by Vanessa Bartlemus

Created on: September 28, 2009   Last Updated: January 03, 2010

Packing your bag for the hospital can be a daunting task. As you pack up things for that little person you have yet to meet, it may finally hit you that you'll be coming home with one extra person than you left with. You also probably wonder what things are really necessary.It's a good idea to have your bag packed by the time you are eight months pregnant. While packing, keep in mind that a typical hospital stay is two days for a vaginal birth and four for a c-section, although it can vary based on hospital policy, your insurance company, and your preferences. No matter how long your stay, here are some essentials to pack:

For Labor:

-Lip Balm: Your lips will get dry from all the breathing and panting in labor.

-Sports Drinks: If your hospital allows fluids during labor, these are great for rehydrating.

-Rubber Bands: To tie your hair up. If your hair is long, you can braid it so it doesn't get in knots.

-A CD or MP3 player with calming songs on it: You may find that your favorite songs help you relax during labor.

-Warm socks: So your feet don’t get cold!

-Change for the snack machines: Your husband or birth partner will probably get hungry or thirsty during your labor, and they don’t want to be stuck in the middle of the night with nothing to eat when the cafeteria closes.

-Change of clothes for your partner: If your birth is long, your husband or birth partner will appreciate clean clothes to change in to.

For after the birth:

-Nightgown: After you give birth, it feels good to be in your own pajamas. Bring a comfy old pair or two because they will likely get dirty. If you’ll be breastfeeding, make sure the top is either button-down or stretchy enough to accommodate breastfeeding. You can bring pants and shirt-type pajamas too if you prefer them, but a nightgown is essential if you end up having a c-section, since pants will irritate your scar and may interfere with the bandages.

-Underwear (Big comfy ones), nursing bras (if you’ll be breastfeeding, and make sure they’re a size bigger than your usual), socks.

-Pads: Bring a few of the extra heavy nighttime ones. You will be bleeding a lot. The hospital provided ones usually don’t have anything sticky to hold them in place.

-Comfy, large slippers: Your feet may get swollen after childbirth, especially if you are induced, so make sure you bring a large pair. My daughter ended up in the NICU and I had to walk there every 3 hours to feed her, so these came in

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