10 Things You Need To Take To Hospital To Give Birth

You shouldn't wait for the due date or Cesarean date to prepare what you're going to take to the hospital. In week 32, prepare what you need to take for yourself, your baby and your companion.

When you are between 32 and 36 weeks pregnant, it is a good time to pack your bags with the things you’ll need to take to hospital to give birth. It’s best not to be taken by surprise if your baby decides to speed up his or her arrival into the world.

Among the things you need to take to hospital are things for yourself, things for your partner or the person who will accompany you during your hospital stay and the things your baby will need for his or her first days of life.

Get out your agenda and prepare your list. Work out how many bags or suitcases you’ll need, where you’re going to keep your things, your companion’s things and your baby’s things. Organize it all and make sure it’s all clean and ready. Get yourself prepared because the moment you’ve been dreaming of for the last few months is close!

What do you need to take to hospital?

If everything goes normally, you’ll be in the hospital no more than 3 days. So this should be your first guideline for selecting the amount of clothing and products to take to the hospital.

For mum

1. Documents

Prepare a folder with your important documents, including your ID, your medical insurance papers, your latest medical checkups and the documents given by the hospital.

2. Clothes

Take dressing gowns or nighties that are easy to put on and take off. The best options are those that button up or do up at the front. Take one per day and the clothes you’ll wear to leave the hospital.

Take bras that are one or two sizes bigger than your usual size. If you’re going to breastfeed, get nursing bras. Even if you’re going to bottle feed, your breasts will still fill with milk so you’ll need to use a looser bra.

Make sure your knickers are high rise so that the elastic doesn’t end up at the level of the incision in case you have a cesarean. There are disposable knickers that you can throw away when they’ve been stained. If you’re going to use a girdle to fight the flab after the birth, don’t forget to pack it.

You won’t need more than the pair of shoes you wear to get to the hospital; you can wear the same ones to come home. But it’s good to pack some slippers and some flip-flops for showering in hospital. Don’t forget to pack some socks in case you get cold.

3. Sanitary towels

Whether you’re going to give birth naturally or have a cesarean, there will be abundant bleeding after the birth. It is important to include a packet of sanitary towels in your packing for hospital. Take a towel to dry yourself after washing as well.

4. Personal care products

Although some hospitals provide this kind of products, you’ll probably prefer to use your own. Take your toothbrush, hairbrush, hairbands, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, moisturizer, lip salve, and, if you like, your make-up.

5. Items for personal use

If you wear glasses or contact lenses, don’t forget to take them with you. Also take your phone and charger. You can take a diary and pen to take notes about the baby if you wish to.

6. Things to help you feel well

If you’re preparing to have a natural birth, take what you’re planning to use during labor: pillow, music, essential oils for massage, a book or something to read while you wait.

If you already have children, for the sake of your tranquility (and theirs too), take a family photo to have in your room. It’s a lovely gesture for them to see you all together when they visit to meet their newborn little sister or brother. You can also include gifts from the new baby for his or her siblings.

For the baby

7. Clothes

Pack two clothing changes per day. While you’re in hospital, sleepers and all-in-one sleepsacks are ideal. To leave, it is best to take clothes that will allow you to attach the baby to the car seat if you’re going to use one.

It’s important to pack one or two hats, socks and blankets to use during your hospital stay. You can also pack a towel or a changing mat to put on the bed when you change the baby’s diaper.

8. Diapers

If you’re going to be in the hospital for 3 days, take 6 to 8 nappies per day. Pack some plastic bags with an airtight seal to give the nappies to the nurses with your baby’s name on them.

9. Items for personal use

If you’ve bought a hairbrush for your baby’s hair, take it. Also include nail clippers or emery boards to file your baby’s nails. You can pack gentle soap, diaper rash cream and moisturizing lotion.

10. Car seat or baby carrier

If you have a cesarean, you probably won’t be able to leave the hospital walking and carrying your baby at the same time. If your companion is carrying the suitcases, a baby carrier will be very useful for carrying your baby easily.

A car seat is a guarantee of safety for your baby from the first day. It should be ready and installed in the car before the birth, in case of an emergency trip to the hospital.

For your companion

As well as their clothes and items for personal use, your companion should take a camera or video camera to register your baby’s arrival into the world.

If you’re going to have a natural birth and there’s a birthing pool at your hospital, it is important for your companion to pack their bathing suit.

It is important to include cash in their packing in case of any event that requires it. Preparing a bag of healthy snacks for your companion and yourself is also a good idea. The moments of waiting can build up an appetite and the food in hospital doesn’t tend to be very appetizing.

Once you have your bags for hospital ready, keep them visible and to hand. In case you have an emergency situation, anyone can do you the favor of picking up what you need for hospital.