Just like going away on vacation, preparing to head to the hospital for the arrival of your newest family member involves a fair amount of packing. And just like going on vacation, most of us tend to overpack!

The plethora of information available on the subject doesn't help, either. All those Google searches, researching, and asking friends and family does nothing to narrow down the list of what you should really have with you in your hospital bag.

Never fear, for here is a condensed list of the ten (10) most essential things to pack in your hospital bag!

After two births and two stays in the hospital, I've got what to pack in your hospital bag down to a science.   This list of ten (10) nails it by making sure that you have the necessities you need for your stay, while still making your partner's life easier for when they have to load everything up and go home.

So, without further adieu,

What NOT to pack:

1. Diapers and wipes. The hospital will provide diapers and wipes, and they've already charged you for it. So take it all. Take the pink wash bin home, you can use it to wash bottles. If it is not bolted down or requires an electric plug, take it. You paid for it.
2. Pads and underwear. The hospital will also provide these mamma jamma's for you. When your supply runs low, ask for more. I took home several pairs of the big mesh underwear because they were surprisingly comfortable and went over my surgery scars. Nordstroms and Victoria Secret do not carry these, so stock up!
3. Laptop/IPad. You will not have time to use it anyway, you'll be and should be sleeping during any downtime.
4. Multiple Outfits for You and the Baby. For the first few days, the baby will be wrapped up in a swaddle blanket. Unless you will be taking professional photos in the hospital, you will only need one outfit to go home in for you and the baby. I wore home what I wore to the hospital.
5. Breast pump. The hospital has their own hospital grade pumps and they are amazing. They will also provide you with the bottles, phalanges and all of the pumping supplies.

The Hospital Will Provide:

1. Velcro Belly Band for C-section recovery. Definitely ask for this if it's not automatically offered to you. You will think your nurses are sadists when they are strapping this on you, but trust us, the compression feels good on the abdomen -- especially when you need to cough, laugh, or fart.
2. Mesh panties. Stock up on as many as you can get away with! Target and Nordstroms do not sell these.  
3. Maxi Pads.  Even with a c-section, you will have bleeding. The hospital is usually stocked with overnight pads for extra absorption, but you can always ask to switch out.
4. Bed liners - for the first few days you will use them in your bed, but then take the rest home and use them for diaper changes.  
5. Perineum packs: cold packs are great for vaginal relief. Even if you have a c-section, your perineum area will be swollen from surgery.
6. Peri mom washer: this handy contraption looks like a condiment squeeze bottle, and it helps ease discomfort and cleanse your perineum area after you urinate or have a bowel movement. It's a much better alternative than wiping with hospital grade toilet paper -- talk about extra ouch in an area that has already been through too much…
7. Nipple shields: some women may have flat or inverted nipples and nipple shields aid in providing a larger surface area for the baby to latch on.
8. Stool softener: smooth the move so you don’t fear it, just do it. Most hospitals will not allow you to bring in outside medication as they need to keep track of your intake to prevent overdosing. Same goes with ibuprofen and such, so make sure you ask for any medications you know you will need to be comfortable.