Hospital Bag Checklist: What to Pack

Jul 05, 2023

As you prepare to give birth, you might wonder what you need to bring with you.

Though the hospital will generally provide the most basic things you'll need when you give birth like food, water, and gown, it doesn't hurt to have some personal touches with you at the hospital.

Active labor and delivery can last between four to twelve hours so it's important to feel as comfortable as you can. Bringing loose-fitting clothes, toiletries, and sources of entertainment can help put your mind at ease as well.

You should pack the bag when you're about 34 to 36 weeks pregnant, says Linda Burke, MD, MS, FACOG, OB-GYN with a private practice in Florida. There's no need to pack a separate bag in case of early labor, but if you have a history of a baby being born too early (aka a "preterm birth"), you should get it ready by 28 weeks, she says.

The weeks leading up to your due date are often a hectic time, so here's a guide of what you'll need to include in the hospital bag.

You'll likely be staying in the hospital for about one to three days, so you need to bring everything you might need during that period. It's crucial to pack beforehand so you aren't caught unprepared.

Here are the items that you should pack:

What to pack for your hospital bag ultimately depends on your individual needs, so if there are more items that you need for your own comfort, go ahead and bring them as well.

Quick tip: To take this guide with you, right-click it and save it as an image. After saving the image, you can print the guide and use it as a checklist.

It's important to anticipate the baby's needs and pack the items that they'll need, such as:

Note: Your partner or support person should also pack a hospital bag in advance. Aside from their own clothes and toiletries, they can bring extra cash, a camera, reusable water containers, and extra bags. They can also be in charge of the snacks and the general items needed for entertainment like books, electronics and their chargers, and Bluetooth speakers.

The hospital will provide you and your baby's most basic needs, but it's crucial to prepare a labor hospital bag for your maximum comfort. Start packing your essentials when you're about 34 to 36 weeks pregnant, but in case of a history of preterm birth, begin packing as early as 28 weeks.

You should bring all the important documents as well as your personal items like comfortable clothes, toiletries, nursing supplies, and maternity pads. For your baby, make sure to bring them clothes, diapers, blankets, and towels.

Prenatal care providers generally send copies of your prenatal records to your chosen hospital or delivery site before your expected delivery. However, it's good to have a paper copy of these records in case of any emergency that requires you to go to a different hospital, like if you need to be admitted at a specialty hospital, says Burke. Your right to view and access your health information is protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).