? Personally, I think the answer is very little! Remember, you're going to be lugging around everything that people bring you while you're in the hospital, as well as a new baby, most likely in an infant car seat, which is not a light little contraption, by the way, and you're going to be exhausted and sore. Packing lightly is essential to your aching back muscles or those of your frazzled husband. Get ready to pack!

The first and most important thing you must pack is your camera. Make sure you have extra batteries and film or memory sticks. You will be astounded at how many pictures you want to take of your sweet little one.

You also need a few toiletries-namely, some deodorant and your own toothbrush. Even I, the queen of tiny bags, recommend in this category your own sanitary napkins, unless you really want to waddle the corridors of your hospital with a pillow between your legs. I also recommend your own hairbrush.

A good, warm, fuzzy pair of slippers is very important, as well as an old robe that you can throw on quickly, for those middle of the night trips to the nursery. If you're anything like me, you are going to want to go with your baby when they get a bath and are weighed, which for some reason completely beyond my comprehension, is always done after midnight. I just don't think getting completely dressed is all that necessary. Trust me, the nurses don't care, so throw on that robe and your slippers, and make your midnight run down to the nursery.

You must have lip balm. I am sorry to tell you that, because it is a sad fact that most people leave out, but it's true. C-section mom or long labor, having a baby dries out your lips, and you need a good, quality brand of lip balm-with a decent flavor-to help them not peel, which would ruin any new moms good mood.

Your cell phone and a few dollars in change are pretty necessary. You're going to want to send your husband out to get himself a drink so you can spend a few minutes in peace gazing adoringly at your little angel, and while he's out he should pick you up a pack of nabs. You'll need to alert any family member who is not already pacing the hallways outside your LDR suite when the first tiny cries burst forth from your baby's lungs, and you'll need to talk to your best friend at least a dozen times a day while you're there to see if you're doing this right or tell her how badly you want to break out of the hospital, so pack the charger too.

The only thing left is your baby's new clothes. I personally wore the clothes home that I came into the hospital with to save space, but your new prince or princess must look the part of royalty, and needs a freshly laundered outfit, complete with blanket and hat and matching booties and bib (yes, even in August). Remember how many dozens of pictures will be made with this outfit on when you pick it out, and also keep in mind that you will promptly take it off and put it away in a keepsake box the second you are home, so don't go too pricey.

See, it all fitswell, pretty much in your new deluxe diaper bag (which is what I used to pack 3 of the 4 times!).

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