Emily Maynard

Hospital Must Haves

by 52 Comments

It’s a moment I’ll never forget. Driving to the hospital at 4:30am, “I Can Only Imagine” by MercyMe playing on the radio, and about to jump out of my skin from either excitement, nerves, or maybe a little bit of both. I don’t think I slept a wink the night before just thinking about the little boy I was about to welcome into this world! In so many ways I felt so unprepared, despite the million trips to Buy Buy Baby and books I had read. I mean, it had been ten years since I last did this, ya know!

All of my friends were asking if I had packed my bag for the hospital yet, and in true “Emily fashion” it was one of the last things I did since I had no idea where to even begin. I want to start this by saying I’m an extreme over packer. I like to be prepared for anything and everything, so before you read this list please know that even if you go in with absolutely nothing, YOU WILL BE FINE! The hospital provides you with everything you need, so don’t stress if you forget something. With all that said, here’s my list for things you need to backpack the Alps for a year.. I mean, stay in the hospital for about 3 days while you deliver your baby.

        1. A comfy robe- My ALL TIME favorite is the Little Giraffe Satin Robe. I have the Flax color and am strongly considering being buried in it one day. I know it’s expensive, but can you really put a price tag on the most comfortable item you’ll own? I think not.
        2. Slippers- These leopard Uggs are my favorite because they’re comfortable, easy to slide on, and have treads on the bottom so they’re not slippery. My feet were pretty swollen so I was happy to have something I could just slide on easily without having to bend over.
        3. Nightgowns- They give you hospital gowns to wear at the hospital which are completely fine to wear the whole time you’re there. I brought some extras just so I’d be comfortable and to be honest, my pictures would be prettier. Personally I only wore gowns while I was in the hospital because you have so many people coming in to check you, so it was just easier. Also, I had a c-section and didn’t want anything on my incision. I love the kaftans on Etsy and they’re also great for nursing since many of them have buttons at the top. I still wear mine around the house!
        4. Nursing Bras- The Jessica Simpson nursing bras were my favorite for the first couple of weeks while my main focus was just being comfortable. Plus, they aren’t super expensive like a lot of the others I saw.
        5. Nursing Pillow- My favorite is the Bebe au Lait nursing pillow
        6. C-Panty- If you’re having a c-section I really recommend this underwear because it has built-in silicone to help your incision heal.
        7. An extra long phone charger- Just trust me.
        8. Makeup/Toiletries- Of course you don’t have to go crazy, but it’s nice to have some tinted moisturizer and some mascara for when all the visitors start rolling in.
        9. Hand Cream/Body Lotion- In exchange for giving birth to his first son, Tyler had to give me foot massages on demand. I don’t ask for much, I swear.
        10. Dry Shampoo- I wasn’t about to attempt to wash my hair at the hospital, so I just brought some dry shampoo and prayed for the best. My favorite is BlowPro Dry Shampoo.
        11. Your own pillow, blanket, and towel. Unless you like scratchy linens.
        12. Snacks- I love Grab the Gold protein bars and I don’t even like protein bars. I buy these by the case and everyone in the house loves them because they’re so good, but healthy and filling too.
        13. Hair clips- even if you’re like me and get your hair blown out before you go in, by day 2 it’s looking pretty “bed headish”. Some cute headbands would be perfect too!
        14. Bose Bluetooth Speaker
        15. Sound Machine- Hospitals are loud and no matter how exhausted you are, it’s next to impossible not get woken up by some beeping machine 5 doors down the hallway.
        16. Going Home Outfit- With Ricki I made the mistake of thinking I would be back to my regular size when I left the hospital and was rudely given a very stern reality check when I went to put on my jeans. This time I brought a cute maxi dress and a light kimono-cardigan.
        17. I didn’t need much for Jennings, but don’t forget a cute coming home outfit and a carseat. I brought an extra soft blanket for him too. My favorite is by Little Giraffe.
        18. If your husband is going to be staying with you overnight, don’t forget to pack him a pillow and blanket too!

Here are some pictures from when we were in the hospital having Jennings!

