The arrival of your little bundle of joy is a time of celebration and excitement. However, getting ready for childbirth and giving birth is not exactly a walk in the park. A hospital bag checklist is handy, especially for last-minute preparations and for first-time mothers. Knowing what to pack can give you enough time to prepare for the unexpected.
Hospital Bag Checklist for Mom and Baby
Although hospitals provide essential supplies for you and your newborn in preparation for labor and post-delivery, the first few days of postpartum are often very messy. Bringing the things that would make you feel more at home or comfortable with your surroundings can help you feel so much more at ease.
Childbirth is often hectic, so packing beforehand saves you a lot of stress and more time to focus on your child's delivery. After all, studies show that only 5% of babies are born on their actual due date.
What To Pack for Labor and Delivery
The checklists below may serve as a guide to help you get organized for your baby's arrival:
For You
Photo ID and insurance cards
- Focal point (meaningful small object or picture to focus on during labor)
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Lotion or massage oil
- Lip balm for dry lips
- A tennis ball or back massager (for back labor)
- Relaxing music
- Hairbrush, hair clips or hair ties to hold long hair away from the neck and face
- Comfortable pillows
- Colored pillowcases so they aren't confused with the hospital's standard white pillowcases
- Childbirth class handbook
- Phone, camera, charger and extra batteries (some procedures or actual birth may not be photographed/filmed)
- Pen and paper
- Nursing gowns or nursing shirts and comfortable pants
- Bathrobe and nonskid slippers
- Nursing pillow and one or two nursing bras
- Breast pads
- Several pairs of socks
- Several pairs of underwear
- Deodorant
- Loose-fitting clothes to change into
- Compression wrap for added postpartum belly support
- Breast pump and other nursing supplies
- Hairdryer
- Glasses and/or contact lenses
For the Baby
- Baby book for loved ones' signatures and baby's footprints
- Outfit for baby to wear in baby photos taken at the hospital
- Clothes and blanket for baby to wear home
- Car seat (must be installed correctly in the car before leaving the hospital)
- Baby socks
- Mittens, booties and a hat (for cold weather season)
For Your Support Person
- Comfortable clothing
- Comfortable shoes
- Toiletries
- Medications
- Glasses or contacts
- Phone and charger
- Pillow and blanket
- Snacks
- Water bottle
- Book or magazine
Other Important Items You May Need for Your Hospital Stay
- Hospital admissions papers
- Pregnancy medical file, including over-the-counter and prescription medicine information
- Birth preferences
- Contact information of the healthcare provider who will be caring for your baby so the hospital can let the office know your baby has arrived
- Money for parking
- Small items that comfort or soothe you
Do not bring valuables or anything you would miss if you accidentally lose it during your hospital stay. The list below contains some recommendations of items you may want to leave at home:
- Wedding rings and other expensive jewelry
- Checkbooks or large amounts of cash
- Electronics, such as TVs, radios, laptops and tablets
It would also help to contact the hospital before you arrive with any questions about what is and what is not provided. However, if packing gives you undue stress, remember that the hospital will likely provide most of your basic needs.
The Mother and Baby Unit of Valley Baptist Health System in South Texas provides mommy-to-be tours so mothers and their families can familiarize themselves with our facility and learn more about what to expect during their hospital stay. We want your birthing experience to be the best for you and your growing family, so we ensure we give you a deserving level of care and attention from birth and beyond.
When To Pack a Labor and Delivery Hospital Bag
Your baby may arrive a couple of weeks before or after your expected due date. Consider packing your labor and delivery hospital bag at least three months or one month before your baby's due date. However, if there are indications you may go into preterm labor or have your baby earlier, you may want to pack sooner.
Delivering High-Quality and Personalized Care on Your Child’s Delivery Day
At our Mother and Baby Unit in Valley Baptist Health System, anticipating your little one can be an incredible and overwhelming moment. That is why we make sure that while every birth at a Valley Baptist hospital is unique, we all share one thing in common: providing a lasting positive experience for you and your baby. Some of the highlights of our Mother and Baby Birthing Center include:
- Routine and high-risk obstetrical services to handle every type of pregnancy and delivery
- Level III Neonatal ICU (Brownsville and Harlingen)
- Certified nurse-midwives to bring you the expertise of both an advanced practice registered nurse and a certified midwife at Valley Baptist Medical Center—Harlingen
- Childbirth and parenting education classes to prepare you for what is ahead
- An OB available around the clock, 24/7, in case of emergency
- Valley Baptist-Brownsville is certified as a Texas Ten Step Program facility and a Mother-Friendly Certified Workplace
- Both Valley Baptist-Brownsville and Harlingen offer skin-to-skin care because our hospitals aim to keep mother and baby together at all times
- Valley Baptist-Brownsville provides access to a certified Kangaroo Care Nurse and accommodation to family birth plans.
For more information about our obstetric services, visit https://www.valleybaptist.net/services/obstetrics or call 956-394-1316 to learn more.
