Packing your hospital bag (one for you and your husband (if he will be with you) and one for your baby) can cause different emotions. I remember myself packing the hospital bag with my husband. It felt like I was doing something I had no clue of doing. I watched many videos, read different articles, books, and talked to moms to make sure I get a hand with it. However, it still felt like I knew nothing. Being a mom-to-be for the first time is weird.
After long research and my experience, I put everything I found necessary here in one place. In the following parts, you will be able to see the things you need to pack before heading to the hospital, the ones you may or may not need to pack as well as the last-minute items to grab on your way to the hospital.
PACKING BEFORE HEADING TO THE HOSPITAL
- Car Seat and Baby Car Seat Cushion
You will have a human being in your arms, not in your tummy anymore. That’s why you will need something where you can put your baby safely when taking them home from the hospital. Some hospitals require car seats, while others may be more flexible.
Talk to your doctor about your options.
2. Only One Luggage for You and Your Husband
The choice of the bag is up to you, but I would recommend something you do not need to carry. Having one light weighted luggage makes a huge difference. Having your arms free will be very useful for the life that is ahead of you. If you can fit your and your husband’s clothes into one luggage, that would be ideal.
3. Two Pairs of Slippers
Comfy slippers may help you feel at home. Also, do not forget to pack a pair of slippers for the shower.
4. Wet Wipes
I try to always have wet wipes with me. You may never know when they come in handy. However, now that you are about to have your precious little one, I suggest having extra delicate wet wipes that are safe to use on their skin.
5. Underwear
It depends on the days you are going to spend in the hospital. Packing 5-6 undies will most probably work. Also, make sure to pack the panties you wore before pregnancy as well in case the large ones you started wearing during pregnancy do not feel right anymore after the delivery.
6. Disposable Postpartum Diapers
Disposable postpartum diapers may be provided by your hospital. However, having the ones of your choice won’t hurt. I would recommend the ones that are made of 100% cotton.
7. Morning Gown
Having a morning gown in the hospital may help you feel more comfortable walking the halls during labor.
8. Comfy Clothes
Having a couple of large-sized t-shirts, shorts, or dresses (you name it) is important. You will need to wear baggy clothes to avoid sore nipples, and healing after giving birth will be much easier in comfy clothes.
9. Nursing Bras
If you are planning on breastfeeding, say hello to the new world of nursing bras. Packing 2-3 nursing bras will most probably be more than enough. I ended up not wearing them that much (only when I went outside of my room) and did my best to have my nipples air dry. However, you may want to have them in place just in case.
10. Lanolin Crème for Nipples
You can start using this creme even before you are expected to give birth as it will prepare your nipples for their primary job. 🙂 It prevents cracks and pain and makes the process of getting used to this new life task becomes smoother and quicker.
11. Nursing Nightdress
A hospital gown may be provided by your hospital. However, having your own will help you feel more comfortable and cozier.
12. Haakaa
Your breasts may leak some colostrum and milk which is beneficial for the baby. Having it collected in haakaa will make the process so much easier.
13. Cardigan and Socks
Even if your delivery is scheduled in summer, you may never know. Bear in mind that having a C-section may cause you to feel cold as the operating theaters tend to be freezing.
14. Toiletry
I would suggest getting two different toiletries ready. One of them you can put into your luggage right away, and the other one you will pick up on the day you head to the hospital.
The one you can pack right away should consist of a toothbrush, toothpaste, hair ties, hygienic pads, soap, body lotion, massage oil, hand sanitizer, shampoo/body wash, bath gloves, and deodorant.
15. Towels
One towel for your body, one for your face, and one for your hands will do. I got 2 of all of these for my husband as well. However, check with your hospital if they provide you with those beforehand.
16. Birth Plan
Okay, so, for this one, I got weird looks here in Turkey. If you are from the US, you are familiar with this. However, having it prepared will 100% help you not think about how to express yourself during contractions. You may even want your husband (or someone else who will be with you) do it for you as you will be in pain and not really in the mood for answering questions and deciding what you want and what you don’t want on the spot.
17. Charger (Long One)
The labor may last long, especially if it is your first time delivering. That’s why occupying your mind with something other than the labor itself will be helpful. Sometimes you may be willing to use your phone, laptop, or read a book to kill time.
