As your due date approaches, you might be dreading packing your hospital bag, or you might be on the other end, looking forward to the experience. You’ll want to spend at least a fraction of the time you spent deciding on baby products on putting together your hospital bag checklist for delivery.
Fortunately, we’ve got you covered at This Is J. Our team shares everything you need to know about hospital bag essentials in this guide. So if you’re approaching 35 weeks, it's time to start gathering the things you’ll learn more about in this guide.
Documents and Essentials
When looking into what to pack in a hospital bag for birth, you need to have a few essentials on hand. Here’s a look at what you’ll want to make sure you move up to the top of your priority list.
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Health card, ID, and insurance information: To register to give birth, you’ll need to show your health card, proof of ID, and insurance information.
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Birth plan copies: Some expectant mothers choose to have a birth plan outlining preferences. If you belong to this group, make sure you bring it along and a few extra copies.
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Phone chargers: Perhaps the thing you want to forget the least is your phone charger. It's a time when you’ll be sending a lot of messages to friends and family, so you don't want to be unable to send them, with people worrying because of a flat phone.
In addition to the above, it's a good idea to put together an emergency contacts list so staff can reach out in an emergency.
For Labour and Delivery
There are a few things you’ll want to include in your hospital bag checklist for delivery that specifically pertain to your labour and delivery. Here’s a look at what we recommend based on what other expectant mothers have found helpful during birth:
Comfortable Robe or Gown
When picking your hospital gown, choose one that's comfortable and soft, with front openings if you plan to nurse. At This Is J, we offer a variety of luxurious robes for expectant mothers, made from breathable materials that are gentle on the skin.
Grip Socks or Slippers
As an expectant or newly minted mom, you might not have your balance fully under control. That’s why it's a good idea to add a pair of grip socks or slippers to your hospital bag. These non-slip options are also handy because they protect your feet from cold hospital floors.
Hair Ties and Lip Balm
The delivery experience can be trying, and, believe it or not, your lips can suffer, leaving them dry and chapped. To avoid this inconvenience, make sure you add a few lip balms to your hospital bags that you trust to keep your lips moisturized.
Additionally, you might want to add a few hair ties in there, too, if you have long hair and want to keep it out of your face while you focus on the very challenging task of bringing life into the world.
Pillow from Home
We’re going to be honest, and apologies to all the hospitals out there, but hospital pillows are just…not it. That’s why we highly recommend you bring your own pillows for before, during, and after delivery. Trust us; you’re going to want to be as comfortable as possible.
For After Delivery
Before and during birth, there are essentials you’ll need, but many forget about after delivery. Below are a few must-haves to pack in your hospital bag before you forget:
Going-Home Outfit
With a new baby in your arms, you likely want to look your best, but what's more important is feeling comfortable. You need to make sure that your going-home outfit is as cosy as possible unless it's really important that you look your best. You may also want to ensure it's nursing-friendly.
Comfortable Pajamas
When you‘re able to change out of the hospital-given gown and into your own clothes, it helps to have a few super comfortable pajama sets on hand. At This Is J, we offer a range of beautifully made, soft, and comfortable bamboo jammers that are perfect for lounging with your baby.
All of our pajamas are made with bamboo and spandex blends, so they adapt to your changing body and offer more wear than traditional pajama sets.
Toiletries and Personal Care
Toiletries can be tricky after birth, but you’re going to want to ensure you have the basics like your bodywash, shampoo and conditioner, moisturizer, and simple skincare items like face cream and maybe a lip oil.
You’re also going to want to pack your hairbrush, toothpaste, toothbrush, and deodorant. However, make sure you’re packing travel-sized items, as you don’t want to be lugging around full-sized products for what will likely be a short stay.
For Partner or Your Support Person
Don’t get us wrong, this is all about you right now, but if you have the time, why not also pack a few hospital bag essentials for your partner or significant other? If you’re not sure what to get, here are a few ideas:
Change of Clothes
It's not only you who will need a change of clothes after you give birth. If your partner or support person remained diligently at your side throughout this monumental event, they likely also would like to freshen up before going home.
