I know that when I was pregnant the burning question (especially when I was nesting) was “So what do I really need to bring to the hospital?” You can search online and you’ll notice there are tons of different lists, and most are geared towards Moms who are going to deliver one baby. So here’s a list especially designed for parents of multiples:

  • Personal ID, insurance card and any forms the doctor told you to bring
  • Charger for your cell phones, trust me you will be making a lot of phone calls! Check with your hospital first because some do not allow the use of cell phones. If this is the case bring plenty of calling cards!
  • A list of contacts of who you want to call.

Depends, yeah those Depends. Seriously, I know it sounds crazy, but they work!

You will feel much more comfortable walking around with depends than those mesh undies and pads they give you.

This was hands down the BEST advice I received when I was pregnant

  • Granny panties for the trip home (or if you choose not to wear the Depends). These will help keep the pad across your incision if you end up having a C-section.
  • Nursing bra, nursing pads, nursing pillow and breast pump if you are breastfeeding. Most hospitals will bring in a lactation specialist who can teach you how to properly use your breast pump.
  • Bathrobe for when you are walking around. You can also just ask for two hospital gowns to cover your backside.
  • You may want an outfit for yourself, whether it is a nightgown or lounge pants. I wore a hospital gown until day 2 (I think?) because I just felt so gross after my c-section and didn’t want to ruin my own clothes.
  • Your toiletries (shampoo, soap, toothbrush). You will be amazed at what a difference it makes to have your own things.
  • Cameras, again check with the hospital to see what their rules are with taking photos or video during delivery. Where I delivered you could not video the birth if it was a C-section but you could take photos.
  • Batteries for your cameras, and lots of them!
  • Baby books for your little bundles of joys foot prints. Many will let you take these right in for delivery so they can stamp the feet right away.
  • Slippers or socks that have non-skids on the bottom for when you walk around the hospital.
  • Flip flops or oversized shoes. You will be surprised that the shoes you may have worn into the hospital won’t fit on the way out. I swelled more AFTER delivery and had to wear flip flops on the way home.
  • Baby wipes, and lots of them! Hospitals do not provide these, and trust me you will want them!
  • Blankets for your little ones. (For pet owners, see if you can have a blanket put with the kids and then take that blanket home to your pet so they can get used to the smell of your kids).
  • An outfit for the babies’ first picture, if your hospital does this (most have a company come to your room and take photos of the kids)
  • A take home outfit for you and babies. For your take home outfit plan on something you would have worn around months 4-5 of your pregnancy. If you have a C-section make sure your pants are loose and comfy.
  • Your car seats for the kiddos. I carried my kids out of the hospital, but we had the carriers in the room with us to show the nurses that we actually had them. They will also check these when you go to leave.
  • Extra layers of clothes for your husbands/boyfriends, actually just clothes in general! This is one of the most forgotten things, honestly! Just as an FYI to the husbands/boyfriends out there, your wife/girlfriend will want the room ice cold (it’s the hormones) and the blankets the hospital provides are not that warm, be prepared. Think Steve Martin in Father of the Bride II.
  • Something to keep you entertained. Now I know what you’re thinking, “But I will be spending every waking moment with my kids and guests” no, no you won’t, I promise you! After my twins were born I watched 4 seasons of Friends after everyone left for the day. Plus, if you can, bring a laptop so you can send photos to your family.