What to Bring to the Hospital - Birth Plan

For Mom:

(During Labor)
  • A picture I.D, your insurance card, hospital paperwork (Baby Business Pre-Registration), and your birth plan if you have one.

  • Eyeglasses if you wear them (even if you usually wear contacts, you may not want to deal with them while you’re in the hospital).

  • A bathrobe, a nightgown, slippers, flip-flops, and socks. We provide you gowns and socks, but some moms prefer to wear their own. Choose loose comfortable clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty. Tops should be short-sleeved so we can check your blood pressure. Slippers/flip-flops and robes come in handy if you want to walk the halls during labor.

  • Whatever will help you relax: Some ideas would be your own pillow, music and something to play it on, a picture of someone or something you love to focus on, hair ties to pull your hair back, lip balm, and anything else you find reassuring. If you are going to be induced, think about bringing something to read or a deck of cards, to pass time until labor is underway.

    • (After Delivery)
  • Cozy clothes, roomy footwear, and socks

  • Nursing bras/regular bras and nursing pads

  • Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, brush, make-up, lotion, etc)
    •

    For Partner/Support Person:

  • Memory Catchers: phone, camera, or video camera. Don’t forget batteries, chargers, or memory cards for these devices. Also, a baby book for footprints.
  • Comfortable shoes and changes of clothes.
  • List with phone numbers of people you want to update or tell about the birth.
  • Snacks or money/change for vending machine, or credit card for food at cafeteria.
  • Something to read or pass the time.
  • Toiletries.
  • Notebook and pen.

    • For Baby:

  • An installed car seat. You can’t drive your baby home without one! Have a rear-facing car seat properly installed ahead of time and know how to buckle your baby in correctly.

  • A going home outfit. A couple of other outfits (different sizes) just in case you want them to wear their own clothes.