Preparing for your baby's delivery day can be both exciting and scary, but having a plan can ease some of your stress. This plan includes, of course, your hospital bag. Having a bag of essentials packed and ready to go will make your baby's delivery day go more smoothly — the more prepared, the better!
The unexpected can happen, so it’s recommended that you have your hospital bag packed and ready by month eight of your pregnancy... though tons of my Hampton Roads maternity photography clients have gone into labor between 30-36 weeks so even earlier is better because we never know what will happen.
Like packing for anything, it can be hard to know what to bring. You don’t want to forget something essential, but you don’t have to over-pack either. Thankfully, many moms have been through the process of preparing a hospital bag and have many helpful tips to offer. As a Hampton Roads Maternity, Birth, Fresh 48 and Newborn photographer, I wanted to share some of these useful tips! A lot of these tips came from my own maternity, birth, newborn and family clients through my Facebook page. (If you aren't following me then you can do so here.)
This pretty Norfolk mama gave birth to her baby around 30 weeks at Portsmouth Naval Hospital. She had no clue that would happen but she was prepared with her bag. We did her Maternity photo session in Norfolk, Virginia in the fall, just a few days before she had her little one.
WHAT TO PACK FOR MOM
Important documents including your ID and insurance cards. Hospitals require these documents for admittance, so keep them handy and available.
Your birth plan if you have one.
Clean clothes, including socks, underwear and an outfit to go home in. Hospitals can get chilly, so it’s smart to bring extra socks to keep your feet warm. Also, a comfortable pair of underwear will come in handy after delivery.
Your favorite pillow. Hospital pillows aren’t always the softest, so bringing one from home might make you feel more comfortable.
Body lotion. Considering how uncomfortable labor can be, a little massage might help you relax as well as keep you moisturized since hospitals tend to have pretty dry air.
Flip flops. If you shower at the hospital, you’ll want to have shower-friendly shoes handy.
Lip balm. This might not seem like an essential, but chapped lips happen at the most inconvenient times, and many moms include this on their must-have lists. I was obsessed with putting it on my lips during labor because I was so dehydrated and doing a ton of mouth breathing. It's actually a joke now between my husband and I. Thankfully, my doulas in Virginia Beach told me to pack this one!
Toiletries. It may seem like a no-brainer to pack your toothbrush and some deodorant, but don’t leave out soap, a hairbrush and hair ties.
Stuff to do. It’s hard to say how long your stay in the hospital might last after your baby is born. Bring a book or tablet to keep you entertained.
Phone charger. During the grueling hours before delivery, use your phone to stay in contact with loved ones and keep you occupied.An extension cord. Shorter phone chargers won't necessarily reach the electrical outlets. Be prepared with an extension cord.
If you're not planning on using your cellphone to take pictures during birth, delivery, and those early hospital days, don't forget to bring your camera and accessories for baby's first photographs.
WHAT TO PACK FOR YOUR NEW BABY
Car seat. This one won’t go in the hospital bag, but you certainly want to make sure baby has something to ride home from the hospital in.
Clothes. This may include a sleeper for the hospital stay (if your hospital allows it) and an outfit to go home in.
Blanket. The hospital will have blankets for your newborn, but bringing your own is good for when you breastfeed, and it’s something to cover your baby with once he's in his new car seat.
Socks and booties. Your baby will also need protection from the chilly hospital air, so don’t forget to bring something to keep her feet warm.
Pacifier. The hospital will have a pacifier for you, but if you plan to use one other than the ones provided (I know Sentara Norfolk General, Sentara Leigh and Sentara Princess Anne hospitals in Norfolk and Virginia Beach all offer the green smoothie pacifiers), then bring it along pre-sterilized.
WHAT TO PACK FOR YOUR BIRTH PARTNER
Your support partner or spouse will most likely pack things of their own for a hospital stay. Many of the items on their checklist will be similar to yours:
Clothes
Toiletries
Phone charger
Book
Computer
Tablet
Pillow and blanket for an overnight stay.
