What's in my Hospital Bag?

So, I've decided to be one of those mommy bloggers. Meaning yes, I am sending out another hospital bag blog post to the universe. I probably read like 10 different articles and blog posts and pins to decide what to put in mine, so maybe my post will help someone else out.

I'm currently about 2 weeks out from my due date as I type this first part. I won't post it until after I have little Abby so I can reiterate what I actually needed. But first, let's start with what I packed...

 First, I have my main bag. In it I have:

• Snacks & mints: for those midnight snack times
• Giant diaper pads: so that's not the legit name, but I've been told the more annoying and giant the pad, the better. Ugh.
• Pajamas: Two are button downs, one is a nursing top. I'm not too attached to the pants, so if I ruin them, oh well. 
• Phone charger: I only have a new one cause my old one is fraying so I'd rather just have my new one ready in the bag. Chances are, I'd forget to grab it in the heat of the moment, if it comes to that.
• Robe: I got a brand new lightweight robe for like $5 at the Salvation Army. Heck yes. 
• Socks with stickies: again, not the legit name. But socks/slippers with little non-slip stickies on the bottom cause hospitals are gross and cold. 
• Nursing bra: I only have one for right now, as I'm not sure what size I will need when my milk comes in. 
• Ugly grannie panties: If I ruin them, it'll be an excuse to trash them. 
• Not pictured: 

• A folder for my insurance information and anything I may be given at the hospital

And then I have my bag of toiletries. In it, I have:

• Headbands/hair ties 
• Nursing pads
• Shampoo & Conditioner
• Lotion
• Vaseline/Chapstick
• Face wash
• Body wash
• Dry shampoo
• Deodorant
• Toothbrush, toothpaste & mouthwash
• Not pictured:
• Makeup bag: I'm only bringing a few basics so I don't look completely dead in pictures. I keep the bag in my bathroom since I use the makeup every day. 
• Hairbrush: Again, I'll grab it last minute cause I use my hairbrush. 

Updates to come on what I actually use.....

Well, y'all... She's here! Like 3 months ago, but it's hard to find time to blog with a baby, a job, and a full load of schoolwork. Regardless, she's precious and I love her to death. Anyways, this post is about the bag. So here is what I actually used...

From my main bag:

• Snacks: my granola bars were perfect for when I had to take pain meds at 4 am and needed something on my stomach... 
• Giant diaper pads: the hospital supplies them, too. I actually used theirs the most, but I needed these once I got home too (but don't forget to take home any and everything you can from the hospital!)
• Pajamas: hospital gowns are the devil. That is all. I wore a pants and nursing tank set that I got cheap at a thrift store. Wasn't too concerned about ruining the pants, and the nursing top came in super handy. 
• Phone charger: 10 hours in labor (which actually flew by) PLUS 48 hour stay in the recovery room? Ya, it's a necessity. 
• Socks with stickies: hospital floors are gross. I was never particularly cold, but I didn't enjoy walking around on those floors without socks. 
• Nursing bra: Very useful. It's great to have another layer of coverage to hold nursing pads in place, and to keep your ever-growing breasts under (comfortable) control.
• Ugly granny panties: Yeah, they'll give you mesh panties to wear at the hospital. Use them. Buuuuut, they have absolutely no support whatsoever, so you may spend your time holding up your "diaper" when you walk to the bathroom. I liked layering the mesh under my granny panties for support and leak protection. 
• Folder: You will be given SO MANY PAPERS. From discharge info to advertisements to menus to instructions, you'll need somewhere to keep them from getting crumpled. 

And from my toiletry bag:

• Headbands: I did not want my hair in my face when I was in labor. These were a must. 
• Nursing pads: Some women leak more than others. I am one of them. My favorite brand is Lansinoh, they seem to be the softest but still are very absorbent and not too bulky. 
• Chapstick: Hospital air is sooooo dry. Don't wanna give baby kisses with chapped lips!
• Face wash: I stayed in bed most of the time I was in the hospital, and I didn't have many guests, so I stayed with dirty hair. My face gets greasy quick though, so I definitely kept it clean. It really depends on how presentable you want to look...
• Dry shampoo: Dirty hair's best friend. 
• Deodorant: Birth=hormones=hot flashes=sweat.
• Toothbrush, etc: Uh... Duh?
• Hairbrush: Well, I didn't want to look completely ridiculous. 

Basically I looked like a mess the whole time but I honestly did not care. I was too tired (why must nurses come in every two hours??? Do I seriously have to take my medicine at 4am????) and I didn't have many visitors come in that I wouldn't want to see me like that anyways. I had bigger priorities. To each his own, I suppose. Hope this helps you soon-to-be mommas!

xoxo, a.