Did I leave anything out? If so, leave it in the comments and I’ll add it to my list!

Comments

  1. I Might aDd chapstick/gum. Also, is the blue polka dot outfit You are wearing a hospital gown or a nightgown?

    Reply

  3. First off, let me say how Great it is to have you blogging Again! Your words were missed. Your list is spot on and so helpful to those who have yet to experience a hospital stay after delivery. It could also be a Helpful list if you were just going into the hospital for surgery. No, you wouldnt need the C-Panties or boppy pillow but a lot of the other items are needed for a short stay at the hospital after any procedure.
    Once again, its great to see you posting again and its wonderful to see you found your happiness! God bless!

    Reply

  4. Emily, let me first start by saying welcome back! I have missed your blog posts so much! you have such a beautiful family! thank you for sharing such sweet moments with us! You make me so excited to have those moments as well. I’m 22, in college, and don’t even have a boyfriend, but I am so excited for those moments and to meet the one that god has for me! thanks again for sharing those pictures with us and for being such an inspiration and strong Christian role model to young women like myself!!! (ps: i’m not sure why my comment in all caps. I’ve tried making it lower case :/)

    Reply

  5. Where did you get that adorable polka dot gown? Looking for something to wear in 3 weeks for my c section! Thanks 🙂

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  6. Emily, thank you for this wonderful list! The robe looks amazing! I am due in December and will be looking back at this when I go to pack my bag. You look so beautiful in all of these pictures…do you mind sharing what you use to shape your eyebrows (if anything) and what kind of tinted moisturizer you use please? Thank you!!!

    Reply

  7. Thank yOu for the post. Im going in for my csection soon and still have to pack my bag. I completely forgot About my own robe!! Any suggestions on a supportive Nursing bra? I am a petite Person And have no clue how to handle These “large ladies” pregnancy has blessed me wIth. -thx

    Reply

    • This is probably way too late but for anyone who’s been wondering the same thing, I’ve found as a smaller -built woman that nursing bras aren’t even necessary…just a soft-cup bra or a sports bra works fine. I usually keep the nursing pad in the other side for leaks while I’m nursing and push up the side I’m going to nurse on. I bought a nursing bra with my first, but it felt so bulky for my tiny baby to nurse around that I went to soft bras and never looked back (having my 4th soon!).

      Reply

  8. Emily,

    I have never seen a woman so beautiful just giving birth, c-section or natural. My goodness… you are amazing. 31 yrs. ago when I had my c-section, I packed my own pajama’s, hair accessories, hygiene items, and the most important thing…. An adorbs outfit for my son, including shoes. I am a baby shoe fanatic. I can’t even deal with seeing babies with no shoes on their feet.. We all have our thing, right? HA!

    Anyway, Jennings is adorable, and so are Tyler, and Ricki, along with you of course. I love your blogs even though I never plan on having another on. 51 yrs. old, I am pretty sure I am safe. 🙂

    Thank you for continuing to share your life with your fans!

    Donna

    Reply

  10. Lovr this list! Ill be referring back when i pack my bags in january! The only thing i would add (that i wish i had brought For my last two) Is a journal and pen to be able to take a few moments and record all those precious feelings and emotions while they are fresh. And yes, i second a good chapstick 🙂

    Reply

  11. Are YOU GLAD YOU HAD A REPEAT CS? I’m THINKING I WANT TO FOr MY second…AND I WISH I HAD THIS LIST OF things TO bring FOR MY FIRST cs! ESPECIALLY THAT underwear! IF people HAVE A CS I would ADD juice boxes or powder mixins because I wasn’t allowed TO EAT SOLIDS THAT WHOLE first DAY…ONLY JUICE!

    Reply

  13. Best thing to Bring is a candle waRmer! i plugged it iN in the bathroom and every person that came in said how good it smelled in our room! my fave scent is crane flower by voluspa. its the perfect FranGrance, not Too Girly. 🙂

    Reply

  15. Hi, Emily! I’d LIKE TO ASK WHAT SIZE ROBE YOU WEAR IN THE LITTLE GIRAFFE ROBE? I’m ABOUT YOUR SIZE BUT WONDER IF THE SMALL WILL STILL FIT ME WHEN I’m 9 MONTHS PREGNANT? I’m ONLY 12 WEEKS PREGNANT RIGHT NOW.

