When I was getting ready for the end of my pregnancy, I was wondering what to take to the hospital when being induced. I thought it would be a good idea to reflect on my hospital packing list for my delivery and share tips with fellow moms-to-be.
Post originally written in 2015; updated in 2023.
I read a lot of articles on what to pack in your labor and delivery suitcase and many of them were repetitive, and some had some great ideas that I haven’t thought of. So here is what I packed, and my discussion on whether I used the items or not. Read on for your perfect hospital bag checklist for mom and baby!
My Labor and Delivery Hospital Packing List – what to take to the hospital when being induced
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For Mommy – General:
- Sweat pants
- Several tank tops/t-shirts
- Robe
- Maternity Jeans or Leggings
- Sports bras/nursing bras
- Underwear
- Pads
- Warm hospital socks
- Slippers
- Toiletries – for showering, teeth brushing, deodorant, etc that you would travel with plus lip balm
- Hair ties
- Sweatshirt (that zips in the front)
- Cell phone chargers
- Camera
- Purse with ID and insurance cards
- Granola bars
For Mommy – Labor:
- Birth ball
- Tube sock with two tennis balls (counter pressure and massage) – awesome advice from my doula
- Birth plan (with copies)
- Cards with inspiring quotes that my doula gave me
- Entertainment: DVDs, Kindle, music
- Gatorade
For Baby:
- Clothes: sleep sack and onesies
- Hat
- Socks
- Special going home outfit
- Swaddle blanket
- Car seat
- A couple of diapers, just in case
For Hubby:
- Pillow and blanket
- Change of clothes
- Toiletries
Did my hospital packing list serve me well?
Overall I think I did well with my packing list. I knew they wouldn’t let me eat, but I also know that I get light-headed if I don’t eat, so we packed a lot of Gatorade with us to keep me alert. The birth ball was awesome for my labor and I am so glad I brought it.
As for the entertainment – I didn’t use it at all. We didn’t watch any of our DVDs during labor and I didn’t even turn my Kindle on. We tried to get the music going during pushing, but it wasn’t working.
The first two days I spent in hospital gowns, so most of my clothing went unused. But I left the hospital in my maternity clothes because of the post-delivery body issues. I also used the hospital mesh underwear so I wouldn’t soil my own and their pads (because OMG people! it is like a period from hell).
I was really happy I packed some extra items for the baby because the hospital photographer people came and I was happy we had a cute yellow sleep gown to put Baby H in. I’m glad I had a decent looking shirt for myself since I was in a few of the photos. The photos turned out so lovely. The hospital provided diapers and wipes as well as some socks and shirts for the baby so we didn’t really need to use what we brought.
Hubby stayed with me the entire time I was in the hospital and camped out on the bench cot thing so he definitely needed his own bag. So there you have it, this is what I remember from my hospital packing list.
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You don’t have to write it all down. Grab this handy checklist I made just for you so you too can have a Perfectly Packed Hospital Bag!
Choosing your Hospital for Delivery Infographic
Infographic provided by McRoberts Technologies, a leading provider of infant security systems in hospitals.
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Join the email list and we will send you this hospital packing checklist right away!
Samantha says
This is a great list! A lot of sites say to bring nightgowns, but I love that you went for sweats and tank tops! That’s definitely more my style. The zippered sweatshirt would have been good to have on hand. :)
Julie says
I just don’t wear nightgowns normally. The hospital does give you a nightgown the first night but then after that I was able to wear my own clothes.
lana says
good one! I don’t really remember what I packed. The best advice I got had to do with the birthing plan…from a friend whose whole natural no drugs birthing plan was thrown out the window when there were complications and her life and baby’s life were at risk and they had to do a c-section. She totally regretted it for awhile and then realised, it’s not how it all went that’s important, but that the baby and she were healthy and all was well. Don’t be too hard on yourself if things don’t go as planned was what she advised me.
Julie says
I totally agree. Things don’t always go according to plan, but at least you can get your ideas and requests out there and hope some of it is followed. A lot of mine went out the window when I got diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes.
You Baby Me Mummy says
Great list, will be very useful to some I am sure. Thanks for linking up to #TheList x
Tanya @ Mom's Small Victories says
Great list! I didn’t know what a birth ball is but glad it helped you. Thanks for sharing with #SmallVictoriesSundayLinkup
Julie says
A birth ball is an exercise ball just used for a different purpose. Thanks :)
Mrs_AOK says
Very helpful post, thanks for sharing with us at Mommy Monday!
XOXO
HonestMum says
Please add my badge or link back too if you can, thanks!
Julie says
The badge is on my linky party participation page.
Julie says
A birth ball is an exercise ball just used for a different purpose. Thanks :)
HonestMum says
Fab list here. Thanks for linking up to #brilliantblogposts
HonestMum says
Fab list here. Thanks for linking up to #brilliantblogposts
Jennifer Abel says
Julie you were spot on with this post and having the right things in our hospital bag is important, loved your post and thank you for sharing @ Mum-bo Monday. Maybe you would like to share this post here http://mum-bo-jumbo.com/toddler-tuesday-link-up-6/ , see you next week!
Julie says
Thanks :) Yea that is one of those times when you really don’t know what you’re going to need, but you want to be prepared because you won’t have time to send someone home to get it.
Robin says
Great thing to share after the experience, because then gives you time think it over just in case you forgot something. Very helpful to others who are now pregnant.
Julie says
Thanks :) Yea it is useful to reflect on what was actually needed and what if anything was missing.
Deanna says
That sounds like a pretty decent list. It’s better to be over prepared as opposed to under prepared.
Julie says
Agree, better to be prepared, but sometimes it is harder to find stuff in your bag – or have someone else find stuff in your bag when you can’t quite get up – if it is too full hehe.