By the end of your eighth month, you’ll want to have your bags packed and ready for the big event! That way there won’t be a last-minute rush and the possibility of forgetting something important. Some experienced moms recommend packing two bags for the ultimate in organization, one for the things you’ll want during labor and another for afterward. A green delivery can re­quire a bit more preparation, so give yourself enough time to gather the items you’d like to bring.

Paperwork

• A copy of your birth plan

• Your health insurance card and any necessary hospital forms

Comforts of home

• High-energy organic snacks and filtered water

• Ice pops (ask ahead if there’s a freezer)

• Your own favorite pillow with an organic cotton pillowcase (use a patterned case so it doesn’t get mixed up with the hospital’s pillows)

• Warm socks and slippers

• A bathrobe and comfy nightgown. (Some women prefer to use the hospital’s gowns so they don’t soil their own and for ease of checking blood pressure and cervical dilation)

• Toiletries, such as your favorite natural body care products, a hairbrush, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo and conditioner, and a hair­dryer

• Massage oils and lotions

• Lip moisturizer

Gear

• A video camera and a backup battery

• A camera (bring the charger or extra batteries and extra
  film if your camera isn’t digital)

• Cell phone and charger and a prepaid calling card in case cell
  phones are prohibited and the hospital phones are for local calls only

• Mp3 or CD player with your favorite music

• Laptop computer (one couple we know e-mailed regular updates and photos to friends and family directly from the labor and delivery room—check ahead to ask if there’s wireless Internet available)

Extra Necessities

• Cash for parking and vending machines

• Your phone book

For Baby

• Organic cotton baby bedding in a print so it doesn’t get mixed up with the hospital’s linens (check ahead to see if this okay)

• Pure soaps, lotions, and creams for your baby, if the hospital requires using more than just water to cleanse your newborn

• Either organic cotton cloth diapers or disposable brands known to be en­vironmentally low impact

• An organic fiber going-home outfit and a snowsuit if it’s very cold

• A cap and ‑a pair of socks or booties

• A natural fiber receiving blanket

• An infant car seat for the drive home (you won’t be allowed to leave without one)

Postpartum

• A fresh nightgown

• Nursing bras, if breastfeeding, or if you plan to bottle feed, bring along premixed formula in the organic brand you prefer

• A roomy, comfortable going-home outfit