Pregnancy - Delivery Time! Packing For Your Hospital Stay

Having a baby is an exciting time in any woman's life. One important thing is having a bag packed and ready for your stay at the hospital. Many women only stay a night or two if they are having a natural childbirth; however, if you need a c-section, you can expect to spend about five nights in the hospital. You need to pack what you will need for your labor including your birth plan, if you have one.

Here are some things you should pack in your bag:

o Toiletries, including toothpaste, toothbrush, hairbrush, shampoo and conditioner. The hospital supplies soap, toilet paper and towels.
o Snacks - you only get meals at the hospital and they are not always nutritious or filling, so bring some nutritional snacks to sustain you between meals.
o Crossword books and magazines to read and keep you entertained.
o Pajamas, you only get a smock at the hospital;
o Clean underwear - many pairs;
o Slippers;
o Socks
o Comfy lounge pants;
o Lip balm
o Pillows;
o Digital camera or camcorder;
o Clothes for the baby including a few changes of jimmies, a hat and socks or booties and a car seat;
o Bra pads for breast milk leakage;
o Super absorbent pads, because you bleed heavily for about two weeks after child birth;
o Something to tie your hair up with if you have long hair;
o Comfortable shoes to wear home;
o iPod loaded up with your favorite music;
o Diapers for baby - the hospital gives you an allotment each day, so If you need more, you should bring extras.
o Something to wear home - don't expect to fit into your skinny clothes after child birth, it's not going to happen. Bring something comfortable like a sweatshirt and sweat pants.
o Thank you cards - if you had your baby shower before you went to the hospital, you could spend some time writing out your thank you cards while baby is sleeping;
o Any medications you are currently taking;
o Laptop

If you are only having a short stay at the hospital, you most likely won't need most of these things on the list. Picture yourself at the hospital and make a list before you pack. Think of what items you will most likely need or want and go from there. Most hospitals will provide you with small storage cupboard for your personal items. Don't leave valuables in the cupboard, have your partner take them home for you - wallet, id, credit cards, etc.

Elysse Biaca has been writing articles on a wide range of topics. Come and visit her latest post providing information on selecting Color Changing Lights, in particular several models of a Color Changing Lamp made by Philips.