Hospital Bag Checklist For Partner
Youve meticulously gone through the hospital bag checklist for mom and babybut dont forget about packing a bag for your partner! Since youll both likely be spending a night or two in the maternity ward, gather up some overnight essentialsplus a few things to keep your partner occupied . Heres what to put in a partners hospital bag:
Cell phone and charger
Toiletries: toothbrush, deodorant, face wash, shampoo, conditioner, contact lens case and solution
Snacks
Entertainment, whether its something to read, listen to or watch
Camera with batteries, charger and an extra memory card
Any daily prescription medicationfor both parents!
When youve gone through the hospital bag checklist and are satisfied youve packed what youll need, stash your hospital bag in your car or by the front door if you plan on taking a taxi to the hospitaland get ready for babys arrival!
Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.
Plus, more from The Bump:
Optional Hospital Bag Checklist Items For Mom
Very light reading
Earbuds to listen to music on your phone
Bath towel
Hairdryer if yours is too bulky, consider this inexpensive travel blowdryer
A comfy pillow from home
A few pairs of maternity underwear that can get ruined if youre prepping a c-section hospital bag, check out this low-rise postpartum underwear designed with your incisions recovery in mind
A postpartum recovery essentials kit
Matching hospital outfits for you and baby Baby Be Mine sells some Instagram-worthy mommy-and-me sets
Necessities For Your Partner
On top of bringing all the normal overnight stuff , your partner should be in charge of important paperwork / insurance cards / identification / etc. Depending on how nice the sleeping situation is, they might want to consider bringing a pillow from home as hospital pillows arent the most comfortable. Check out our full checklist here.
The last step after zipping up your hospital bag is to throw it in the car or leave it by the front door — and wait patiently for babys arrival! Good luck to you, mama. Youve got this!
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The Ultimate Hospital Bag Packing Checklist
I remember being about 32 weeks pregnant and all the conversation at work switched from, How ya feeling? to Is your hospital bag packed yet?.
You really dont need much to have a baby. Got your vagina? Packed!
However, if youre having a hospital birth, there are a few things to make your stay a little more pleasant. Heres the list I came up with to pack in your hospital bag, but feel free to let me know what you took, or are taking.
When Should You Pack Your Hospital Bag
You should have your hospital bag ready to go between weeks 32 and 35 of your pregnancy, in case your baby comes a bit earlier than expected.
A good time to start the packing process is around the 28 week mark, or at the start of your 3rd trimester. A checklist can help, so we created this one to make sure you dont forget any essentials for babys arrival!
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What Not To Pack For Hospital
Its a good idea to leave jewellery, cash and other valuables at home.
Ask your doctor about medications, including vitamins. The hospital may provide everything that you need.
Ask your hospital whether you need nappies and bottle feeding equipment, or whether everything will be provided for you.
Your hospital may not have much storage space. A large suitcase will need to stay on the floor, and the cabinet by your bed is likely to be small. So pack only what you need .
What Are The Benefits Of Cord Blood Banking
The hematopoietic stem cells found in cord blood differ from other cells in the body, which mostly can only make copies of themselves. These powerful stem cells, also found in bone marrow, can develop into different types of blood and immune-system cells.
Hematopoietic stem cells can help someone who is sick and in need of a stem transplant. How the cells are used depends on the cord blood banking method you choose.
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Pulling It All Together
Pack all your essentials in an average-sized overnight bag and have it ready and waiting for the big moment. Leave it in plain view so that even the most freaked-out partner, friend, or birth coach can find it with ease. Your goal is to eliminate as much stress as possible. Your partner can pack his own bag with snacks, books, magazines, or other amusementsand maybe a bottle of sparkling juice for your after-baby toast.
- The Complete Idiot’s Guide to MotherhoodRead articles and find tips and on raising your child while keeping your own dreams alive throughout motherhood.
Private Cord Blood Banking Cons
- Collection fees cost around $1,350 to $2,300.
- Annual storage fees cost around $100 to $175.
- Unless you have a family member who currently needs a stem cell transplant, the chances of using the cord blood are extremely remote.
