How to pack a hospital bag for delivery?

Will you be a happy mother soon? Not sure what to take to the hospital for childbirth? Are you nervous that you forget to take something with you to the hospital at the last minute? If so, it's time to pack your bag! Or maybe you have already found out what to take to the hospital for childbirth, e.g. on a forum for expectant mothers and you are wondering if some things will be useful to you? It is high time to dispel any doubts and get to work.

Contrary to appearances, completing hospital layettes is not that easy. The question of what to bring to the hospital for childbirth is a very important question for parents, and especially for the future framework. No wonder that during the classes in the birthing school run by the Institute of Mother and Child, this topic is always very popular. Many people also contact us to make sure of the details and clarify all doubts. In this article, we suggest what to actually bring to the hospital for delivery and why, and answer some frequently asked questions. At the end of our guide, you can find a downloadable list that will help you complete all the necessary things.

When to pack for the hospital for childbirth?

Before we move on to what to bring to the hospital for childbirth - whether it's a cesarean or a natural birth - let's answer the question of when to do it. Remember your holiday trip now. How much time did you spend in order to find all the necessary things in your suitcase? Exactly the same rules apply here. With one exception - if you forget something, you can't go and buy it in a store. What remains is the help of a partner or other loved one - provided that they know what is going on and where to find the missing things.

To avoid frustration and unnecessary stress, together with your loved one, pack things for you and your baby 3-4 weeks before the planned delivery. If you do it yourself, make sure that your relatives know where to look for a ready-to-take bag. Not sure what should be in your bag? Relax - we will tell you everything.

Why is it better not to delay packing until delivery?

"My husband was still at work. I was sitting at home alone eating dinner when I felt something start to happen. My due date was only two weeks away. Without thinking, I called a taxi and drove quickly to the hospital. Leaving the house, I grabbed a bag already prepared and waiting in the hallway. If I hadn't packed it earlier, I wouldn't have had a chance now– says Mrs. Kasia, currently the mother of 3-month-old Krzyś.

This can happen to you as well, so don't wait for the last minute, risking that in a great hurry you will forget half of what you need to take to the hospital for childbirth. Remember that also, when you have a planned caesarean section, unexpected situations can arise. 3-4 weeks before giving birth is the best time to prepare anything you may need. Make sure your packed bag is ready for you to pick it up.

What to take to the hospital for childbirth: the necessary documents

First, when getting ready for childbirth, you need to have it with you set of necessary documents:

• ID card,
• Employer's NIP or own NIP (in the case of running your own business) will be needed for a sick leave,
• pregnancy record,
• birth plan,
• current test results (blood and Rh group, urine count and urine test, HBS, WR, ultrasound test results, other relevant test or consultation results),
• in the case of foreigners, proof of insurance,
• details of a partner or other close person who will be authorized, inter alia, to obtain information about your health condition.

As for the determination of the blood group, it must be an original document with the current name and PESEL number.

It's best to put everything on your bag, and have your ID card always at hand in your purse. Then it will be easy to attach it to the rest of the document set.

What to take to the hospital for childbirth for myself? How to pack for the hospital for childbirth?

Clothes you will need in the hospital ...

Secondly, pack the clothes you will need during your stay in the hospital. You must take with you:

• a long t-shirt / nightgown for childbirth, which you will not regret getting dirty and throwing away,
• 2 nursing nightgowns (zipped at the front),
• 2 bras for nursing women,
• hygienic disposable panties made of fleece or mesh (approx. 6 items),
• bathrobe,
• warm socks,
• slippers (possibly shower slippers),
• things to come home.

A birth shirt should be loose, very comfortable and short. After all, you will most likely have to throw it away - it may not be washed out of the blood. The other two shirts must have buttons on the front. This makes it more comfortable to breastfeed and kangaroo babies. When buying bras, remember to take at least one size larger than you are wearing now (your breasts will enlarge after giving birth).

Toiletries you must take with you ...

After the clothes are on, pack the necessary toiletries. Take with you:

• large sanitary napkins or disposable panty liners,
• lactation pads,
• 2 towels,
• toothbrush and toothpaste,
• soap or shower gel,
• a delicate, proven intimate hygiene fluid,
• shampoo,
• deodorant,
• comb or brush,

The items listed by us are an absolute must for every woman getting ready for childbirth. You can also take a few cosmetics that will make you feel comfortable, e.g. face cream, mascara or powder. Remember that your well-being is very important and you have the right to take care of it.  

Other things that may be useful to you ...

