Delivery 101: What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag

Even if your hospital or birthing center is down the street, your stay there will be the trip of a lifetime. But unlike preparing for a trip to the beach, weather reports and dinner plans won’t help you pack the right gear. Instead, trust the experts who have spend countless hours helping laboring moms. We caught up with Martha Howell, a doula working in East Tennessee, right after she finished assisting with a birth. Here are her top recommendations:


Definitely Bring….

Paperwork Pack any intake paperwork you’ve received from your doctor and the hospital or birth center as well as copies of relevant medical records, health insurance information and your birth plan.

Clothing Bring your own robe and slippers to wear while walking the halls during labor. You’ll also need nightgowns, nursing bras, warm socks, a few days’ worth of loose-fitting clothing, at least one change of clothing for your partner and a going-home outfit for baby.

Electronics/Chargers You’d never forget your phone and charger. But Howell also suggests bringing an extension cord so you can use your phone, laptop and/or tablet from your bed.

Toiletries Stick to the basics, such as a toothbrush, toothpaste and your travel-size versions of your basic shower gear. You may find toiletries provided, but they might not the be brands you prefer. If you have long hair, pack backup hair ties.

Encouragement A few familiar objects or comforting focal points can be soothing during labor. Bring framed photos of older children, pets, and absent loved ones, or get creative. “I had a client who made a banner with her birth affirmations on it and hung it on the wall across from the hospital bed so that she could focus on those positive affirmations during the tough parts of labor,” Howell says. “Genius!”

Entertainment No one hopes to have a 20-hour-long labor. But if your early labor drags on for hours, you’ll crave distraction. Howell suggests a board game “that will connect you with your partner, make you smile and laugh and totally relax.”


Maybe Bring…

Pillows If you prefer the comfort of your own pillow, label the tag with your name and stuff it into a colorful pillow case so it won’t be mixed up with the hospital’s supply. Your birthing facility may also provide nursing pillows; ask before you lug along your own.

Diapers/Wipes Hospitals and birthing centers almost always provide these. Only bring your own if your birth facility doesn’t supply them, or if you’re particular about brands.

Sound Machine If you’re a light sleeper, Howell suggests packing a small machine to help block out hospital noises so you can get your rest.


Leave Home…

Breast Pumps Howell says that while some moms bring their own pumps, they never use them. Many women don’t need a breast pump right after birth, but if you do, “your hospital or birth center will have hospital-grade pumps and will provide you with your own tubing kit to use it,” she says.

Everything Else Many women overpack for labor. Resist the temptation to bring stacks of books, family keepsakes and the kitchen sink.



Kathryn Walsh is a freelance writer specializing in parenting and travel topics. Her work has appeared on mom.me, TheBump.com, and USAToday.com. She has never once remembered to pack socks for a trip.