- If your cord blood bank closes, you may have to find another storage facility.
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Hospital Bag For Mom: Labor And Delivery
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Hospital paperwork, ID, and insurance card. Have copies of your medical records handy, so that your healthcare providers can easily review your medical history. Hospitals require your ID, any medical cards, and insurance documents up front, so make sure you have a copy of these readily available.
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Birth plan . You might have discussed your birth plan with your medical team, but having a few copies printed and available for your healthcare providers means that everyone can refer to it in case last-minute questions arise. If you haven’t written your birth plan yet and you’re thinking of having one, check out these pointers on what to include in your birth plan for some useful tips.
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Bathrobe. A soft bathrobe is useful for pacing around during labor, or afterward, if you spend some time in the hospital.
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Socks. Your feet may get cold during labor.
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Slippers and flip-flops. You’ll want slippers that are comfortable and easy to slip in and out of to wear as you walk around the hospital ward. Pack some flip-flops for using in the shower.
How Much Does Cord Blood Banking Cost
It varies. Cord blood banking can cost nothing if you donate to a public storage bank. Private storage banks can charge $1,350 to $2,300 for the initial collection, followed by storage fees of $100 to $175 per year.
A few other factors can also influence the total cost of cord blood banking, like:
- Whether your insurance covers the collection process
- Whether your doctor or midwife charges a collection fee
- Whether there is an existing family medical need, in which case some private banks offer free or discounted storage
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Your Overnight Bag Basics
Although you’ll be wearing one of those handy dandy everyone-can-see-your-butt gowns during delivery, you’ll want to bring some comfortable sleepwear of your own. If you’re planning to breast-feed, you can buy adorable, feminine, comfortable nightgowns designed specifically for that purpose at any store that sells maternity wear. (You’ll probably want to bring several, even for a short hospital stayyou’ll be surprised how many you’ll need as you learn to maneuver around your infant and your lactating breasts.
You may want to pack a robe to throw on when people come to visit you at inopportune times. You’ll also want to bring one or more nursing bras with nursing pads. You will not believe how heavy your breasts will feel when your milk comes in. A good nursing bra helps your back and also supposedly helps prevent your breasts from sagging.
For actual delivery you will want some very warm socks. Your feet will get cold and socks will make you feel much more comfortable. You can wear them all through delivery. It may not seem important, but every little bit helps.
And don’t forget to pack personal items like shampoo, makeup, hairbrush, and toothbrush. It is no big deal if you forgetthese items are available at any hospitalbut you may be more comfortable using your own things.
Packing Your Bag For Delivery Day
If you can count the weeks until your due date on one hand, its time to get your hospital bags packed with all the essentials. Think about what you, your partner, and your new baby will need on delivery day and on the trip home from the hospital.
But dont stop there. You might want to throw in a few luxury items like your favorite pillow, some facial wipes, a good-luck charm anything to make you feel more comfortable. And dont forget your birth playlist. Youll be happy for the distraction in the delivery room.
Download and print a breakdown of what to bring to the hospital so you can check off items as you pack.
What to bring to the hospital
Pack your hospital bag a few weeks before your due date so youll be ready for any surprises. Use this checklist while you pack to be sure you dont forget anything!
Your labor kit
- Your Kaiser Permanente ID card
- A copy of your birth plan
- Something to hold your hair back
- Lotion for massage
- A yoga or exercise ball if you plan to use one
- A hand fan and spray mist bottle
- Music and something to play it on
For you
- A robe or front-opening shirt for nursing and skin-to-skin contact after delivery
- A fresh nightgown, pajamas, or comfy sweats to wear when you have visitors
- Slippers
- A nursing bra with no underwire
- Maternity underpants
- Personal items, like a hairbrush, cosmetics, toothbrush, and toothpaste
- A going-home outfit
- Snacks
For your partner or support person
Ready to get maternity care?
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What If I Forgot Something
No worries! The hospital really does have everything you need for labor and immediately following labor. You can also send someone back to your home to get your hospital bag if you prefer to use your own things.
