Hospital Bag Checklist for Delivery

With due date approaching for second baby, I was wondering if I should already start thinking about hospital bag. Though 7th month is too early to pack the bag, I have made my checklist so that I can buy and stock necessary items. Because it is my second time, it wasn’t too difficult to list down the items.

Here, sharing my ‘Hospital Bag Checklist for Delivery’ with all my expecting friends

Hospital Bag Checklist for Delivery:

I would recommend making 3 sections. 1 for baby, 1 for mom and 1 for birth companion. You may arrange these sections in one bag or different bags as per your convenience. But remember, things should be handy when you need them. So, make sure to pack items for mom and baby by yourself with the help of birth companion. Your birth companion should also be able to find these items whenever you need them.

Section 1: Mom

1. Front opening nightwear – Whether its one-piece or two-piece, chose at least 3 comfortable front opening nightwear’s. You should be able to give enough skin to skin contact to baby with it.
2. Front opening Bras – Along with nightwear, chose 2-3 pairs of comfortable front opening bras. You can get great deals from shopping websites. You can also get suggestions from fellow new moms on brands. Start wearing your bras from day 2. Trust me, you don’t want soggy breasts.
3. Sanitary Pads – Most hospitals provide sanitary pads. But I would recommend you pack highly absorbent sanitary pads. You need highly adsorbent pads for few initials days. Once flow is reduced, you can go for normal pads.
4. Disposable underwear’s – If you are bleeding, there are always chances of leakage. And you wouldn’t want to take bloody underwear’s home with you. So, buy a pack of disposable use and throw underwear. You may also opt for period panties if you are comfortable with it. But personally, I haven’t used them. For my last delivery I was pretty comfortable with disposable underpants and sanitary pads.
5. A nice dress to get baby home – You might want to have a lot of photos with baby when you get her home. Pack a nice dress so you look cute too.
6. Toiletries & Grooming products – Pack your soap, brush, toothpaste, and a towel. Don’t forget your comb, hair clips, bows, lip balm. You can also pack your basic makeup items as per your wish.
7. Socks, scarves & napkins – You will need to keep yourself warm post-delivery. So, pack a pair of socks, scarves. You can choose a thin cardigan or a sweater depending upon season to keep yourself comfortably warm. You may also want to pack some cotton balls to plug into your ears instead of scarf. This practice is not prominent in the west. But in Indian culture it is recommended that post-delivery women should keep herself comfortably warm.
8. A nice pair of slippers to wear in hospital.
9. A phone charger
10. Documents – Your identification documents, insurance documents, any other document that you might require during admission to the hospital.
11. Thermos to carry warm water or warm drink (may differ as per season and region)
12. Easy to go snack – You might be staying only for 2-4 days into the hospital, but it is never a bad idea to pack few bites of your favorite snacks.
13. Abdominal belt to use post-delivery – You may keep a note of this one and buy it in a hospital pharmacy itself post-delivery. You can start using it from second day or as per your doctor’s recommendation.
14. Remove your valuable Jewelry – This isn’t exactly something that will go in the hospital bag. It is just a reminder to you to remove all your valuable jewelry items before leaving for hospital.

Section 2: Baby

1. Front opening vests for baby. Pack at least 6.
2. Some langots to keep baby diaper free as much as you can.
3. Absorbent sheets to keep your bedsheet dry if you are planning to keep baby diaper free for some time.
4. Newborn diapers– I would suggest that you/your birth partner can buy these at hospital depending upon weight of the baby.
5. Baby Clothes – Some nice clothes for baby depending upon the weather.
6. Warm clothes – Some socks, hat, and mittens.
7. A soft towel
8. Swaddle blankets/cloths to wrap the baby. This will also vary as per season. In summer you may want to swaddle the baby in thin cotton wrap. While in winter you can go for warmer blankets.
9. Baby products like – soap, shampoo, powder. Nurses may bathe the baby once or twice depending upon your stay in hospital.

Section 3: Caregiver or birth companion

While you might have already packed for yourself and your baby, you might have forgotten to pack for your caregiver. Your caregiver might be your husband, your mother or sister. But as he/she is going to stay with you in the hospital, you may discuss with him/her and pack their necessary belongings as well.

1. A pair of clothes
2. Toiletries and grooming items
3. A towel
4. Cushions and blanket (you may use them too)
5. Chargers
6. Money – cash or card or phone payments. You need to settle down the dues before leaving hospital. So don’t forget to plan your payment modes’.

Have a happy stay at the hospital 🙂