Hospital Bag Checklist. Hi mamas to be! I hope everyone is having a good start to the New Year! I can’t believe its already 2022. Just like most years the new year is a time for reflection and a fresh start. For me personally I started to reflect on the time right before I gave birth! I can’t believe my baby will soon be a year and a half where did the time go?!
Well lets dive right here is my ultimate hospital check lists from a mama herself and as a doctor. Part of my job is to administer epidurals and spinals (pain control for vaginal deliveries and c-sections! I truly feel like its an honor to be such an integral member in a mothers life especially when she is so vulnerable! I’ve seen a lot of neat things in the labor room that patients have brought so with that information and the info I’ve gathered through my own experience I thought it would be a fun post to write the ultimate hospital bag checklist.
Your OWN Pillow and Blanket:
Yes of course if you forget this, they’ll be able to provide you this at the hospital. BUT the hospital blankets and pillows are thin and not as cozy as your own. I remember wrapping up in my nice warm blanket once we finally got to the post-partum unit and it was THE BEST.
Nightgown/PJ’s (2-3):
I’ve seen my far share of super cute delivery gowns, but of course your delivering a baby so don’t expect to reuse your gown during your stay. I did end up buying a cute delivery gown but I showed up way too late to the hospital to even remember to change into it so I ended up wearing the hospital gown which was just fine. I did enjoy using my delivery gown as PJ’s because it was breast feeding friendly.
Socks/Slippers:
I don’t know about you but there something that creeps me out about walking on public hard cold floors! So Make sure you pack one pair of slippers or at least a few socks so you an avoid doing this. Shoes will be the last thing on your mind haha.
Undies that will hold pads for after delivery:
Of course we have the sexy mesh kind at the hospital, but you might prefer your own dark colored ones too. I did bring my own from the Frieda mom kit but I just ended up using what my nurse gave me so I could save my own stash for home.
Frieda mom postpartum kit:
This is a game changer! IT has literally everything a mama needs to help with healing and comfortability after delivery. I brought TWO of these kits one for our downstairs bathroom and one for the master bedroom. I used everything in these kits. My favorite item probably was the “padsicles” (if you have no idea what this is just google it and you’ll soon know). The padsicles in this kit work just by twisting them and then in minutes they are like an icepad to apply to the perineal area (vagina and space between your vagina and anus).
If you’ve had a vaginal delivery before you know that this can do wonders to help with pain and swelling for postpartum mamas. I found so many amazing padsicles recipes on YouTube but honestly as a busy resident working 80+ hours until the day I delivered, so I went for what was convenient and DON’T regret it.
Sheets and pillow cases:
Again, we have these things, but if you want extra comfort feel free to bring yours for after delivery.
Scents you love:
Candles are not allowed, but diffusers with oil are lovely.
Snacks:
Pack ALL your favorites, the hospital does offer juice, crackers and peanut butter but with this ongoing pandemic who knows how limited the supply is. Of course you’re really not allowed to eat much during labor but after labor you WILL be starving. If you’re like me and go into labor in the middle of the night not much will be open so you’ll have to settle for your favorite comfort foods.
Comfy clothes for your partner:
Anything they might need for 3-4 days. Who knows what the rest of 2022 will hold but if its anything like the last two years with COVID it’s better to be prepared. At the height of the pandemic in 2020 some hospitals were requiring that the support person to enter with the patient, but must stay on the unit and even inside the room the entire stay – so in this case, bring everything they might need too!
Any toiletries you might want:
To be honest hospitals are running low on lots of supplies..(ugh COVID) at the moment so bringing your own toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoos and body washes could be necessary.
Baby clothes:
After that first bath if you prefer your own cute clothes bring them with you. Bring anything for baby that you might want to have such as nail clippers, comb, brush, lotions, special shampoos, special diapers or wipes. But remember NONE of these things are necessary they are just bonuses.
Pro-tip use all of the hospital diapers and wipes even take the extras home in the room. Don’t worry this is completely allowed, because for the next year+ you will have to purchase lots and lots of diapers.
Breast pump:
For moms choosing to breastfeed, if you have your own breast pump and parts we would highly recommend bringing this with you as well. I had my husband leave mine in the car since my goal was to try to get a hang of direct feeding while at the hospital. But I was glad I had it there if I needed it!
While we are talking about baby stuff, there is a great invention called the Haakaa that helps a ton with engorgement for moms that are going to breastfeed. I used this a lot to store extra milk during my baby’s first year of life.
Laptops, chargers, cell phones, iPads, cameras:
If you don’t have an EXTRA long charger I suggest purchasing one from target or amazon because the beds can be far from the outlets in some hospitals. Don’t forget to make note of any passwords for any accounts you might want to access while in the hospital.
Enough changes of clothes for 3-4 days:
If you plan to wear your own clothes…otherwise you can use what we have in the hospital.
A car seat for discharge day and your going home outfit:
You can get your car seat “fit tested” at most fire departments or a local car seat test site before you arrive in labor. But this is not necessary, if you or your support person feels confident in inserting it yourself. You actually shouldn’t need to bring this inside the hospital with you just remember to have it installed in the car that your support person will be driving you in.
Hospital bag checklist EXTRAS:
- Breast pads, 1x
- 2 nursing bras
- Nipple ointment
- Birth ball
- Bring your own wash cloth and towel
- Hair elastics and scarf
- Stool softener: They should offer this to you soon after birth in the hospital, but I brought my own just in case. If you haven’t heard that first BM after birth can be “difficult” without using this.
I hope you enjoy this hospital bag checklist and are getting ready for your birth experience!! One last tip, make sure your hospital bag is pretty much complete by 37 weeks because you never know when you will go into labor and gathering all the stuff you WANT will be much harder in the heat of the moment.
Of course this is a list of things that may make your stay feel more comfortable while at the birth center or hospital but you do not need any of these things. All you really need is YOURSELF mama and of course it’s a PLUS to have a support person. But we were made to do this!
Xoxo,
Theactievmedic