Memories are special moments that tell our story

Packing a hospital bag is probably one of the last things you're worried about right now, but this can be one of your biggest "tools" in your journey.  Finding a moment of clarity when you are rushed to make decisions can be very stressful and can sometimes bring moments of regret in the future.  If you have the opportunity to prepare, not only will you be able to be mindful in what you pack for yourself (and your partner), you will be able to pack special items for your beloved baby to make beautiful memories to last a lifetime.  Below you will find a list of possible items to pack for yourself and ideas for items to pack for your beautiful baby (we were minimal in our personal items and focused more on items for Abigail).  I was slow to pack our own hospital bag, but I had a bag ready to go for Abigail as we never knew when our last moments would be with her.  

Ideas for a hospital bag for yourself:

• Copy of your birth plan.
• Camera(s), camera charger, extra camera batteries, extra memory cards.
• Cell phone charger(s), laptop/tablet and charger.
• Create a playlist of songs that would be calming, relaxing, or encouraging.
• Toothbrush, hair brush, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, body spray/perfume, lotion, chapstick, q-tips, hair styling product, hair styling tools, make-up, sleep bonnet.
• Coordinating or special outfits if you anticipate to have photography done at the hospital (such as Now I lay Me Down to Sleep) for yourself, your partner, and/or existing children (I had white t-shirts and blue jeans for me and Brian and white "big sister" t-shirts and blue leggings for the girls). 
• Breast cream to suppress lactation (if requested from Dancing in the Sky).
• Change of comfortable clothes to wear through your hospital stay, pajamas, comfy shorts (hospital thermostats can be finicky), underwear, socks, slippers, robe, supportive bras to help suppress lactation, nursing bras or tanks.
• Your own pillow or favorite comfy blanket.
• Snacks or drinks like soda, electrolyte drinks, carbonated water, trail mix, protein/granola bars, beef jerky...etc. (I know food seems like the last thing on your mind right now but when vending machines are floors away or it is late at night and the kitchen is closed, you will be thankful for a little pick-me-up).  
• After delivery products such as witch hazel/tucks pads or Depend Silhouette For Women (it sounds funny, but these are WAY more comfortable than the hospital mesh underwear and massive pads), or a post-partum belly band/C-section recovery belt.   
• Depending on your comfort level, have a car seat ready (given Abigail's diagnosis of Full Trisomy 18, I chose not to bring a car seat to protect my heart.  If we would have been lucky enough to bring her home, I would have worried about getting the car seat then).