Welcoming your baby into the world is incredibly exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming and a little nerve-wracking (did I order enough diapers?). I felt like I was bouncing between pure excitement and total panic – and the only thing that truly calmed me down was being prepared. As a Type A parent, preparation is my lifeline, and when it came to labor and my postpartum hospital stay, having a well-packed bag gave me the confidence boost I needed to step into motherhood. After doing this thing three times, here are the absolute essentials you’ll want to pack in your hospital bag…