What to Bring: To the Hospital or Birthing Center

List of things you will need:

Hospital/ Admin documentation required:

• Paperwork: Some facilities may need you to bring birth certificate forms or other forms.

• Your insurance card/license/ID

• Birth plan (if you have one)

Carry your own clothes

• Comfy sleep set

• Two robes (if you don’t want to wear a hospital gown)

• If breastfeeding: nursing bras, nipple cream, and pads

• Outfit for hospital photos (if desired) and outfit for going home

• Socks: Hospital socks are also good, and you can leave them there rather than bring them home.

• Slippers or Flip-flops

Toiletries

• Chapstick/ lip balm for chapped lips

• Deodorant or perfume

• Face wipes/face wash

• Body Lotion/ Cream

• Shampoo/conditioner

• Body wash or soap

• Toothbrush/toothpaste

• Light makeup (if you want)

• Hair ties/clips

• Glasses/contacts (if you need them)

• Adult diapers (you will have discharge after the delivery and bleeding)

• Perineal spray to keep your vaginal area fresh postpartum.

Other things you might need or want

• Your own blanket 

• Yoga ball (if the hospital doesn’t have one)

• Comfortable pillow from home

• Bath towel

• Bed Buddy (a warm compress for pain that can be heated in a microwave)

• Bluetooth speaker for music during labor

• Essential oils/diffuser if allowed to be diffused

• Phone and phone charger with a portable charging block (outlets are far from your bed)

• Carry snacks that you like, including hard candy to soothe your throat.

List of things for your little one

• Baby clothes, socks, mittens, hats, etc

• Baby blanket 

• Swaddle for your baby if you want to use one

• Outfit for your going home

• Your diaper bag: diapers, ointments, and wipes

• Don't forget to get the car seat.

This is a basic list of things we think you would require when you head for labor. Please feel free to add things that we might have missed.