Somewhere in your third trimester you may wish to go ahead and pack a bag to have prepared to take to the hospital with you. By packing your bag in advance you are assured that you get to pack it and you get to choose the things you like the best. I did not follow this advice when Charlie was born and had to send my Dad to my apartment to pick some things up for me. Needless to say, I didn’t get every little item I’d wanted.

Once you pack your bag, throw it in a closet or an out of the way place and then it’s there ready and waiting for you to go into labor.

Suggested items to pack:

• Birth plan (if you have one)



• Pajamas/Night Shirt, robe and slippers



• A few pairs of socks to keep your feet warm



• Telephone numbers of family and friends (maybe bring a calling card depending if they were local or not)



SPONSOR

 



• Camera and/or video camera (check with staff on hospital policy regarding videotaping etc.)



• Barrette, rubber band, or scrunchies if you have long hair



• Stop watch to time contractions



• Insurance card and other needed medical information (If you pre-register through the hospital they will probably already have this on file, but it’s a good idea to bring it just in case.



• Toiletries (shampoo, toothbrush, tooth paste, hairbrush, etc.)



• Snacks as hospital food can get yucky!



• Hard candy or lollipops (Your mouth will get dry during labor. But check with the hospital on their policy of food/candy during labor. I was only allowed ice chips during labor.)



• CD player and soothing music to help you relax



• Chapstick for dry lips



• Outfit to leave the hospital in

If you will be bringing your baby home from the hospital with you, you will need the following items for him or her:

• Clothes



• Car seat



• Blankets

Typically the hospital will provide you with a bottle, formula (if you are formula feeding) and a few diapers to get you home.

Click here for a printable checklist of suggested items to pack.


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Other Posts in this Series:
Hospital Series Introduction
Labor Support Person
Creating a Birth Plan
Prospective Adoptive Parents in the Delivery Room
Visitors in the Hospital