At around 37 weeks pregnant, it’s time to pack for the hospital or birthing center. You may want to pack a couple of bags for yourself – a smaller one for personal items you’ll need for the hospital, and another larger one for clothes for you and your partner, and another one for baby.
Items to Pack in the Smaller Bag (like a backpack)
Include: a picture ID
your insurance card. You may need this to check in to the hospital, if you’ve never been there or if it is standard procedure for the hospital to check your insurance.
hospital paper work. This includes a birth plan and other information, such as if you are Group B positive. CKB logistik
contact lens case, if you wear contacts, and eye glasses. Generally, women are allowed to wear their contacts in the hospital if they wish, but you may not feel like dealing with them.
toiletries, which includes massage oils and maternity pads, as well as toothbrushes and soap and shampoo, if you and your partner take showers at the hospital.
For the Large Bag
Pack a duffle or overnight bag: night gown (if you choose to wear your own) for labor and delivery. This should be loose fitting an comfortable, because you may spend a lot of time in it. Don’t bring one if you’re worried that it will get ruined with blood and other bodily fluids during delivery. robe nursing top or gown and bra if you choose to breast feed a couple of outfits for your partner, if he is going to room with you and the baby at the hospital going-home outfit for you socks, because a hospital is often cold and wearing socks can keep your feet warm slippers to wear while you walk around. You can use the hospital footies, but they aren’t very thick. magazines, word puzzles, music to pass the time while you’re waiting to deliver maternity underwear that is loose and easy for your nurses to check on you baby book to record the birth while it is still fresh in your mind – who came to visit, who sent gifts, and the nurses and doctors that were attending.
Baby’s Hospital Bag
For the baby, include: sensitive, hypoallergenic wipes. Sometimes hospitals carry wipes with alcohol in them that can cause diaper rash very quickly diapers, if you choose to use your own brand, but the hospital may provide them and send you home with the rest of the package infant hat receiving blankets acouple of outfits, for the hospital picture and going home trip. Generally, the hospital provides baby gowns, but if you’d rather see baby in your own outfits, no one will object baby grooming products, if you choose to not to use the hospital’s supplies
Other Items: Other things to think about include: car seat, and don’t forget it. The hospital won’t let you take baby home without one. If you end up at the hospital in an emergency and don’t have one, send someone after it. Some hospitals give them out, but they will charge you for it on your hospital bill. camera or video recording, for delivery and/or after the baby is born cell phone chargers if you don’t have a cell phone, buy a calling card to tell everyone the great news nipple lotion, if you have a specific brand you want to use make-up, if you are worried about what your visitors will think about how you look.
pillows and blankets, if you would rather use your own, just make sure the pillow cases are colored or marked so you can distinguish yours from the hospital’s
This all seems quite a lot, and certainly if you feel you don’t need something, don’t pack it. Most women go into the hospital with one large bag and have a fairly good experience, but this list was to give you an idea of all things you can bring. If you are forgetful, stick with the basics. Don’t spend so much time worrying on bringing everything back that you leave the baby in the hospital’s nursery!