Hospital Labor Supplies

Page Updated on July 28, 2007

I recommend keeping all of your items in one big backpack or in a small piece of luggage with wheels. Bring an extra bag to hold gifts if you expect visitors. You'll also need a bag to hold all of the stuff the hospital gives you (and there is a lot of stuff). Your partner will be hauling all of this around for you, so pack as lightly as possible. Don't take anything you don't think you'll need or use. Hospitals, today, provide so much for you that you really don't need to bring your entire home along with you.

Labor Essentials

Hospital registration information At most hospitals you can pre-register, and I highly recommend it. The last thing you want to think about while you're in labor is filling out forms, and when hospitals are kind enough to wait until after you've had the baby to shove those papers your way, you're far too tired to concentrate on what you're writing down. Get it all done ahead of time to save yourself the time and hassle, but if you can't (or simply don't) make sure you have everything you'll need ready to go in your bag.
Health insurance information The hospitals and doctor's really would like to get paid, so make sure you have your insurance card and any necessary paperwork.
Credit card and personal checks Believe it or not, there are some unexpected expenses that may require you to pre-pay. Most hospitals aren't cruel enough to require you to pre-pay for anesthesia anymore (at least in the USA), but some places still do, so it's a good idea to have a payment method on hand just in case you need it. Plus, you can use credit cards at the cafeteria and gift shop if you run out of cash.
Birth plan The nurse asked me, "What have you planned?" I was so busy thinking about the fact that I was going to pass a human out of me within the next several hours that I completely went blank. I replied, "I'll just have the baby, and you guys do the rest." Of course I did have a plan because I like to plan out everything, but I didn't write it down; I just memorized it, and that's a bad idea when you won't be in your right mind for awhile. It doesn't have to be anything big or formal. Just write down some general wishes about pain management, circumcision, breastfeeding, how you want the staff to behave during labor, during birth, and after the birth, whether or not you want to see the placenta, relaxation methods you'd like to try, etc.
Watch with a second hand or stopwatch Most hospitals have clocks with second hands, so you'll only need one of these if you will be walking around to make labor progress. Have it on hand because you never know if the doctor will ask you to go for a walk.
Lip balm At some point you'll absolutely want this, but all most hospitals have are glycerin sticks...yuck. Make sure you have some.
Headband / ponytail holder This is not a time to have your hair falling in your face and getting on your nerves. Bring something to pull it back with.

Comfort Items

Back massager Some people swear that this helped them during back labor. I personally didn't try it.
Massage oil / lotion Massage can really help relax you, and during this stressful time you could use some relaxing. Just don't use any type of fragrant oil because strong smells may actually mask mommy's natural smell, and babies just like mommy's natural smell. Also avoid anything greasy, like baby oil. Stick with massage oil that absorbs into the skin or a water based lotion.
Hard candies These can help you out if you want to eat but aren't allowed to. (You're supposed to suck on them, but it's okay to sneak in a crunch or two.) If the staff won't let you drink fluids (which isn't good, but some places still enforce this old fashioned rule), hard candies can help you with the thirst. A word of caution, though, eating too much sugar during labor can make you sick, so don't eat too much.
Snacks Most hospitals won't let you have snacks because many people become nauseated during labor, and the last thing you want to be during labor is sick to your stomach. Sugary snacks make the nausea even worse. Bring some healthy ones along if the staff will let you eat them to keep your energy up.
Money for the cafeteria While mommy's get hospital food and clear liquids, partners and visitors have to fetch their own food. Bring cash so that your partner can get a bite to eat too.
Coins and single dollar bills for vending machines Sometimes the cafeteria can be a long way off, and nobody wants to walk across the hospital for every snacking need, so bring some cash for the vending machines.
Big water bottle w/ straw You'll need to drink lots of water during labor and after the baby is born (especially if you're breastfeeding). Labor can dehydrate you, so drink up.
A comfy pillow Most hospitals will provide you with enough pillows, but some people insist on bringing their own. If you do, make sure you have a very distinct pillow case (such as something with your name on it), so it doesn't get mixed up with the hospital pillows.

