What is in my hospital bag?!
The most important thing I keep telling myself is that at the end of the day: the hospital has everything we will need. But, if you can take some time to gather a few things to make labor and postpartum more comfortable, inviting, and personal: then why not!
FOR LABOR
We do not have a “birth plan” because I have felt this whole experience from pregnancy to parenthood is all going to go not as planned anyway.
I will say the general idea is, however, we are blessed enough to have gotten what I wished for: which is to be able to labor AND birth in a birthing tub at our hospital. We finally got to see the room the other day, and it’s pretty big which is great: there’s a bed if I don’t want to be in the tub, the tub, a big couch and a bathroom. It’s amazing. I have no idea when I will go into labor or how long it will last, so just to make the room feel a little less like a hospital I have a few things in my bag:
Essential Oil Diffuser: We are big candle people here in the Fanelli household, and oil diffusers. I love when a room smells good. So I packed both my Saje house diffuser and my car diffuser (because it can plug into a USB cord) to diffuse oils to hopefully encourage a sense of ease and relaxation.
Arbonne Lavender Essential Oil: For the diffuser, obviously. And potentially for me to apply topically as well to my neck or into a towel. I love this oil because it’s relaxing and it’s not too intense.
Battery-Operated Tea Lights: As I mentioned, we love candles in the Fanelli house. I have no idea when I’ll be in labor, but I’d like the room to be dark probably and so these sweet little candles can also help to add some calming ambiance.
Bluetooth Speaker: I made a playlist of songs for labor that make me happy, that the baby has danced to, or that are relaxing: you can find it on Spotify under ArielleYoga. It’s called “Labor.” It has Bob Marley, A Beautiful Chorus, and some cool just nature/spa tracks as well.
Post Partum:
Cell Phone Charger: This needs no description or explanation lol
Frida Mama Washer: This was the FIRST thing I registered for, and I was given two because the mama’s I know have all said this is life changing and makes the pain of going to the bathroom after a little less painful. I have one here at home, and one packed in the bag.
Depends: I have written about how I am planning on using sustainable options for my post partum care: reusable pads and underwear and gel pads.. However, in the hospital: immediately after giving birth, I don’t want to deal with any of that: so baby will be in the diapers they have there, and I will not be in the mesh underwear they provide: but rather I’ll be in depends. It was suggested to get those because they’re more comfortable and sturdy than the mesh things women are given at the hospital.
Tucks Witch Hazel Cooling Pads: These were given to me from a friend, so I brought those as well to help with the pain of postpartum.
Nursing Bra: I don’t plan on wearing a bra at all while I am there, and as of right now, this bra is a little tight. lol So hopefully by the time we come home they fit: I got 3. Figured may as well pack one for the drive home: But I’m also packing a comfy sports bra just in case.
My Cosa Bella PJs: They’re soft, lose, and easy to unbutton for skin to skin and feeding. Who knows if I’ll even put them on: but I figured if I was gonna bring PJs, to bring a set. Having a matching set just kinda makes me feel like I have my shit together.
Skincare: I also have my Arbonne Bio Hydria face wash, and RE9 Brightening night cream packed, and our rose body butter. I’m hoping at some point to shower and just be able to use some of my favorite skincare products from home after to just feel like myself.
Arbonne Phytosport Hydration: I will definitely need the extra hydration during labor as well as afterwards, so I’ve thrown a few sticks in my bag!
My Breast Friend Nursing Pillow: this was given to me for my shower by a family friend, and I love it: it even has a pocket for a water bottle! I’ll def be using this a lot so wanted to bring it for support.
My Soft AF Teddy Bear Robe by Pottery Barn: Literally, there is nothing softer or more cozy than this robe. My mom specifically got it for me for Christmas to wear post partum, and because hospitals can get cold and feel…not cozy, I’m definitely going to be bringing this to snuggle into.
Silverettes: So this will be an experiment and a blog in itself someday. A company reached out to me about these silver nipple shields/nursing cups they make that are supposed to keep our nipples from bleeding and getting sore. Apparently because they’re made from silver they contain natural healing properties and I won’t need lanolin oil or anything. They have antimicrobial, anti fungal, and antibacterial properties as well! I’ll let you know how it goes!
A Belly Band: I don't know if I’lll feel the need, but I have been told how helpful these are for postpartum: I have two, I have one that’s a little more intense and velcro’s around your whole midsection my friend leant to me that said it really helped her postpartum. I have a looser one, and I have one that’s shorter that I used earlier on to help with my sciatica. I’m bringing the Velcro one that my friend lent me because it can work for core stabilization as well as for helping if we end up having to have a cesarian.
AE Joggers: Cozy outfit for going home must contain soft loose pants like these! They are so heavenly to wear, I have them in my bag already and got so upset the other day because I really wanted to wear them around the house: but don’t wanna risk it! So they stay in the bag for when the time comes!
And soft and loose cotton spray and white stripped top to match.
For baby:
Newborn Gown Set: One of my clients told me laughing that when she and her husband had their first child, as they were getting ready to leave the nurse mentioned where the baby’s outfit was and she realized they didn’t pack any clothes for her son! She was 19 and her husband was in his 20s and it just didn’t occur to them. We had a good laugh, because also: the baby doesn’t NEED an outfit. But I died when I saw all the newborn gowns on Birdees and I ended up purchasing one for us to go home in! I can’t wait to show you the one he’ll be in!
1 pair of soft little white socks: The weekend after I told Anthony I was pregnant he had a Spartan Race down in Orange County and we drove by a Kohl’s so we went in because he was DYING to buy something for the baby. He picked these cute little soft white socks. So I am bringing a pair o those, and then these ridiculously precious little woven booties for the drive home to wear with his newborn gown and hat.
1 Blanket and 1 Lovey: We have been given quite a few lovies and blankets for the babe, and so for the last month we’ve been sleeping with them so they all have our scent: both mine and Anthony’s, and then of course because they’re so soft Dusty has found her way to lay on them here and there as well lol So I’ll be bringing one blanket and one lovey for him for while we are there, and when we drive home :)
I also threw in a few burp cloths just to have.
For Anthony:
His bag is a lot easier…since you know, he won’t be giving birth.
Swim trunks in case he gets in the tub with me during the labor or birth.
Sweats and a comfy shirt for sleeping/lounging (OBVIOUSLY an Ohio shirt because if you know my husband…)
Sweatshirt
Snacks
Reusable Water Bottle
Arbonne RE9 for Men 3 in 1 hair, body, and face wash so he, too, can have his own routine if given the opportunity to shower.
It seems like A LOT all written out like this: but my and baby’s stuff all fits in one bag. And Anth is packing his own. The only thing that has to be carried separately is the breastfeeding pillow cuz it’s pretty big. And I WAS going to bring a labor ball: but turns out my hospital has plenty! So we can leave that at home.
And honestly, at the end of the day, if something happens and we can’t get home and the labor happens SUPER fast…and we have none of these things: it doesn’t matter. It’s going to be the best day of our lives and we truly can’t wait!