Everything You Need for a Hospital Birth!
Let’s talk hospital bags! What do you REALLY need when preparing for having a baby in a hospital setting?
Both of my boys arrived safely, but by two completely different methods. Holt was born by via c-section after planning to have an unmediated hospital birth and Quaid was a v-bac at a birthing center. Let’s talk about what I packed for the hospital with Holt and what I ACTUALLY ended up using.
With Holt being my first baby, I packed the kitchen sink. I needed it ALL! It empowered me in the moment and made me feel “prepared” to become a parent. If that’s even a thing. How I packed however made the delivery more stressful and there was one small thing I could’ve done differently to make things a lot easier. If I were to do it over again, I would’ve packed TWO bags. One for what I thought I would need or want during the birth and an “extras” bag that stayed in the car and contained everything I might need if staying longer than intended.
A typical hospital stay is around 24 hours in the U.S. for a normal delivery. One in three births end in C-section currently in the U.S. This statistic is way too high if you ask me, but that’s a discussion for a later post. These items below were my delivery essentials. The things that I actually wanted in the room during labor and immediately after delivery.
Things for Mama:
Three Nursing bras or Tank tops – One for labor, one for after your shower and an extra for the ride home if needed. I live in these the first few months while my body adjusts to the milk flow. You will want at least a weeks worth or plan to do a lot of laundry. (https://www.amazon.com/SUIEK-Nursing-Maternity-Breastfeeding-Clothes/dp/B0B7XTGK62/ref=sr_1_10?crid=3G9DMG5RB494I&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Fh3iQbfW-KE-PAfYhS67CG9PVKq8RviOaFtkDLoJLgeT-FIre2mpxux0RNoKze3t7lPPXUS5boREA7O1RtaUmgHknVB9aVDtaD07P6kU5CHqujGe6RT_DOIuY-6Zw-GD60hMrFYlP-dAGbr5FYe3L3w_aS2-ORUkuWV3NUqExpLW241jQ1tnVUuFG2X5BammgvTyPtKXG4KNH9awJij9E91xneWKbpVa7DlkmiWix3O9FZzaQkKJ9yS876aeNjGT6Tdl8lomhm_0ftfoQ6dQ5TwkMLOV5LDWUk5htr42UbI.ETh9fY2A60kObyyht9v7QIAoASRZwF9xLkZY5DrOIuA&dib_tag=se&keywords=nursing+tanks&qid=1726581821&sprefix=nursing+tank%2Caps%2C128&sr=8-10)
Robe – You will not feel like getting fully dressed for a walk down the hall in the middle of labor.
Period panties and X-LARGE organic pads- You’ll want the comfort of high waisted LOOSE underwear if you choose to wear your own over what the hospital provides. There is a lot that goes on down there for the first few weeks.
Loose comfortable pants and a shirt or a dress for the ride home. My babies were winter babies or I would’ve opted for the dress option.
Cardigan/zipper jacket – Something easy to throw on and take off while adjusting to the insane Hormone fluctuations following delivery
Walking shoes – If you are not bed ridden, a brisk walk is a great way to get baby moving and help relieve some stress for mom.
Slippers/socks – Who wants their feet to touch that disgusting hospital floor.
Essential Oils – stress/labor/ baby/ postpartum
Toiletries and things to make yourself feel human again – Face wash, soap from home, toothbrush/paste, Make Up, Curling iron, Etc.
Snacks – Prepare some of your favorites ahead of time. You will be thankful you went through the extra effort. Delivering a baby is hard work and you deserve something yummy when you are finished.
Miscellaneous Items that are extra but I feel are necessary:
Camera
Wallet
iPad – Hospital Channels are the worst.
Chargers for all devices
Deck of cards or a small game that you like to play – We took Phase 10!
Large water bottle with a big straw to encourage consumption
Portable fan and batteries – Hot flashes are ROUGH. We purchased a fan that fit the batteries of our drill. This also works great for strollers on hot days!
Sound machine – Even if you don’t sleep with one at home, you will appreciate the calmness a sound machine can provide in the hustle and bustle of people in and out of your room.
Massage gun – Didn’t use because I forgot all about it but could be a good thing to use on vitaflex points if labor stalls.
Things for baby: I went ahead and put everything in the diaper bag. I have the Lily Jade Meggan and absolutely love it!
Footy outfits – NB and 0-3M
Socks/mittens/booties/hats
Diapers – Newborns and 1’s ( Hospital will provide but I am picky about the material that touches my fresh babies skin.
Nipple shields – If it’s your first baby, you never know how your nipples will behave.
Nursing pads – You shouldn’t need these right away but your milk should come in day 2-4. It’s good practice to have their designated spot in the diaper bag until your milk regulates and you stop letting down.
Bottle with a slow flow nipple.
Pacifiers – I like the bibs but that is just a personal preference. And by personal, I mean babies preference.
Haaka – Just in case your milk comes in before going home. As an over producer, this thing is a must have for me. I am currently seven months postpartum with my second and cannot nurse him without it. If I do, we are both covered in milk.
Breast milk bags
Rose ointment – Great for circumcision healing. I use Young Living essential oils for 98% of our medicinal needs.
Nail trimmers – My babies were born with talons. Great prenatal vitamins lol.
Burp cloths – I packed two in the diaper bag. The hospital will have plenty to use while there if you’d rather.
Announcement board or items purchased for the hall door/pictures for memories
Things for Dad:
Sweat pants
T-shirts
Lounge shoes
Socks
Undies
Jacket or hoodie
Ball cap
Stocking cap – Obviously just in the winter
Tennis shoes
Toiletries
Warm Blanket
Pillow from home
Water bottle – You will no want to share yours
Swim trunks – In case he is needed in the shower with you during labor.
Extras bag:
This bag will just contain the extra clothing that you think you and your partner will need for two – three days extra at the hospital. If my stay was longer than that, I knew I had a support system that would be more than happy to dig through my underwear drawer for me and bring whatever was needed. If that isn’t something you want to rely on, pack for a week. Do whatever makes you feel like all of your ducks are in a row. Breast pump in the event that your baby wont latch and they want to feed them a bottle of formula. That was NOT an option for me if I could prevent it. The relief of knowing you have anything you could want down in the car seems small now, but could be a stress changer during delivery. Cole asked me if we were moving in and I told him I was packing just in case.
Other things to check off the list before heading to the hospital:
Properly installed Car seat and mirror.
Car seat cover – I recommend the ones that double as a nursing cover and a warmer fuzzy cover if you are delivering in the colder months. I wanted baby covered when walking the nasty halls on the way home.
Donut pillow for your hooha on the ride home – Things will be a little swollen down there.
Okay, I think that covers it all. If there is something not on this list that you have loved, please share it with me in the comments. We plan to have more babies, Lord willing, and I’m not afraid to add to my must-haves list!
