How to Pack Your Hospital Bag

This was fun for me. I love to pack well in advance for things and be prepared for anything. However, I didn't even have my hospital bag with me when I went to the hospital! I was sent from a routine weekly checkup with my OBGYN by ambulance to the hospital due to severe preeclampsia. I had no time to go home and grab it. But at least I was already packed and all my hubby had to do was bring it to me. I wouldn't go overboard on what you pack. Unless you know you may be staying a bit longer there is really no reason to go crazy. Unfortunately for me, I didn't know ahead of time that I'd be stuck in the hospital for a week...
So I had a little toiletry bag stuffed inside of my duffle bag. Here is what I packed.

Inside of my toiletry bag:
-Toothbrush
-Travelsized toothpaste
-Travelsized mouthwash
-Hair ties and bobby pins
-Chapstick
-Tinted BB cream
-A little eyeshadow/eyeliner
-Travel Sized shampoo and body wash
-Body sponge
-Deodorant

Inside of my duffle bag:
-2 changs of clothes for hubby and I
-2 changes of pj's for hubby and I
-Sports bras/Nursing bras
-A pack of fuzzy slipper socks
-A cute hospital gown ordered online
-2 pairs of slippers
-Extra pair of shoes
-Cell phone charger
-Tablet & charger
-A good book
-Crochet (I was finishing off the border of the baby blanket I made for my girl)
-A folder with my insurance information inside
-Clothes for the baby to come home in
-Pack of diapers and wipes
-A towel and washcloth
-Hair brush
-Wallet w/license
-The maxiest of maxi pads!

*It never hurts to bring a little throw blanket or a pillow of your own just to make yourself feel more comfortable.
*A folder is a great idea to bring along. I cannot tell you how many handouts and other forms/documents I got while being admitted. My folder held insurance information, prescription sheets I needed to get filled, a reciept and instructions on my free breast pump I got through my insurance (just talk to the hospital's lactation consultant about how to get one!), instructions on how to use a sitz bath, charts showing you how to preform CPR on a newborn after we took a CPR refresher from one of the nurses and a bunch of other things like newborn care tips, etc. Just trust me on this one ladies.
*Bringing a notebook with you is a great way to document the experience. Write to your little one on that special day and share it with them when they are older! Or bring your camera and a charger!
*If you can find a peri bottle around anywhere I'd recommend getting one. Though I had trouble finding one anywhere, the hospital did provide me with one. That is very nice to have right after giving birth.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below!

--Bree