9 Things To Pack In Your Hospital Bag So You’re Ready For Labor Anytime
So you might have been putting off packing your hospital bag, thinking delivery date is still a few weeks away.
Why pack a hospital bag so early anyway? Well imagine this…
You are 37 weeks in, and you are just going about your business, when suddenly you feel contractions, and suddenly feel like baby is about to make an early entrance (or exit, whichever way you like to look at it..)! You call your husband and tell him he needs to take you to the hospital, stat! He hurries by your side and helps you in the car but then… where’s your hospital bag?
No where to be found– because you didn’t pack it!
To avoid situations like this during the rush of the moment, I urge you to pack your hospital bag in advance. Thank me later.
Phone Charger
This one’s pretty straight forward, but something you can easily forget to bring. Pack a spare charger in your hospital bag so that you don’t have to bring the one you normally use at home.
Wallet and personal ID
Don’t forget about this one– it’s pretty important. You’d need your personal ID in order to be admitted to the hospital. Also, it’s just nice to have a form of payment available in case your hubby needs to go out and buy something for you.
Nintendo Switch (for dad)
Ok fine, so this one’s not reaaallyy that important, but you just never know how long you will stay in the hospital, so better to have a form of entertainment prepared.
Jacket
You can disregard this one if you’re giving birth in the summer. But if you’re giving birth any other time, and especially during the colder months, make sure you have a weather appropriate jacket on hand for when you come home from the hospital.
Loose/Comfortable Clothing
Bring two sets just in case. I’m talking about bringing a loose shirt and pyjama pants, ones that look somewhat presentable for when you go home with baby. Don’t try to look cute here and bring anything that requires too much effort to put on. Trust me, no one’s expecting you to look cute going home from the hospital.
Related post: What Not To Do In Your Third Trimester Of Pregnancy
Toiletries
This includes:
- Glasses – if you wear them. Leave the contact lenses at home
- Body soap & face wash
- Shampoo & Conditioner
- Towel
- Face and body moisturizer
- Sunblock
If you can, bring everything in travel size so you don’t have to lug around a bunch of bulky toiletry items.
Slippers and Socks
Bring comfortable slippers and socks that you’re ok to wear around the hospital. I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t wear my house slippers around the hospital. Also, it can get pretty cold in the hospital, so make sure you don’t forget to bring these items!
Undergarments
I’m talking about your nursing bras here. Also bring a few pairs of comfortable, large underwear that you are ok throwing away after use. The hospital might provide you with disposable ones, but just in case, bring these ones with you.
Snacks
Bring your favourite snacks such as chocolates, chips, granola bars. Just resist the urge to eat them all on the way to the hospital or even before that!
Other Things you can’t forget:
These items are not for mom, but these are the things you definitely do not want to forget:
- Car Seat (unless you want to stay in the hospital forever)
- Going home outfit for baby (preferably one in new born size and a size up, in case your baby ends up being bigger than anticipated)
Pro tip on what to pack in hospital bag for mom:
if you have friends that recently gave birth in your area, ask them what they brought in their hospital bag and which items the hospital provides. For me, the hospitals in my area provides a few days worth of care items, and any medical care items you would need while in the hospital is provided for by the hospital. So you really wouldn’t need to bring anything except the clothing and personal items that would make your time a bit more comfortable.
Of course, this could be different depending on which country or area you live in. I know that what I would bring to the hospital is vastly different from what my mom brought with her when she was giving birth in the Philippines.