Hospital Bag Packing List for Labor & Delivery & Postpartum
In my dream world, I’d be a good candidate for a home birth. I wouldn’t have to pack anything. In reality, I am better suited to deliver in a hospital for my safety and the safety of my children. I will always love to watch home birth videos and read home birth stories, but it’s not for me. Hopefully, I can have some of home in the hospital.
Right now, I do plan to bring all of this. I have a few weeks until my due date though. I may re-pack then after I see how much space all of this stuff requires. I admire minimalists. I want to look like I am one in areas in my home, but I really like having a large enough home that I can store the *other* stuff too. Big smile!
Labor & Delivery
Comfort
Own pillows
Robe
Pretty, comfortable labor clothes for early labor
Socks with rubber pads
Flip flops
Organic, lemon hand soap
Antibacterial wipes
Hair Ties
Make up
Lip Balm
Unscented Lotion
Toothbrush
Tooth paste
Brush
Needs
Camera
Camera charger
New SD card
Video camera
Charger
Cell
Cell charger
List of who to text/email after baby is born
CD Player
Chill CD
Classical Music CD
Book
Pen and Notebook
Labor
Tens Machine
Rescue Remedy
Arnica
Essential Oils
Diffuser
Eye Mask
Ear plugs
Headphones
Birth affirmations
Birth plan photobook
Birth Sign
Tennis ball and sock
Nursing pads (kind that can be heated or cooled)
Rice Sock
Food
Honey sticks
Coconut water
Beef Jerky
Lara Bars Avocado
Baby items
Hat for baby (I do not like the hospital issued ones)
Blanket for baby (want to use our own)
1st Words our baby will hear
Psalms to read before cord is cut (I want the first words my baby hears to be the Word of God, and hospitals respect religious requests. My mom will read it.)
“The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
3 They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
4 Yet their voice[b] goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.”
Psalm 19
Update 2020
My mom arrived in time to read the Psalms to our baby after her entrance. I highly recommend this tradition. My husband and oldest daughter stayed at my head, but my mom witnessed the birth. My son arrived within minutes of his sister’s birth. He is still disappointed.
Postpartum Bag
Pink plastic cups
Kiddie champagne
Burp cloths
Wipes
Coconut oil to wipe on baby’s bum to keep first stools from sticking
Scarves for newborn baby photos
Swaddle blankets
Three outfits
Baby nail scissors
Night gown
Nursing tanks and/or nursing bra
Laundry bag for dirty clothes
Reusable bag for extra stuff that comes home
Warm clothes (a/c might be too cold with shifting hormones)
Herbal tea (decaf Chai Roobios)
Nurse gifts
Thank you notes to be written before discharge
Ziplock bags
Change for vending machines
Water bottle with straw
Protein bars
Yes, I cut my baby’s LONG nails with baby scissors and then I don’t have to cover baby’s hands. She can’t scratch herself. I am not a first time mom. 😉 This is what you learn after a couple of children.
Going home!
Car seat
Going home outfit for mom and baby
