When to Pack Your Maternity Hospital Bag

You should pack your maternity hospital bag as soon as you know what baby you are carrying. Most hospitals will require that you bring a bag with the basics including a hospital gown, a change of clothes, toiletries, and your insurance information. You will want to take things that your babies grow into such as a car seat and stroller. A bag like this one from Ergobaby would make it easy for carrying everything and keeping your hands free for holding the baby during the ride to the hospital and afterwards.

What to pack in hospital bag for upcoming mom

my-To-Be

The items you will want to pack in your hospital bag for your upcoming labour and delivery may vary depending on your specific situation, but generally include:

1. Medications: This will depend on the type of labour you are having and may include things like ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain relief, calcium supplements if your labour is induced, and Motrin or Aleve for cramps. You may or not need a prescription for any of these medicines and you will have to be careful when retrieving them in the hospital because they could get into your IV lines.

2. Stings: You should pack sting relief (such as Sting-Ease® ) if you are having an epidural; this product is very effective at relieving back pain after an epidural, prevents muscle spasms following labour, arthroscopic surgery changes/stabilizes the backward arch of your foot and ankle, decreases back pain after recovery from spinal surgery (such as for Epispadias).

3. Clothes and shapewear: You should take changing clothes and pregnancy and postpartum shapewear in your pack.

What to pack in hospital bag for newborn

Newborns don't need many supplies when they're in the hospital, but there are a few essentials that will make their stay more comfortable.

Some of the most important items to pack for a newborn in the hospital are baby wipes, a bottle of formula, pacifiers, and bedding. There are also items that you can't live without while they're in the hospital and these include a changing pad, baby shampoo/body wash and diapers.

What Your Partner or Support Person Should Pack

A list of supplies your partner or support person may need in an emergency includes maps, a first-aid kit, clothes and shoes in a variety of sizes and temperatures, money, medication, a phone charger, ID, and a whistle.

The Bottom Line

There is no need to worry if you can't remember what your PIN is. If you have your security code manager handy, simply enter it into the terminal.