This really should be the second time that I'm packing a hospital bag to go deliver a baby. But, since my first baby decided to show up at just over 36 weeks -- I never had a bag packed the first time. Everyone said "Oh, you'd better be prepared, you need to have ..." and the lists were LONG! And there I was, just over 36 weeks at 7 o'clock in the morning in the hospital, water broken and in labor with no hospital bag. Sure, in a quick panic I'd grabbed a bag. I think it had a small baby outfit in it and maybe a pair of pants or a tee shirt for myself? Needless, to say, I wasn't prepared.

So, this time I've been packing for ... well, I've been packing for weeks. But my bag is pretty much set and I'm almost 35 weeks pregnant -- I'm pretty well prepared this time.

First -- the actual bag. I would never go off and purchase a bag just for taking as a hospital delivery bag. But since I've been on the hunt for a new diaper bag that could accommodate 2 little ones (who will both be in cloth diapers), I figured that I will take that to the hospital, and then afterwards, will continue to use it as a diaper bag. The bag pictured is a Vera Bradley, which you can find here. It's called the "Get Carried Away" tote bag in the English Meadowprint. It's actually on sale on their website right now and at the time I'd gotten on a clearance sale and got a really great deal on it. It has a zipper on the top, 4 pockets on the outside, and a few pockets on the inside, too. Definitely enough room for plenty of "baby" things inside!

Now, what do you actually NEED when you go to the hospital to deliver a baby? The way I see it, you really need just a few things to make yourself comfortable. Don't worry about packing a diaper bag! You're there to HAVE A BABY -- they have everything you need for baby! They'll supply you with diapers and wipes, and even an outfit for baby to wear for your stay. So don't waste your time and energy packing all of those things that you don't really need.

A few of my necessities include a few toiletries. Don't pack your entire bathroom cabinet -- you only need a few things. I, for one, hate the shampoo/conditioner/soaps they use in hospitals. They dry out my skin and after I have the baby, the one thing I really DO want to feel comfortable is a nice shower before I go home. So I do bring a few of my essentials. Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, my personal toothbrush, chapstick and a hair tie (for during the delivery), and I even snuck a travel sized eyeliner and mascara -- just in case I feel good enough to pull myself together before we go home. And flip flops. For walking those halls, and/or in the shower. I already had all of this stuff at home, so I didn't need to go out and purchase any of it.

I was also lucky enough to have entered a contest elsewhere and win a designer hospital gown for my delivery. I have had my eyes on these for a long time, so to have won one made me extremely excited. I'm not bringing other gowns or nightgowns, etc., I plan on wearing my designer hospital gown for the duration of my stay. You can check them out here. They're all gorgeous and beautifully made. (I will be doing a review on it after I've worn it for the delivery, so stay tuned!)

And of course, you DO need SOMETHING for your brand new little bundle to wear on their ride home! So I did pack a few things for the little one. Since we don't know the sex of the baby (we can't wait for our surprise!) we went with a neutral "duck" theme, just like we did when we brought our first little one home. I packed a sleeper, with a matching hat and mittens, a pair of socks, 2 receiving blankets, and 1 warmer blanket. I'm due the very end of September, so the extra blankets are just in case!

There are just a few other small things that I will be packing in my bag. Obviously a coming home outfit for myself -- most likely just a pair of jeans and a top (tee shirt or sweater, nothing fancy), and of course underwear, a couple of nursing bras, and a couple of nursing tank tops. I'll also be bringing my Boppy pillowfor breastfeeding support, and of course my digital camera and possibly video camera.

I'll also be bringing along my printed copy of my breastfeeding birth plan.

All in all, you really don't NEED to bring a whole lot with you to the hospital. Keep it simple, really. Don't go overboard, but do make sure you have your essentials. (Don't forget your ID's, insurance cards, and the other obvious things you'll need to get checked in and out of the hospital!)

Is there anything that you really relied on and NEEDED to have with the hospital? Or did you not get to pack a bag, like my first time!? Let me know!

(Be sure to check out my full blog at www.daisieynaturally.com!)