Everyone always asks their doula ”what do we need to take with us when we go to the hospital to have our baby??” And the easy answer is….not much.

The hospital provides almost everything your baby will need and also almost everything you need. What you need to pack is whatever you will want for your personal care and what you need during labor. The hospital will provide some things, but if you want your Dyson hair dryer - you will need to pack that!

Of course we think the most important thing you will bring with you to the hospital is your doula and she won’t fit into a suitcase (and please don’t try), but lists are a good so here is the one we made for your hospital bag.

What to Bring to the Hospital

insurance information
playlist on your phone
list of people that need to be contacted
eyeglasses and/or extra contacts/ solutions
hair band/clip
chapstick
bathrobe or comfortable clothes for labor
comfortable pillow with a non-white pillow case (so you don’t forget it)
socks and/or slippers (hospital floors, we need not say more)
reading material (maybe)
massage oils, lotions and other comfort aides for labor. (If you are using a doula, she will probably bring these items with her.)
snacks for labor, snacks for postpartum
camera
bra for nursing
change of clothes for both parents
cell phone and appropriate chargers
something for everyone to wear home
birth ball, or even a peanut ball if planning an epidural
basic toiletries, such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo
makeup, hair brushes etc. (it’s ok to care about that stuff even in labor, or to not care!)
water bottles (let’s face it, we know you have a Stanley mug )

The hospital will provide:

hat/clothes/blankets for baby during his stay
diapers
sanitary pads and other items
receiving blankets
nose suction and thermometer (usually)

Have other things that you think we forgot? Let us know, we’ll add them.

Happy Packing!

We believe the most important thing you can bring to your labor is your doula. Not sure how a doula can help you have a better birth? Reach out and we can talk about that!

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