I’ll be 39 weeks pregnant on Friday and am starting to understand that this means baby girl could arrive sometime soon. Of course, being that I feel really great and was induced at 10 days past due with Hailey, I’m a little jaded about her truly coming soon. In a late nesting fit yesterday, I decided to pack the bag for the hospital. I’m not so secretly hoping to have one of those ‘this is it!’ moments and rush out the door, so in order to entice fate, I am now packed and ready to go!
Depending on the type of labor you are after and your personal needs and preferences, what you pack will differ, but here’s a look at what I’ll be bringing with me…
A couple baby outfits in different sizes (newborn and 0-3), socks, headbands (for fun!) and a blanket to put over her when coming home.
Notes: I bought Hailey a fancy coming home outfit, but never really used it or even have a picture of it, so I opted to skip it this go ‘round. We will be delivering at the same hospital that Hailey was born at, so I know they provide diapers, wipes and other baby necessities.
May also consider: Baby book, personalized beanie (if you don’t want to use the hospital one)
Snacks, small shampoo and conditioner that can be tossed/left behind, disposable razor, make-up removing/face cleaning wipes, favorite body lotion and lip moisturizer (hospitals are dry!), disposable nursing pads and lanolin cream (just in case your hospital doesn’t carry it).
Notes: Hospitals usually provide shampoo and lotion, but I wasn’t wild about it last time. The nursing pads may be a but premature since it can take a couple days for milk to come in, but since my arrived fast and furious last time, I want to be ready.
May also consider: Shot blocks or energy chews for labor, magazines, a towel if you think you’ll want a big, fluffy one for after showering
Nursing bras or tanks (I’m so excited about my new Bravado tank and bras), comfy lounge clothes (a size larger than normal), undies I don’t mind donating to the cause, socks for cold rooms and floors. Just like baby’s clothes, all of my stuff has been washed in my favorite gentle and green laundry detergent.
Notes: Last time I loved the hospital’s mesh undies for post-delivery, but decided to bring a couple larger pairs of my own just in case.
May also consider: Flip flops for the shower, more real clothes (still large and comfy) if you are expecting lots of visitors.
Nursing pillow, make-up, hair comb/brush and extra hair ties, vitamins, and a going home (maternity) outfit for mom.
May also consider: a pillow from home to be more comfortable (in a non-white pillow case so it doesn’t get mixed up with the hospital’s pillows), glasses if you wear them, birth plan (if you have one)
Cameras, chargers and phone.
Notes: I like to take a lot of pictures and my biggest labor fear is my camera dying (I’m kidding…).
May also consider: Computer or tablet (I decided against bringing my computer for fear that I’d use it), a notepad or journal to write about the experience.
Optional Others:
- Gifts for older children to exchange with the new baby. Thanks to the help of my facebook friends, we are going to do this. We have the Sleep Giraffe for Hailey to give her baby sister and I’ll be putting together a little bag of goodies for baby girl to ‘give’ Hailey at the hospital that will include little toys and activities to keep her busy and probably a couple of snacks.
- Hairdryer. Nope, not for styling my hair, but because it was our favorite baby soother with Hailey!
- A bag for dad! I like David to stay, so some clean boxers for him would be nice to bring along.
Please share…
What did you find absolutely necessary to bring with you to the hospital?
Which items were a waste of space?
Jaclyn @ BumpSweat says
You mentioned snacks and energy chews; did they let you eat during labor? I’m hoping to be able to in order to keep my energy up but wondering if that’s even going to be an option…
Lindsey says
A robe for sure! Comfy pants and slippers too. For baby, onesies and blankets. I also packed snacks and my water bottle for myself 🙂
Kelli D. says
Be warned… My son was 8 days late with a super long labor than ended in c-section. I gave birth (successful unmediated VBAC!!) to my daughter a little over a month ago and was prepared to go overdue. Imagine my surprise when she came a day after her due date after actively laboring for only about 5 or so hours!
Good luck! Good labor bag list. Baby girl came so fast that I barely used anything in my bag!
Ali says
I brought a lot of toiletries like shampoo, conditioner, face wash, etc. and our hospital provided all of that and it was nice stuff too actually. I brought tons of clothes for both Aiden and I and diapers and all that stuff and I never used most of it!
Heather says
With my son I brought way too much stuff with us, and with my daughter I procrastinated, so my poor husband was running around trying to finish packing while I was in labor. Ha ha. I definitely found that less was more, though, and the center I gave birth in had anything that we forgot (including toothbrushes). A good playlist was helpful for my son’s birth, but my daughter came so fast, we didn’t have time to even bother putting on music. We also watched about 3-4 movies while in the hospital with my son, but only 1 or 2 with my daughter. I’m still glad we had the option to watch movies, though (hooray hospital room with big flat screen TV).
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries says
Absolute necessities: toiletries, snacks, camera, and yoga/comfy clothes. I realized the rest wasn’t really necessary (for me).
Maria says
Now that you’ve packed the bag and are all set, she’s going to to stay put. If you hadn’t prepared, she’d surprise you in the middle of the night 😉 That’s how the world works, right?
I’m so excited for you!