Entertainment and Diversions

CD player w/ CD's If you're the type of person who relaxes to music, you won't want to forget this. I personally never listened to music because I just wasn't in the mood to do so.
Magazines These aren't for mom, they're for your partner. You won't even want to think about reading, and the hospital will give you enough paperwork to read anyhow. Your partner on the other hand can get very, very bored while waiting for the action to begin.
Books This again is for your partner. You may want to take along a book about birthing or my favorite book for new parents, The Baby Book, by Dr. and Martha Sears.
Pencils and large notepad This is actually necessary. You'll be surprised how much you can do with it, from playing games like you did on junior high field trips to keeping track of your new baby's frequency of feedings, poops, etc. (Yes the staff will ask you about such things.)
Deck of cards (or other small game) This is great if things are just going slow.
Comedy videos 1 or 2 videos are great to pass the time if your room has a VCR and television. Just don't bring in anything that will make you cry, stress you out, or upset you, so avoid dramas, horror flicks, or obvious tear jerkers. Comedy is great because it relaxes you, reduces stress, doesn't require too much concentration, and even entertains the staff (and they could use a good laugh).

Recording the Moment

Video camera w/ blank video tapes I highly recommend this even if you don't plan to record the birth. You can take video of mommy suffering through labor to use as guilt material when your kid is a teenager, or you can record your thoughts about the situation. (Some hospitals won't let you film the birth because they're afraid that you'll get video evidence of them making a mistake. Try to avoid such hospitals.)
Digital camera w/ memory cards & batteries You will be taking lots of pictures, so make sure you have a good supply of memory cards and batteries. You won't have time to recharge at the last minute so bring backups. Also, bring a 35 mm. camera and take pictures with it in addition to digital pictures because you never know if that memory card will end up with corrupted files or just plain won't work.
35 mm camera w/ film Even if you have a video camera and/or digital camera, bring a 35 mm film camera with you as backup. Trust me, there is nothing more upsetting than discovering that your electronic camera is having technical difficulties when you need it most or having something unexpected happen to the camera's memory after you've taken all those photos and leaving you with nothing to show for it. You can use a disposable or a reusable camera. The important thing is that you have excellent film. There are some times when you want to save a buck, but big events like a birth is not one of those times. Get the best you can get for all lighting conditions, and get your photos developed with the best service possible.
Journal If you think you'll have the energy and time to spend some time writing, bring along your journal and document your experience, your feelings, etc.

Post Labor Essentials for Mommy

2-3 front opening nightgowns / nursing gowns Hospitals provide you with gowns. My advice is to use them. There is a lot of blood and various other bodily fluids that are involved before, during, and after childbirth. Let the hospital do the laundry. If you do bring your own, you'll need at least a couple, and make sure that you won't be disappointed if they get grossly stained.
Non-slip slippers The hospital will give you little booties with non-slip soles. They do the job, but if you have to walk around to induce labor, it might be a good idea to bring some slippers that are a bit more comfortable with a thicker sole.
Robe Like the gowns, your robe will get stained, so use the hospital's instead.
2 pairs of socks You'll need 1 pair of socks to wear home and 1 pair to put on if your feet get cold. You won't be doing much in these socks except walk from bed to baby to bed and also to the bathroom, so they won't get very dirty.
1 nursing bra or comfortable sports bra This is mostly to wear home because you'll probably be bra-less during your hospital stay, especially if you're breastfeeding. It's good to have on hand in case you start leaking though. If you don't plan to breastfeed, you may want to bring a tight fitting bra to inhibit milk production.
4 Breast pads Breast pads usually aren't necessary until your milk comes in, but have some on hand just in case.
Maternity clothing for trip home Don't even think about wearing pre-pregnancy clothes. Your tummy doesn't go away that quickly and you'll probably be pretty swollen still if you were swollen during the end of your pregnancy. Stick with some of your maternity clothes appropriate for the season.
4 pairs of large underwear Many hospitals will give you disposable underwear, and I highly suggest you use it because there is so much blood that your underwear will just get horribly stained. You will need at least 1 pair to wear home, though. Bring a few extra just in case the hospital doesn't give you disposable underwear.
Glasses Contact lenses simply require too much work. They could fall out, need cleaning, get stuck in your eye lid, etc. Just bring your glasses instead.
Hair brush You will not be very pretty during the first couple of days after birth, but at least you can brush your hair before you go home.
Toothbrush Sometimes the hospital will give you a toothbrush, but they aren't very good. Bring one from home.
Toothpaste Sometimes the hospital will give you a small tube of toothpaste but some give you powdered toothpaste...yuck. Plus, you may not like the flavors they have, so bring your own.
Deodorant Must have deodorant to keep from getting stinky, especially if you're too tired to shower.
Shampoo w/ conditioner Save yourself room, time, and energy by getting the combination shampoo and conditioner stuff. No use lugging around separate bottles of shampoo and conditioner or forcing yourself to stay in the shower for a conditioning treatment.
Cosmetics I still can't believe that some people actually have the energy to think about make up, but some people insist on looking good for pictures. Bring this only if you are such a person.
Sanitary pads Get the biggest ones you can find...we're talking huge with major absorbency. You will be bleeding a lot. The hospital will also have pads for you, but some hospitals use the old fashioned kind that you have to safety pin onto your underwear, so bring your own just in case.
Pre-natal vitamins This is especially important if you plan to breastfeed. You'll need the vitamins to help keep your strength up.
Medications you regularly take This is self explanatory.
Ibuprofen Ask your doctor if it's ok to take this first. You'll need it about every 4 hours for the entire first week starting soon after delivery because you'll feel like you've been hit by a truck (literally), plus you'll have cramping from the shrinking of your uterus. I couldn't live without my ibuprofen for the first few weeks.
Acetaminophen If your doctor won't let you take ibuprofen, ask if it's ok to take this. It won't work as well as ibuprofen, but you'll need something for the pain.
Anti-inflammatory wipes Tucks pads or Preparation H wipes are best, and you'll need them. Everything will be sore "down there" and these witch hazel wipes are great for giving you a nice cooling sensation. Some women just put them on their pads and wear them for awhile. These are also especially important if you get hemorrhoids from the pregnancy or delivery.

