How to Pack Your Bags for a Hospital Labor and Delivery

Every woman wants that perfect childbirth experience, where we go into the hospital, have a short labor followed by a quick delivery. We have dreams that the baby will spend hours on end sleeping peacefully by our bedside while we recover with rest and relaxation.

One of the things that you have to remember is that you will never be left alone for more than an hour or two. Another thing to realize, is that your baby will most likely spend very little time sleeping peacefully. Both of these things directly relate to each other, in that just when your baby falls asleep, their nurse will come into the room and need to check on the baby, waking it up. Shortly after that, you will once again get the baby to sleep, lay down yourself to get some rest and your nurse will come in needing to check your vitals. And so the cycle goes.

I myself have over-packed for the hospital on several occasions, and it has only been through experience that I have learned what is necessary and what is not. You may have plans to catch up on some reading, knitting, scrap booking or correspondence where you try to write letters or birth announcements. The fact is, nothing will get done for the few days you are in the hospital and taking along something to do to keep you busy is just not necessary. So leave the extras at home for when you have time to yourself.

When you are packing your bag, keep it simple and light. You will be leaving the hospital with much more than you came with. In addition to your baby, you will be leaving with diapers and often times hospitals will give out diaper bags. You will have a folder full of paperwork that includes tips on taking care of your new baby along with information for local organizations that offer services for when the baby comes home. You may have gifts from friends and family for you and your baby and possibly flowers and/or balloons.

For your clothing, remember that you will not be fitting into your pre-pregnancy clothes the moment you give birth. Even if you are only going to be in the hospital for a day or two, it is best to be prepared, but there is no reason to over-pack. The main thing is that you need to think of comfort over appearance. You will need:

~ 2-3 Pairs of comfortable elastic waist pants, something from early or mid pregnancy. Dark colors are a better choice than light ones in case they get stained with blood. You also don’t want your pants to fit too tight, or you will just be uncomfortable.
~ 2-3 Loose fitting comfy shirts.
~ 5-6 Pairs of underwear. In my opinion, you can never have too many pairs of underwear!
~ 4-5 Pairs of socks (I went through 3 pairs just in labor and delivery with one of my children!)
~ 2-3 Pairs of pajama’s or nightgown again pack something comfortable.
~ If you wear a robe, bring that too.
~ If you wear slippers, bring a pair of those too.

If you are going to be nursing you will need to bring 2-3 nursing bras, if your milk comes in while you are in the hospital, it might get soiled and will need to be replaced. You will also need 6-7 sets of nursing pads to go into your nursing bra in case you leak milk.

If you are bottle feeding, bring a few of the bottles that baby will be using at home so they get used to their own bottle right away. This way baby doesn’t get confused or have to spend time transitioning from one type of bottle to another.

A copy of your birthing plan. You want to make sure that everything that is important you is known to everyone involved in your baby’s birth. Any information such as immunization preference, your circumcision preference, who is or is not allowed in the delivery room at the time of delivery, is dad going to want to cut the cord, will the baby stay bedside or go to the nursery, or anything else that you feel the need to tell your birthing team. Make sure that all of your wishes and preferences are written down and that every one knows what they are.

A small notebook or childbirth journal. Even if you or your partner does not have time to write down what is happening at which specific time, it is a good idea to have at least a small notebook and pen to write down any questions, or concerns that you are having during labor and while you are alone in your room. This way if you think of something you want to ask your delivery nurse or midwife while they are out of the room, you have it written down for when they come back in. You would be surprised at how quickly an important question can escape your mind when you are in labor.

A small CD player with some of your favorite music. You don’t have to stick with classical music, bring whatever makes you feel good. Some hospitals have CD players in the birthing suite, but don’t count on it to be available or in working condition. It is best to bring in your own if you want to listen to music while in labor and while delivering your baby.

A camera or video recorder. Even if you are not taking pictures or recording the delivery, they are equally good for both before and afterward, along with the next day or two that you will be spending in the hospital. It is also nice to get going home photos or videos. Don’t forget to buy extra batteries or charge the batteries and have them ready to go.

A laptop computer. If you have wireless service, check to see if you can bring your laptop with you. That way you can keep friends and family updated with email, on your blog, twitter or facebook.

Battery chargers for your phone, laptops, video recorder, camera, etc.

Your shower bag (toiletries) is something else that should be kept simple. All you really need is Chap Stick, shampoo, conditioner, any soap you use for your body or face and deodorant. Your bag will be so much lighter if you pack all sample sizes! A hairbrush and if you have long hair that you want to keep out of your face during labor and delivery it is a good idea to bring barrettes, a headband and/or hair ties or scrunches. A hair dryer is optional and up to you. Bring your favorite scented lotion, this will make you feel good after delivery, and can be massaged into your lower back during labor to help ease the pain. I love to take lavender lotion with me!

Pack a few things for your partner or birthing coach. A few of their favorite snacks, drinks or even a sandwich in a cooler in case labor is long. That way they don’t have to run out for food in the middle of everything or go without to be by your side. If they are planning to spend the night, make sure they have some comfy clothes and toiletries as well.

If you think you are not going to like the food at the hospital, or feel as if you will be hungry between meals, bring along your favorite snacks. There is no food service anywhere in the middle of the night and I always get hungry during those middle of the night feedings. Several dollars worth of change is good to have for the vending machine if you or your partner does need to run out for snacks in the middle of the night, either during or after labor.

While you are in the hospital, they will provide plenty of clothes for your baby. You will just need a going home outfit for your baby and a little hat. You might want to bring a back up, just in case you get baby dressed and just before heading out the door they mess all over it. Depending on the weather and your location, you may or may not need a blanket or protective cover for the car seat (if it is the middle of winter).

A car seat. The hospital will not let you leave without it! You should install your infant seat in your vehicle several weeks before you due date so that you are not trying to figure out to install it just before being discharged. You can also take your vehicle to the police department or first aide crew to have them double check to make sure it is installed properly.

If you have older siblings, ask them to each pick out one small item to take with you. Tell them that you need something special from them that you can keep close and help you to feel better while you are away from them.

Each of my babies, after my first, have come bearing gifts for older siblings. When the big brothers have come to visit, they have all received a small gift from the new baby. The new baby usually brings something small and simple like a new book, small sough after toy or a T-Shirt with the most recent favorite character or favorite hobby pictured on the front. All of my children still remember and cherish the gifts that the new baby gave to them when they entered our lives.

There are a few things that I have found that are just not worth packing. Those include books, magazines, knitting or crocheting, scrap booking, any type of work related materials, playing cards, personal pillows or blankets, maxi-pads, pre-pregnancy clothes, a stop watch, wash cloths, a razor, laundry bag, breast pump, diaper rash cream, baby powder or other toiletries for baby.

Try to keep things as simple as possible. When you enter the hospital, you will be in labor and you really don’t need to haul around more than you actually need. When you leave the hospital, you are going to want to get out quick with very little extra effort.