Having a short charger can ruin the experience if the plugger is far away from your bed, or makes you be in an uncomfortable position. That’s why having 2-3 m long charger may save the long waiting hours.
18. Manual Hand Fan
Having your husband cool you down with a manual hand fan or electric one will mean a lot, especially if it is summertime. Think of birth as an intense workout that may last for hours with breaks in between.
19. Water Bottle with a Straw
Having your water bottle WITH A STRAW will be very helpful as you may want your husband or whoever is with you at that time give you water when you need it.
20. Nursing Pillow
The nursing pillow may help you feel more in control with breastfeeding when you get to have the baby in your hands for the first time.
20. Heading to Hospital / Coming Home Outfit
Having your clothes ready for labor day will save the minutes you will need to reach the hospital in time. Also, make sure to prepare the outfit you are going to put on when leaving the hospital. The last thing you will want to think about before leaving the hospital is clothes on your way home.
LAST MINUTE ITEMS
The items I listed below are the ones you can put on your last-minute item list so you can grab them right before heading to the hospital.
1. Last Minute Toiletry
The last-minute toiletry should consist of the makeup you use (foundation, lip-gloss, etc.). Make sure to have it ready beforehand so you can pick it up on the day you head to the hospital without thinking about what you need during the contractions.
2. Laptop
Watching some series, videos, or anything entertaining with your partner may help you kill some time and get your mind off labor itself.
3. Headphones, Phone, Wallet
ID cards, credit cards, cash, and coins for vending machines are all must-haves. Make sure to have them at their place so you can pick them up quickly. You have no time to lose.
4. Snacks
Hospitals differ when it comes to allowing moms to eat during the waiting time. It also depends on whether the birth is going to be natural or C-section. Healthy sweets like dates and 100% organic apple juice are great foods for labor. It is recommended to eat dates right after the delivery for better milk production.
Also, do not forget to pack snacks for your partner, too! I packed one bag for my husband and me just in case we are hungry in the middle of the night.
5. Stress Ball
When in pain, holding onto stress balls and pressing them as hard as possible helped me release the pain.
6. Mint Oil
Sometimes, women feel nausea during labor. They even throw up sometimes. Smelling the mint oil can help your stomach feel less irritated and calmer.
7. Nurse’s Gifts
We have got to appreciate the hard work of the nurses. Their job requires a lot of effort, dedication, sleepless nights, and extra care. Showing our appreciation by gifting them may mean the world to them. They do deserve it. I packed a huge bag of snacks for all the nurses that were there with me. You get to choose what you want to gift.
8. Flashcards and Labor Support Cheat Sheets
I laminated the beautiful positive affirmation flashcards, labor support cheat sheets as well as my favorite Qur’anic verses.
Below you can find the links.
Positive affirmations flashcards: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5813a2cb6a49634ff563333e/t/5901c707725e2533f338592a/1493288738979/HB+Place+Positive+affirmations+pdf.pdf
Labor support cheat sheets:
1.https://www.debbiehulldoula.com/uploads/2/0/3/1/20315055/labor_support_cheat_sheet.pdf
2. https://babymooninn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Labor-Cheat-Sheet.pdf
9. Books
Bringing a translation of the Holy Book of Qur’an was my choice.
10. Notebook and Pen
Writing down your thoughts may help you release the stress you may encounter during labor.
BABY BAG
I suggest having a separate bag for the baby items you will need to bring to the hospital. Here is the list of things you will need.
- Swaddles/Blankets
You want to make sure you have a good quality of swaddles/blankets. Pick them according to the season. Here are the ones I am very satisfied with.
2. Diapers and Wet Wipes
I suggest you choose high-quality diapers and wet wipes that are water-based.
3. Sanitizers
4. 2-3 Onesies/Outfits
5. Baby Mittens
6. Silicone Baby Feeding Bottle With A Spoon
You want to make sure you have a silicone baby feeding bottle with a spoon with you. If you want your breastfeeding journey to succeed, bear in mind that offering a bottle right at the start is not a good idea.
7. Burp Cloths
These are the items I believe to be the ones you actually need in the hospital. You may find that some of them are not necessary for you like a night gown or similar. I tried to minimize the list as much as possible but also made sure that it does not miss something that could be of crucial importance to have a better experience. Did I miss something? Please, let me know in the section below. Thank you for stopping by! Have a blessed day!
Any suggestions? Let me know in the comment section below. Thank you for stopping by!