8th Baby - 1st Planned Hospital Birth. What I'm Packing in My Hospital Bag

I had 6 amazing, wonderful home births. Truly, I loved my home births so much – they were great experiences for me.

When I went into labor with my 7th child there was a concern that I could be experiencing placental abruption. Because of that, I knew the right choice was to head to the local hospital, but to say I was disappointed and stressed at the last minute change is an understatement.

I remember crying on the way to the hospital, so worried I would end up not being able to have a natural childbirth experience, anxious that I would end up needing a c-section. So. Many. Emotions.

You can read more about Matthias’s home to hospital birth transfer here.

In the end, my hospital birth went SO much better than I expected. I considered trying for a home birth again this time around, but ultimately I decided it made more sense to just plan for a hospital birth this time around.

Why?

Well, the cost is so much less to have a hospital birth (because of our insurance) and as an older mom who has already given birth quite a few times, I know that I’m a higher risk for complications now too.

So here I am, preparing to give birth to my 8th baby, and taking time to plan a thoughtful hospital bag instead of throwing it together in 2 minutes like I did last time around.

Watch Me Pack My Bag

If you’re the kind of person who likes video, I shared a Reel on Facebook showing the items I’m packing in my bag. You can watch it HERE.

Here’s What I’m Packing in My Hospital Bag

My bag is packed and ready to go! Here’s what I’m putting in it. Let me know if you think I forgot anything!

Mommy and Me Bundle from Kindred Bravely

I love this thoughtfully created bundle from Kindred Bravely so it was the first thing I got for packing in my hospital bag. It makes prepping for a hospital birth so easy! It comes with a lot of great pieces!

Ruffle Labor and Delivery Gown

I’ve worn my fair share of hospital gowns at this point and they aren’t very comfy or feminine. I hate how hard they are to keep closed in the back. I instantly loved this ruffle labor and delivery gown!

This gown has openings that extend the full length of both the front and the back, yet protect your modesty. The front snap opening allows for fetal monitoring, ultrasounds, C-section incision inspections, skin-to-skin contact, and easy breastfeeding, and the back Velcro opening allows for easy epidural placement.

At this time, I’m not planning an epidural or C-section, but you never know what might happen during the course of labor and delivery, so I’m thankful this gown has me covered! Even the shoulder portion unsnaps. The Velcro closure in the back works really well to keep it together unless you actually want to open it up.

*The back of the ruffle labor and delivery gown.*

It’s available in 5 different colors and 3 different sizes. Oh, and did I mention it even has pockets?!

It was hard to choose a color (and hard knowing for sure which size would be best for me, but ultimately I went with black in size XS/S. I’m about 5’5″ and weigh around 170 pounds now and this gown fits well.

Not only do I absolutely love how it looks, it feels incredibly soft too. I know I’m going to be so much more comfortable in this gown than the ones I have had to use in the past.

French Terry Racerback Nursing & Sleep Bra

I used either a standard nursing bra or nursing tank with my first 6 babies. With my 7th baby I used a crossover-style bra (it’s not even technically a nursing bra) quite often and for the first time EVER, I didn’t struggle with plugged ducts – the entire time I was breastfeeding. It was like a miracle!

I knew I had to get more nursing bras just like that this time around too. These Kindred Bravely nursing bras, made with rayon and spandex are perfect for postpartum. This bra is available in 6 different colors and a variety of sizes to fit nearly every mom.

It’s supportive yet wireless. I don’t know that it was entirely this style of nursing bra that helped me to not end up with plugged ducts or mastitis, but I plan to wear them often again this time around. If you have also struggled with those issues, you might want to consider trying a nursing bra in this style too.

I got mine in black so it would match my hospital gown.

Simply Sublime Maternity & Nursing Tank

Along with the crossover style bra, I also like having a few nursing tanks on hand, especially for when I leave the house.

It will be well into the autumn season when my little guy is born. When I have to lift up my shirts to nurse, I like having a nursing tank on underneath so my stomach stays covered and I don’t get cold.