Stephanie says
I agree with bringing a robe – lightweight cotton for me – the hospital room always felt too warm. I was also glad I brought a bag of organic lollipops. I had an epidural so I was very comfortable, but they didn’t want me to eat anything while I waited for the doctor to come. The lollipops made me very happy!
Becky@TheSavedRunner says
Great list! Since I haven’t had kids I hadn’t even thought about all of the things you would need to bring with you. You really need to be prepared, and it looks like you are!
Regina says
This time around I was a lot more prepared but actually under packed on some items.
Things I had and used and loved:
-shot bloks for labor. Life. Saver. Seriously. I was in labor for 22 hours and couldn’t eat for 20 of them. I was starving.
-Nursing tank, robe, maternity yoga pants and flip flops
-Pillow from home though I was rarely in my bed
-clif Builders bars. Best protein bars ever. Delicious and filling. Perfect for midnight snacking since I was. Hungry beast 24/7 (still am 3.5 weeks later)
– My water bottle. I filled it no less then 10 times a day. So. Thirsty.
-Phone, camera and tablet + chargers. I used the tablet for my journal during my ridiculously long labor and to take pictures to email to far away family ASAP.
Wish I brought:
-Lollipops for labor. Brought them with our first son and never used them. Desperately wanted them this time and didn’t have any. I was so nauseous I wanted something to help.
Brought and didn’t need:
-razor. I wasn’t trying to impress anyone.
Katie @ Pick Any Two says
This is a great list! I brought way too much stuff with me when I had my son. The robe, however, was essential!
jade says
Even though I”m only half way through this pregnancy, I’m book marking this for the future. I so over packed last time. Like you, I packed two outfits last time – a newborn and 0-3 – which was good that I did as the kiddo came out at 8’12” and barely lost any in those first few days.
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast says
I’m having a hard time remembering! I do think I overpacked, but I’d rather be prepared than forget something. I do remember being grateful for snacks, comfy clothes, and basic toiletries that were mine, not the birthing centers. I agree on the baby’s coming home outfit- I’ll keep it simple, too. Eeek, you’re so close!!
Marie says
We brought Claire’s baby book with us – right after she was born the nurses were so nice and were happy to add her foot prints and her hand prints to it. I’m so glad I dragged it with. I loved having yoga pants and a hoodie/jacket (zip up!) as I felt more myself walking around and having visitors, etc. Don’t forget to stock up at home on things you may need and won’t want to have to run out for. I loved the first week at home so much such special bonding time as a family. Good luck to you! Very excited for all three of you to welcome a new baby girl (lucky! I lOVE girls!!)
Avery @ Young Aspirations says
Your hospital bag is probably the closest to mine that I’ve seen! I know for a fact I probably over packed, but having no idea what to expect I figure better safe than sorry! So glad you mentioned your vitamins though because I totally did NOT think of that! Gonna go pack them now! 🙂 Looking forward to “meeting” your baby girl and just because I’m not sure how many posts will be left, hope your delivery goes safely and smoothly! 🙂
Kelly says
God bless those mesh undies!! I begged the nurses for an extra pair to take home with me. I had two pairs and I washed them in my bathroom sink every night. Lol.
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
I seriously stayed in the hospital gown for two days after I delivered. It took all I had to actually get out of bed after my c-section, and between going to the NICU to see the girls and actually getting up to shower, I just could not even fathom having any sort of pressure on my incision from other clothes! I will say though, that I felt much better after I did put on my own clothes!
Morgan says
this is so helpful and insightful! I’m due June 4 with my first, so trying to figure out what is ACTUALLY needed is hard! I love when STM give input on the hospital bag!
char eats greens says
Love the idea of the makeup remover towelettes; snacks, FOR SURE!!! I brought make-up bag too, and one day I even more Tyler’s track pants because they were so big and baggy (aka heaven!)
I think this is a great hospital bag!! And totally love the idea of gift exchange for the sisters!!
Jamie says
I loved having my own toiletries- I don’t think I’ll ever forget that first shower!! Lots of lanolin, comfy cute nursing PJS, and slipper socks for sure. Also, for baby I will now always bring my own wipes. They had dry wipes at our hospital and those will not do! Also, I brought chocolates and blank thank you cards for the nurses. I think they really appreciated that. My mom also brought some hershey kisses that I left on a table in my room so that all of the staff that came to help me could have a treat. This is making me excited for my due date! Not until August but I know it will be here soon!
Katya says
Soft toilet paper!! Hospital tp is always hard and horrible 🙂 and every labouring or post birth mama deserves soft toilet paper, trust me!
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helpdesk.sunsetmarchadors.com says
Hey! This post couldn’t be written any better!
Reading through this post reminds me of my previous
room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this page to him.
Pretty sure he will have a good read. Many thanks for sharing!
Gloria Miranda says
My sister is on her 9th month, luckily I found this article atleast now I know what to bring a day before she give birth. Thank you Brittany for sharing these list of what to do bring for labor and delivery!
Dolph Hoover says
Whenever one of our family members give birth, my grand mother was the personal expert of the family regarding these. This was pretty much a nostalgic feeling when they were panicking for the birth of my sister 5 years ago. you also have similar preferences with backpacking stuff during the phenomenon. Thanks for this Brittany!
Stephen Juarez says
What an awesome thing to document your delivery. Was she your first one Brittany?