What to Pack for Your Labor and Delivery
It is important that you pack ahead of time. The ideal time to pack your maternity bag is around three weeks to a month before your baby’s expected day of arrival.
Studies show that only 5% of babies are born on their actual due date. Packing early gives you enough time to prepare for the unexpected. Although the hospital will provide you the essential supplies for you and your newborn during labor and post-delivery, you may want to bring things that would make you feel more at home or comfortable with your surroundings.
The hospital will provide mothers with gowns, socks, pads, panties, ice packs, pericare supplies and standard pillows and blankets during your hospital stay. The Palm Beach Health Network will provide diapers, wipes, blankets, hats and bathing supplies while you and your baby are in the hospital.
What Should I Put in My Hospital Bag?
The checklists below may serve as a guide to help you get organized for your baby’s arrival:
- Photo ID and insurance cards
- Focal point (meaningful small object or picture to focus on during labor)
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Lotion or massage oil
- Chapstick or lip balm for dry lips
- Tennis ball or back massager (for back labor)
- Relaxing music
- Hairbrush, hair clips or hair ties to hold long hair away from neck and face
- Comfortable pillows
- Colored pillowcases so they aren’t confused with the hospital’s standard white pillowcases
- Childbirth class handbook
- Phone, camera, charger and extra batteries (some procedures or actual birth may not be photographed/filmed)
- Pen and paper
Postpartum Stay
- Nursing gowns or nursing shirts and comfortable pants
- Bathrobe and nonskid slippers
- Nursing pillow and 1-2 nursing bras
- Breast pads
- Several pairs of socks
- Several pairs of underwear
- Deodorant
- Loose-fitting clothes to change into
- Compression wrap for added postpartum belly support
- Breast pump and other nursing supplies
- Hairdryer
- Glasses and/or contact lenses