Hospital Bag Checklist
Pack your bag by 36 weeks so you are ready when labor begins. Our providers helped curate this list based on what patients actually use (and what they wish they had brought). Save this page and check items off as you pack.
For You (the Birthing Parent)
Comfort items and essentials for labor, delivery, and your hospital stay.
For You (the Birthing Parent)
For Baby
The hospital provides basics, but these items are yours to bring.
For Baby
For Your Partner or Support Person
Your support person will be spending long hours at the hospital too.
For Your Partner or Support Person
For the Car Ride Home
You will not want to make stops on the way home. Pack these in the car ahead of time.
For the Car Ride Home
What the Hospital Provides
You do not need to bring everything. Most hospitals in the MomDoc network provide these items during your stay:
- For you: Hospital gown, mesh underwear, postpartum pads, peri bottle, ice packs, basic toiletries, and warm blankets
- For baby: Diapers, wipes, newborn hat, receiving blankets, formula (if needed), and a bassinet
- Feeding support: Lactation consultants are available at all MomDoc-affiliated hospitals
Ask your provider during your 36-week visit which specific items your delivery hospital provides, since amenities vary slightly between facilities.
Packing Tips from Our Providers
Pack light. Most hospital stays for vaginal delivery are 24 to 48 hours and 48 to 96 hours for a cesarean. You do not need a week's worth of supplies.
Use a small bag, not a suitcase. Hospital rooms have limited space, especially in shared recovery rooms. A medium duffel bag or backpack works best.
Leave valuables at home. Hospitals are busy places with many people coming and going. Leave jewelry, large amounts of cash, and expensive electronics at home.
Pre-install the car seat. Do not wait until discharge day to figure out how the car seat works. Install it at least two weeks before your due date, and get it inspected at a local fire station or certified inspection station.
Pack a separate bag for your partner. If their bag is separate from yours, it is easier to grab the right items without digging through everything during labor.