Don't wait until the first contractions hit to start gathering your things to go to the hospital. Have a packed bag ready and waiting to go by the door, at least 2 weeks in advance. For most moms, that’s the 36- or 37-week mark. You'll want to be ready to leave at a moment's notice.
Hospital Bag Checklist
Important documents
- Health insurance card
- Photo ID or driver's license
- A list phone numbers of people to call
- Your birth plan
- Hospital forms and any medical reports your doctor gave you
- A list of all the medications you take (including prescriptions, over-the-counter medicine, herbal supplements, and vitamins)
- Contact information for your pediatrician
Toiletries
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Glasses, contacts, and eyedrops (The hospital may not let you wear contacts during labor.)
- Medications
- Deodorant
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Hairbrush
- Hair ties or clips
- Skin lotion
- Lip balm
- Sanitary pads (in case you don't like the ones at the hospital)
Clothes
- Two sets of comfortable, loose-fitting clothes, like T-shirts and sweatpants to wear in the hospital
- Clothes to wear home -- loose and comfy
- Pajamas or a nightgown (Choose ones that open down the front if you plan on nursing.)
- Socks and slippers
- Robe
- Three pairs of underwear
- Comfortable shoes
- At least two nursing bras
- 12 nursing pads
For your new baby
- Two clothing outfits, 0-3 months, for Baby to wear home (It might help to pack more than one size.)
- One hat, one pair of socks, and one pair of booties
- Two receiving blankets
- Newborn diapers (The hospital may provide these.)
- Car seat
Your partner’s hospital bag
- About three changes of clothes
- Pajamas if your partner is spending the night
- Socks
- Slippers
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Glasses case or contact lens necessities
- Electronics
- Handheld massager or tennis ball to give you a back massage
- Camera and camcorder with chargers, extra batteries, memory cards, and film
- Cellphone and charger
- Portable media player or CD player and CDs
Necessities and nice-to-haves
- Your phone and phone charger
- Money for meals
- Magazines, crossword puzzles, or a book
- Music
- Bath towel
- Hair dryer
- Tablet or laptop computer
- A pillow from home