Your Pre-Labor Hospital Bag Checklist: What to Bring With You

When you’re giving birth in a hospital setting, it’s crucial to bring along your healthcare documentation to prove your identity and reduce the risk of bureaucratic snares and wait times. You’ll want to bring:

• A certified photo ID – This could be your driver’s license, passport, or another government-issued document verifying your identity.

• Health insurance information – Firstly, be sure to bring along all of your health insurance information. If you keep yours in digital form, just be sure your health insurance company app has been downloaded ahead of time (with login information entered or easily accessible).

• Hospital registration information and forms – Additionally, you may need hospital registration forms. If you’re unsure whether these are necessary, be sure to reach out to your birth hospital or get input from your primary care provider or OBGYN beforehand.

Packing Additions for New Parents

No matter how long it takes to deliver your baby, it never hurts to pack more changes of clothing than you think you need. Be sure to include:

• Clothes – Most soon-to-be parents favor the coziest, most comfortable clothing possible when going into labor. Items you may need include:
  • Comfortable clothes (e.g. pajamas, pants, and tops)
  • Worn, oversized t-shirts
  • Several pairs of comfortable underwear
  • A robe
  • Cozy socks
  • Nursing bra for after your baby is born
  • Home outfit

• Overnight toiletries – Taking care of basic hygiene can do wonders for uncomfortable hospital stays (even if your labor process winds up being a breeze!). Consider packing your toiletry bag with:
  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Mouthwash
  • Facial cleanser and moisturizer
  • Unscented body lotion
  • Deodorant
  • Hairbrush or comb
  • Hair tie or clip
  • Vaseline or a rich balm
  • Soap
  • Contact lenses, solution, and case (if needed) or glasses
  • Light makeup or lip balm (a gesture of well-deserved self-care, if you wear it!)
  • Any prescribed medications

• Maternity essentials – Your body may require some special care during and after the labor process. To that end, you’ll probably feel more comfortable if you pack:
  • Maternity or sanitary pads (these soak up extra blood after you’ve delivered your baby)
  • Headbands, hair clips, or hair ties (for keeping stray strands out of the way during labor)
  • Socks with grips for hospital floors
  • Postpartum underwear (these can be more comfortable and spacious than the ones hospitals tend to provide)
  • Nipple cream and nursing pads

• Personal care and entertainment –Self-care items can make a world of difference when it comes to your comfort levels in an unfamiliar environment. Many new parents include these items in their hospital bags:
  • A small pillow for added comfort
  • A small battery-powered fan for regulating temperature
  • A back or scalp massager
  • A soothing pillow spray (like one scented with lavender or eucalyptus)
  • Small, healthy snacks, like trail mix or fruit
  • Phone and phone charger
  • Headphones
  • Books, puzzle books, games, or other diversions for any downtime

Packing Additions for Newborns

Though it may be tempting to bring every plushie you received at your baby shower, there’s no need to bring every item in your nursery to the hospital—your presence is welcome enough!

Instead, to ensure you’re prepared to greet your newborn, consider packing:

• Feeding supports – Whether you’ll be breastfeeding or bottle feeding your baby (or both), many parents stock up their baby bag with these before the big day:
  • Feeding bottles
  • Baby formula
  • A neck or small nursing pillow (to help new moms feel comfortable while getting the hang of breastfeeding)
  • A baby blanket or swaddle

• Baby clothes – The first few days after birth are when you’ll break out your bundle’s teensiest items of clothing. These could include:
  • Onesies
  • Hats
  • Infant booties or socks
  • Home outfit

• Changing necessities – Before you know it, diaper bag essentials will be second nature to you. For now, keep these diapering musts top-of-bag:
  • Diapers (either disposable or reusable)
  • Wipes
  • Diaper cream (to help your tiny one avoid diaper rash)

Finally, be sure you have a safe way to transport your child home from the hospital. If you haven’t made travel arrangements from the hospital (or have yet to purchase an infant carrier or car seat), be sure to have them ready to go by your due date.

How to Mentally Prepare for Your Hospital Stay

Getting ready to give birth (known in some circles as “birth prep”) can feel like a never-ending rabbit hole of information and input. While staying informed about what to expect on your due date can help, loading up on preparation methods can make many soon-to-be parents feel more stressed than reassured.

It can help to remember that your body has its own inherited intelligence which has prepared you—whether you realize it or not—to deliver your baby. If you can put the following supportive elements into place, you’ll be in an excellent position to emerge from the hospital victorious with babe in arms!

Talk to Your Care Providers and Birth Team

If you’re concerned about successfully delivering your baby, opening up a discussion with your medical professional team may help ease your nerves. Consider gaining more insight on:

• Your birth plan, including possible challenges and alternative birth plans
• Any labor risks you may carry due to your medical history
• Signs of labor you should look for to ensure you make it to the hospital in time
• Which pain management options are viable for you
• How your OBGYN will respond in the event of an emergency or impediments to your birth plan
• What to expect from postpartum care

Talking to your healthcare team ahead of time can help you enter delivery day clear-sighted, with plenty of opportunities to ask questions of your own. Remember, as unique as your little bundle is going to be, your medical team has successfully delivered countless babies who came before!

Make Your Baby’s Space Newborn-Ready

While the support of your birth team is invaluable, hospital rooms aren’t exactly known for being, well, homey.

Whether you’ve renovated a brand-new nursery or simply converted a corner of your bedroom into their sleeping space, dedicating some time to prepping their space—and other areas of your home—can help you mentally prepare for their arrival. This might include:

• Creating a safe space – Ideally, your home will be fully baby-proofed well before their arrival. This includes removing electric cords, installing corner guards, purchasing baby-safe furniture, and other interventions.

• Decorating – A soothing, coherent style or aesthetic can inspire your caring instincts before your bundle even gets here. You might enjoy taking some time to pick out themes or color schemes that make you (and, eventually, them) tune into a sense of calm.

• Fostering a sleep-ready environment – Newborns are champion sleepers, though they may need certain conditions to get the best rest possible. To that end, you might want to make adjustments in lighting, soundproofing, and thermal regulation to help them establish a solid sleep schedule.

For complete how-to’s on nursery design, check out SneakPeek’s guide.

Assemble Your Emotional Supporters

No matter what your current or future family looks like, knowing exactly who will be rallying by your side during labor can ensure you feel emotionally held in the delivery room. This could be anyone from a doula, midwife, or a close family member. For more detailed comparisons, check out our guide on Doula vs. Midwife.

Many expecting parents join groups to meet others going through a similar physical and emotional experience. If you find a friend with a similar due date, they may be an excellent person to talk things through with as your dates approach.

Find Ways to Document Your Experience

As important as it is to lean on your supporters approaching delivery day, it’s equally crucial to take time for yourself and process how you’re feeling. You might try:

• Journaling or keeping a diary
• Creating a baby book
• Making a commemorative playlist
• Engaging with art

All of these creative, reflective activities can be meaningful ways to record and process the ups, downs, joys, and stresses approaching your due date. What’s more, years down the line, you’ll be able to revisit them and remember the weeks and days before you officially became a parent.

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