Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Stages

Hospital bag checklist: What to pack for your labor and delivery stay

Items to pack that go to the hospital with you

By
Pregnant woman packing a hospital bag.
New Africa / Shutterstock

Throughout your pregnancy, you’ve spent a lot of time planning. From organizing the nursery to buying the baby clothes and stocking up on supplies to short-listing baby names — you’ve been busy. Now you’re ready to finally welcome your little one, but first, you need to plan one more thing.

Packing your hospital bag for your labor and delivery stay is as important as planning for your new baby’s arrival, and we’re here to help you with a handy hospital bag checklist, so you won’t forget anything while you make the dash to the hospital.

Recommended Videos

When to pack the hospital bag

Pregnant woman packing a hospital bag.
JGI/Jamie Grill / Getty Images

One thing we know about babies is they are unpredictable, and as much as you have planned their arrival around your due date, things change quickly. That means you really don’t want to be waiting until the last minute to pack that hospital bag. Due dates aren’t always accurate, and sometimes babies come earlier than expected, and you could get overwhelmed and tired as you near the end of your pregnancy. You’ll want to have your hospital bag packed and ready to go early in your third trimester.

Related

Where to put the bag

Make sure your partner or any other support person is aware of where your bag is so they could grab it, especially if you aren’t home when you need to go to the hospital. Keep it in a closet or easy-to-grab area. Don’t put it in a place only you would remember because baby brain might kick in and you won’t remember where that was. If you’re working, keeping it in your car would be a good idea. Pop it in the trunk, and then you have it in case you go into labor at work.

What to pack for Mom

Pregnant woman packing diaper bag.
New Africa / Shutterstock

Your time in the hospital will hopefully be brief, but you want to ensure you have everything you need. Consider what you’re going to wear to the hospital, during your stay, and when you leave the hospital. Remember, your body will undergo a lot of changes after delivery and comfort will be key.

Choose loose-fitting items without pesky seams that will rub against sore and tender skin. Picking the right underwear is also important, especially if you end up undergoing a cesarean section. You’ll want cotton underwear with a higher waist, so it won’t irritate stitches while accommodating postpartum pads.

Clothing

  • Maternity underwear or comfortable underwear you are okay with possibly being ruined quickly
  • Nursing bras or other bras that are comfortable and provide support
  • Socks, especially slipper socks for slippery hospital floors and/or slippers
  • Comfortable loungewear, whether that’s pajamas or joggers, or a robe — you want layers since the hospital’s temperature is an unknown
  • Slip-on shoes because you won’t be able to bend over to tie laces yet
  • Comfortable going home outfit

Toiletries

  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Hairbrush/comb and scrunchies, elastics, or clips to put your hair up
  • Lip balm, lotion, and any skincare items for your normal routine
  • Deodorant, face wash, shampoo, and conditioner
  • Absorbent maxi pads (the hospital will give you these, but you might want to have your own)
  • Towels — hospital towels can be small and scratchy

Other

  • ID and insurance card
  • Pens for all the forms you’ll be filling out
  • Cell phone charger
  • Birth plan (if applicable)
  • Glasses (if you wear them)
  • Book or magazine for a long labor
  • A few light snacks
  • An extra bag to pack gifts and samples given out by the hospital

What to pack for baby

A parent holding a newborn baby in the hospital room
Christian Bowen / Unsplash

The hospital will have everything you need for your baby during your stay, including diapers, wipes, blankets, and gowns. You’ll want to have a few special things for your little one for their trip home.

  • Going home outfit and hat (you may want to pack two options in different sizes)
  • Blanket
  • Receiving blankets or burp cloths for quick clean-ups on the way home
  • Car seat
  • Pediatrician information
  • Bottles (if you’re not planning to breastfeed)
  • Any namesake/family heirloom item you want to see them born with

What to pack for any labor and delivery support people

Pregnant woman in labor at hospital.
ALPA PROD / Shutterstock

Although mom and baby are the priority when packing for a hospital stay, your partner or labor support person may need a few supplies. Packing a few snacks (like granola bars and water) would come in handy, especially if you labor overnight or longer. Cafeterias will be closed at night and having something quick to grab will help your partner stay energized without having to leave your side.

They should have a change of clothes and a small bag of personal toiletry items to freshen up with, especially if they don’t want to leave the hospital. Your partner may want to download a few episodes of a favorite show, bring a book, or have some games handy to pass away those long hours in the hospital.

Make sure everyone has their bag

Have one bag with your essentials, one for the baby, and one for any extras to help you easily access what you need during your stay. For new mothers who give birth without any complications, the typical time is between one and two days, so there’s no need to pack for an extended stay. Should you require a lengthier visit, have a backup bag at home ready for someone to bring to you.

Try not to overpack

Pregnant woman planning for baby.
Larysa Vasylenko / Shutterstock

Now is not the time to overpack, as most people leave the hospital with more than what they arrived with. Between gifts for the baby, hospital supplies, and the paperwork that comes with having a newborn, you will have your hands full when leaving the hospital.