    I LIVE IN Raleigh, BTW. 🙂

    Reply

  16. I’m in agreement to most of your things, but the I loved reading that you were listening to that song on the way to the hospital! That is my all-time favorite christian song. we saw them in concert a few summers ago and they were amazing!!

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  19. On my list is eye make REMOVER, i hate to have dark circles under my eyes for pics. Your pics are so pretty! I will be referring back to this list in decEmber when i pack a bag for myself

    Reply

  21. Emily - LOVE LOVE LOVE your hair color……always have! please give a shout out to the colorist in charlotte! I would love to give he or she a try on my blonde. and your eyelashes too if you don’t mind. congrats again on the most perfect family and glad your dog is better! sorry to be a pest 🙂 I hope to hear back - xoxo

    Reply

  22. Emily,
    jennings is just beautiful. congrats on your little family. you so deserve this happiness. i was wondering why you removed your wedding video? i would watch it over and over -especially when i needed encouragement and hope. i am sad to see it is no longer available. but happy you are back to blogging! god bless..

    Reply

  23. Great list and very On point! ALthough one tip for anyone who doesnt know this but if you have peTs at hOme (Mainly for cats and dogs) bring home your BabIes fiRst hat and let your pets smell it to Get used to the babies scent!
    -Another tiP! My baby is About 11 weeks and im just now putting his baby book together but in the hospital have the nurse write on the boards all your updates during labor And his birth infO so you can just take a picture of the board of info and print it out for your baby book!

    Reply

  27. i WOULD ALSO ADD A MATERNITY GOWN/TOPS. i DIDNT THINK TO BRING A TOP THAT UNSNAPPED MY FIRST BABY AND IT WAS MUCH EASIER FOR MY SECOND BABY TO JUST TO BE ABLE TO UNSNAP MY SHIRT TO NURSE RATHER THAN PULL THE WHOLE THING UP.

    Also, your Camera or Camcorder (if you want anything videoed!) and the charger for both! I know it seems obvious but it is easy to forget!! 🙂

    i ALSO WOULD LOVE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT A REALLY NEAT MOVEMENT i AM INVOLVED IN. pLEASE EMAIL ME AND I WOULD LOVE TO SHARE MORE. IT IS EVEN SOMETHING YOUR WHOLE CHURCH COULD GET INVOLVED IN!

    Thanks!
    Karlee

    Reply

  28. Emily,
    The lipstick you are wearing in the above hospitAl pic looks gorgeous on you! WhAt color and brand is it? Thanks!

    Reply

  29. Love tHis liSt! I had a girl and in the middle of winter, also a c-section. I packed my daughter 8 outFits in a large ziploc bag that included the RECEIVING blaNket, socks, mittens, bow, etc that i wanted on her with Each OutFit. This made it Easy for my husband and my mom to help dress her and i knew she would be Matching for all pictures and vistors 🙂

    Reply

  30. Hey Em 🙂 did you tan before you went in … I occasionally use the body spray tan from sephora , but i wasnt sure if they have a problem with it hahah?

    Reply

  31. Hi emily!

    I’m looking into diaper bags right now and i was wondering if there wEre any in particular that you just loved? This momma still wants to be pretty while having to be functional lol! #wishfulthinking

    Thanks!!

    Reply

  32. Hi Emily! Just wondering if you had a spray tan before your c/s? i am having mine one week from today and would love to be tan but also don’t want to melt all over the hospital bed. thanks!

    Reply

    • I got it two days before and will do it again! I didn’t want to wear any makeup while I was in the hospital, so it just gave me a little bit of color in all of the pictures. I know it’s a little vain, but I just didn’t want to look like a vampire that has never seen the sun!

      Reply

  33. First of all i would like congrats to you for your little family. You bring up here some essential list these are really important for hospital items. Moms should read this post and learn about this.Thanks for the sharing such a informative article.

    Reply

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