So be sure to pack an extra set of clothes for them, along with yours, in your hospital bag. And it's always nice to think of their comfort too, so try to pack something cosy like a set of loungewear.
Snacks and Entertainment
The average woman spends 12 to 24 hours giving birth, and as you can imagine, this can be a long time to sit and twiddle one's thumbs. Of course, your partner or support person should and likely will remain engaged with you during your birth. However, they should also have other ways to keep themselves busy when they're resting.
Usually, it's a good idea to have a range of snacks in your hospital bag so they don't have to leave your side, along with a few entertainment options. These could include something simple like Sudoku or crossword puzzles, or maybe a gaming console like a Nintendo Switch, or even a tablet to watch a few episodes of their favorite show.
Comfort Items
Giving birth can be an incredibly stressful event, even if you do everything in your power to ensure smooth sailing. That’s why it's a good idea to surround yourself and your partner with comfort items. These could include a warm blanket from home, a thermos of tea approved by your medical team, or even sentimental items. A few of the best include a favorite scented candle, a baby blanket belonging to one of the parents, or headphones and a favorite playlist.
For Baby
There are a few things you need to get sorted for the baby before you bring them home.
Below you’ll find three of the most important baby items you need to organize when creating your hospital bag checklist. Not all of these will fit in your hospital bag (like the baby seat), but they are related:
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Going-home outfit: You’ll want to choose something that is weather-appropriate and easy to put on. Usually, it's also best to pack between newborn and 0-3 months clothing just in case your baby is smaller or bigger than you expect.
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Car seat: This one you won't fit in your hospital bag, but rather in the car you’ll be using to take mom and baby home. Just be sure that it's properly installed well before your due date.
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Receiving blanket: If you want to keep the baby cosy or swaddled, you’ll need to pack a receiving blanket.
In addition to the above, you may also want to pack a baby hat, mittens, onesies, diapers, and wipes. It's also a good idea to pack an extra baby blanket that's thicker for the car seat if the weather is cold.
What the Hospital Provides
In most Canadian hospitals, mothers are given basic postpartum and newborn supplies during their stay. Usually, these supplies include wipes, diapers, disposable mesh underwear, peri bottles, large maternity pads, and basic baby blankets.
It's also common for hospitals to offer receiving blankets, hospital gowns, and sometimes small sample packs of formula. It's up to you if you want to accept these items or use your own.
What You Don't Need to Bring
Although it's best to ask ahead of time what you don’t need to bring for your delivery, here are a few items that are often not needed:
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A big box of baby wipes.
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Full-size pillows or blankets (unless you want to bring your own).
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Jewelry or valuables.
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Makeup bags with lots of products.
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Excess baby outfits.
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A breast pump for delivery unless your doctor advises its use.
Pro Tips
There are also a few pro tips you should keep in mind if it's your first time having a baby in Canadian hospitals:
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Consider packing two tote bags: It's often recommended by parents that one hospital bag holds all your essentials, and the other holds all the freebies that remain empty until you leave.
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An extra-long charging cable: Unfortunately, plug points in hospitals can be inconveniently placed, and hospital beds are higher than standard beds. So it's a good idea to pack an extra long charging cable for when you want your phone to be charged next to you.
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Pack your own towels: There is usually nothing luxurious about hospitals, so why would their towels be any different? If you don't want to dry yourself with something thin and scratchy or entirely too small, consider packing your own.
Be Prepared and Relaxed After Completing Your Hospital Bag Checklist for Delivery
Packing your hospital bag for delivery and afterwards can be scary when you don’t know what you’ll truly need. Hopefully, you now have a better idea of what the essentials really are, and you can go forth and create your hospital bag checklist for delivery.
If you’re ready to shop our bamboo jammers range or want to try out our maternity sleepwear first, we’re all for it. We know how important it can be to buy something you’ll want to wear, especially during pregnancy and after giving birth.
