Questions From an Impending First Time Laborer... Packing

I have a good friend that is soon to go into labor with her first child. Feeling some pangs of anxiety of the impending pain (and of course knowing that I am no expert and that everyone’s experience is different), she e-mailed me with questions concerning my experience with labor… here is one exchange:

My husband and I are all packed with clothes, snacks for him, we plan on bringing our ipod w doc and computer to watch dvds is there anything really important that we should bring that you found helpful?

We didn’t use anything we brought other than the changes of clothes (comfy clothes!). I changed out of my gown as soon as they took the IV out. We didn’t even shower while we were there but that was us. Make sure your husband wears comfortable shoes- that was the BIGGEST thing my husband said after it was all over with- his feet HURT.

Make sure you have all your chargers (camera, phone, etc).

Nursing supplies- nursing pillow (I recommend My Breast Friend), nursing bra, etc.

I brought my own pillow in a patterned case (so it didn’t get confused with hospital ones)- nicer background for pictures and it just made me more comfortable

I also brought my own blanket from home

You might want slippers and/or a robe

An extra tote to bring things home with you- gifts, hospital items, etc