In your third trimester, you’ll reach a point in time when baby can come at any time! It’s smart to prepare your hospital bag in advance, so you can grab it and go when the moment arrives. A few weeks before your due date, pack an overnight bag for you and your support person.
Especially if you’re a first-time pregnant mom, being prepared and having a hospital bag checklist can help you avoid stress during the early stages of labor and ensure you’re ready to leave for the hospital at a moment’s notice.
We want you to be as prepared as possible for your stay at Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women. That’s why we created this handy checklist for what to pack in your hospital bag.
We’ve aimed to make this list as comprehensive as possible, so you can decide which items are best for your needs and comfort during labor and delivery. But rest assured — the only absolute necessities are you and your baby!
Hospital bag essentials
Preparing your hospital bag in advance can help reduce stress and ensure you’re ready when it’s time to welcome your baby. Download our hospital bag checklist and use it to ensure you have what you need for childbirth. Having your chosen items on hand can make your labor, delivery and postpartum experience more comfortable. Most women will stay in the hospital for about 24 hours after a vaginal delivery and 2–3 days after a C-section. It’s smart to plan for a longer stay even if you think you’ll likely return home more quickly.
From essential documents and clothing for mom to must-haves for your newborn, packing with a hospital bag checklist thoughtfully ensures you’ll have everything you need for this special journey. Of course, take time to consider what’s essential for your hospital bag for you to be comfortable and have a pleasant childbirth and hospital stay.
Be sure to include in your hospital bag and bring with you:
Your insurance card and any hospital paperwork you need
A list of prescription medications you’re currently taking, along with their dosage, to share with your doctor upon check-in
Hospital bag: What to pack for pregnant mom
When packing your hospital bag, consider what items may help you be comfortable in the hospital and what you need daily for health and wellbeing. Start with comfortable clothing, such as a loose-fitting robe, nursing bras, non-slip socks and different change of clothes. Don’t forget personal care items like toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush and lip balm. Comfort items like a pillow, blanket, journal or your favorite playlist can help ease the experience. Pack in your hospital bag any foods or snacks that you enjoy, too.
Popular hospital bag items for mom:
Nursing bras or tanks. Whether you plan to breastfeed or not, nursing bras and tanks may feel more comfortable after delivery and make it easier to nurse, pump or maintain skin-to-skin contact with your baby
Loose-fitting pants and/or robe. Ideally, pants should be soft with a comfortable waistband. You may also prefer maternity leggings
Nonslip socks will help keep feet warm and prevent slipping on the floor
Slip-on shoes for your return home. Your feet may be swollen, so avoid anything too fitted
Toiletries, such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, hairbrush and whatever else will make you feel comfortable
Eyeglasses. It’s best to leave contact lenses at home
Music playlist of your choice and possibly a speaker to use during labor
Lip balm to use during labor
Cell phone and charger
A notebook and pencil to write down any questions you may have for your doctor
Massage essentials, such as oils, lotions and tennis balls or a plastic rolling pin to roll across your lower back
Other comfort items, such as a favorite pillow, blanket or photos
Snacks and a water bottle. Items that are easy to eat, such as granola bars or dried fruit, are good choices
Hospital bag: What to pack for baby
The Pavilion for Women will provide most of the items you’ll need for your newborn while in the hospital.
Items that we provide:
Disposable diapers and wipes
Hat to wear in the hospital (we don’t recommend babies wear hats indoors after discharge)
T-shirts
Socks
Swaddling blankets to use while in the hospital
Everything needed for baby's first bath
Popular items for hospital bag for the baby:
A breastfeeding pillow
An emery board to shorten baby's nails
A special outfit if you plan to have newborn photos taken
A going-home outfit
Important: An approved infant car seat properly installed in your vehicle is required for the trip home.
Hospital bag: Postpartum care
After labor and childbirth, the Pavilion for Women will provide the supplies you’ll need to care for yourself. You’ll only need to pack those special items that will make you more comfortable.
Items that we provide:
Disposable underwear
Ice packs
Postpartum pads
A perineal spray bottle for when you use the restroom
Nipple cream
Body wash and shampoo
Cooling witch hazel pads
A spray medication to soothe perineal pain
Hospital breast pump and pump parts if you need to pump during your hospital stay
Hospital bag: What your support person should pack
Your support person won’t need much — just what they need to be comfortable for a couple of days. Consider packing the following for the hospital:
Change of clothes
Comfortable shoes. They should anticipate a lot of standing during labor and delivery
Snacks and beverages
Toiletries, such as toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.
Cell phone and charger
What to leave home and not add to hospital bag checklist
Some items are safer at home, including:
Jewelry. You may need to remove jewelry, and it can easily get lost
Cash and other valuables
Contact lenses
Your personal-use breast pump and pump parts. Most people don’t need to pump during their hospital stay, but if you do, we’ll provide everything you need.
Downloadable hospital bag checklist
Use our printable checklist to ensure you have what you need for childbirth.
Labor and delivery at Texas Children’s in Austin or Houston
In both of our locations, Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women offers state-of-the-art labor and delivery services designed to ensure the health and comfort of both mother and baby.