Of course, clothes and cosmetics are not all you should take with you to the hospital. Also prepare:

• phone and charger,
• cutlery and a cup,
• protective lipstick, fragrance-free,
• handkerchiefs (regular and wet),
• sometimes a paper towel and toilet paper may also be useful,
• disposable bed pad (3 pcs, optional)
• inflatable, children's swimming ring (makes it easier to sit during the first days after childbirth),
• a book or newspaper to read while the child is resting,
• money for unforeseen expenses, for example the first photos taken by a photographer in a hospital,
• still mineral water,
• small snacks (to be stored outside the refrigerator),
• medications taken on a regular basis.

It is also worth taking a small pillow to the hospital, especially if you like to sleep with it at home. We should feel comfortable in the hospital.

If you want to add variety to your hospital stay, take your favorite book or magazine too. We advise you not to read too ambitiously - you will be too tired. Also think about a tablet and small headphones for listening to music. It is important that you have something with you that will take your time. You may not take advantage of this. However, it is worth having such an option.

What to take to the hospital for childbirth?

We can assume that you are already packed. There are still things left for your newborn baby. 

Newborn clothes

Prepare:

• 3-4 rompers or 3-4 pairs of rompers with full length zipper,
• 3-4 bodies (possibly long-sleeved t-shirts),
• 2 seamless caps,
• pressure-free socks,
• a warm blanket in the autumn and winter season or a cone to wrap a child - it is easier to carry the child, it is then wrapped tighter.
• a pillow or a croissant for feeding.

All first wash clothes, blankets and other textile products in special soap flakes for babies from the first day of life, and then be sure to iron. Detailed instructions on how to prepare clothes and things for your baby can be found in this article. You can find powders and liquids suitable for washing children's clothes in our website base of reviewed products.

Diapers and toiletries

Take from toilet products:

• about 20 disposable diapers for newborns (size 1)
• a few tetras or bamboo diapers (they will be useful when changing and feeding),
• one flannel diaper,
• ointment or cream for baby's bottom, oiling and preventing nappy rash,
• wet wipes for babies.

Leave other clothes and cosmetics for the child and yourself at home in a visible place (preferably described) - just in case your partner has to take something to the hospital for you. Also, have a car seat and outdoor clothes for your baby ready at home, with which your partner will bring you and the baby to the hospital.

At the Institute of Mother and Child, new mothers can use the NIVEA BABY cosmetics available at the facility. However, this is not the case everywhere, so it's better to prepare yours just in case.

What to take to the hospital for childbirth: cesarean

Future mothers often ask if they should have anything else with them in the hospital during the planned caesarean section. Always it is worth finding out what exactly the hospital in which you will give birth provides (e.g., postpartum pads or shirts). Some moms advise you to take it super high waisted pantiesthat will not compress the wound. As lactation problems may arise after cesarean delivery, it may be useful breast pump. You don't always need to have your own, as many hospitals offer on-site access to breast pumps.

A layette for the hospital - what not to take to the delivery room?

You are already well versed in what to pack for the hospital for childbirth. It's time for a brief explanation of what not to take with you on this occasion.

• First - perfume. Babies are very sensitive to smells. Do not expose your baby to intense olfactory sensations. All you need is a delicate deodorant (e.g. in a roll-on) and a shower gel.
• Another thing is nail polish. You should have unpainted nails in the maternity ward. The color of the plate is an important indicator of possible complications.
• Also consider if you need to all make-up cosmetics. It depends primarily on you and your well-being. Freshly baked mums usually do not paint at all in the hospital or they do it much more sparingly than at home.
• Don't go to the delivery room in jewelry. You can not only lose it, but in the worst case even hurt yourself and your child (scratches, abrasions, etc.).
• It's very hot in the hospital. Even if you are a terrible chill, don't take it with you thick bathrobe. We guarantee that you will be grateful to us for this advice.
• Also, don't pack any fancy baby clothes. Take only what is really needed. At home, you will be able to dress your little one up as you like.
• Leave at home for the very end pessimistic thoughts. Keep your head up - everything will be fine!

How to pack a delivery bag?

Fortunately, that's all! You are prepared. Since there is no longer any doubt about what to pack for delivery to the hospital, it's time for a hint on how to do it. We know there's a lot of it, so it's worth packing carefully. Put things in one larger travel bag (e.g. a medium-sized suitcase with wheels) or two smaller ones (one for a child, one for yourself). The most important thing is that you should be comfortable and that you and the accompanying person know where what is. In the room where you will be lying, you may have little space to leave your belongings - this is also worth considering.

For your convenience, download the one prepared by us list for unhooking when packing. Thanks to it, you can easily complete all the necessary things.

We keep our fingers crossed for you! You'll be over it soon.