Packing my bag for the birthing center seems like a never-ending process.  I’m packed, but I keep on running through each item over and over again in my head.  Do I have everything?  Am I sure?  Of course I’ll miss something, but here are the important items, plus a few tips.

Tips:

*Pack in advance – around 37 weeks

*Have your partner download a contraction app weeks ahead.

*Plan what you are wearing TO the hospital.  You will not be feeling well enough to make many decisions at “go time”. Make sure you are happy with the bra and underwear, as you will be stripping down and possibly getting in water, depending on the labor.

*You may want to pack two bags:  for labor  and one for post labor.

*Have your partner pack a bag in advance too.  Button down shirts are a good idea for easy skin-to-skin contact.  And, shorts if they need to get into the hot tub/shower with you.

*Schedule your doula, a birthing photographer, and decide what you would like to do with the placenta/cord blood in advance.

Hospital Packing List

Essentials: 

1. Multiple copies of your birth plan
2. Necessary hospital forms
3. ID/Insurance card

For Labor:

1. Zip lock bag – for the car ride to the hospital…just in case you get sick!
2. An outfit for water laboring, if at birthing center
3. IPod/Phone/IPad/Speakers – Plan playlist or meditation to listen to in advance
4. Chargers
5. Birthing ball/Tennis balls/Rollers – for labor pain
6. Sports/Energizing drink/Water
7. Snacks – quick, easy energy during labor and snacks for after (you AND your partner)
8. Flexy straws – trust me, they will make things easier during labor.
9. Your own pillow
10. Grippy socks/slippers – for walking around your room

For Mom After Birth: 

1. Robe – white is not a good idea, as it may get ruined
2. Comfy pajamas – preferably that button down or are made for breastfeeding.
3. Nursing bra
4. Underwear (with coverage)/Socks
5. Mom’s maternity “go home” clothes
6. Flip flops – for the showers
7. Towel – hospital towels can be small and rough
8. Toothbrush/toothpaste
9. Makeup
10. Toiletries (shampoo/conditioner/wash/hairbrush/contacts/solution)
11. Lip balm
12. Hair ties

1) Gap Nursing Nightgown 2) Gap Robe, 3) Beautycounter 4) Promptly Journal 5) Poeme & Poesie  6) Birdling  7) Livly Clothing  8) The First Forty Days 9) Gaima Balance Ball 10) Beautycounter “Our Favorite” Set 11) My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow 12) Coveted Things 13) Noka Superfoods

For Baby:

1. Baby’s “take home” outfit
2. Swaddle – the hospital will provide, but you may want your own
3. Warm blanket for baby
4. Diaper cream/Protective cream – Beautycounter’s Protective Balm is great
5. Car Seat

After Birth:

1. Nursing pillow
2. Camera – with extra batteries
3. Journal/Pen/Paper – write down info and birthing story
4. Book/Magazine
5. Nursing gel pads/Nipple cream
6. A plastic bag – to take home dirty clothes

*The hospital will provide sanitary pads, disposable underwear, diapers, a swaddle, but if you want to bring your own or there is a certain brand you like, make sure to bring it.

Feature Picture: @livly_stockholm

I’ve always loved getting dressed up, but doing so while pregnant poses a whole new host of challenges.  When investing in a new maternity occasion outfit, I try to think as practically as possible: Is it my style?  How versatile is it?  Can I repurpose it to wear a few different ways?   Here are more of my tips for pregnancy style and staying true to yourself during this ever-changing time.

• FIND RETAILERS/BRANDS WHO CARRY GREAT MATERNITY STYLES  Here are my go-tos:
  • HATCH – I’ve loved this brand since they launched.   Their styling is spot on and it is nice to know that there are cool styles designed to fit your evolving figure instead of trying to fit into your non-pregnancy styles.  I even have a Hatch dress that I wear not pregnant and get tons of compliments!  They also have a denim collaboration with CURRENT/ELLIOT and a new workout collaboration with Bandier.
  • Shopbop – A good maternity section for denim, basic tops and dresses.
  • Nine In The Mirror – High end, non maternity clothes that all work while pregnant.
  • ASOS – Whatever you may need, they will have it.
  • Zara – Keep up on the trends, just size up.

• KNOW THE STYLES THAT WORK FOR YOU You may still be able to get away with your non-maternity empire waisted dresses (see the second look below) if they have stretchy bodices or the empire waist is high enough.  Or if you prefer a-line, flowy, or body conscious styles, stick with what makes you feel best.

