Hospital Bag: What to Pack for Labor and Delivery

There are several items you should pack in your hospital bag to make your labor, birth, and recovery more comfortable and less stressful. I gave birth vaginally in a hospital, without any medication.

You may need to pack different items in your hospital bag if you have a scheduled induction or C-Section.

You don’t have to buy a new bag just for the hospital. I just used my carry on luggage bag. You can use a backpack, suitcase, luggage, duffle bag, or a large tote. I had our hospital bags packed about two weeks before my due date.

I gave birth a week early.

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Important Documents and Records:

ID Card or Drivers License

You will need your ID or Drivers license to prove your identity in the hospital. 

Health Insurance Card

If you have health insurance bring your health insurance card to the hospital. If you don’t have health insurance the hospital will most likely send a bill to your home.

5 Copies of your Birth Plan

You should have a copy of your birth plan for each of your support partner(s), head nurses, and your doctor – OBGYN (Who should already have one).

It’s a good idea to discuss your birth plan with your OBGYN and support partner(s) before your due date.

This will make decision making easier because it will be difficult to make important decisions while you in pain or medicated.

Pen and Notepad:

You or your support partner should write down any important information your doctor or pediatrician gives you so you don’t forget. (It’s easy to forget this information after giving birth to your beautiful baby)

File Folder:

To keep all your documents organized.

What’s In Mom To Be’s Hospital Bag:

Comfortable Clothing

Baby Be Mine 3 in 1 – Labor, Delivery, & Nursing Gown

This beautiful Labor, Delivery, & nursing gown was so comfortable.  My hospital allowed me to wear it for labor and delivery. I also wore it home postpartum, because it is easy to nurse in.

This hospital gown was designed by moms, for moms, in the USA.

Baby Be Mine Maternity Labor & Delivery Nursing Robe

I wore this comfortable robe in the hospital during recovery and for the first couple of weeks at home postpartum. The material is soft, lightweight, with easy access for nursing.

Push Socks

Keep your feet warm and comfortable during and after labor with a pair of non-slip fuzzy socks. I suggest getting a larger size. My feet were so swollen that my socks were tight.

MAKES THE PERFECT MATERNITY GIFT!

Slippers

You do not want to walk on the cold hospital floor. Bring some comfortable slippers with good grip.

Pillow

I am glad I brought my own pillow because the one the hospital provided was uncomfortable. My pillow also came in handy when I was learning to breastfeed.

Blanket

Hospitals are usually cold so I suggest bringing a blanket. A small throw blanket would be perfect and should fit easily in your bag. Our hospital provided a blanket but it was very thin and used. EWWW

Birthing Tools:

Wireless Earphones

If you would like to listen to music, podcast, etc… bring a good pair of wireless earphones.

Long USB Charging Cable / Portable charger

Bring a long USB charger and/or portable battery charger for your cell phone, camera, and other devices.

Birthing Ball

I used a yoga ball to relieve pain and discomfort during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. Bouncing on my birthing ball would instantly soothe my daughter when she was crying. Your hospital may provide one. 

Towel 

An extra body towel or hand towel will come in handy.

Breastfeeding Essentials: (Optional)

If you plan to breastfeed you should bring these breastfeeding essentials to make it easier.

Breastfeeding is natural but it is not easy!

• Breastfeeding Pillow
• Haakaa Breast Pump
• Nipple Shield (Optional)

 

15 must-have breastfeeding essentials

Toiletries:

• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Facial cleanser & moisturizer
• Lotion-Unscented is best.
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Hair Brush
• Chapstick
• Headband
• Hair scrunchie

Makeup:

You may want to bring concealer, foundation, and mascara to touch up for pictures.

I brought makeup but didn’t end up wearing any.

My hospital provided postpartum underwear, pads, witch hazel wipes, perineal bottle, pain relief spray, toiletries, food, and water.

You can check with your hospital to see what they provide.

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Support Partner(s) or Dad To Be Hospital Bag Essentials

Your support partner(s) is the person or people who support the mom to be through labor and delivery. This can be your spouse, a parent, sibling, or whoever is in the room with you during the birthing process. 

Some hospitals only allow one person at a time but our hospital didn’t have a limit. My husband, mother, and cousin were with me during labor and delivery. My husband stayed both nights in the hospital with me as well.

The hospital provides you with food and amenities but they usually don’t provide anything for your support partner(s) I packed a hospital bag full of essentials for my husband.

Nutritional Snacks

My husband physically helped me during labor and it wore him out as well. He was happy that I packed nutritional snacks to give him energy because he didn’t want to leave my side.

I packed Fiber/Protein bars and mixed nuts. If you bring a cooler bag you can pack some sandwiches and fruit as well/

Change, change, change

Put your change jar to use! We brought a zip lock bag full of quarters to use on the vending machine.

Clothing

If your support partner plans on staying the night with you they should have at least two full outfits and PJs. If you have a C-section you will be in the hospital longer so you may want to pack extra clothing just in case. 

Pillow and Blanket

The hospital provided pillows and blankets for me but not for my husband. He was glad I packed a pillow and throw blanket even though he said he wouldn’t need it. (I’m alway’s right!)

Toiletries

I brought a travel bag with shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, and deodorant for my husband and me.

Here are great deals on Hospital Bag Must-Haves!

What to Pack in your Newborn Baby’s Hospital Bag

I packed several items for my daughter in my hospital bag as well.

The hospital may provide diapers and wipes for your baby, but you can bring your own if you would like.

Baby Clothing & Going Home Outfit:

I recommend bringing 4 outfits in different sizes: Premie, Newborn, & 0-3 month, and 3 Month clothing.  My baby was too small for Newborn size clothing but too big for premie.

You don’t know how big or small your baby will be until they are born. This is why I recommend bringing extra baby clothing in different sizes.

Swaddle Blankets

The hospital we stayed at provided a swaddle blanket for our baby, but you might want to bring your own. My daughter didn’t enjoy being swaddled but she loved wearing the Love to Dream Swaddle Up. 

The wings on the Swaddle UP allowed my baby to both sleeps with her arms in her preferred ARMS UP position and gave enough movement so she can SELF-SOOTHE, all while calming down the startle reflex.

Hand Mittens and Caps

Mittens will keep your baby from scratching his skin with his long thin nails and keep their hands warm. Beanie Caps will keep your baby warm and cozy.

Be sure to stock up on these must-have newborn essentials before you baby come home!

Gifts to Pack for your Doctor, Nurses, and Hospital Staff

You might want to show your appreciation to your nurses and hospital for all their help. There is usually more than one shift of nurses that will help you through labor, delivery, and recovery.

I brought homemade chocolate chip cookie bars and gave them the nurses who helped with the delivery. They loved them! Starbucks gift cards or homemade treats are great gifts for your hospital staff!

Before you leave to the hospital make sure your baby’s car seat is properly installed in your vehicle according to the instructions. you will not be able to leave the hospital without it.