Pack Your Bags
Check it Once and Check it Twice: Your Hospital Checklist

Toiletries: Shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, facial wipes, makeup. Many stores have travel packs with just the right size of everything you need (except make-up), even a small hair brush. Toss it in your hospital bag weeks before your due date- no need to rush around trying to find your Colgate when you are the in the worst pain of your life. 

Concealer: It’ll help cover up redness, blotchiness, and post-delivery blemishes for all the zillions of photos that'll be taken after baby arrives.  

Music: Take along your iPod and headphones/speakers (or a portable CD player and tunes).  

Books and magazines: You have no clue how long labor will be or when you will go home. When doesn't a little trash talk help the time fly by?  

Pillow from home: It's must cozier than those hospital-issued ones. 

Lanolin cream: This nursing essential soothes sore nipples as you adjust to your baby's feeding techniques. It works for some moms and not for others so check with your nurse for alternatives.

Basic toiletries for your man: Let's be honest -- he probably doesn't need much more than a toothbrush and deodorant.

Cash: At least $20 in cash and bring lots of singles for the vending machine and snacks. 

Cell phone and don’t forget the charger: Using your own helps avoid those pricey hospital phone bills. 

Wrist Watch: Digital watch or one with a second hand (for timing contractions). 

Cameras: Digital camera and video camera (if you've agreed to go there). I was up for it until the real pain kicked in and then the mere sight of my husband taping me while I lay there writhing in pain was too much for me to handle. All you see on my tape is a brief moment of my agony and then my alter ego looked direct to camera and said, "That's enough". Insert demon like voice here.

Blanket and pillow for your partner: If he'll be staying over, he has to crash on a chair or pull out couch. Poor baby.

Car seat: The seat MUST BE installed prior to leaviing the hospital. Be prepared for the nurse to ask to see the seat and check installation.

Layette stuff: Newborn hat, two receiving blankets, several burp cloths, two "onesies," and two pairs of socks. 

Baby going-home outfit: Try a kimono onesie (so you don't have to pull anything over your newborn's head - they're not big fans). 

Nursing pillow: It'll make those first (potentially tough) feedings a bit easier. Boppy's are fantastic for nursing and as your baby grows you can use the Boppy to aid your little one in sitting upright. 

This is your day, so bring whatever you feel you might want or need. Don't procrastinate about packing. You never know when your little bundle will make an early appearance. 

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