Pregnant Woman on Sofa Sleeping Waiting to Go into labor

What do you pack for yourself (and baby) when you go to the hospital or Birthing Center for labor and delivery?

Here's a sample packing list that will help you remember all of the important things!

Tip: Make a list of "last minute items" to pack - these are usually the items that you use daily (your bathroom robe, pillows, camera, etc.); you may also want to add the baby items that you still need (car seat, a 'going home outfit' for baby, etc.) to this list.

Labor and Delivery Packing List: What I Brought to Hospital Birthing Inn

For You:

Bring Your Own Pillow

Hospital pillows are awfully uncomfortable.

Comfy Slippers

The ACORN Women's New Spa Slide Slipper are super comfortable.

Comfy shoes

If you go into labor during dinner and forget to pack your "comfy shoes," then you may end up going home in pajama pants and high-heels.

Socks

Non-skid socks are nice for effortless bathroom trips and/or walks around the birthing unit
If you have sweaty feet, bring your best sweat-absorbing socks
Bring extras.

Comfortable underwear (aka, granny panties)

Bring extras. Things get messy.

Nightgown

If you are going to be breastfeeding, try to find a nightgown that opens up in the front - for ease access

Robe

...because your butt will show in the back of the hospital gown. I would recommend a terry cloth material for your robe because you'll be sweating a lot. The Women's Terry Cloth Bathrobe Robe (Ecovaganza); An Eco Friendly Gift of Luxury is really comfy.

Thermos for water

No-spill thermoses are the best. I am obsessed with the Contigo AUTOSEAL Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Tumbler. It keeps your drinks cold/hot and best of all - it won't spill in your purse. I take mine with me everywhere.

Comfortable Going Home Outfit for yourself

For Your Significant Other:

Snacks / Drinks for Your Significant Other

They get hungry too - don't let your spouse's hunger hinder his ability to support you during labor. Bring snacks that you know he'll eat (for Mr. Mia, it was beef jerky .. but I made him eat it in the other room because I wasn't allowed to eat).

Toothpaste and Toothbrush for Your Spouse
Toiletries for Your Spouse (deodorant, contact lens supplies, etc.)
Change of Clothing for Your Spouse
Pajamas for Your Spouse

Make sure that his PJs are the type of PJs that he would feel comfortable wearing in a hospital room that hospital nurses are constantly walking in and out of

Pillow and Blanket for your Spouse

For Baby:

Baby's Outfits

Newborn Size and 0-3 months size, depending on size of baby (for twins or early deliveries, you may need to bring preemie sized outfits). See Top 12 Must-Have Newborn Clothing Items for more newborn clothing essentials.

Cute Baby Hat

Baby hats with animal ears are my personal favorite. See Top 12 Must-Have Newborn Clothing Items for more on baby hats. Also check out Etsy.com.

Cute Baby Bows/Headbands (for girls)

Check out Etsy.com for adorable baby headbands and bows.

Swaddle blanket(s)

The Summer Infant SwaddleMe Blankets were my favorite swaddle blankets because they use Velcro (the Velcro is key and makes swaddling a baby significantly easier).

Diaper Bag
Side-Snap Onesie Bodysuits

The Kate Quinn Organics Short Sleeve Kimono Bodysuit Argyle is available from Amazon.com, and you can also find side-snap onesies from Target (made by Gerber). Target usually has a better deal on the these. See the Top 12 Must-Have Newborn Clothing Items for more on newborn clothing.

Car Seat

Make sure you have it installed in your car - they won't let you leave the hospital without this basic step! We used the Doona for our son and we absolutely loved it. See more on car seats at Top 25 Must-Have Newborn and Baby Items. For more on our favorite convertible car seat (aka Car Seats for Toddlers), see Best Convertible Car Seat 2023.

Misc.

Camera
Charger for the Camera
Cell phone charger
A good music playlist for distraction
Books to read that don’t require concentration

Personally, reading was the last thing that I wanted to do, but I've heard some women say that reading, for them, was helpful during labor.
When I was pregnant, books that took my mind off of how uncomfortable I was: Belly Laughs: The Naked Truth about Pregnancy and Childbirth and Baby Laughs: The Naked Truth About the First Year of Mommyhood (both written by Jenny McCarthy).
I also really liked the books The Girlfriends' Guide to Surviving 1st year mother (Perigee) and The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy (both written by Vicki Iovine).

Pen and Paper

Because what if you need to write stuff down?

Your birth plan (or an idea of what you want to happen)

If you have one...even though birth plans are usually worthless because you can't really control too much of what happens during the process, and the nurses might laugh at you if you show them your "birth plan."