As this week marks my 37th week of pregnancy, our OB let us know that we should be prepared for Baby V to come at any time. We are expecting that he waits until at least next week before he comes, but according to the doctor my recent exam and ultrasound showed him face down and my cervix is shortening. No dilation yet, but I am feeling small contractions and the monitor is picking them up. So at this point, being ready means having my hospital bag packed and a plan for if I go into labor while my husband is at work (he’s trying to save his days for when Baby V is here instead of just taking off on our “waiting” days). All of my close family and friends know what days they are my #1 go to to call for the hospital, but I’m hoping that my labor starts on the weekend or when my husband is home from work.
We have our hospital bags packed and ready by the door. The carseat is installed in the car, and his nursery is pretty much finished – I’ll be sharing the reveal sometime in the next upcoming weeks.
When making my list for what I needed to pack in my hospital bag, the first thing I did (which I HIGHLY recommend everyone do when preparing their hospital bag checklist) was check with my hospital to see what they provide during the stay so that we know what we definitely NEED to bring and what we could do without. Many times, I’ve heard how some women have packed suitcases of things and then didn’t even end up touching the majority of it because the hospital had so many freebies and it was better just to save the ones that were bought for when you get home. Because I’m sure the last thing that any new mom wants to be doing is running out to the store to get postpartum essentials that were used at the hospital that didn’t need to be used.
After checking with my hospital and talking with some other moms who recently gave birth, I finally put together my hospital bag and here’s what’s in it.
For Mom
Weekender Bag | no need to bring a whole suitcase for a max 2 day stay
Robe | easy to wear while breastfeeding with the ability to quickly cover up when visitors come to the room
Going Home Outfit | just one for when it’s time to go home
Sandals | for those who don’t want socks – easy to slip on when going for walks
Nursing Bras (Full Support / Bralette) | I am bringing bralettes for more comfort
Tucks / Depends | the hospital does provide these but I have heard mix reviews on their comfort
Maternity Underwear | mostly for when getting ready to leave
Nursing Friendly PJs | for when you’re ready to walk around outside of your room
Belly Wrap | I’ve heard the earlier you put this on the better – I’m planning on putting it on the day we leave
Portable Charger | to keep phone charged – though you hope many people would just call your partner, you’ll be getting a lot of texts asking to visit
Cosmetic Bag | this is up to your preference, I am bringing a small one just for touch ups for photos and visitors
Large Water Bottle | typically the hospital gives you a cup and a pitcher but if you don’t want to keep refilling constantly
Brush/Comb | to keep your hair fresh
Toiletries | mostly deodorant, soap, sprays, etc.
Secondary Bag | for dirty clothes
Things That I Didn’t Need Because My Hospital Provided Them
Prenatal Vitamins | the nurses told us this was a silly thing to bring – it’s a hospital, they have any and all medications and vitamins
Breast Pump | the breast pump that my OB recommended is the same one that the hospital uses
Toothbrush & Toothpaste | they have small travel sizes
Momwasher | they provide this and also let you take one home
Dermoplast/Perineal Spray | they help you use this during your stay and then give you some to take home
Socks | they have those big one-size socks
Blowdryer | my hospital actually has this already in the bathroom of the labor and postpartum rooms
For Baby
Home-going Outfit | most of the time baby will be swaddled by the hospital blankets, so the nurses say there’s no need for an outfit since they’ll just keep having to take it off
Receiving Blanket | the hospital has plenty, but we are bringing one so that we can take it home to our dog to get him used to the baby’s scent
Burp Cloth | hospital said that we can bring one even though they have experienced most mom’s not use them and just use the cloths that the hospital provides
Boppy Pillow | I’ve heard this is great to use for sitting up and feeding and also for when visitors want to hold the baby
Things That I Didn’t Need Because My Hospital Provided Them
Diapers | they have plenty and even say they send you home with some
Swaddles | they have the generic white, blue and pink one that they swaddle baby in consistently
Blankets | they have the blankets and swaddles
Socks/Mittens | the hospital has little mittens but the nurses have said that they are barely ever used
For Dad
Towels | the hospitals provide towels but when we were there before, my husband didn’t like their size
Snacks | especially for early labor – my husband likes to snack and I don’t think I will be happy if he just keeps leaving the room
Headphones | just in case he wants to listen to his own music or play games on his phone while we wait
Pillow | the pillows at the hospital are usually flat, so best to bring an extra for a little fluff
Camera | to take pictures of the newborn to remember the first memories and to send quick photos to family members
Charger | suggested to bring an extended one because the outlets are not in convenient places
2 Sets of Clothes | max time at the hospital is 2 day for a vaginal delivery
Toiletries | bring deodorant, soap, etc.
Pajamas | something comfy and warm to sleep in since the hospital is cold
Sweatshirt | hospitals are typically freezing
Backpack | to bring all of his things since some of his stuff will be in my bag
Carseat | needed for when we are leaving – nurses recommend to bring it up to the room and put baby in so that when you get to the car you can just click it into the base
This is what we have packed and ready to go. I’ll definitely come back and update this post after my delivery with everything that we used, didn’t use, or wish that we would have had. I would love to hear what you packed and didn’t pack but wish you had during your hospital stay?
