In the last trimester of my pregnancy, my nervousness grew as fast as my feet swelled. One of the only things that calmed my mounting anxiety was planning for the arrival of my baby, so I went into organizing mode. While I researched the best bassinets and baby lotions, I also made sure to check out what should go into the suitcase I was taking with me to the hospital.
I knew certain items like a going-home outfit for my newborn, a phone charger, and a nursing bra were essentials. Wanting to be totally prepared, I may have overpacked slightly for my hospital stay — some things never even made it out of my bag.
While I did leave my kitchen sink in my kitchen, here are 8 things I didn’t need to haul with me when my contractions started:
While I did leave my kitchen sink in my kitchen, here are 8 things I didn’t need to haul with me when my contractions started:
- My birth plan: This plan had everything mapped out for my natural childbirth, but my kid had other plans. With intense back labor, no break in my contractions, and a baby who didn’t want to leave my belly — well, plans change. Twenty-six hours of labor, an epidural, and one emergency C-section later, nothing on my birthing plan went according to plan.
- A nice child-birthing dress: I became obsessed with having a classy birthing gown for my delivery. Not only would it help me feel cozy, but it would also open in the front for easy access to a baby heart rate monitor, therefore, keeping my private parts private for longer. But once the contractions started, I could have been wearing a Princess Leia costume and I wouldn’t have noticed.
- Snacks: I’d been so hungry my entire pregnancy, I figured I’d need sustenance during my delivery and fairly certain I wouldn’t be able to have a pizza delivered, too. So, I packed a vending machine worth of my favorite snacks. In the middle of my labor, however, my appetite left. But my husband had no problem eating all the goodies that I’d packed.
1. My birth plan
This plan had everything mapped out for my natural childbirth, but my kid had other plans. With intense back labor, no break in my contractions, and a baby who didn’t want to leave my belly — well, plans change. Twenty-six hours of labor, an epidural, and one emergency C-section later, nothing on my birthing plan went according to plan.
2. A nice child-birthing dress
I became obsessed with having a classy birthing gown for my delivery. Not only would it help me feel cozy, but it would also open in the front for easy access to a baby heart rate monitor, therefore, keeping my private parts private for longer. But once the contractions started, I could have been wearing a Princess Leia costume and I wouldn’t have noticed.
3. Snacks
I’d been so hungry my entire pregnancy, I figured I’d need sustenance during my delivery and fairly certain I wouldn’t be able to have a pizza delivered, too. So, I packed a vending machine worth of my favorite snacks. In the middle of my labor, however, my appetite left. But my husband had no problem eating all the goodies that I’d packed.
4. Comfy socks
I didn’t even realize I had feet until I left the hospital — and you won’t either.
5. Parenting books
I thought while my newborn slept, I could work in some extra studying to prepare myself for motherhood. Not so much. Sleep deprivation had begun and my eyes couldn’t focus to read. Plus, the one and only paragraph I got through told me to “sleep when the baby slept,” so mission accomplished.
6. A favorite pillow
So many books and websites suggested taking a pillow from home to keep my hospital stay feeling cozy and familiar. My pillow never made it out of the car and I was so tired I could have slept on a brick and not noticed.
7. My hairbrush and shampoo
This should probably be packed just in case so that a person can look lovely for all those mama and baby photos, but my hair lived in a constant bun. The good news is I don’t think my newborn noticed my bad hair days.
8. My journal
I was ready to write letters to my infant son about his birth and the love I felt for him the moment I touched his tiny hand. I thought I’d write something inspiring, but I was only inspired to sleep.
Taking the time to plan for the birth of my baby did help relieve some of my stress
I felt more control over a situation in which I had little power — my upcoming labor and delivery. While I did take breaks for myself in my last months, I might have used a little more of that precious time on me instead of all the planning. It would have been nice to have more me time — and a much lighter suitcase.
