- Your health insurance card. Yes, your hospital should have it on file, but don’t be surprised if you’re asked to produce it again, even if you’re in labor. It’s not a bad idea to make an extra copy of the front and back.
- Your baby car seat, properly installed in your car. Most hospitals will not let you drive away without one, and you don’t want to save this task until the day you are ready to drive home.
- An outfit for the baby to wear home.
- Your address book with your labor assistant/doula’s phone number, phone numbers of friends and relatives to be notified, your pediatrician’s phone number, and the number of anyone who will be watching your other children, pets or your house while you are at the hospital. Remember that most hospitals will require that your cell phone be turned off so it doesn’t interfere with monitoring equipment.
- Your cell phone.
- Personal care products: your hairbrush, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, nail clippers, hair ties, dental floss, lip balm, your favorite shampoo and conditioner.
- Maternity underwear. Hospitals usually supply some, but it’s nice to have your own.
- Snacks. For your partner, and for you in case the hospital cafeteria is closed after the baby is born and you’re hungry.
- Your favorite maternity outfit to wear home. You’ll only be about ten pounds lighter, so your maternity clothes will still fit.
- A bathrobe and slippers.
- Your own pillow from home. Hospital pillows tend to be flat. Put a colored pillowcase on it so you don’t accidentally leave it when you check out.
- A light blanket for your partner to use.
- A folder to bring home hospital documents and your baby’s footprints.
- A nursing nightgown.
- A box of disposable breast pads.
- Earplugs. Hospitals can be noisy places, making it hard to sleep even when you finally get the chance.
- Any birthing supplies you might want to have, such as your birth ball.
What Should I Pack for the Hospital?
