WOW! Thanks everyone! It all sound like great advice and I intend to use it! I am up for all of the advice I can get at this point because this is my first and I think that Mom's who have done this before can give better advice than some books or web sites. Thanks a ton!!

Pack a few items for hubby - a clean T-shirt, breath mints and a few snacks for him to eat during a long labor - maybe even a bottle of water for him.

I recommend that anyone going into the hospital take along a notebook and pen/pencil so you can write down every procedure they do and every medication they give you. That way you can compare your notes to the bill later.

Other than that, try to keep in mind a few points:

1) Hospitals are horribly dirty places. I probably won't go into a hospital again unless I have sanitizing wipes with me. Anything I brought into the hospital is something I'd want to have cleaned as soon as I get home.

2) You'll move around a lot. Depending on your hospital's practices you may labor in one room and be moved to another for recovery. You move even more if there are complications - and will move at a moment's notice. Don't bring too much stuff because you don't want to keep track of it all. Think about having a backpack for the labor then keep a going home suitcase in the car which hubby can retrieve later.

3) You won't be there long. You'll be there for half the labor then they will kick you out pretty quickly after the birth. I've known women who delivered in the morning and were out for dinner! Some couples don't even get their steak dinner because they deliver in the middle of the night and are sent home after breakfast. There isn't a lot you'll need or want.

My biggest recommendation is there will be lots of pictures taken so it might be a good idea to have a hairbrush, some hair accessories and a little make-up to pretty yourself up after the birth.

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"I've been rich and I've been poor but independently wealthy is where it is at."

but I just thought to say that I really agree with the chapstick! and the night light. I wanted to know where the bathroom was but not have all the lights on to keep me and Stephen awake. I tried turning on the bathroom light and just leave the door open a crack but they had a huge fan that you couldn't shut off when the light was on and it kept me awake.

Do not forget extra batteries for the camera. I am a labor & delivery nurse, and I cant tell you how many cameras happen to go dead right when baby is born! You can never get those hots back! Also check your memory card, make sure you have plenty of space!
Socks are good, and your own pillow, most hospital pillows are flat! Comfy slippers are nice too.
Oh yeah, don't forget pony-tail holders/hair ties if you want to pull hair up.

And breath mints...Don't wanna knock the Dr. out cold when doing your breathing exercises. You'll hopefully be napping a bit, especially if you have the epidural, and won't be able to walk to the bathroom. Plus you will get dry from eating only ice. Just make sure the mints or spray don't make you nauseous.

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Make someone's heart smile today.

Definitely bring your own pillow, that was so nice. And I loved my chapstick and comfy fuzzy socks.

Pony tail holder or something for your hair.
Your own shampoo, etc. --It was nice to feel normal
Your own pads---I hated those huge hospital ones. I bought thinner ones and they worked just fine
Cell phone & charger
Extra batteries and memory card for camera

Everyone told me I should just take a robe as I wouldn't want pjs but they were wrong! lol I bought a set, pants and button up top, and they were wonderful to have. I ended up having to walk the halls forever so they let me put my pj pants on and that was much better than wearing that gown in front of everyone. Also since she was born at 11:48 am by that evening they let me take a shower and I could wear those pjs and felt normal and decent looking for visitors. Just my 2 cents anyway.

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Proud mommy to adorable Kinsley

MY BLOG!

This is what I brought and didn't bring.

Brought
Car seat baby
baby outfit (for pics) I knew I was going to buy some from the hospital.
Breast pump you may need if your dh can go get from home later (leave at home and have him bring if needed)
Blanket (weather)
For YOU
chap stick, lotion (the hospitals smells yucky), Socks, Slippers (walking around in your room hall ways), make-up, hair ties, camera, underwear that you are prepared to toss, a night gown, tops (if nursing that you can feed baby with), Shampoo, cond, bath/shower stuff, Bathrobe to toss on ( I spent a lot of time in just a t shirt since I was bleeding and didn’t want to ruin anything) I wore my rode in the hall to get baby from Nursery.
Clothes that is comfortable to go home in. (maternity ones)

I had a c section so that is why the robe was wonderful for me so I didn't have to have anyting on my waist

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Not sure if anyone said these:

*nursing bar if you are planning to nurse. I even took my boppy and nursing shawl.
*a hat for the baby to wear. They hospital will put the generic one on if you don't have your own. It makes finding your baby in the nursery window easier.
*pony tail holder
*a pen to write down whatever nurses and Dr's are telling you
and pad for you to write down your questions for them

I packed nothing....yep nada. I had my hubby take my favorite Maternity jeans home to wash and bring me some jammies a fresh shirt and undies...and had him bring me my toothbrush. I didn't feel like packing and wanted to come home as soon as possible.

Jen

I wound up not using any of the clothes that I packed until the last day. I had an unplanned c-section, so I stayed in the hospital gown and my robe the whole time. I only put on regular clothes on the day we went home. I didn't walk around much, but I did have a pair of flip flops to both wear home as well as around the hospital and in the shower (you don't want athletes foot on top of healing from childbirth!) I personally liked the big pads that the hospital had. I had ALOT of bleeding, and they really helped. Ask the nurses for extra stuff before you leave, like pads, diapers, wipes, vaseline, etc. Another thing I brought for DH was an extra blanket, but I used it during labor because when they broke my water, I was FREEZING! So I had it over about three of those thin hospital blankets...just make sure it's an old one that you don't care about in case it gets icky..luckily, it was still clean enough for DH to use. Make sure to bring your own pillows, and lots of change for snacks...I was STARVING the next day, and those three meals leave lots to be desired. Like everyone else said, don't forget the camera, the baby book if you want footprints, comfy socks, and the baby's going-home outfit. My son never wore any of the clothes we packed, we just left him in the little shirts the hospital put him in. If you think you may have a c-section, plan to be there for at least four days. Therefore, I would advise you to bring a few things to do if you can't sleep or for when the baby is in the nursery for tests, etc. Hope all this helps! It feels like we were just there, yet it's already been four months! My how time flies!