Skip to main content

Hospital bag checklist for delivery

Do you know when the baby is arriving? But not sure what to pack for the labor? Don't worry. I got you covered with a checklist on what to carry to hospital for you, your newborn and your partner (or support person).                                                    


Below list will be very exhaustive. In a country like US, most of the items listed here will be provided by hospitals, based on your insurance coverage. At Canada, where healthcare is publicly funded, you might have to carry most of them. In India, some corporate hospitals provide basic essentials, however one has to plan and carry the rest. On the whole, I would suggest talk to your doctor or hospital help desk in advance to know what you might have to bring. That would be the starting point. Also have separate bags for you, baby and support person, to avoid any mix up.

Let us go over the checklist now.

Mom's bag:

Hospital paper work and IDs: Have your health card, insurance details, IDs and all the documents/ forms that you might have to submit while getting admitted at the hospital. If you could get those documents in advance and fill them, a lot of wait time can be saved during the admission process. Hospitals generally have all your records in their database, but be sure to carry any other physical medical records with you, in case the doctors attending you might want to refer to them. 

Toiletries: Pack travel-size toiletries which includes tooth paste, bath soap/ wash, shampoo, moisturizer, deodorant, oil and lip balm, along with tissues (wet and dry), tooth brush, comb, hair ties, hand towels and bath towels. You may want to carry a pillow in case you don't find the ones provided at the hospital comfortable.

Post-delivery essentials: Usually all the hospitals will provide you labor gowns. You would need to buy comfortable dresses, maternity bras, panties, dress for going home, nursing gowns/ tops, maternity pads, nipple cream and breast pump. 

Foot wear: Keep comfortable foot wear, socks (based on the climate) and bathroom slippers in your bag.

Other personal essentials: Do not forget to include your favorites to keep you entertained during your stay at hospital - books, songs, movies downloaded on your mobile/ tablet/ iPad and head phones. Of course, phone and its charger forms part of personal essentials list. My take would be to download some books, music and movies in your mobile, so that it reduces the number of items to carry. Also keep glasses or contact lens if you use them.

Medicines: Take any medication like vitamins, natural supplements, prescribed medicines that you are currently using. 

Drinks and snacks: We generally overlook these items. But you need to stay hydrated and energized during the labor. Pack some energy bars, nuts, fruits that are easy to snack on and a bottle of water. It is good to bring reusable water bottle and drinking cup.

Baby's Bag:

Dress: Buy comfortable clothes for baby depending on the weather. You would need 3-4 baby dresses (onesies/ bodysuits will be a good choice), going home dress, going home blanket, nappies, mittens, socks, caps, blankets and swaddle clothes.

Baby essentials: Pack diapers, wipes, diaper rash cream, diaper changing mat, disposable diaper bags, burp clothes, bath towels, body wash, body lotion, shampoo, feeding bottle (in case you plan to bottle-feed). If you prefer to bottle feed, pack formula as well. 

Child car seat: Child car seat has been mandated by law in many countries for safety reasons. So install baby seat in the car that you take the new born home. 

Support person's bag:

Clothes: Bring 2 or 3 pair of dresses and inner garments, as you might not know how long you have to stay at the hospital. Carry hand towels, bath towels and socks as well.

Toiletries: Take travel-size tooth paste, body wash/ soap, shampoo, moisturizer, deodorant, oil, lip balm, tooth brush, comb, hand towels and bath towels, plastic bag to keep soiled clothes for all. Hospitals generally doesn't provide pillow and blanket for the support person, so you better carry them.

Other personal essentials: All those mentioned for mom in this article will be applicable for support person too. So carry your phone with charger, head phones, books, iPad/ tablet, glasses or contact lens, as applicable. If you regularly use any medicines, bring them too.

Food/ Snacks: Hospitals usually don't provide food for the support person. So pack some food/ snacks and water for you, as you might not know how long the labor might last. Bring your own reusable drinking cup as well.

Now that you have the checklist, do not delay. Start putting together the hospital bags the moment you enter third trimester. You may think it is too early, but trust me, time flies away at the blink of the eye and you might end up missing a thing or two in haste. Moreover you never know, if the baby has plans to arrive early. So if you keep the bags ready, you can stay calm while you head to the hospital. 

