When you buy through our links, we may earn money from our affiliate partners. Learn more.
As your due date approaches, you'll want to start thinking about packing your hospital bag. Consider having one ready by 36 or 37 weeks in case your baby comes early.
My advice for packing is this: Stick to what you know you'll actually need and let how you live your life on a regular basis influence what you pack. Most hospitals and birth centers provide the basic necessities, but if there's anything at home that makes you feel more at ease, it can't hurt to bring it with you. It's likely that you'll be staying away from home for 24 hours if you have an uncomplicated vaginal delivery or up to five days if you have a C-section.
These are the 10 essentials that I recommend packing in your hospital bag:And don't forget necessities like your birth plan, insurance card and ID, glasses and/or contacts, toiletries, and a car seat for your baby.
"With COVID, you want to limit bringing items into the hospital that you can't wash," Morgan Michalowski, CNM, WHNP-BC, and IBCLC says. "Consider bringing a plastic bag to safely transfer clothes home from the hospital so that you can wash them right away, and separately from the baby's clothing."
Ultimately, though, giving birth is the important thing to focus on — it's natural to want to feel prepared, but don't let your hospital bag be the thing that sends you into a tizzy. If you forget something you truly need, you can send someone to get it once the baby makes their arrival. There aren't many material goods that you can't birth your baby without. They are coming out, whether you've got your favorite pillow or not.