What To Pack In Your Hospital Bag For Delivery

When I talk to patients about preparing for a hospital stay, I always recommend that they pack like they’re going to a hotel. Expect to be in the hospital for 1-4 days. Think about things that you would want to have that would make you feel more comfortable. Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women recommends you pack your overnight bag a few weeks before your due date. Below are some suggestions on what to pack:

1. ID, insurance card and any hospital paperwork you need. It is also important to include a list of prescription medications that you are currently taking.
2. Your birth plan. You can learn more, here.
3. Baby Book – if you have a baby book, we can stamp your baby’s footprints in it at delivery. You can also bring any piece of light-colored clothing and we can stamp your baby’s footprints on that as well. (It’s really sweet to see a toddler walking around in a shirt stamped with their baby brother/sister’s footprints on it!)
4. Socks or Slippers – a lot of people don’t like walking around with bare feet, and you’d be surprised how often you will want to change your socks. So pack plenty!
5. Robe – many people aren’t comfortable walking around with visitors in their room while they’re in their pajamas, so a robe is nice to have nearby if you feel more comfortable wearing one while you have guests in your room.
6. Comfy pajamas or clothes – you want to have really comfy pajamas or clothes on hand after you’ve had your baby. Remember, if you end up having a cesarean delivery, you don’t want anything that would be tight against a fresh scar.
7. Phone charger/Camera charger – you will probably be texting, emailing, and even uploading all sorts of things during your stay. These items can lose charge quickly. Make sure your camera has space on its memory card. I’ve seen so many people grab their camera when it’s time to deliver, and then realize that they’re unable to snap a picture because their memory card was full!
8. Toiletries such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant and whatever else will make you feel comfortable.
9. Hair supplies and makeup – just remember that you will probably be taking a lot of pictures. Everyone made fun of me because I kept reapplying my blush during my labor, but now looking back at my pictures, I am so glad I did. Remember that for the rest of your life, someone will probably be looking at the pictures you take while you’re in the hospital.
10. A black nightgown – this is optional, but this was the first thing I packed in my own hospital bag! You want to find one that is comfortable and doesn’t have any metal anywhere on it (like metal snaps). This is what I wore when I delivered my baby. I wanted it to be inexpensive (in case it had to be cut off of me in an emergency), black (to hide anything gross) and free of anything metal (in case I ended up with a cesarean delivery). Many of the custom-made hospital gowns are not that flattering and are expensive. This was simple, inexpensive and looking back at my pictures, I’m so glad that I chose a simple black nightgown.
11. Snacks – of course, the hospital will provide you with food. But I always want a particular granola bar in the morning, so I had small snacks like this packed in my bag for my family and I.
12. Tank tops with spaghetti strings – this is a must pack item if you are planning on breastfeeding. It’s super easy to pull one side down to breastfeed.
13. Boppy – This again, is optional. I bought one with my first pregnancy and never used it. I found a bunch of pillows worked just as well, so that’s what I always used. Some women swear by them though.
14. Something to wear home – remember, after birth, most women are the same shape they were at approximately five months of pregnancy.
15. A set of clothes, a hat and blanket for your baby to wear home.

Things You Won’t Need:

1. Diapers, wipes, pads and breast pads – the hospital will provide these for you.
2. A breast pump – unless you want to make sure your pump parts are the correct size for your nipples, you don’t really need to bring your breast pump to the hospital. I only recommend using a breast pump if your baby is in the NICU (and then you want to pump as soon after delivery as possible), but there will be a hospital breast pump available if you end up needing one.

I hope everyone has an easy and safe delivery. For more information about what to pack in your hospital bag, visit here. To learn more about Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women, visit here.