Hospital Bag Checklist

Let’s talk about packing your bags for the hospital. We’re going to go into a lot of possibilities, but what you actually pack will depend on a few things:

• Specifics of your birth plan
• What your hospital provides and which of those items you’d like to use
• What your hospital will provide for your partner
• What your hospital will provide for your baby
• Whether you’re a minimalist or maximalist when it comes to packing

Helpful Tips

• Consider packing one bag for labor and another for postpartum, especially if you’re bringing a lot. Your support person can grab the second bag after the birth, when it’s convenient.
• A big question is always when to have the bag packed, and I recommend packing before reaching 37 weeks. Some people choose to pack earlier. You should do what makes you most comfortable.
• The hospital will most likely have many of the items on this list. If you’re on a budget or you’re not picky, you can get away with bringing very little. Find out in advance what will be available. You can ask your care provider or take a hospital tour and ask during that.
• Hospital cafeterias are often not open 24 hours. If you give birth in the evening or at night, it may be a long wait before meals are available.
• Your support person will also need a bag with clothing, the essentials, and snacks. And maybe a pillow!

What if You’re Not Birthing at a Hospital?

• If you’re birthing at a birth center, you may not need as many items. You’ll likely be heading home much quicker than if birthing at a hospital.
• If you’re birthing at home, your care provider will discuss what supplies you need to have on hand for your birth. 
• In either case, there is always a small chance that you could end up transferring to a hospital. This would be in the event certain medical interventions are needed. So it’s not a bad idea to have a hospital bag packed, just in case. You could even keep the items to the absolute essentials, as hospitals do usually provide quite a few supplies.

The List

Here’s a list of items you may need. Remember to check with your birth location to find out what’s provided, so you don’t bring or buy anything you really don’t need.

Documents and Other Essentials

• Keys
• Wallet
• Purse
• Cell phone
• Photo ID
• Insurance card
• Hospital paperwork
• Directions and parking information
• Birth plan
• Medications

Electronics

• Video camera
• Camera
• Tripod
• Chargers
• Extension cord
• Extra batteries
• Speaker or headphones
• LED candles/ mood lighting

Food and Drinks

• Healthy snacks for labor (honey sticks, crackers, pretzels, granola bars, trail mix, etc.)
• Preferred drinks for labor
• Postpartum snacks

Toiletries

• Hairbrush
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Mouthwash
• Contact lenses
• Eye glasses
• Contact solution
• Deodorant
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Soap
• Floss
• Cosmetics
• Lotions
• Razor

Clothing

• Birthing gown
• Clothing for laboring in water
• Comfortable bras
• Underwear
• Comfortable, loose-fitting pajamas for recovery
• Nursing-friendly clothing
• Go home outfit
• Slippers
• Shoes
• No-slip socks

Birth Tools/ Comfort Items

• Birth ball
• Peanut ball
• Speaker or headphones for music
• Chapstick
• Pillows
• Aromatherapy supplies
• Massage tools
• Eye mask
• Entertainment/ distractions
• Portable fans
• Cold packs
• Rice sock/ warm compress
• Items to squeeze (stress ball/ comb)

Baby Clothes/ Gear

• Car seat
• Outfits
• Going home outfit
• Hats
• Blankets
• Socks
• Diapers
• Hand mittens

Recovery Supplies

• Pads
• Underwear
• Peri bottle
• Ice packs
• Tucks Medicated Cooling Pads
• Dermoplast Pain Relieving Spray

Infant Feeding Supplies

• Nursing pillow
• Reference book
• Nipple cream
• Breast pump
• Nipple shield
• Medela Tender Care Hydrogel Soothing Gel Pads
• Ice packs
• Warm compress
• Nursing bra
• Preferred formula, if applicable