Kindred Bravely Simply Sublime Maternity & Nursing Tank

This nursing tank has removable pads, clip-down cups, and is made with 93% Nylon, 7% Spandex. It comes in a variety of colors and sizes.

I got mine in black so it would match my favorite pair of leggings, which happen to come from Kindred Bravely too – the Louisa Maternity & Postpartum Legging. More about them a little further in this article.

Bamboo Knotted Baby Gown & Hat

If I’m going to have the hospital birth this time around, I’m planning for some cute photos of our little guy in the hospital bassinet. I love this bamboo knotted baby gown and hat. This gown is made with a temperature-regulating, breathable bamboo blend.

Kindred Bravely Bamboo Knotted Baby Gown and Hat.

I chose this green color because green just happens to be my favorite color and it will match the bathrobe I got for the hospital too. I can’t wait to take sweet photos together with him at the hospital.

There are currently 9 different colors/prints to choose from.

Kindred Bravely Bamboo Knotted Baby Gown & Hat.

Everyday Lounge Jogger

Before getting my Mommy & Me Bundle I already owned a pair of these Everyday Lounge Joggers and although my Louisa leggings are still my favorite, these come in at a very close 2nd! If I end up needing a c-section, without a doubt I will be wearing these pants home.

These joggers are made with 95% Viscose and 5% Spandex which makes them incredibly soft and comfortable. They are also lightweight and stretchy, plus they have pockets!

Because I already own a pair of these in black, I got the slate blue color in my Mommy and Me bundle. Since I’m having a little baby boy, it seemed like the appropriate color choice, don’t you think? There are 7 different colors to choose from and come in sizes ranging all the way from XS – 4X in both regular and long lengths.

High-Waisted Postpartum Underwear Pack

With the Mommy & Me set from Kindred Bravely you get a 5-pack of full-coverage underwear that’s made from ultra-stretchy fabric. These underwear sit above your hips (or C-section incision) and naturally conforms to your body while it goes through all the postpartum changes.

Kindred Bravely postpartum underwear in neutrals.

When you’re ready to ditch those glamours mesh hospital underwear, these postpartum panties offer plenty of room for pads, and the wide, lace waistband won’t rub or dig in.

These underwear are available in a large variety of sizes and 2 color group options: dusty hues and assorted neutrals. I chose assorted neutrals so they would match my bras.

Labor & Delivery Socks

Typically, I am not a sock person. I seldom wear them, even in the winter (although as I get older, I do appreciate them more on really cold days). However, there are two places where I want to always wear either socks on flip-flops and that’s at hospitals and hotels!

Kindred Bravely Labor and Delivery socks.

These cotton-blend socks have an anti-slip, non-skid design with great phrases for labor and delivery on them! I chose the ones that say, If you can read this, rub my feet. I’m so glad I’m going to have these for my time in the hospital!

Louisa Maternity & Postpartum Legging

These leggings are not included in the Mommy & Me Bundle but I’m packing them in my hospital bag as well because I LOVE them so much! I know some women like to have pants that aren’t too tight after baby is born, but I think I’m going to prefer these leggings. (Assuming I don’t end up needed a c-section.)

They offer so much support which is just what I need while trying to heal, plus tighter pants like this are helpful in keeping those big post-partum menstrual pads in place. I truly can’t say enough about how much I love these leggings. I’ll be spending a lot of time in them postpartum, just like I did my whole pregnancy.

Buy These Kindred Bravely Items

You can purchase any of these items individually on the Kindred Bravely site or as a special “Mommy and Me” Bundle (minus the Louisa Leggings – they aren’t in the bundle but you can purchase them separately).

If you shop the Kindred Bravely website through my affiliate link and use code “THRIFTYNIFTYMOMMY15” you will save 15% on your order (not valid discounted items, bundles, or gift cards). You can also shop Kindred Bravely on Amazon if you prefer.

*This is my suitcase with the items I am packing for myself.*

My Kyte Baby Hospital Bag Must-Haves

The other company I knew I had to include in my hospital bag was Kyte Baby. Over the past few years I have REALLY grown to love this brand, for both myself and my children.

