What to Take to the Hospital

If you’re in the final months of your pregnancy, it’s a good idea to start planning what you need to bring with you to the hospital. Here are a few ideas about what you should pack.

The National Institutes of Health’s MedlinePlus.gov provided the following list of recommended items to pack for you, your labor coach and your baby. You should gather the items about a month prior to your due date.

Mom

• Bra and nursing bra
• Breast pads
• Several pairs of underwear and socks
• Hair ties
• Loose-fitting and comfortable clothes to wear home

Labor Coach

• Watch or stopwatch to time contractions
• Contact list to announce your baby’s arrival to family and friends
• The “focal point” object for focusing your attention during labor
• Massage oils or massage rollers to relieve the new mom’s back pain
• Prayer beads or photos
• Portable music players

Baby

• Receiving blanket
• Going-home outfit (warm clothing, including a baby hat, if it’s cold outside)
• Baby socks
• Baby car seat, which is required by law. Learn more about car seat safety.

Check with the hospital about the items the staff will need from you. Those items include your health plan insurance car, your pregnancy medical file, admissions paperwork, birth preferences and the contact information for your pediatrician.