Gifts Inspired By Children of Color

For Labor

• Your insurance card and any hospital paperwork you need
• Your birth plan, breathing sheet and coach’s guide
• Your favorite music. You may need to provide your own CD Player or Tape Player
• One or more pillows with colored cases so the don't get mixed up with the hospital's
• Contact lens case and eyeglasses
• Lip balm
• Toothbrush, toothpaste and mouthwash
• Pair of socks
• Barrettes and hair wrap
• Tennis balls or a rolling pin in case you have back labor and need them for massage.
• Massage oils, powder and/or lotions for massage
• Change for pay phone and vending machines
• Magazine, book and games
• Paper and pencil
• A bathrobe, slippers and nightgown. Hospitals provide gowns for you to use during labor and afterward, but most will allow you to wear your own clothes if you prefer. Choose something loose and comfortable that you don't mind getting ruined. You'll need to wear a gown instead of pants so that your practitioner can check your cervix. Choose a top with short, loose sleeves so you your blood pressure can be checked easily and so you can slip your top off easily if you want to change and have an IV in place. You might also want to bring your own slippers and robe for walking around during the early stages of labor. If you don't want to risk soiling your robe, you can ask for a second hospital gown to wear as a robe to cover your backside.

For Your Partner/Labor Coach

• Money for parking and change for vending machines.
• A few basic toiletries, such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant.
• A change of clothes
• Some snacks and something to read during the early stages.
• A camera/video camera and film or tape or a memory card and batteries. Someone has to document the big event!
• A bathing suit. If your partner wants to take a bath or shower during labor, you may want to jump in with her.

Postpartum

• A fresh nightgown.
• Snacks! After many hours of labor, you're likely to be pretty hungry and you don't want to have to rely on the hospital's food. So bring your own crackers, raisins, and granola bars.
• A nursing bra, breast pads, and maternity underwear, if you'd prefer not to wear the net panties they'll give you at the hospital. Chances are, whatever underwear you do wear the first few days will get stained, even with sanitary pads (which the hospital provides).
• Toiletries. Toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, lip balm, deodorant, and makeup, if it's important to you. Hospitals will have soap, shampoo, and lotion, but you might prefer your own brands.
• Your address book and prepaid phone card or cell phone. After the baby's born you'll want to call family and friends to let them know the good news. Note: Some hospitals don't allow cell phones to be used in the labor and delivery area, so you may want to ask about it ahead of time.
• A going-home outfit. Bring something roomy and easy to get into — believe it or not, you'll probably still look 5 or 6 months pregnant — along with a pair of flat shoes. The last thing you'll be worrying about when you go home is whether your outfit is fashionable.

For Your Baby

• An infant car seat. You can't drive your baby home without one!
• A going-home outfit (one-piece stretchy outfits are easiest) and a snowsuit if it's very cold
• A receiving blanket (a heavy one if the weather's cold)
• A pair of socks or booties
• A cap (although they'll usually give you one at the hospital)
• Baby nail clippers or emery board.

What Not To Bring

• Jewelry
• Lots of cash, credit cards, or any other valuables
• Work. Yes, we actually know fast-track types who have sent business e-mails from the hospital room, made work-related phone calls, and reviewed spreadsheets.