Like what you read? Follow me on YouTube for fresh videos and updates on every new post!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Review: Anex Monkey Smart Watch

Hello Readers,  Welcome back. While browsing through a weekly flyer by Canadian Tire, my eyes got hold of a smart watch, primarily for its name - Monkey Smart Watch. It's original price was $89.99. On account of Father's Day, the price was slashed 70% and offered for just $24.99 (from June 9th to June 16th).  As it was listed on Canadian Tire website, I thought the product should be genuine and googled to know more about the product. But there weren't sufficient reviews online. So I decided to try it myself and booked it online. This smart watch was launched in the last quarter of 2021 as Anex Monkey Smart Watch. Last year, it had been sold for just $19.99 as part of Black Friday deal. Even after 5 days of waiting, Canadian Tire didn't process my order. On the other hand, the stock was vanishing real quick and only 80 watches were available in our near by store. When checked with their customer service executive, I was told to cancel my online order or wait until they p...

An Impromptu Nature Walk: Healing Hearts and Growing Minds

It's summer break and like many parents, I find myself navigating the ups and downs of having my child at home - full time. Recently, one morning stood out in particular - a moment that turned into an unexpected adventure. My son woke up feeling sad. When asked him he said he is unhappy as his friends don't call him a certain way. That feeling carried so much weight in his little heart and it was tough seeing him like that. I reminded him that we cannot control how others treat us or what they say about us. Instead we can focus on what brings us joy like "May be take a walk in the nature, or read a book, or ride your bike" I offered. To my surprise he immediately responded "Let's go for a walk in the nature" and so we did. We stepped out just with a bottle of water and my mobile phone. Initially I thought we would get some fresh air for few minutes to lighten his mood and head back home. But what we started on as an impromptu walk ended up with a wonderf...

Recipe: Idiyappam | Sevai | String Hoppers

Idiyappam, is a well known break fast item in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Sri Lanka. It is also known as sevai or string hoppers (in English) and is primarily made out of rice floor. Like idli, idiyappam is made through steaming using no oil, making it very easily digestible and light on stomach.  When I think about idiyappam, I remember 2 instances from my childhood. One of my friend's mom, used to feed her 2 year old with different colourful sevais for evening snack - white, yellow, red along with a liquid version of it too, almost 3-4 times in a week. Later I learnt from her elder daughter (my friend) that they are coconut sevai (sweet version), lemon sevai, tomato sevai and rasam sevai. Though born and brought up in Chennai, we aren't much into idiyappams.  I don't remember eating them until I crossed 10 years. Whenever we visit a doctor with fever, our doctor used to give a list of food items - kanji, bread, idli, idiyappam and rasam rice, which I was usually averse to even...

5 Magical Christmas Books for Kids: Perfect for Holiday Story Time

It's the holiday season and what better way than to spend reading those magical Christmas stories to your kids. Whether you have a cozy story time by snuggling under the blanket or read the book sipping hot chocolate by the side of the fireplace or just before tucking your little ones to bed, these wonderful books are sure to bring joy and lots of Christmas cheer to your little one(s) and your family.  I also have some exciting ideas for you to make the most of this holiday season, along with creative tips to keep your kids happily engaged during the winter break. Do check out the below articles. I am sure you will find them useful. Things to do during Christmas Activities to engage kids during winter break Winter worksheets for kids Now, let's dive into the books that are going to win those tiny hearts and spark their imagination this holiday.  1. How Many Sleeps Till Christmas: This heartwarming kid's book is written Mark Sperring and Sebastien Braun. It is the story of...

No Crack Modak Recipe Without A Mould

Ganesh Chaturthi has always been one of my favorite festivals. Though I may not be able to recreate the same pomp and fervor as in India, I try to keep the spirit alive in every way I can. For me, the festival is never complete without offering The Divine modaks (steamed sweet dumplings), Lord Ganesha’s most beloved treat. Across India, modaks take many forms - some are steamed with sweet fillings, some are fried, and a few even made savory. In my home, we make kudumulu , a simple sweet version without stuffing that tastes heavenly on its own. Growing up in Chennai, our neighbors often shared their kolukattai - they are  soft, smooth, and just melt in our mouths. Over the years, I’ve tried making these festive modaks myself, and trust me, it wasn’t always easy - cracked shells, tough dough, and the constant worry of shaping them without a mould. But with time and a few simple tricks, I’ve learned how to make soft, smooth, no-crack modaks completely by hand. The best part? You don’t...