What to pack in a hospital bag!

I seriously cannot believe we're down to the last TWO WEEKS before baby sister is here!!! In some ways, it feels like I've been pregnant for 3 years, and in others, I'm freaking out a little that she could arrive any day, literally. So today I'm addressing one of the most frequently asked questions of any pregnant woman: what to pack in a hospital bag? 

Hospital Bag for Mom
I loved my big duffle bag so much last time, and the fact that I've used it to death since Lyla's birth 3 years ago, that I bought the same bag in another print for this time around! I know it will get used tons, and I loved that there was a matching toiletry bag too! Which brings me to my next suggestion.

Pack all your Toiletries
Make sure you pack all your toiletries!! I don't care if you're super extra or super basic about what to pack in a hospital bag, you WILL want your own toothbrush and probably face wash or moisturizer and if you have c-sections like me you'll be so happy to have some dry shampoo (this is my most recent FAVE) and some facial wipes for the first couple days you're in bed recovering, along with travel shampoo and conditioner, a razor, shaving cream, floss, deodorant and your makeup bag if you feel like freshening up a little before visitors or for pictures, and some good scrunchies or hair ties (these and these are my current faves!). Also after having a baby I just want some good chapstick (this is my all-time favorite) and lipgloss.

Extra Long iPhone Cord
I love having an extra long iPhone cord too because you never know how far away you'll be from an outlet, along with a laptop and cord if you want to be able to look anything up or maybe record your thoughts and feelings about the birth, or just a journal if that's more your style. Most hospitals will have a TV and at least some local network television if not cable stations too to keep you occupied, but if you want to be able to watch favorite netflix or hulu shows a laptop or iPad can be nice!

Cozy Slippers
I've also got a pair of cozy slippers packed in there along with my own towel – probably not necessary but REALLY nice since the towels at the hospital are a little rough! I've thrown in a couple pair of very cozy socks and I threw in the same pair of flip flops I brought with me last time since hospital shower floors can be a little sketchy?! Haha. And definitely a necessity for MY happiness: my own pillow. And since I know I'll be spending a lot of time with my hair against that pillow and I don't want to have the world's worst bed head, I'm bringing my beloved silk pillowcase too.

Comfy Dress
And last but not least, don't forget to pack yourself something comfy to wear home! Don't make the mistake of thinking you'll be able to fit into a pair of pre-pregnancy skinnies because unless you're a straight up unicorn that's just not happening haha. I bought this dress since it's very roomy and it's a button-down dress too so I know I'll be able to wear it in the coming months of nursing.

Baby's Car Seat
And lastly, although it's not really part of what to pack in a hospital bag, make sure you bring along the baby's car seat with you to the hospital! It's the ONE thing you can't leave home without because unless you can walk home, they won't let you leave the hospital without a car seat. This car seat is the newer version of what we had and LOVED last time. We gave away our older version so I had to buy something new for this babe, and even after extensive research I still didn't find anything I loved as much as this one.