Hospital Bag For Delivery: How to Prepare it?

The end of 3rd trimester is the time to start preparing for your delivery date as you're getting closer to your big day. Are you all set for your big day? We understand you must be nervous, confused, worried or thinking what if your baby arrives earlier than expected. But above all the most stressful yet important thing you need is Hospital bag for delivery. After all, you never know when the baby will arrive! So, what to pack for hospital bag for delivery? 

The checklist of hospital bag for delivery will help you and your birth partner with all the essentials you both need during and after delivery. It is always worth packing a hospital bag for delivery before leaving for maternity hospital as you never know what a hospital facility is providing you and whatnot. Let's start making a hospital requirements list to ensure you'll have everything you need in the maternity hospital bag for delivery. Before moving directly to the hospital bag checklist for delivery, let's first discuss what hospital authorities provide you during delivery. 

Maternity Hospital Facilities 

While packing for the hospital, you might get confused about what to pack or whatnot but, you surely don't need everything. Then what exactly do you need? Before packing, know that your maternity hospital has your needs covered. All pregnancy hospital facilities are different usually so call and know about the general facilities they provide before your arrival. 

For Pregnant woman, pregnancy hospital generally provides: 

• Hospital gowns
• Grip socks
• Birthing ball and other labor tools, like personal massagers
• Large cups for water & ice
• Basic toiletries list— soap, shampoo, toothbrush/toothpaste
• Thick sanitary pads
• After-care items
• Standard pillows and blankets

For Baby: 

• Diapers
• Basic wipes
• Flannel swaddle blanket(s)
• Shampoo/soap
• Pacifiers
• Prescription and non-prescription medications (if needed)

NOTE: Avoid bringing any expensive items like jewelry, laptops, tablets, or big cash amounts in your hospital bag for delivery. 

When to Pack Your Hospital Bag For Delivery?

Ideally, you should have your maternity hospital bag prepared by 36 weeks or 37 weeks pregnant or keep it ready during your 3rd trimester, just in case you go into labor before your due date. 

Things you need to look at:

1. Hospital Bag For Mom
2. Hospital Bag For Baby
3. Hospital Bag For Birth Partner

1. Hospital Bag For Mom

While packing the delivery kit for pregnancy for yourself or your wife, take two different maternity bags for hospital, one for before delivery things and one for after delivery items. 

Before delivery bag packing list

• Hospital documents/files & insurance papers. Keep your medical records with yourself in your maternity kit for the doctor to know your medical history easily 
• Birth Plan which you have discussed with your doctor/medical team. Also, keep some photocopies of the same to share with the doctor and nurses
• Dressing Gowns are made of soft natural fabric like cotton 
• Warm socks as many moms feet get cold during labor
• Slippers or Flip-flops for comfortable walkarounds and shower times
• Skincare products like body lotion, massage oil, lip balm, face wash
• Comfortable pillows as some pregnancy hospitals might not provide the right kind of pillow for you
• Books, magazines, or any type of relaxing time pass items to keep yourself calm and distracted from the stress of labor
• Eye masks or earplugs to get proper rest even in the maternity ward
• Relaxation tools like a stress ball or soft pillow
  

After delivery bag packing list: 

• Comfortable nightgowns especially with the front opening to breastfeed easily
• Maternity diapers and pads. Take a pack of heavy-duty maternity pads with you as the pregnancy hospital may provide light pads. After delivery, it is normal to bleed more and standard pads are less absorbent. To avoid the initial change of pad every hour use heavy-duty maternity pads
• Pack of comfortable & large underwear to hold maternity pads and maternity diapers won't mind getting messy
• Pack of nursing bras
• Toiletries list- towels, tissues, hairbrushes, toothbrushes, toothpaste, face wash, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, hairdryer, hair clips, & hair bands
• Cosmetics & skincare products for basic skincare routine
• Phone and charger
• Comfortable clothes
• Soothing products for the vagina and abdomen
• Snacks and drinks

2. Hospital Bag For Baby

• Baby Bodysuits. Choose bodysuits that fasten up at the front and are comfortable. Do follow the hospital policies on what newborns can wear by consulting your doctor
• Socks, hats and booties as newborns can get cold easily
• A blanket of your own is always safe and good for your newborn. It can be used to keep your newborn warm while heading back home
• Diapers pack as your newborn baby might need 10-12 diapers each day
• Newborn Kit
• Keep baby wipes that are made of water and cotton as newborns' skin are sensitive and need extra care in the first weeks
• Muslin swaddle that can be wrapped around or placed underneath a newborn baby to prevent dribbles from getting on your clothes or to avoid baby from any skin problems and rashes

3. Hospital Bag For Birth Partner

As a birth partner/husband, you might also want to pack your bags with things for yourself while supporting your wife/new mom.

• Snacks and drinks as labor time can be thirsty work for supportive partners. Pack some snacks, water, juice for yourself to stay active throughout the labor process
• Phone, camera, charger, and batteries to capture beautiful and unforgettable memories with your loved ones
• Comfortable Clothes as labor is an unpredictable process. So pack 2 to 3 pairs of clothes to change if the labor process takes longer than expected
• Toiletries and towel
• Pillow and blanket
• Entertainment items like magazines, newspapers, books, tablets, and music players

Your maternity hospital bag for delivery should be about the size of a large gym bag. If you are expecting twins, you might need to take more than one bag. You can also take separate bags for mom & baby and can keep birth partner essentials in the baby bag so that you can find everything a little more easily. We hope you liked reading our blog on things to pack for a hospital delivery bag. If you have any doubts and queries for packing your pregnancy bag to hospital do reach us out in the comment box. 

FAQs About Hospital Bag List For Delivery

Q.1 When should I start preparing my hospital bag for delivery? 

Ans: Ideally, you should have your maternity bag or maternity bag items prepared by 36 weeks or 37 weeks pregnant or keep it ready during your 3rd trimester, just in case you go into labor before your due date.

Q.2 What should I wear in the hospital after a C-section?

Ans: Without any doubt, you should only wear Comfortable nightgowns or maxi dresses especially with the front opening to breastfeed easily, use the washroom easily and walk around without any complications.

Q.3 What size nappies should I take to hospital?

Ans: This depends on how much your baby weighs when they are born. But the vast majority of new parents find themselves using a Size 1 nappy for their newborn – with a smaller number of parents whose baby's birth weight was more than 5kg starting with a Size 2 nappy.

Q.4 What do you wear during labor?

Ans: During labor, you should only go for loose comfortable clothes like oversized maxi/gown/t-shirt along with socks to keep your feet warm.