Hospital Checklist:

Have these packed in advance if possible and only bring what you feel will be helpful from the suggested list. For home births, it’s great to have these on hand and available ahead of time.

For laboring person

• • Oil- for massage

  • Lip Balm

  • Toothbrush and toothpaste

  • Hairbrush

  • Two short gowns or long T-shirts and a robe 

I wore wide-leg elastic band pants to drive to the hospital and an oversized t-shirt

• • Massage tool (I have one if needed)

  • Hot or cold pack to relieve back pain (I have one if needed) 

  • Hair wraps to keep hair off your face (I have one if needed)

  • Warm socks and slippers

  • Warm blanket/ shawl (hospitals beds have very thin sheets/ cotton covers)

  • Labor playlist- favorite music; relaxing/ mellow for labor as well as songs that encourage movement and dance when getting up in earlier stages (I have a few chill playlists)

  • Birth Ball (hospitals have this)

  • Personal comfort items- pillow, flowers, pictures, favorite juice, frozen juice bars, electrolyte drinks (Gatorade) in a cooler (most hospitals provide juices but in limited varieties)

Hospitals have jello, broth, juice, ice, and water- which you will be limited to if you have an epidural. 

For the postpartum period (after the baby is born)

• Gowns that open in the front (to nurse) unless a hospital gown is preferred

• Nursing bras

• Robe and slippers

• Toiletries (and cosmetics if wanted for photos)

• Snacks- fruit, nuts, cheese, and crackers

• Money for incidentals

• Going home clothes- stretchy pants (or loose wide leg with elastic waist) and comfy t-shirt and hoodie with zipper/ sweater

Other extras

• • Long, maternity sanitary pads (hospitals usually have this)

  • Food for the birthing team during labor

  • Food and drink for a birth celebration!

For Baby

• Clothing for the trip home- onesie with snap crotch, gown or stretch suit, receiving blanket, swaddling blanket (w/out velcro), outer clothing (hat, zip up warm/ fleece pajamas, crib size blanket)

• Installed car seat (seatcheck.org or call 1-866-SEAT-CHECK to locate local car seat safety check stations and learn about any car seat recalls)

For Birth Partner 

• Phone or camera for pictures, calls, texts, laboring apps (charger, batteries)

• Full term app installed on phone

• Hairbrush, toothbrush, breath mints, deodorant

• Snacks- sandwiches, fruit, cheese and crackers, drinks (most hospitals don’t have food at night except in vending machines)

• Sweater/ hoodie (hospitals can be cold)

• Change of clothes

• Slippers

• Swimsuit (to possibly get in the tub/ shower with partner)

• Paper and pencil

• Reading materials (The Birth Partner, a novel, etc. for down times when your help isn’t needed)

• Phone numbers of people to call during/ after labor

• Credit card to place calls if cell phones are not allowed in designated areas (can check with hospital)

Don’t Forget

• Full tank of gas

• Blanket and pillow for the car

• GPS for the best route to the hospital

• Your Doula and your Hospital's number in your favorites!

And you, don't forget you! And by that I mean BREATHE, you've got this!