Essential Items for Your Support Person / Partner

Change of comfortable clothes You'll be at the hospital for a couple of days at least. You'll also be spending a lot of time in these clothes, so make sure they're comfortable.
Hairbrush Self explanatory.
Toothbrush Self explanatory.
Toothpaste Self explanatory.
Deodorant Self explanatory.
Shampoo w/ conditioner Self explanatory.
Light blanket Some hospitals will give you a blanket, some won't. Bring one just to be on the safe side. You'll need it when you sleep.
Pillow Like the blanket, some hospitals give you one, some don't. Bring it just in case.
Snacks Unless you want to spend all of your time walking to and from the cafeteria (which the new mommy might not allow if she is in a turbulent period) bring a bunch of goodies for you, but don't eat them in front of mommy during labor if she doesn't get to eat.

For Baby

1 home-coming outfit Remember, your child needs to be able to fit into the car seat with it, so avoid gowns and such.
1 cap The hospital will usually provide this for you, but you may wish to have a more decorative one.
Socks You have to keep those tiny toes warm. The hospital will probably give you socks for the baby, but bring a pair just in case.
Receiving blanket The hospital will probably give you one, but bring at least one just in case they don't.
Diapers The hospital will usually provide diapers during your baby's stay, but you'll need some for the drive home, especially if it's a long drive. Just bring a well-stocked diaper bag and that should be enough.
Bunting This is only necessary if you are in extremely cold weather. Otherwise a heavy sleeper will do fine during cool weather, and a light blanket will do fine during summer.
Heavy blanket This is for cold weather only and will most likely only be used to lay over baby's torso and legs for the drive home.
Infant car seat Many hospitals won't let you leave without a car seat because it's dangerous to let your child ride in a car without one. You'll probably have figured out how to use it prior to the birth of your child, but bring the instructions with you anyhow because it never fails that once the kid is in the seat it just doesn't seem to work as easily as it did when it was empty.

Informing Others

Calling cards You can bring change for pay phones, but I highly recommend getting a pre-paid calling card. That way you won't have to carry around a bunch of quarters.
Phone numbers of friends and family You may be too tired to call everyone, so you can call just a few people and have them call everyone else to spread the good news for you, but bring phone numbers of everyone else anyhow because you never know if you'll be so excited that you just want to talk to everyone about the new arrival.
Birth announcements This also acts as entertainment to pass the time, but you'll probably be too tired after delivery to fill them out.

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