There is no way to predict in advance whether your labor will last several hours or several days. Packing a bag with essentials can help you prepare for virtually any scenario you might encounter while at the hospital or birth center. To avoid packing a bag during active labor when you might feel rushed, pack your bag about a month before your due date.
Significance
Although the hospital will usually provide most basic baby care items, including formula and diapers, you will want to bring comfort items from home to use during labor and after you give birth. The medical advisory board of Babycenter.com, a pregnancy advice website, recommends packing two small bags---one that you can bring with you to the labor and delivery room and one that you can take to your room after birth.
Labor Needs
Preparing essentials for labor can make hospital check-in go more smoothly and can make sure you have everything you need to labor in comfort. Bring along your insurance card and your hospital or birth center's pre-registration paperwork. According to the American Pregnancy Association, many women report being cold during labor, so you might want to pack a sweater and a pair of socks for your feet.
Since labor can potentially be a lengthy process, include some playing cards, as well as a digital music player or DVD filled with your favorite songs. Don't forget your camera, cell phone and a list of the phone numbers of people with whom you want to share the news.
Postpartum Needs
You can wear the hospital's gowns after birth, but some women prefer to bring their own gown or pajamas. If you plan to nurse your baby, you will want to ensure your gown opens in the front. You will also want to bring along a nursing bra and breast pads. Your new baby will need a going-home outfit, as well as a warm receiving blanket. Babycenter cautions that you cannot legally drive your baby home without a carseat, so make sure you install one in your vehicle prior to the delivery. If you bring your baby book, the hospital will usually stamp your baby's handprints and footprints inside of it for you.
Considerations
Include items for your labor coach when packing your bags. He will probably want a change of clothes and toiletries if he plans to stay at the hospital overnight and a bathing suit so that he can join you in the birth tub. Bring a small cooler packed with snacks, drinks and sandwiches so that he can stay close to you during labor instead of making repeated trips to the hospital cafeteria. Make sure he has change for vending machines and the parking lot attendant.
Potential
The birth of your baby is the beginning of a new chapter in your family's lives so pack some special items to help you celebrate. If your hospital allows a champagne toast, tote along a bottle of champagne--or sparkling cider if you prefer not to drink alcohol--and ask your nurse to store it in the refrigerator until after the birth. If you have older kids, bring along some special gifts "from the baby" that your children can open when they come to visit you in the hospital.
