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Written by

Roxanne Albert, BSN, RNC-OB

Packing for the Hospital: Roxanne’s 9 Birth Prep Necessities

  • Birth, Birth Preparation

Packing for the Hospital can be overwhelming, especially the first time! We tend to overpack and bring out entire house and some into the hospital with us. 

The amount of stuff you will need in each category will be dependent on a few things

  • Are you being induced? or spontaneous labor? If being induced I would pack for more days in labor just in case because it can take 24-72 hours!
  • First baby or subsequent baby? Usually they will want you to stay closer to 48 hours with baby #1, but more likely to discharge after only 24 hours with subsequent babies.
  • Mode of Delivery: Planning Vaginal or Known C-section? Some hospitals will keep those who had C-sections longer, up to 96 hours!!
  • Will baby need to stay in the NICU/Nursery? This will change how long you may be in the hospital for, if you can and plan to stay until baby is discharged
 

Read below on what I will be bringing to my hospital birth based on my past two births and my experience as a labor and delivery/postpartum Nurse!

Check out our Amazon List “Hospital Packing List” For easy to order product recommendations*

Packing For The Hospital: What to Bring?

Packing For The Hospital

Documents/Admin Items

These are documents that make it so you can be checked into the hospital and your insurance can be charged:

  • ID Card/License – so they can verify that you are who you say you are, this is sometimes required by insurances
  • Insurance Card – if you have a separate card for insurance they may need a copy again
  • Pre-registration paperwork/info (if that is required) Some hospitals will require you to pre-register to make the sign-in process easier and quicker when you show up in labor. This is not always required, so ensure you ask at your prenatal appointments! 
  • Birth Plan printed for Medical chart and Bedside table – have multiple copies for different people to be able to reference and read through your birth options. 

Clothing

Packing for your clothes may be separated into labor and postpartum.

Labor

  • Labor Gown/Robe: You may want to bring your own gown to wear, there are some available online that still allow for fetal monitors to be placed easily. I will be bringing a robe to wear during labor because the hospital gowns make my skin itchy. 
  • Nursing Bra to wear during labor: I found wearing a bra during labor made me feel more comfortable throughout labor than being braless for all who entire my room to see. I also brought a bathing suit top for when I got into the shower/tub, but found I could’ve just brought multiple bras to change out during labor. I plan to pack the Baobei Bralette to wear during labor, but I will bring a Bodily Bra as well! 
  • Mesh Underwear – this isn’t a pre-packing item but will ask when I get to the hospital to have to again, feel more comfortable.

Postpartum

  • Comfy Robe: I will mostly be focusing on nursing my baby during this time, and I need easy access to the milk. So just a robe is all I will need in the hospital to stay warm while having access to my breasts. It will be a comfy and warm robe though! I am always cold and will need something to keep my arms warm
  • Nursing Bras/Tank tops: I will have lots of Bodily Everything Bras and probably at least one of the tank tops for easy nursing without additional compression. 
  • Baobei Bloomers: MUST have for postpartum, especially if I will be moving around. I will likely get stir crazy in the hospital room and will want to venture into the halls at some point, and will need some perineal and abdominal support when doing so! It will also be very helpful for when we get discharged from the hospital to be supported! 
  • Going Home Outfit: Vuori Joggers and a loose shirt/tank top. I want to be as comfy for the long drive home as possible, and I know my jogger sweat pants will stretch to accomodate my belly and all my postpartum diaper fluff. Some choose to wear a loose fitting dress or even yoga leggings, not my style.  
  • Comfy/Warm Socks and/or Slippers: My feet are always cold! So having something to keep my feet nice and toasty in the hospital is a must for me. I will also bring my Ugg slippers to walk around in and keep my feet warm. 

Toiletries

I will likely bring the toiletry/hygenie items I usually use on a daily basis with an addition of a few postpartum specific items.

