It’s the beginning of the third trimester and you’re thinking about putting together your hospital bag. Now is the perfect time. Babies are unpredictable, so prepare early to give yourself that peace of mind. I have my hospital bag checklist divided into three parts: Labor and Delivery, Postpartum for Momma, and Postpartum for Baby. You can either pack three separate bags, or pack one big bag and use packing cubes to divide the contents. Below are all the labor and delivery items that I packed.
Portable Fan
Labor is like a strenuous exercise. Then throw in a bunch of meds and you might be feeling like you’ve got hot flashes and night sweats. And then if you’re someone like me prone to anxiety attacks, you might also have trouble breathing. Not a fun combo. But having a portable fan helps.
snawowo Mini Handheld Personal Portable Fan
I like that this fan is chargeable and has a flexible tripod you can attach to the hospital bed. After labor, we attach it to the baby stroller during hotter summer walks. I’ve also used it on my stationary bike during workouts.
Essential Oils
Essentials oils are one way to help me breathe and relax during labor. My doula would put a few drops on a cotton pad and put it near my nose to breath during contractions or during anxiety attacks. Some recommended scents below can help with either relaxation or breathing. The two most popular brands I know are doTERRA and Young Living. There are other cheaper brands available, but I don’t know how clean they are. I wanted to stick to the brands I was familiar with and knew people who have used and could vouch for, especially when using while pregnant.
To Promote Relaxation
- doTERRA Lavender Essential Oil
- Young Living Lavender Essential Oil
- Young Living Peace & Calming Essential Oil
To Promote Clear Airways
Water Bottle
like any strenuous exercise, you’re gonna need plenty of water to keep hydrated. Some hospitals will give you a big plastic jug with a straw. My last hospital did not. So it’s nice to come prepared with a large water bottle with a straw. Below are options from some of the most popular water bottle brands. If you’re breastfeeding, you’ll want to continue to stay hydrated with one or all of these. I actually keep four water bottles (one from each brand) next to my bed when nursing through the night during the fourth trimester.
The benefit of a plastic water bottle is that its lightweight. This is a popular one that is leakproof and easy to clean. It comes in various and three sizes, 20 oz, 25 oz, and 32 oz.
STANLEY IceFlow Stainless Steel Tumbler with Straw
For each pregnancy, during labor I just wanted ice cold water. Or just ice. You could ask the nurses to give you a cup of ice but since they give it to you in a plastic cup, it melts quickly. Bring in a stainless steel vacuum insulated like this and you could have the hospital staff fill it up with ice. There are so many color options and five sizes, from 20 oz up to 96 oz. Yes, it’s much heavier than the plastic bottle option, but this 96 oz bottle will keep drinks cold up to 20 hours, and iced up to four days (although hopefully you’ll have a quick delivery and won’t need it iced that long).
YETI Rambler Tumbler with Handle and Straw Lid
Right after the birth, I started having the worse uterine cramps. Think menstrual cramps, but worse. They feel almost like contractions. And if you’re breastfeeding, and/or if this isn’t your first baby, the cramps are even worse. Drinking cold, or even lukewarm water, would make me feel worse. Only warm water would helped. Bring in a stainless steel insulated tumbler and you can ask a nurse to fill it with warm water. This one comes in various colors and is available in three sizes: 25 oz, 35 oz or 42 oz.
Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Straw Lid
If prefer a bottle over a tumbler, this is a nice option that keeps water cold up to 24 hours and warm up to 12 hours. It comes in several color options and in three different sizes.
Lip Balm
Maybe its the lack of sleep or the long labor but my lips always get so dry at the hospital. A good lip balm is an absolute must have, so don’t forget to pack your favorite. This is one of my favorites.
Speakers
Once contractions kick in, setting a relaxing atmosphere (at least as much as possible) was key for me. My doula always brought speakers and would play calming worship music during labor for me. If you’re not religious, calming spa music works too (or whatever tunes that best calm or distract you from labor pains).
Fairy Lights
Another thing I like to do to set the calming atmosphere is to turn the lights down and turn on some mood fairy lights. It makes the room feel cozier, and hopefully trick my mind into thinking I’m at a spa, and not a sterile hospital.
Electronics
Phone
Don’t forget your phone! You’ll need it for all the text announcements and newborn photos. I was fortunate to have a doula at all my births who took all the newborn photos for us. If you don’t have a doula or third support person available, remind your partner to take photos for you and the baby. Don’t forget to snap some of him doing skin to skin as well (if he desires). And ask a nurse to take your first family photo together.
Polaroid
If it’s not too hectic, try to document some sentimental first and last photos. Like your last photo pregnant at the hospital, your last photo as a couple, a photo with your doula if you have one, a photo with your nurse if you really like her, your first photo with baby, your first photo in diapers, your first family photos, etc. I like to get a keepsake book and put these in there after.
iPad
If your labor is quick or if you don’t get epidural, you won’t have time to be bored. But if it’s a long labor, like most first pregnancies are, you might want to bring an iPad or book to read (see some newborn book recommendations here). Or if you have a support person who’s company you enjoy, you might not need any other entertainment. I personally spent my downtime during labor catching up with my doula, who I’ve come to adore, and who feels like an old friend to me.
Phone Charger
Don’t forget your phone charger! Opt for a power charging one with long wires. You never know where the outlet is located at the hospital.
Face Roller
I tend to tense up when in pain, both in my face and upper shoulders. I brought my face roller in my hospital bag and my doula used it to gently massage my neck and shoulders through each contraction. You can also use it on your face for yourself, or ask your partner to help you.
Hospital Gown
I personally find hospital gowns incredibly comfortable. But I know some people hate it and would rather pack their own. One of the drawbacks of packing your own is that it may become completely soiled with bodily fluids during labor. But if you insist on packing your own labor/delivery gown, make sure it has opening in the back for epidural if needed, as well as openings in the front for skin-to-skin or breastfeeding post-delivery.
Nursing Bra
With my first kid, I was more conservative and wore a sports bra during delivery. However, it actually made it more difficult to do skin-to-skin post delivery. It’s much easier to just go bra-less. By the second and third pregnancy I could have delivered naked, especially when delivering at a teaching hospital and you’re already getting a classroom of students looking at your hoo-ha. Also, your bra might get completely soiled after skin-to-skin (unless you don’t do skin to skin, or wait until baby is bathed for skin-to-skin). If you still insist on upholding some modicum of decency during delivery, then try to opt for a nursing bra (over a traditional bra or sports bra), so that you can more easily breastfeed or do skin to skin.
