If you are heading to the hospital for the birth of your new bundle, it may be time to start packing to have your bags ready to go.

When should I start packing?

As early as you want, but definitely by 36 or 37 weeks. Just have the bag ready and toss things in whenever you think of them.

If you are looking for a bare bones minimal list, all you really need is something to wear home for you and baby, and a car seat.

The hospital will provide you with pads, ice packs, mesh undies, diapers, a sleep sack, hat for baby, certain medications, food, and a place for you, your baby, and your support person to sleep. Thats all you really need.

For those of us who take packing or planning to the next level, here are a list some must haves and some extras you may wish to take to make yourself more comfortable. Birth runs on oxytocin, so all those little things that make you feel comforted can help you during labor and after, as long as you don’t mind carting them to and from the hospital.

• Car Seat
• Two (2) baby outfits for going home
• Phone and extra long chargers
• Drivers License and insurance card
• Comfy pajamas/Nursing pajamas
• Supportive bra/Nursing bra
• Comfortable and supportive tops and bottoms (maternity clothes)
• Socks/Slippers
• Flip Flops
• Easy footwear to wear home
• Boppy Pillow
• Toiletries for the first shower postpartum (Most moms say they feel like a new person after the first post-birth shower. Take your time and enjoy this part!)
• Glasses/Contacts with cases and solution
• Toothbrush/toothpaste
• Baby bum cream or oil (to put on before the first meconium poop so it isn’t sticky to wipe off)
• Hair ties
• Birth plan
• Cash for parking or vending machines
• PJ and change of clothes for dad/support person
• Baby Tracker App
• Contraction Timer App
• Handheld Fan (I quickly learned this was a must have in my doula bag)
• Any medications or vitamins you/your partner normally take
• Breast pump (to leave in the car, just in case baby has issues latching so you can stimulate milk production, or may be used as an induction technique to stimulate contractions if needed)

Extras

Music Snacks Handheld massager/Heating Pad Flameless candles/battery lights Camera Gum/mints Special outfit or blanket, for baby and pictures Aromatherapy Fleece or sweater Makeup Massage oil/lotion

Labor outfit/gown/dress Lip balm Pillow from home Nipple butter/cream Swaddle blanket Water bottles Slippers Hair dryer Breast pads Pen and notepad if you want to keep notes about the labor/birth Deodorant

My favorite must haves for my births were my “birthing dress” which was just a summer maternity dress that I wore to birth in, a lightweight cardigan sweater that I wore over it for the fluctuations between hot and cold, and my own pillow. What was your favorite “must have” item that you used during your birth?

-Stephanie

Stephanie is a labor doula based in Liberty Township, Ohio, serving families in all surrounding areas including West Chester, Middletown, Dayton, Cincinnati, Lebanon, Mason, and more! If you are interested in meeting up for a free consultation to learn more about how doula support could benefit you and your family during your pregnancy, labor, and birth, or to talk about birth planning options, use the scheduling link to set up a chat.

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