Why? The clothes are SO comfy plus stylish too! I love their pajamas and my kids do too!

Women’s Lounge Robe in Big Midnight Magnolia

I’ve had my eye on this robe for a while now and I knew it would pair perfectly with the ruffle delivery gown I got from Kindred Bravely.

I tend to feel cold so I am thinking I will likely want to wear this over my hospital gown. Not only will it keep me warm as I’m up walking the hallways in labor, I know it will help me feel more feminine and modest during that time.

Women’s Lounge Robe in Big Midnight Magnolia from Kyte Baby.

This robe is super soft and stretchy and the print is just as pretty in person as it is in the photos!

Kindred Bravely sells this robe in a variety of colors and prints and 3 different sizes so you can find the one that’s right for you. It’s made from 97% Rayon made from Bamboo and 3% Spandex. It also has POCKETS!

Not only is this robe going to be great while I’m in labor, it will be great after baby comes, both at the hospital and back home again.

Someone told me one time that if you have guests after baby is born and you don’t want them to stay too long, throw a bathrobe on. People won’t stick around too long when you’re in your bathrobe. Brilliant, right?!

You can purchase this robe here.

Women’s Jogger Pajama Set in Midnight

The other thing I knew I needed from Kyte Baby is a set of their jogger pajama sets in Midnight so it would match my bath robe.

Since this baby will be born at the end of October/early November, it will be cooler here in WV. I know I’ll need a pajama set that will keep me warm.

When Killian spent 2 weeks in the hospital a year ago with appendicitis, I packed a pair of Kyte Baby Women’s Jogger Pajamas for those overnights too. They kept me comfy and warm while also modest with all of the hospital staff coming in and out.

These pajama sets come in a variety of colors and sizes (and they also sell them for men too, my husband loves his).

You can purchase this pajama set here.

Zippered Footie with Matching Hat (in Emerald)

Of course, I had to pack a few Kyte Baby items for my little boy too.

I love this gorgeous emerald green color of this sleeper! Green is my favorite color and I feel like it’s a great color for a fall baby boy. I got a matching knot hat for it. I can’t wait to take pictures with him in this adorable sleeper and hat and snuggle up together.

There are tons of available colors and sizes. You can purchase the knotted hat HERE and the sleeper HERE.

Take Me Home Set with Cap in Teddy Bear

Aren’t these little teddy bears cute?

I’m hoping to only stay 24 hours after the birth, but just in case we need to stay longer I figured I should pack an extra outfit or two. I really like these kimono style shirt and pants sets for newborns because it helps to ensure lots of airflow to the cord stump as it’s drying out.

Like the other Kyte Baby items, it’s super soft too! You can purchase this adorable set HERE.

Swaddle Bag in Slate 0.5

My babies have all liked the arms-up swaddle bags so I was really excited to see that Kyte Baby makes them now! I don’t know that I’ll end up using a swaddle bag at the hospital but I decided to pack it, just in case.

This bag is tog .05 so it’s rated for temperatures 74-78 degrees. You can purchase it HERE.

Feltman Brothers

Feltman Brothers is another one of my favorite brands for babies. I picked out a few matching church outfits for our new baby boy and Matthias who is now 3. I can’t wait to see the two of them together wearing them!

Feltman Brothers seemed like the obvious choice for his going home outfit.

Boys Collar Knit Longall with Hat

When we first found out it would be another boy, Zellene sat down with me and picked out a few outfits from Feltman Brothers. This one is one of them. I think it’s such a sweet outfit too, perfect for us to bring him home in!

You can purchase it HERE.

Extra Comfy, Grip Socks from Pointe Studio

Comfy grip socks for the hospital are a must-have! I learned that when our son had his 2-week hospital stay for appendicitis last year.

I have my pair of socks for the labor from Kindred Bravely but decided I would like a few extra pairs of socks for after the birth until we are ready to leave the hospital.

Pointe Studio has a nice selection of high-quality Grip Sock so I won’t have to worry about slipping on the hospital floors, plus they are very comfy too. I’m going to pack 3 extra pairs so I will be sure to have a nice clean pair of socks the entire time I’m there.