What you should bring to hospital for labor and delivery

Few weeks ago my friend, 8 month pregnant, called me in tears, because she didn’t know how to prepare and pack to hospital. She found so many different lists on the Internet, that she was really confused. “What I really would need in hospital?” – she asked. I gave birth twice so it wasn’t that hard for me to prepare a list for my friend. And I decide to share it with you too!

Remember that you should take it you only the basic stuff that really will be necessary and useful. You don’t want to pack your whole house and bring five suitcases to hospital and after birth going through all that stuff to find baby sleepers.

When I was pregnant for the first time, it took me about 2 weeks to pack to the hospital. Yes, my preparations took a really long time. When I was going to hospital during the second pregnancy I packed in one hour :) Of course, it took me less time, because I knew what to expect, what to prepare for and what things I will actually need for myself and the baby.

What future mom should bring to hospital – my list of necessities

-Documents: a picture ID, insurance card, hospital paperwork that you will need, hospital registration forms (even when you have already registered at hospital), result of tests taken during the pregnancy, records of hospital discharge if you were in hospital during pregnancy, birth plan (if you have one).

-Postpartum pads – you will need them for postpartum bleeding, no matter if you had a vaginal or a caesarean birth. Tampons are not recommended. During the first days after birth you probably will need to change it every hours or two. After about 2 days it will reduce to every three or four hours.

-Disposable knickers or big stretchy knickers made of cotton – they will hold your pads in a place better and they will help you to deal with leaks of blood during first few days.

-Nightdress – take two. On the market you can find special nightdress for breastfeeding moms. Remember that the nightdress or shirt that you will wear during labor will probably be destroyed, so don’t bring you favorite or expensive one :) You can also take nightdress or a big shirt that can be unbuttoned.

-Flip flops, at least two towels, hairbrush – remember that the first towel that you will use after birth also will be destroyed.

-Pillow – usually the pillows in hospitals aren’t comfortable, I always take mine ;)

-Bottle of water or two

-Your cosmetics

-Clothes that you will wear when leaving hospital – it’s better to choose light and loose clothes.

And that’s it :) If you also think about taking diapers and other stuff for the baby I can tell you that you won’t probably need it, because hospital will provide them. At least most of them do. It’s better to ask at hospital what they provide before you register there.

You should also consult this with your gynecologist and/or midwife.