time for the hospital? heres what to bring.

when you're pregnant for the first time, all you can think about is when that big day will come. sure the doctor gives you a due date, but only a small percentage of women actually deliver on that day. most of the time s/he will come late, and you'll be counting down the minutes til that first little cramp. you'll drink raspberry leaf tea, start re-re-organizing your house, heck, even take some castor oil like i did! the point is, as mothers we prepare like crazy, so here are my recommendations on what to take with you when its time!

1. a big duffel bag. you need to bring a lot, so one big bag just does the trick. this way it can hold your items, the babies items and your toiletries.

2. for mama:
-a tank dress or super soft stretchy cotton pyjamas with a tank top or button down top:  comfort is absolute key. you will be sore, your nether regions will be swollen, you don't want anything that is going to feel tight or that will chafe.
-a lightweight robe: this is handy when you don't want to wear the hospital gown anymore and don't want to wear a bra just yet.
-a sports bra: my fave is the elita brand. no fuss no muss and super comfortable..and perfect for something to wear on the trip home. you probably won't need a nursing bra at this point, but do bring breast pads and your lanolin as the chapping occurs pretty quick.
-full bum underwear: and i mean FULL bum. you will have to wear the overnight sized pads so your cute little thongs and bikini cut underwear will have to take a back seat to the granny underwear. i promise you'll be out of them in about 4 weeks.
-jogging pants & hoody with zipper: whatever variety, just make sure its not tight. remember that after birth you'll look like you're about 6 months pregnant as it takes time for the uterus to shrink down to pre-pregnancy size and that you'll need easy access to the milk machines ;)
-slippers: or flip flops, you'll want something comfortable and easy to get in and out of as you go from your bed to the bathroom/shower.

3. for the babe:
-onesies: i suggest bringing 3. you'll want one for them to be dressed in after birth, one for after their bath the next morning and one for going home.
-sleepers: i suggest bringing 2.
-going home outfit: make sure its warm and covers the legs and arms. babies can not temperature regulate themselves, so they get cold very easily. remember that for every layer you wear, your baby should have one extra. i suggest making sure the size you have is newborn as your baby will literally be swimming in 3 month sized outfit. carter's makes adorable sets, here's what olivia wore when she came home:

-scratch mittens & socks: babies come out with razor sharp nails and they tend to want to grab their own faces, so its handy to have scratch mittens in case they're needed. little socks are handy too to keep those tootsies warm!
-toque: the hospital will provide you with one when baby is born and its nice to bring home as a keepsake. bring an extra one (i recommend a knitted one so it fits a range of head sizes) for travelling home.
-receiving blankets: bring atleast two, so you can snuggle your baby in it. each hospital is different, but at bc women's they advise against swaddling as it takes away baby's defense system which having their hands near their face. you'll also enjoy skin to skin contact (the quickest way to warm up a baby) using your receiving blanket over you.
-diapers & baby wipes: the hospital does provide diapers and i highly recommend taking advantage of what they've got! its always worth it to bring some just in case. hospitals do not carry baby wipes, they have an equivalent which is a dry synthetic cloth which you can wet and use. i suggest just bringing them as they're better at wiping up the meconium! (baby's first poop)
-big chenille blanket: these are available almost anywhere nowadays. they are fluffy and warm and perfect for cradling your little one with as well as bundling them into their carseat with.

4. your toiletry bag.
- toothbrush & toothpaste
-hairbrush, mini shampoo, mini conditioner, hair elastics: after an experience like childbirth, you're gonna wanna wash everything!
-bar soap
-body lotion/body spray
-razor/anti-perspirant
-kotex overnight pads: the hospital will have some but i found that the kotex ones are better contoured to your body.
-breast pads
-lanolin

5. baby's car seat: the nurses will want to inspect your car seat with your baby in it before you're allowed to leave the hospital. hubby can always bring this in the next day or before you're going to be discharged.

6. for papa. hospitals try do to their best to accomodate expectant fathers, but lets face it..mama is the star of the show so her comfort comes first. be sure to pack a comforter or thick blanket of some sort and a pillow. at bc women's they actually have a padded cot for dads to sleep on but surrey memorial has those convertible chairs.  rooms are air conditioned so it does end up being a bit chilly at night.

7. camera. document, document, document!

8. to take home. be nosy in your hospital room as the items in there are there to help you. stock up on bed pads (they're blue square sheets with cottony padding on one side and plastic on the other) as those are super handy when you need to ice your crotch (just cut into quarters, wet and stick in the freezer) and to put on your own bed incase you have some leakage.

whew! you'd think you were going on vacation or something! well its going to be a lot of hard work, not gonna lie, but the end result is so worth it, and having everything you need at your fingertips will make your experience a more memorable one.

good luck!