• WHEN IN DOUBT, BLACK IS GOOD Black pants, black tops, black dresses – they are all so easy to dress up.  It serves as the perfect  blank canvas to add great shoes, a fab bags, a statement jacket, some major jewelry or bold makeup (just not all together…).

• JUMPSUITS I love a good one-piece pregnant or not.  But they really are just about the cutest thing on a pregnant shape.

• LAYER TO DRESS UP OR DRESS DOWN YOUR LOOK For a dressy event: layer an over-the-top jacket over your dress or one-piece.  Dress it down with a jean jacket or make it sophisticated with a blazer.  Oversized cardigans are perfect during the day.

• KEEP PRINTS SMALL  There is a lot more of you to cover.  Wearing a large print will only make you look larger.  Opt for a smaller repeat.

I love a good jumpsuit and this one by HATCH is a favorite, with the off-the-shoulder detail.  This one piece can go in a million different directions.  The off-the-shoulder design is the perfect neckline for a major statement earring, like these from J.Crew.

I love that I can still wear this Ulla Johnson dress, since it has a stretchy empire waist, it works perfectly – for now.  The boots dress this look down, while a platform sandal or a suede tall boot would take it beautifully into a fall, dressing it up a bit.

Picture 1: Jumpsuit: Hatch, Sunglasses: Krewe du Optiq, Shoes: Valentino, Earrings: J.Crew

Picture 2: Dress: Ulla Johnson, Sunglasses: Illestiva, Boots: Woman by Common Project, Hat: Sunroom, Jean Jacket: GRLFRND

No one has ever claimed that getting dressed while pregnant is easy.  Most days, I consider throwing on something similar to a potato sack.  Why?  Because it will fit, be comfortable, and requires two brain cells.  But I’ve learned that losing your fashion identity during a time when so much is already changing is not the answer.  Getting dressed as a (mainly) stay-at-home mom has become increasingly important for me to feel like the old working me.  So, how do you find your style when you have to search through brands, fits and styles that are all new to you?  Here are some of my tips:

• DON’T CHANGE YOUR STYLE  If you didn’t wear empire tops before maternity – don’t start now (PLEASE don’t start now!!) Babydoll tops are not on trend or flattering.  And make you look, well, very pregnant.

• FIND YOUR DENIM STYLE As long as it’s still comfortable for you, find denim that fits.  I, personally, dislike styles that pull up over my belly.  I’d rather have the elastic under my belly.  See these Madewell or Citizen of Humanity styles.

• OVERSIZED BLOUSES AND BUTTON DOWNS These are on trend and will look great paired with jeans.  They will also leave you room to grow, while keeping you comfortable.  The trend was practically designed for us pregnant ladies.

• LAYER You probably won’t have to buy new maternity jackets/cardigans.  Wear them unzipped/unbuttoned and even over basic tees to add back your personal style.

• SHOW OFF THAT BUMP! I have loved wearing a few non-maternity form-fitting stretchy dresses, which I bought knowing that I may stretch them out for good.  Personally, there is just something I like about wearing “normal” clothes.  And, if you are comfortable with form-fitting, it always looks great to show off your bump.

• JUST ADD SNEAKERS  The active shoe trend is still in and will add comfort and a cool street-style to any look.  Especially love them paired back with dresses.

• ACCESSORIZE Wear some lipstick.  Add a cute hat.  Throw on some earrings.  Do what makes you feel good and completes a look. Good accessorizing can turn a basic white tee into so much more.

  Look 1: While black is always slimming, I still love white denim – throughout the whole fall season.  Pairing denim with an oversized blouse or tee and then layering with a great “it” piece helps to complete any outfit.

Look 2: One of my go-to dresses.  It’s effortless and cute just on it’s own but the sneakers help make it an even easier piece, if possible.  And the bold lip helped pop the blue and white stripes a bit.

Outfit 1: Cardigan: Ryan Roche, Shirt: Zara, Denim: Slides: Zara, Hat: St. Tropez Palm Hat

Outfit 2: Dress: ATM Anthony Thomas Melillo, Sneakers: Stan Smiths for Barneys, Sunglasses: Illesteva Leondard (similar here)

Mamas to be can rejoice: Madewell launched four of their own maternity denim styles today!  They include a demi boot (totally on trend) and three different skinnies ( the lorelei is my favorite with it’s raw hem and ripped knee).  The best part is their claim that these jeans won’t bag out or slip down throughout the day, both very annoying qualities of many maternity jean styles on the market.   At almost 15 weeks pregnant myself, I couldn’t be happier.