MyLaborBags

This review of MyLaborBags is timed to coincide with Labor Day and is dedicated to my sweet sister-in-law who has been packing her own labor bag, getting ready for a first baby. MyLaborBags is a thorough and comprehensive app that will help you pack everything you’re going to need when you head to the hospital to have your baby. The app is broken up into three different lists – Mommy’s Bag, Daddy’s Bag & Baby’s Bag. Each list contains different items and the lists can be viewed separately or together as one main “All Bags” list.

Mommy’s Bag contains items that the mom-to-be will need at the hospital. In the list view you can see the name of the item, quantity you’ll need and how much the item costs. By tapping on an item you’ll see a more detailed view. Here you’ll view the same information plus the location where the items can be found and additional notes. I love that “location” is included, that’s fantastic for pregnant mom brains. All of the preset information can be customized and edited by you. Items can be completely deleted from your list and you can add in items of your own. As you pack your bags you can check off the items on your list. You’ll see a running total of how many items have been packed and how many still need to be found.

Daddy’s Bag operates the same was as Mommy’s but the preset items are those that a father would bring to the hospital. Again, items on this list can be edited, deleted or new items can be added. The same is true for Baby’s Bag. When you combine the three different bags you’ll have an impressive list that can be viewed on the “All Bags” screen. This list is color coded and the items for mom, dad and baby are each different colors. This makes it easy to glance through the list and see who you’re packing for.

The settings for MyLaborBags can be changed in the iPhone’s General Settings. Each bag can be renamed so you can personalize the bag with your name instead of “Mommy”. The colors can be changed and styled. Here you can also enter your due date and turn on the application’s badge. When the badge is turned on you will see a number on the app’s home screen icon. This number will tell you how many unpacked items remain on your list. Other changes can also be made in the settings.

I’m impressed by both the detail and ease of use involved in MyLaborBags. The app is straightforward and covers a tremendous amount of information. I appreciate the fact thatt I can edit down the preset lists and also add in my own items so I’m sure to get everything I need to the hospital. I also like how the lists are broken down into the three different bags. MyLaborBags is something I definitely could have used with the births of my last two children. My oldest girls were each overdue by a week so my bags were packed and ready to go for weeks. And weeks. But with my son (#3) I had blood pressure complications and had to literally walk across the street from an appointment to the hospital. It was three weeks before he was due and nothing was ready. It was up to my husband to gather things up at home and get the bags to the hospital. He did a great job but it involved plenty of phone calls and trips to the store to gather things together. You think I would have been better prepared last summer but nope, with Baby J (#4) things were very similar. This this time I had a couple days of bed rest before I was sent from the doctor’s to the hospital so I could give directions from my throne on the couch but I wasn’t feeling so hot at that point and I’m sure my directions were about as convoluted as you could get. MyLaborBags could have been a big timesaver. Even if I hadn’t packed my bags I could have gone through and put together the lists so my husband knew exactly what I was thinking and where everything was could be found. That would have saved phone calls and stress, two things you really don’t need during labor. I highly recommend this app for all you moms to be.

A free version, MyLaborBags Lite, is also available in iTunes. I also have a promo code to give away. If you’d like to win the full version of MyLaborBags leave me a comment with your due date. Promo codes only valid in the US App Store.

Price when Reviewed: $.99 – On sale for Labor Day!

See the app in iTunes

Seller: Newbyman Enterprises, LLC

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this app for review