Hi another helpful suggestion I was given was to pack another little bag and keep it at home incase you do happen  to be in there a little while that way instead of having to explain to your partner where things are should u need anything he can just grab your other bag at home and bring it straight to you.  Hope all goes well.

Firstly all the toiletries that you normally use at home, nightwear - front opening (pack a few),  slippers, dressing gown, a few pairs of pants, change of clothes & lastly a set of clothes for bubs plus shawl or blanket to wrap him/her in when you leave the hospital.  Good Luck.

More than you need for baby eg. lots of grow suits (not too heavy weight coz generally hot in hospital). lots of bunny rugs and singlets and of course nappies. For yourself - nothing to hot and clingy, lots of comfy tracksuits etc and one nice outfit for coming home in.

All the best

traceywestaway

It is important that you get your hospital bag organized before you go into labor, you wont be wanting to be rushing around packing a bag for hospital as you are going into labor.

It is probably a good idea to pack your bag about 3-4 weeks before your due date.

Packing your hospital bag

Completed insurance or pre registration forms and healthcare insurance card
Heavy socks to wear in delivery room
Cotton nightgown or T-shirt for labor
Lip balm, lollipops or fruit drops to use during labor
Books or magazines
A nightgown for after the delivery
Slippers with rubber soles
2 Nursing bras
3 pairs of panties
Toiletries (Brush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, etc.)
Hair band
Clothes for going home, preferably loose fitting
Glasses (You can't wear contacts during labor)
Sanitary pads (check to see if the hospitals supplies them or not)
Copy of your birthplan

 

What to pack for Labor

Watch with a second hand (For timing of contractions)
Talc or cornstarch for massaging
Paint roller or tennis ball to massage your lower back
Tapes, CD's and a player
Camera and film
List of telephone numbers to announce the birth of your baby
Change for public phone
Light snacks for your partner or labor coach

What to pack for your baby

Be sure to have an approved baby car seat correctly installed in your car in which to take your baby home. Some hospitals won't even let you take your child home in your car unless you have one installed.

http://www.pregnancy-calendars.net/hospital-bag.aspx

That's a shame the hospital hasn't given you a list of items from your anti natal classes, slack staff ;) You could always ask your midwife for a list next time you see her (as you should be seeing her weekly before birth).

I don't have the specific list on me but just from the top of my head (I was in hospital for 3 weeks, my waters broke 7 weeks early).

Your choice of birth plan (e.g. any drug help, natural etc), dressing gown, slippers, change of clothes, any music if you want some played during birth, some clothes for your baby to go home in (most hospitals provide nappies/baby clothes until you leave. However I would advise if you do decide to bring some, make a little sign to ask the nurse to leave the dirty clothes under his trolley to take home and wash or you'll never see them again). Any hospital papers, a medicare card if you have one, toiletries, books or magazines, things to help you relax, something you find reassuring so if you freak out, it can calm you down.

By the way if you bring your purse with credit cards, license and money etc in it, NEVER leave it in your bag or drawer unattended. You'd be amazed how many other women, nurses or even cleaners decide to steal bags and purses and wipe out your bank account when you're not around. It happened to my mum.

 Hi Liz, just wanted to add something... rectinol!!! For haemorroids! That was the one thing I forgot and I didnt sleep because of the pain. 

Dont forget!

Hope the birth goes well.

Hi liz28

The hospital probably gave you a list of items to take with you to hospital (hopefully) .

Depending if you want to breast feed, i always packed for myself comfy clothing and made sure the top I wore had buttons to make it easier to breastfeed instead of pulling up a top and feeling self concious. I suggest that you also pack non scented deodorant and no perfume, this way your beautiful baby with smell you and not an artificial smell.  For the baby I packed minimum, a couple of blankets, nappies, singlets and nighties as I didn't want to fiddle around with press studs in the middle of the night.  David Jones stocks great newborn nighties, they just slip over the head and have elastic at the end...  Good luck and I hope this helps

Since you're in the US., I can share my experience. :-) I've delivered in two different hospitals and they are pretty much the same. Here are the things that I brought.

• nightie & pillow (if you don't want to use the hospital's)
• slippers or slipper socks (though hospitals usually provide this)
• mp3 player, some pictures of loved ones, books/magazines
• toiletries, meds
• take home outfit for baby
• a couple of diapers for the ride home (though hospitals provide all the diapers while you're there and you can take the extra home with you!)
• camera
• baby's car seat (with base already installed in the car of course)
• favorite snacks would be good (though of course you can't eat anything if you're going to have a c-section)
• magazines for hubby
• snacks for hubby
• crossword puzzles, etc for you and/or hubby

in addition to the obvious, i found these items helpful:

- a soft heat/cold pack that i got from the pharmacy (great fot soothing perineal area). some hospitals refuse to supply hot packs due t the risk of burns.

-a bag of licorice (non drug remedy to get your bowels moving)

-mp3 player/ipod during labour

-roll top track pants.

Just added a few links to your question.. I hope they help.. :)