I can't say I have anything really original to suggest, or ingenious ideas, but this is what comes to mind:
phone #'s to call people afterwards- including the ped's # so you can make your appt right away since they need to be seen soon after birth.
relaxing cd's on something to play them on if the center doesn't have a cd player in the rooms
nutritious/filling foods for afterwards (I brought yogurt, and then dh went out after and bought us quiche, muffins, and fruit for a meal), light drinks for during labor
camera/video camera- very important!!
actually, we brought our laptop and that took care of playing cd's and looking up phone #'s
loose, comfy clothes for after, and whatever you think you'll wear in labor
ponytail holders, brush, hair dryer, lotion- whatever you'll need to fix yourself up a bit afterwards- they usually have soap, washclothes, towels, etc there
they have pads, but bring your own if you like a certain kind
outfit for baby to come home in
and appropriate outerwear since it'll be November.
stuff to read/do- in hypnobirthing they suggest to read something humourus together to keep you laughing and relaxed- I never got to do that, but if it's a long labor and you're bored you may need it! I did read a book afterwards when we were just resting in bed.
candles, essential oils, insence, any type of aromatherapy you think you'll want to make a relaxing atmosphere.
I'm sure there's more but that's what I can come up with right now! The funny thing is, my birth was so fast that we never even brought the stuff in till after he was born- we didn't use most of it, and we had spent so much time planning and packing just the right things! In fact, that's what delayed us getting to the birth center, we were packing more and more stuff we thought we'd need for the long day ahead!
).
It was a life saver for me!!