  • Shampoo/Conditioner: Will put it in travel size containers for both myself and husband!
  • Skin Care Routine: Travel size of my beautycounter routine
  • Body Lotion: The hospital air just dries my skin out!
  • Deodorant: Primally Pure Deodorant has been my go to for Postpartum BO lately! (Use code MAMASTEFIT10 for 10% off your order)
  • Chapstick: Dry lips from the combo of breathing during labor and the dry hospital air. Primally Pure also has a nice chapstick!
  • Toothbrush/Toothpaste: I use boka toothpaste personally and a burst electric toothbursh
  • Partner Specific Toiletries! Don’t let them forget their deodorant or toothbrush!!
  • Shower Shoes…because it’s still a hospital shower
  • Postpartum-specific items: Items I prefer to the hospital-supplied version or that they do not usually give!

Labor Comfort Items

Specific Items I will want used during labor that is not at the hospital:

Some of these items are in Gina’s Doula bag. So I won’t have to pack them myself, but will ensure she has them!

Sleep

We will likely have to sleep at least one night in the hospital. So having the items to make it the most comfortable as I can:

  • Pillow: Hospital Pillows are like paper thin and not comfortable AT ALL
  • Blanket from home: I didn’t originally pack this with my first, but my mom brought me one and it made the stay a little more homey. 
  • Sound machine/Portable travel fan to help make it easier to sleep with all the russle and bustle of a hospital outside. My husband likes having white noise when he sleeps.

Electronics

Any electronics that may be needed during the labor and hospital stay!

I don’t do diffusers so this is minimal for me.

Partner Items

Don’t let your partner be forgot!! Especially if they plan to stay with you during the hospital stay!

They will also need clothes, toiletries, and any necessary items they need for the length of stay in the hospital!

Nourishment

SNACKS!!!! I will be packing all the snacks for both Labor and Postpartum

Labor

Easy to eat and digest snacks

Postpartum

Nutritious snacks that are easy to consume, as in all I need to do is open the package! No preparation is needed!

 
Seeing if your hospital has good reviews for their meals is good for planning! Also asking if they receive Doordash/Uber eats deliveries can be helpful if you do not like the hospital food at all!

Baby Supplies

Most of what the baby will need is provided by the hospital! So no need to pack a ton of extra stuff you will not need, like diapers or wipes! Some will even provide some sort of diaper rash cream if needed or wanted.

Items I will pack specific for the baby: 

  • Clothes– the hospital will provide onesies or shirts for them to wear while in the hospital but most like to bring their own clothes!
    • Onesie, especially if you plan to take some pictures in the hospital in specific outfits
    • Pajamas – it can be cold in the hospital, and we want to try to keep them warm when not doing skin-to-skin
    • Going home outfit! This is the most exciting one to pick out in my opinion!
    • Bring multiple sizes of each! Because we do not know how big or small our baby will be! 
  • Blanket – the hospital does provide one, but it is supposed to be for only hospital use. So you cannot take it home. Having one for the drive home can be nice. Also, they are not the warmest or softest of blankets, so I prefer my own! 
  • Diaper Rash Cream, Just in case. Primally Pure has a baby balm that I will be trying out as well that I packed!
  • Nursing Pillow – I plan to bring the “my breast friend” pillow to provide more support when nursing
  • Silverettes – I know i am going to have some sort of nipple soreness from breastfeeding, These are MAGIC! I prefer them over lanolin and other creams

Snag Our Free Birth Plan Template and Hospital Packing List

Packing for the Hospital: The List is Not Limited to These Items...

These 9 birth preparation necessities provide invaluable guidance for packing your hospital bag and ensuring you have the essentials for a comfortable stay.

But feel free to adjust the above list to your own needs and you should be prepared for your hospital stay for labor and postpartum!

Remember, a well-prepared hospital bag not only eases your physical needs but also brings a sense of comfort and familiarity during a momentous time.

If you are looking for other ways to prepare for postpartum check out my Prepare for Postpartum blog here.

Embrace a confident journey into motherhood with our Childbirth Education Course at MamasteFit.

Prepare yourself for a joyful and empowered birth experience. Enroll now and embrace the knowledge to welcome your little one with love and strength.