The big day is almost here! Here’s what to pack for your delivery

In your third trimester, you start thinking about labor and delivery. You are probably doing a lot of things around the house to get ready for your baby. Have you thought about what to pack for your delivery? Have you made a hospital bag checklist? Our San Antonio OBGYNs urge you to pack your bag a month or two before your due date because babies don’t always arrive exactly when you expect them.

Your hospital bag checklist should include these absolute must-haves

Every woman will decide to bring different things, depending on her needs, likes and dislikes. However, there are a few essentials you have to have when you get to the hospital, so be sure to put these on your checklist when deciding what to pack for your delivery.

Photo ID
Insurance card
Preregistration information
Glasses or contacts and solution
Phone and chargers
Comfortable, loose clothes to wear home from the hospital
Comfortable shoes
Nursing bras, or sports bras if you are not nursing
Breast pads, whether or not you are nursing
Personal toiletries, such as a toothbrush and deodorant

You may want to bring some of these items from home to make you feel more comfortable

When you are deciding what to pack for your delivery, think about things that make you feel comfortable and cared for. The hospital provides basic toiletries, but you may want your own shampoo or soap. Here are a few things our San Antonio OBGYNs think you may want to add to your hospital bag checklist.

Nightgowns and a robe
Socks for cold feet during delivery
Your own pillow
Breath mints, lollipops or hard candy
Laptop or tablet
Your own sanitary pads, if you prefer them to those they give you at the hospital
Nursing pillow
Nipple cream
Tennis ball or hand-held massager for your support person to massage your back
Reading material
An extra bag to bring home items the hospital gives you: diapers, maternity sanitary pads, etc.

What to pack to bring your baby home

You won’t need to pack bottles, nipples or diapers for your time in the hospital because the hospital supplies them, so it’s safe to leave those items off your hospital bag checklist. You just need a couple of diapers and wipes for the trip home, sleepers, a receiving blanket to wrap the baby in, and a hat if the weather is cold. The number one must-have item your baby needs to leave the hospital is a safe car seat. Don’t forget that.

Our San Antonio OBGYNs can advise you about what to pack for your delivery

Don’t get overly concerned about what to pack for your delivery. Just plan ahead if you can. There’s always someone to help find what you need. Contact us for a prenatal care appointment.

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