Packing for the Hospital (Kristi had her baby before finishing this review! Congrats Kristi & fam!)

I started this post on Saturday the 31st, got about halfway through and needed to leave to go to dinner at my in-laws.  I figured I’d finish the post on Sunday.  Luckily, the bag had already been packed.  By 12:30am I was on my way to the hospital.  The little one was on her way…3 weeks early!  So I can honestly tell you that the items I’ve listed below were actually used while I was at the hospital.

It’s taken a month, but I finally think that my bag is completely packed and ready to go to the hospital.  Initially I was unsure where to even start, so I asked a few friends, searched online and even got a list from my doctor.  I’m certain that I’ve overpacked, but I’d rather be prepared.  I wanted to share a few special items that I’ve packed to make the delivery and our hospital stay a little more special.

From my brief overnight stay at the hospital earlier in my pregnancy, I quickly learned how uncomfortable the beds and pillows are.  So, I knew right off the bat that I had to definitely have some pillows packed.  At this point in my pregnancy I’m used to sleeping with a minimum of five pillows, though I knew lugging that many with me to the hospital was out of the question.  Luckily, Utterly Yours has created a pregnancy pillow that supports both your stomach and lower back (doing the work of two pillows) in one small cube.  When opened it forms two wedges; one made of memory foam that conforms to your belly and the other made of a high density foam to support the back.  Each wedge is covered in a different, stylish fabric to coordinate with any bedroom.  And it’s compact design makes it super easy to take to the hospital for some relief both during and after delivery (the cover is machine washable).  The Utterly Yours pregnancy pillow is available in small, medium and large sizes and can be purchased directly on their website starting at $39.95.

I’ve put together an iPod playlist of some of my favorite songs as well as some soothing music to play during the laboring process.  I have no idea if any of this will sound good to me or if I’ll even want noise at all, but either way I’m prepared.  Included on my playlist are songs from “Stork Tunes” and “Music for Mother and Baby” CDs.  Stork Tunes, a compilation CD consisting of soothing music by Norah Jones, Billy Joel and other top artists celebrates motherhood and helps women relax while preparing for and giving birth.  Proceeds from the sale of the CD will fund March of Dimes efforts to give every baby a healthy start in life.  “Music for Mother and Baby” was composed by Andreas, a father who used his experience with babies to create this soothing and relaxing music.  The songs were written to help create a peaceful environment in which the baby could sleep.  As a side note – during labor and delivery I had no desire to listen to music, but was glad I had it ready just in case.

I know that with a new baby comes a new routine, a new schedule, and a great deal of organization.  I packed Baby’s First Journal to help me get started on the right foot from day one.  Baby’s First Journal will allow me to track all the essential information about my baby’s day-to-day progress from feedings to diaper changes, sleep habits and doctor’s visits.  It includes three months of logging pages and is designed to easily fit into any diaper bag.  I know I’ll be thankful to have all this information right at my fingertips.  Baby’s First Journal can be purchased on the Glow Baby website for $15.99 and comes in green, pink, and blue.  Use coupon code: mommies and receive 20% off your purchase.

No one expects to be stylish during a hospital stay, especially after giving birth.  There is, however, a great way to stand out from those other new moms and look a little less frumpy in all those mommy/baby photos.  More than Maternity offers customized hopsital gowns in a variety of beautiful fabric designs that are sure to brighten up your hospital stay.  Gowns are made from 100% cotton and fully snap up the back as well as down each shoulder for full coverage and nursing ease.  Why would you want to slip on that ratty old hospital-issued gown when you could have one custom designed just for you?!  You can purchase a More than Maternity gown on their website.  Prices start at $59.00.  Mention Mommies with Style in the message to seller section and receive free shipping.  I wore my More than Maternity gown my second day in the hospital and received compliments from all of my nurses and doctors.  It definitely made me feel much more presentable than the raggedy hospital gown I was given! And I didn’t forget  baby either.  I’ve packed my Tweetle Bug Boutique “I’m Not a Boy” newborn hat collection in case we do have a baby girl.  The hats are handmade from newborn hospital hat material keeping the nursery look with a new stylish flare.  The collection comes as a set of three – one with a bow, one with a poppy and one with a violet.  This way no one will mistake our little baby girl for a boy!  Hats can be purchased individually from Tweetle Bug Boutique’s website from $11.99-$14.99 or as a set for $30.00.  We were blessed with a little girl who was lucky enough to have all three “I’m Not a Boy” hats to wear during her stay at the hospital.  In the photo above, she is wearing the Genevieve hat with a poppy flower and I’m wearing my More than Maternity gown.

Packing your bag for the hospital can be overwhelming, and for those moms-to-be who already have enough stress there is a solution to your packing troubles!  Baby Time Bags offers several hospital bags already packed with everything you could need for your hospital stay.  There is no worrying if you forgot a toothbrush or a pair of flip-flops for the shower – Baby Time Bags has you covered.  The bbBasic includes mints, socks, a headband, flip flops, lip balm, a clock, mouthwash, nursing pads, slippers, a reference guide, pen and journal, organic lotion and body wash, plus so much more.  The bbLuxe contains all the practical items of the Basic bag plus some extra special goodies including a robe, hand massager, shampoo, massage oil, and Thank You notes.  Or you can indulge with the bbPreme bag that offers a going home outfit for the baby, a hospital gown, a nursing gown, and a labor ball.  The bags cost $125-$350 and make an excellent baby shower gift.  Use coupon code MWS10 to receive 10% off your online purchase.

Samples of the above products were provided for review on Mommies with Style.