- A towel. If your water breaks on the way to the hospital you can sit on it.
- Your health insurance card. Yes, your hospital should have it on file and you’ve probably given it to your health care provider and testing facilities over and over again, but don’t be surprised if you’re asked to produce it one last time, even if you’re in active labor. It’s not a bad idea to make an extra copy of the front and back.
- A photo ID.
- Your birth plan.
- If you wear them, glasses and contacts, contact lens supplies and a glasses case. If you wear contacts it’s good to have both glasses and contacts.
- 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.
- A camera.
- An 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. Most hospitals will require that your cell phone be turned off in many areas of the hospital so the phone’s signals don’t interfere with monitoring equipment.
- Your cell phone.
- Personal care products: nail clippers, your hairbrush, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, 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. Extra credit: takeout menus for restaurants near the hospital.
- A maternity outfit to wear home, and an extra outfit. You’ll only be about ten pounds lighter and your maternity clothes will still fit. You’ll be sweaty after giving birth, so an extra change of clothes is a good idea.
- 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, pillow and personal care supplies for your partner to use. Hospitals supply moms with almost everything from pillows to toothpaste but very few supply anything for dad.
- 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.
- An extra bag. When you check out the hospital will load you up with diapers and samples.
And don’t bring:
- Diapers. The hospital will supply you with all you’ll need.
- Jewelry, cash or valuables. It’s too easy for stuff to get lost or stolen.
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