Don’t bring these things

  • All of your electronics
  • Too many outfits for you or baby
  • Anything valuable/jewelry
  • Too much food

You are going to be in labor, you won’t need your laptop, phone, or tablet. Leave the electronics at home and catch up on Law & Order on the hospital television. The same goes for clothes. You may not even have the strength to shower every day you are there, so no need to bring 17 outfit changes. You probably had to ditch wearing jewelry after your second trimester, but leave valuables at home.

Depending on the type of labor you have, you may not even be allowed to eat anything more than ice chips, so don’t worry about bringing leftovers from home. Plus, moms get meals during the hospital stay, so you shouldn’t have to bring more than light snacks.

Help take some stress out of having a baby by having everything you need packed and ready to go at least a few weeks before your due date. These items are just a guideline to help you decide what you want to pack in your own bag. Everyone’s needs are different, and the most important thing is that you’ve planned properly and are ready to go before your baby arrives.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Kelli Catana
Kelli Catana
Contributor
Kelli is a freelance writer who has covered the world of entertainment, pop culture, parenting, and lifestyle for various…
6 quick meal ideas for pregnant women that are still healthy
Healthy recipes perfect for pregnancy
Pregnant woman with fruit and orange juice.

Pregnancy takes a toll on the body. Not only are you tired, but you are super nauseated, your feet hurt, your back aches, and man, are you hungry! When you're pregnant, the last thing you may feel like doing is cooking. Moreover, while your tummy could be audibly rumbling (and you know you need to eat food), the smell of certain ingredients may leave you feeling less than eager or excited.
What's a ravenous soon-to-be mama to do? You know, besides ordering takeout for the millionth day in a row. Time to motivate. No need to rely on pizza again; we've got you covered in the kitchen. We're sharing six healthy pregnancy recipes that will take 30 minutes or less to prepare. They're simple, they're healthy, and they'll keep you satisfied -- so you can get back to putting up those sore feet and resting your heavy eyes.
Why nutrition is so important

We all know that it's important to eat a healthy, balanced diet at all times, especially during pregnancy, but many people don't know why it's so important. Not only does eating healthy during pregnancy help your baby grow and develop in utero, but it also helps you have a healthy pregnancy and reduces the risks of such complications as gestational diabetes, preterm birth, obesity-related complications, and in some situations preeclampsia and high blood pressure. Eating healthy can be difficult for those who don't love to cook and are accustomed to ordering in or dining out, but we try to make it as easy and uncomplicated as possible with these recipe ideas.
Go with garlic-lemon salmon

Read more
Home birth: What you need to know about the benefits and risks
Here are some things to learn about before making this choice
Pregnant couple sitting on the couch with a monitor.

All pregnant women have a picture in their head of their ideal birth. The type of pain relief or lack thereof, the music and ambiance, and the time leading up to the birth have all been thought through dozens of times by the mom. With more women wanting to have more control and power over their bodies, home births are on the rise as a favored labor option. While every pregnant person should check with their doctor to see if they are a great candidate for a home birth, here are the pros and cons to know before your due date.
Home birth benefits

People want a home birth for all of the benefits it offers the family. Here are perks that may attract you to this type of birth.
You will be in a comfortable surrounding
Being in your home or other safe space instead of the hospital is more relaxing for the mother. Even if you have visited the hospital a few times during the pregnancy — nothing beats being at home.
The mother will have more control
A mom's home is her castle, and she runs it well. A mother giving birth at home feels empowered to have more control over everything from the birthing position to sounds to using any aids like oils or candles to make it more comfortable.
There's room for a support system
Since COVID, the number of people allowed in the birthing room has been lowered, and in some cases, hasn't gone back up from just one additional person in the room. A home birth allows for as many (or as few) people as you want to be there for it.
Family can be included
Hospitals usually don't allow siblings in the birth space. We get it. A home birth lets siblings be a part of the process as much as the mother wants, which could be a special bonding time for the kids.
Recovery starts immediately and is usually easier
There's nothing that drives a woman who has just given birth to insanity than waiting for those discharge papers. With a home birth, you are already home and can immediately start healing.
Other perks for a home birth

Read more
Getting pregnant after a miscarriage: What you need to know
Guidelines for navigating pregnancy following a miscarriage
Doctor talking to pregnant patient

Miscarriage doesn't just have an emotional impact on a person, but a physical one too. Some people may be mentally ready to try to get pregnant before they are physically ready. One in five pregnancies ends in miscarriage, but it's not often announced widely. These losses can happen up until the 20th week of pregnancy (after that, they are considered a stillbirth), and while the physical and emotional toll can be very different in the first trimester versus the second trimester, the grief of losing a pregnancy is something to be worked through no matter how many weeks along you were.

Pregnancy after miscarriage can almost feel taboo, given the gravity of it all, but pregnancy after a miscarriage can bring many families a wide array of emotions. How long do you have to wait before trying again, and how long should you wait? Does having a miscarriage increase your risk of another one, and can your previous miscarriage affect your new pregnancy? We'll answer your questions.
What causes a miscarriage?

Read more