You. Your Pregnancy. Your Baby.
BabyPartner checklists: packing for labor
The moment you go into labor is not the time to start making last minute plans!
Try to prepare for the moment you enter labor early. The ride to the hospital will be stressful enough, without the anxiety of trying to remember if you brought everything you might need.
Prepare for labor by packing a suitcase well in advance. Leave it by your front door or in the trunk of your car, so that when the big moment arrives you can simply drive to the hospital. If you can, you and your partner should drive to the hospital so that you know the route, and during the last few weeks of your pregnancy, make sure that your car has a full tank of gas! Buy and install a car seat so that you can bring your baby home when you leave the hospital.
Print out the following list and carry it with you while shopping, or click on the links to buy from our online store!
Labor bag basics
- Your birthplan
- Download and customize ours for free
- Health insurance card
- Pediatrician's name and phone number
- Books, magazines, board games, cards, music, etc
- Glasses (if you need them)
- Hairband, grips or haircomb
- To prevent hair falling into your eyes.
- Nightgown and robe
- Slippers
- Thick socks or legwarmers
- Sanitary pads
- Nursing bra
- Breast pads
- Maternity panties
- Nursing pillow
- Lip salve or chapstick
- Scented wipes or tissues and cologne
For Natural Pain Relief
- Massage oil or talcum powder
- Tennis ball or spinal roll
To Keep You Warm
To Keep You Cool
- Face cloth or sponge
- Small handheld fan
- Box of tissues
To Give You Energy
- Glucose sweets or isotonic drink
- Most hospitals won't let you eat in case you need to be anesthetized
Postpartum bag basics
- Clothes and comfortable shoes for the trip home
- Choose something that fit comfortably during month six of pregnancy.
- Toiletries
- Cosmetics
- Hair dryer
- Camera or video
- Make sure you have spare batteries and spare film, so that you can take pictures of the newborn
- Birth announcement cards
- Don't forget to bring envelopes, stamps and a pen!
- Address book or PDA
- So that you can call the relatives
- Mobile phone or prepaid phone card
- Pillow from home
- A favorite pillow can make you more comfortable. Choose patterned design that won't get mixed up with the hospital laundry
- TV channel guide
- Many labor rooms have a television installed, but the local provider may air your favorite shows at different times!
Baby bag basics
Birthpartner bag basics
- Handwipes
- Food & drink for yourself
- Food & drink for mom
- She won't be allowed to eat during labor, so after delivery she will be hungry
- A change of clothes
- Books or music to pass the time
- Items marked with a pink asterisk are optional
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