When packing for the delivery of a baby you must consider many things, including your own comfort and the comfort of your newborn. Some mothers pack the maternity bag during the third trimester or between 32 and 40 weeks into the pregnancy. Other mothers wait until the earliest signs of labor to begin packing as a way to pass the time and ease the anticipation of the baby's arrival.
Important Paperwork
Depending on the facility where the birth will take place, you may be able to preregister for your stay. This includes completing identification forms, health insurance information and any other pertinent details the facility requires. If this is not done ahead of time you should pack your insurance card, identification and any other important papers you may need. Some other forms to consider include contact information for notifying friends and family the baby has arrived and the papers and collection kit for cord blood banking if this is being done.
Clothing
You can choose to wear your own clothes for comfort or you can slip into a gown provided by the birthing facility. Other laboring clothing to consider might include a comfortable bra, something to wear in a bathtub if desired, nursing gowns, a nursing bra or tank, breast pads to trap leaks and an outfit to wear home. When selecting an outfit to wear home, the American Pregnancy Association recommends selecting one that fits during pregnancy. While many women lose weight with the birth of the baby, the stomach and other parts of the body may not return to a smaller size for several days or longer. Socks with rubber tread or other traction materials are helpful when walking around a birthing facility. A few pairs of underwear should be packed but it is important that they can be soiled with blood in the event that sanitary pads leak following the baby's delivery. The March of Dimes suggests taking a robe and some comfortable lounge clothing to wear when guests come to visit the baby.
Toiletries
Pack nearly any toiletry that you need in order to groom yourself. This includes a tooth brush, toothpaste, body soap, facial soap, hair dryer and any cosmetic or hair care products if this is what you desire. Many of these items can be left at home to keep packing to a minimum. When delivering at a hospital you can request some items, but they will likely cost money on the final bill for the stay. Some women choose to take their favorite brand of sanitary pads instead of using the hospital provided items, the American Pregnancy Association notes. Buy large, long and heavy-flow pads as the vaginal bleeding, called lochia, following a baby's delivery can be quite heavy for several days. Leave perfumes and heavily scented items at home. Fragrance can be bothersome during labor and can irritate a newborn's sensitive skin.
Equipment
Some pieces of equipment may need to be packed right before heading to the birthing facility because they are used on a regular basis. Examples include a cell phone, camera, camcorder or laptop computer. One vital piece of equipment is the infant car seat, which should be properly installed before heading to the birthing facility for delivery. A breast pump is an optional piece of equipment if the hospital or birthing facility does not offer one for you to use.
Baby Clothes
The infant will likely be dressed in simple clothing provided by the birthing facility including a cap, snap T-shirt and swaddling blankets. You can take extra clothes if the facility allows it but the only necessary pieces of baby clothing are those that the baby will wear when going home. Plan appropriately for the weather by packing light or thick caps. A newborn will need a cap even in warmer climates due to being in the air conditioning. In the colder months a newborn will need one light layer more than what an adult would be wearing and one or more blankets to cover all of her skin when going out into the cold. Decide if a special outfit for photos for leaving the hospital or arriving at home are necessary. Diapers may be required depending on the birthing facility. Bring cloth diapers and accessories if this is the method you plan to use.
Optional Items
Pack your birth plan as soon as you have created it. It may be wise to pack a journal or notebook to document the experiences, track a baby's feeding and diaper-soiling routine or record medications the mother has been taking. Music, photos and any other comforts from home can be soothing and inspiring during labor. Snacks, gum, hard candies, a water bottle, lanolin for breast feeding and glasses or contact lens accessories are recommended by the American Pregnancy Association.
