You guys! I’m 37 weeks pregnant today and can you even believe it? This is the LONGEST I’ve ever been pregnant! While that does come with a few conflicting feelings (my mind was prepared for an earlier delivery) we are counting our blessings for our uneventful high risk pregnancy for Baby Boettcher No. 3. The nursery is juuuuust about finished and my hospital bag is finally packed. We are ready and awaiting the arrival of our sweet little one. And, I’m entirely excited about the element of the gender surprise in our delivery this time around!
As I was packing my hospital bag, I realized this is the first time that I’m actually going to have a bag ready to go for a delivery. ? With Maven, my water broke at home and I threw some things in a bag quickly before our departure, but we lived so close to the hospital at that point, that I knew Mark could run home to get whatever it was I would need later. With Sylvie, you would think I would have been ready given my hospital + home bedrest, but everything happened so fast that I just rushed to the hospital without having anything to bring with me besides my purse. (If you haven’t already, read Sylvie’s Story to understand how quick and stressful that delivery process was for me.)
I was determined to be more prepared this time, and even though I’ve waited much longer than I maybe should have…I’m packed! Plus, baby is staying put, so in hindsight, getting my bag packed 3 weeks ago wasn’t necessary after all. Of course all you have to do is turn to Pinterest (don’t forget to follow me!) to find about a million different hospital bag packing lists, so I wanted to share some insights — from a mama who has had two babies + stayed in the hospital for nearly 6 weeks of bed rest. This isn’t a list of packing items or essentials. It’s a list of a handful of your own items that are just a luxury to have when you’re in the hospital. Could you do without? Sure. But, if you have room in your bag, add them! And if not, I say: pack a bigger one to make room! ?
5 Personal Items to Make Room for in Your Hospital Bag
(1) A full size bath towel
This! Yes, I can totally get by using the little white towels that barely wrap around my thigh + feel like sandpaper, but the feeling of a full size, SOFT towel on your body (especially after delivering a baby) is so wonderful. Bring your own. You won’t be sorry.
(2) My pillow
If you haven’t heard of My Pillow, YOU NEED THIS. Mark reallllly had to convince me to pay this much for a pillow that I could have just bought from Target for about $9.99, but let me tell you, it’s so worth it. Just read the details, make your selection and give it a try. You will sleep so comfortably and it’s incredibly luxurious to have this pillow with you when you’re in that uncomfortable hospital bed.
(3) A comfy bralette
Of course you’ll bring your own bra, but bring one that feels like a dream when you wear it. This Xhilaration Bralette from Target is SO comfortable. It’s great for lounging and for your nursing needs, too. You can’t beat the price, so I got a few!
(4) A blanket
Sleeping in a hospital bed is not too enjoyable, but if you bring a few elements from home to make it cozy + get yourself some rest, you’ll feel so much better! Take it from someone who stayed for weeks on end, a blanket (especially this really cozy, soft one) is worth the space in your bag!
(5) Slippers
I know that the hospital gives you those “plush socks” with the little grippers on the bottom to wear around, but let’s be honest, who actually thinks those are comfortable? I like sliding my feet into comfy slippers (and the ability to be barefoot otherwise) to walk around.
What do you have in your hospital bag?
XO