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Packing Your Hospital Labor Bag

Are you prepared for your stay in the hospital? Here is a list of the most essential items to pack in your labor bag.

© Brenda Lane

Sep 26, 2006
hospital labor bag, Adam Ciesielski
Not surprising that items are often forgotten at home when labor starts. The best prevention is to begin packing your labor bag in the last weeks of pregnancy.

You arrive at the hospital in preparation for one of the most important moments of your life (ie. having your baby) and realize you did not pack a camera! Or you have a camera but the batteries are dead!

The best way to avoid that is to start packing some essential items in your hospital labor bag during your last few weeks of pregnancy. There are several items that you might want to have on hand to use either during or after birth that will not be supplied for you.

For more information about preparing for labor, click here.

Suggested Items for Your Hospital Labor Bag:

    Nightgown or clothes (nightshirt or long t-shirt to labor in)

    Lightweight Robe

    Slippers or extra socks

    Pillows (2-3) - save for after birth and use hospital pillows for labor

    Food and beverages for Dad or other support people; Food for mom if allowed

    Toiletries/cosmetics

    Lip balm

    Hard candies/lollipops

    Gatorade or other energy/electrolyte drinks

    Plastic drink bottles with cap and straw

    Bottled water?

    Clothing for baby and diaper bag

    Loose-fitting clothes for mom when going home

    Digital and/or disposable camera (bring extra batteries)

    Cell phone

    List of phone numbers (family, relatives, support people)

    Change for vending machines
If you are planning to give birth at a birth center, you may want to bring the following:

    Food for during and after birth for parents

    Scented candles

    What items did you use for your birth? Share your ideas on the forum!

The copyright of the article Packing Your Hospital Labor Bag in Pregnancy & Childbirth is owned by Brenda Lane. Permission to republish Packing Your Hospital Labor Bag in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.




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Comments
Oct 16, 2008 5:46 PM
Guest :
Pads for after the baby comes you bleed for a littl while.
Feb 12, 2009 2:32 PM
Guest :
u can get pads at most hospitals
Mar 28, 2009 2:10 AM
Guest :
Yes you can get pad's at most hospital's but not one's that hold enough fluid best pack your own. Oh can't forget blanket's for bub and cute beany to keep him/her warm.
May 5, 2009 9:59 PM
Guest :
You can get hats, blankets, diapers, onsies and plenty of guaze for baby at the hospital. You would definitely need panties and pads...and some music would be nice for mom afterbirth...or maybe even during.

If your hospital doesn't allow cell phones, you'll need a calling card.
-Nursing bra/nursing pads
-baby book for footprints/hand and finger prints....
Jul 18, 2009 10:45 PM
Guest :
panties and Feeding bra's are the most importatn!
Oct 13, 2009 1:48 PM
Guest :
Another imp thing is the hand sanitizer, I feel..so that guests can clean their hands off before touching the new born..
6 Comments
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