What To Take To The Hospital

So I have a long list of things that I took to the hospital which I will share with you because I know that sometimes it helps our anxiety levels to be overly prepared. However I want to keep it real and tell you that I used a fraction of what I brought to the hospital. I truly did not need or want half of what I made my husband drag up those hospital stairs. I am going to tell you exactly what I DID use and then include a master list, because, lets face it, every one is different and maybe you will use every last item and more.

What I actually used:

• Shampoo and conditioner 
• Phone
• Laptop (hardly but I did use it)
• Lotion
• Outfit I packed to leave the hospital
• Electronic Tooth brush and paste 
• Hair brush
• Plug in air freshener (Air Wic) 
• Picture board of family 

My master list:

• Mini fan
• Favorite pillow
• Favorite blanket
• Zip up and button up tops for each day
• Robe
• Chap stick
• Tooth brush and paste
• Hair brush
• Hair ties, clips, and head wrap
• Books
• Laptop
• Phone
• Face wipes
• Body wipes
• Shampoo and conditioner 
• Dry shampoo 
• Gum
• High protein snacks
• Concealer 
• Face lotion
• Deodorant
• Plug in Air freshener  
• Magazines 
• Picture board of family
• Slippers 
• Flip flops 
• Hand sanitizer  

I am going to explain why I didn't use some things on the master list that may seem like must haves. I didn't use the face wipes, body wipes, chap stick, or things of that nature because the hospital had those things or something similar available to me. The nurses were great at giving me Vaseline for my lips and I was given a "bed bath" twice before I was able to shower. I was a bit out of it and had no desire to read or doing anything that took too much focus. I was put in a position that my favorite contouring pillow would have done no good for me in and I was boiling hot the majority of my time there so I had no desire for my favorite blanket. I honestly cared a whole lot less about anything cosmetic or vanity wise than I thought I would. I didn't use hair ties, clips, or my hair wrap. I didn't bother with the dry shampoo. I also didn't bother getting into my own clothes and just utilized the hospital robes because I was that lazy. No fancy slippers or anything of that nature for me! I just seriously didn't care. 

Now a couple things that may surprise you that I DID use were the family picture board and the Air Wic plug in. To me I wanted my environment to me comforting and encouraging. That meant it smelled good and I could see my family at all times. I got so many comments from hospital staff that my room smelled and looked inviting and that was just what I wanted to hear! It was as comfortable as I could make it.