Sometimes it’s hard to remember that in most ways, celebrities are just like us — and they go through many of the same life experiences that we do, in the same way that we do. One of those experiences is giving birth, both the joys and special moments as well as the worry and scary moments. Like most people, many Hollywood parents plan to give birth in the hospital and pack their hospital bags ahead of time. But what do they choose to pack?
In this slideshow, we take a peek inside the hospital bags of our favorite celebrity moms, and what we find inside might surprise you. From the essential clothing items Kristen Bell needed while giving birth to the unexpected items that Whitney Port, former star of The Hills, packed in her designer bag, you may be surprised to see how these moms prepared for the arrival of their babies.
Kristen Bell
The Good Place actor Kirsten Bell is mom to two daughters, Lincoln and Delta. In a recent interview, she gave SheKnows an exclusive look into what she carried with her to Labor and Delivery:
"A pair of socks, robe and underwear from Hatch — which is like a really indulgent, beautiful website for pre-, during, and post-pregnancy, and they have a hospital kit," she said. "I packed Christmas lights because I wanted the room not to have fluorescent lighting. I packed an iPod with, like, spa music and a playlist that I knew would calm me down."
The lighting and music were an important part of making the birth a more intimate and personal experience.
"[It made] the room feel less sterile and more mine," Bell said. "I mean, truly, I abandoned everything I thought I wanted out of labor the minute I got to the hospital. I said, look, as long as we all leave alive, I really could care less what happens in here. Just everybody alive — that’s the one goal. But I did like that I took ownership over the room, and it felt a little bit more like it was my experience in a room that I could control and have the lights that I wanted and the music that I wanted."
Jessica Alba
When actor Jessica Alba went to the hospital to have her third child, son Hayes, she didn't go empty-handed. In addition to staples like hand sanitizer and baby wipes and diapers from The Honest Company (which she co-founded), Alba also packed a good number of self-care items for herself, both to feel good during labor and to look and feel good after delivery.
She told SheKnows in an exclusive interview, "I brought a cozy change of clothes to go home in, and then I brought my toothbrush, and we have something called the Magic Balm, this salve that you can use on your face on your lips. I used it a lot during labor because I got such dry lips. You can use it on the tops of your cheekbones, and I use it around my eyes. I brought that, my eyelash curler, cream blush because it looks more natural, and concealer."
Yes, she brought an eyelash curler! And we love her for it.
Khloé Kardashian
A week before she gave birth to her daughter, True Thompson, Khloé Kardashian revealed on her app what she was packing in anticipation of the labor and birth.
“When it comes time to go to the hospital to deliver my baby girl, I’ll be ready. Of course, I’m already packed up and have been for a while,” she wrote. “I knew exactly what I wanted to put in my hospital bag — lots of comfy things for me and for her!”
Kardashian told her fans that she had packed a pillow, her computer and charger, pajamas that button in the front for easy nursing, a going-home outfit and sneakers, slides, maternity bras, a camera and her favorite Barefoot Dreams blanket to stay cozy.
Kourtney Kardashian
When Kourtney Kardashian had her first child, Mason, she admitted that she didn't quite know what to pack. Two years later, when she gave birth to her second, Penelope, she was better prepared.
"Last time I went to the hospital I packed every single thing in my closet, and I didn’t even open my bag until it was time to leave and get dressed to go home,” Kourtney said on her website. “So this time I’m packing a little bit more wisely."
The eldest of the Kardashians was sure to pack essentials for her, like a toiletry bag (lip balm, rubber bands, her toothbrush, some dental floss, deodorant and face wash), a going-home outfit (tracksuit bottoms, a sweatshirt, three pairs of cozy, fluffy socks and trainers) and her own hospital gown. She also packed comfy bras without underwires.
For the baby, she packed a special going-home outfit and a special blanket.
One last item she packed that isn't on everyone's list? A cord blood kit.
Serena Williams
Given that she's married to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, it's not too big a surprise that tennis all-star Serena Williams went to the popular site in August 2017 to ask what she should pack in her hospital bag before the birth of her daughter, Alexis.
While we don't know exactly what advice she took, there were a couple of popular answers that she probably heeded. For example, lots of moms chimed in to say how important it was to pack lip balm so your lips stay moist even with all the labored breathing. Many others suggested packing up some of your favorite snacks, as nursing makes you hungry and hospital food can be lacking.
Another great suggestion? Several baby outfits in different sizes, in case your baby is bigger or smaller than the average newborn.
Williams ended up having a less-than-ideal birth that put her life into danger, but everyone is now happy, safe and at home.
Whitney Port
The Hills star Whitney Port was super prepared when she packed for the hospital in this designer overnight bag by Cuyana. In addition to essentials like a nightgown, robe and going-home outfits, Port was also smart enough to bring earplugs, slippers and snacks.
The designer and author also thought to pack everything necessary to get nursing off to a good start, including nipple cream, nipple pads, a nursing pillow and shirts with easy nursing access.
She also brought some extras that made her stay extra comfortable: her own pillow, an eye mask, extra-soft toilet paper and her own soft towels. For a better atmosphere, she included essential oils and a diffuser as well as electric candles.
It all worked out: Port and husband Tim Rosenman welcomed a boy, Sonny Sanford, into the world on July 27, 2017.
Kate Middleton
When Kate Middleton headed to the hospital to give birth to her third child, Prince Louis, earlier this year, she reportedly packed a few very special items in her hospital bag.
According to Travel and Leisure, the Duchess of Cambridge packed two small toy gifts for the baby — presents from Princess Charlotte and Prince George. She also packed some special jewelry for herself: a lucky pendant belonging to Queen Elizabeth II and some lucky black onyx beads that belonged to her mother. Finally, she packed a few framed pictures of beloved family members.
She also brought some more practical items, such as a Kindle filled with her favorite books and movies, and lots of things to make the room feel less sterile, reportedly including a vanilla aromatherapy kit, candles and lots of calming music.
Rachel Zoe
Fashion personality Rachel Zoe refused to let go of her style and look, even when she was off to the hospital to give birth to her first baby, Skyler, in 2011.
Bravo's The Rachel Zoe Project showed her packing Chanel and Halston sweaters as well as designer stiletto boots with eight-inch heels as she prepared for baby. During the labor itself, Zoe was putting on makeup and styling her hair just moments after her water broke and even though she was in visible pain from contractions. Basically, she's a certain kind of fashion hero, and we appreciate that!
Brooke Shields
Kate Middleton isn't the only celebrity who brought a special piece of jewelry into the hospital with her. Model and author Brook Shields lost her father just weeks before she gave birth to her first baby, Rowan. She made sure that she had her dad's ring with her during her C-section and when her baby came into the world.
"I was about to give birth to my first daughter when [my father] passed away," Shields wrote in an essay for InStyle. "When I went into labor a few weeks later, I asked my stepsister to bring my dad's ring to me in the hospital. It still had soap inside it from the last time he wore it. I wasn't allowed to put it on my finger because I was going into surgery, but the loveliest nurse found a chain so that I could have it around my neck (it was still against the rules, but she said it was our little secret). I was so comforted because it was as if he were in the room with me."
The sweetest part of this story? Shields gave her daughter the middle name Francis, after Shields' dad, Frank, and her baby was born the day after his birthday.
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