I was gifted Natracare organic maternity pads to try out. I was not obligated to share a review, and all opinions expressed are my own.
I’ve given birth in a hospital for three out of three kids, and while it’s not for everyone, it’s the right choice for some (including myself). Due to complications around my first labor and delivery, it’s where I feel most comfortable. I am lucky to have an OB who is very supportive of low-intervention births and a hospital nearby that is friendly to doulas–both musts for me personally.
We’re hoping for more kids, so with each birth, I like to think about how it went and what I’d do differently.
After my first, I definitely needed to rethink my hospital bag packing list. A well-packed hospital bag is essential to feeling comfortable and supported, whether you’re in the hospital for a few hours, a night or a week. I ended up having my first around 9pm–only to discover that the hospital did not provide toothbrushes/toothpaste, nor did they serve dinner after 6pm. Oops.
Here’s what I like to pack now with a bit more experience under my belt. From cozy socks, to trail mix, to organic maternity pads… I like to come prepared!
My Hospital Bag Checklist
Clothing
- Nursing bras and camis–my favorites are the Auden line from Target.
- Comfy pants, at least 3 pairs! Preferably without much of a waistband. I have a couple pairs of maternity-to-postpartum yoga pants that can either fold over or go fully over the stomach. Whether you have a c-section or vaginal delivery, chances are you don’t want to be wearing something tight.
- A cheap robe for nursing, because it gets stained.
- Cozy socks and/or slippers, because hospital socks are not cozy.
- Slip-on shoes for going home–fluid retention and swollen feet are a real thing after birth!
- Bonus: a cute outfit for baby! One of my kids didn’t end up wearing theirs home because it was 90 degrees outside. But I love a cute going home outfit in general.
- What I don’t bother bringing: anything favorite or expensive, jeans or other “real” clothing.
Toiletries
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Skincare: face wash, toner, serums, lotions, etc.
- Deodorant (postpartum night sweats…)
- Chapstick: My poor lips were dying after I had my first and I didn’t have this with me.
- Hairbands
- Brush/comb
- Bar of soap
- Cozy bath towel: This is a little “extra” but the hospital linens are so thin and threadbare! It takes me 2-3 of them to actually dry off after a shower. Having an oversized fluffy towel from is truly luxurious after that first postpartum shower.
- What I don’t bring: Shampoo and conditioner (my hospital has pump bottles of these in their showers), makeup. Might I suggest taking a tour of your hospital if possible, so you can get a sense of what’s offered? DO bring makeup wipes if you wear makeup regularly–you might show up wearing makeup.
Food
Your needs will vary depending on if you are having a c-section (no food beforehand) and hospital rules (some hospitals prefer you not to eat in active labor). My hospital lets me order a full breakfast mid-labor if I feel like it (and I did once) 😛 but the kitchen is only open from 6am-6pm.
- Snacks for nausea: Some people get nauseous during labor and/or just need easy carbs for quick energy. My preferred snacks are salty–cheesy crackers, tortilla chips or popcorn–and apple juice or lemonade boxes, the kind you would pack in a kids’ lunchbox.
- Snacks for after delivery: I think I was mildly traumatized after giving birth to my first at 9pm and all the hospital could offer me was peanut butter toast and applesauce until the kitchen opened the next morning. I was just in labor all day, people! Now I pack protein-heavy snacks for after baby is born. Every one of my kids has been born at night! I pack protein bars, trail mix, beef sticks, and greek yogurt (our hospital rooms have mini-fridges). Also, fresh fruit because fiber. Bananas, oranges, apples, etc.
- What I don’t pack: water, because they’re happy to fill me up a big pitcher when I arrive.
Miscellaneous
- Wallet with ID
- Phone and charger
- Kindle, for late night nursing sessions
- Baby needs: Baby’s carseat (the base should be installed in the car), a coming home outfit and/or a couple of onesies. They will usually provide extra clothing should you need it. Our hospital also gives out free swaddle blankets, and they provide diapers, wipes, diaper cream, the nose bulb, baby shampoo, formula should you want it, and lanolin for nursing moms.
- Postpartum needs: a big category, and my hospital provides a lot: mesh undies, giant pads, “padsicles,” a peri bottle, witch hazel pads. Here’s what I bring from home:
- Extra witch hazel pads
- a nicer peri bottle–I love this kit from FridaMom that has witch hazel wipes/foam, a nice peri bottle, and the pads that you freeze
- Depends–nice for when bleeding lightens up, but you still don’t want to risk your underwear!
- Natracare organic maternity pads. While I like that my hospital provides these pads for free, I love that Natracare’s line is made of fully natural materials (mostly organic cotton and pine pulp), biodegradable, and super soft. While you’re healing from the intense experience of labor and delivery–however you deliver!–the last thing you want to be thinking about is how scratchy and chemical-laden your postpartum supplies are. If you want to treat yourself to an upgraded postpartum experience, I recommend checking out Natracare’s maternity line. In addition to organic maternity pads, they also offer nursing pads and super-clean baby wipes.
- What I don’t bring: my own pillow (controversial perhaps, but I’m not sleeping much anyways with the constant nurse wakeup calls), a speaker (I prefer everyone to be quiet during my labors), or baby bottles.
- Remember, your partner should pack a bag too–especially food for a quick energy boost! You want them to be able to support you during labor, not go hungry and faint!
And that is it! Hospital birth moms, let me know if there’s anything else you’d add in the comments below!
xx Claire