It might not hurt to also pack snacks and drinks (if permitted by your hospital) and a camera and/or video camera to capture special moments during labor and after! And make sure you and your birth partner have clothes that will look good in pictures. Watch out for tee-shirts with big, ugly graphics and logos. Keep the clothing simple so it won't stand out when you take pictures of your baby's birth, delivery, and those first few days after he/she is born.
NEW MOMS SHARE THEIR MUST-HAVES
“Chapstick! Don’t forget it — and a charger. My lips were so, so dry.” –Ashley R. - Chesapeake, VA
"Robe and slippers for mom (trips to the nursery). Snacks for dad and post delivery when you are starving (i had chewy bars)." - Valerie - Norfolk, VA
“Honestly, I didn’t need most of what I packed. Lots of people swear by their own nightgown, but I wore the hospital’s as there was still blood and other junk I didn’t want on my clothes. Your own pillow is nice but get a non-white pillowcase so you don’t mistake it for the hospital’s. I packed books and music but ended up not even using those. Snacks are good, and chapstick, phone chargers, lotion. Bring your own shampoo and conditioner because the hospital’s sucks. Basically toiletries are good to pack. You don’t need much for baby — an outfit or two.” –Heather O - Virginia Beach, VA
“Gift cards for the nurses. They deserve medals for all they do. I think I had six gift cards, but I don't think I gave them all away. I did Starbucks and Panera cards for $10 to $25.” –Michele G. - Norfolk, VA
"Extension cord to charge my phone lol" - Kady S. - Portsmouth, VA
“Shampoo, conditioner and body wash. I forgot body wash and had to use shampoo. Also, bring clothes for the dad, including comfy clothes for the waiting period. My husband and I referred to it as a very strange hotel stay. We checked in on Monday and left on Friday.” –Kate S. - Portsmouth, VA
"Personal hygiene things! Shampoo, body wash, face wash! Things to help you feel refreshed afterwards!" - Ashley F. - Chesapeake, VA
“Aside from the basics, the things I’m so glad I had were comfy robe and nursing-friendly nightgown (Target has some great ones), slippers, my own blanket and pillows, a phone charger with a ten-inch cord (to reach up into the hospital bed), hands-free pumping bra, and an empty bag to take home all the extra stuff in the room (diapers, pumping parts, wipes, formula).” –Becca J. - Chesapeake, VA
“Heating pad! It helps with the back pain from their bed.” –Stephanie J- Norfolk, VA
"Less is more! Slippers and comfy clothes for Momma, any chargers, hair ties and I brought my own soaps from home...they smell better! Going home outfit for baby and the car seat. Dad, same as mom really...and don't forget your pillows!" - Jamie C - Former Virginia Beach, VA
"Bike shorts to hold tight the wonderful after birth diapers we wear" - Gabi K - Virginia Beach, VA
"I was induced ASAP after going in for a non stress test and had NO BAG!
Honestly I didn’t need much the hospital has most things but here is what I did need:
Chapstick
Eye/sleep mask
Ear plugs (those machines are too bright and make too much noise)
I definitely would have loved my own robe" - Jessica K. - Norfolk, VA
GETTING YOUR NEWBORN HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL
It won't fit in the suitcase, but certainly, remember that you will not be allowed to take your baby home unless he is strapped into a properly installed car seat.
Make sure to take care of this detail well in advance of your baby's due date. That way you'll be ready in case he arrives early. Install your baby's car seat in your car, then take it to be inspected by a certified car seat technician to make sure it's installed securely and correctly. This car seat inspection is a free service. You can visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to find a car seat inspector where you live.
You can also check with your local Fire Station. I know some stations in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Newport News, Hampton and Suffolk all have stations that participate - but call ahead first.. only certain stations participate. I'm unsure what Moyock, NC offers but it's worth giving them a phone call or just check out the web address above.
DID YOU KNOW?
You can opt not to use the photographers In the hospital for your hospital session and book a fresh 48 hospital session with me instead? Usually the hospital staffs beginner photographers with beginner equipment and they usually don't allow any editing of the images AT ALL, so what you see is what you get with them. Hospital sessions in Hampton Roads are worth every penny when using an experienced professional. You can find out more information here.
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