While you wont be able to control or plan for every aspect of your labor and delivery, you can make it more enjoyable by bringing some of the comforts of home.
What Happens After You Give Birth
You did it! After the birth, a doctor or nurse may place your baby on your chest for some rest and bonding time. Then theyll weigh and measure your baby, take some footprints and run some routine tests, such as a Vitamin K injection or eye ointment application .
Theyll also perform the APGAR score at one and five minutes after baby is born to assess how they tolerated the birth and then how theyre adapting to the world.
Heres what is looked at:
- Appearance
- Activity
- Respiration
Each one is scored on a scale of 0 to 2, with 2 being the best score.
APGAR Score
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Choose Your Items Wisely
When packing your bags, keep in mind that, barring a long labor, you may only be in the hospital for one or two nights. Though that may seem like a long time, youre going to be busy recovering from delivery and feeding and changing your baby.
Neither you nor your baby has any use for the five designer outfits or the box of stuffed animals that your family already bought. Stick to the essentials and you and your baby will have a happy delivery and a smooth trip home.
Toiletries & Overnight Stuff
Toothbrush, deodorant, underwear, pillow and blanket or sleeping bag: My friend thought she was going into labor and called her husband at home and told him to pack a bag and meet her at the hospital. It was a false alarm but when he got there he had packed his hockey jersey, some toothpaste and a pair of her socks. I shit you not.
More than likely your spouse will be able to leave and take care of themselves but if never hurts to take some emergency essentials just in case they unhinged in the flurry of birth.
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What Are The Top Cord Blood Banks
Any cord blood bank youre considering should have AABB accreditation. AABB accreditation is the gold standard in cord blood banking, ensuring that your babys cord blood is collected, stored, processed and distributed safely and effectively. The bank should be registered with the Food & Drug Administration too.
If youre considering a private cord blood bank, youll also want to know:
- How the bank collects and stores the blood. There are different methods, and youll want to make sure that the bank complies with federal standards.
- How viable the banks cord-blood samples are compared with other banks. Youll want to choose a bank that has demonstrated good odds of getting a usable blood sample.
- How stable the company is. You dont want the bank to go out of business, so explore the pros and cons of choosing a lesser-known, smaller bank versus a larger, well-known bank that has been operating for longer.
What You *really* Need In Your Hospital Bag: What To Pack & What To Leave At Home From A Mom Of 4
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This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a commission if you choose to purchase through links I provide . As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Ever wonder how to pack your hospital bag for delivery? Or WHAT to pack in your hospital bag for delivery? I just finished packing my hospital bag for the 4th time and after 3 hospital deliveries, I feel pretty good about my ultimate hospital bag checklist!
Ive had a c-section delivery and then 2 VBAC deliveries, so my hospital stays have ranged from 2-5 days. This list is MOSTLY for vaginal deliveries but every single thing on the list youll want as a c-section momma, too.
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Checking Into The Hospital For Birth
Chances are youll be in labor when you arrive at the hospital, though not if you have a scheduled induction or c-section. Luckily, hospital staff members are prepared for this, and the check-in process is usually quick. Theyll ask you for your name and insurance information, and they might also need your license plate number if the labor and delivery wing has a special parking lot.
Once youre checked in, the nurse at the front desk will put a wristband on you and another nurse will escort you to a triage room .
What To Leave At Home
Laptop as someone who works from home, I could easily try to take my laptop to catch up on emails or whatever. skip it youll be connected via your phone. Worst case, you can always have someone run it up to the hospital if you really want it.
Gifts for Nurses dont get me wrong I 100% get the nurses a gift as a group and then also get something special for any nurses that stand out AFTER the stay is over so I actually know what they will like Just a little more personal!
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What To Pack For Your Baby
The VIP is arriving and they need to be taken care of well. Here is the list of items you need to pack for your baby:
Keeping your hospital bag ready gives you a sense of relief that you have kept all the necessary things in place. It is one thing less to worry about while rushing to the hospital. Moreover, your partner can stay by your side when you need him the most rather than running around to gather things. Stay prepared as you can expect your angel at any time.
Have an experience to share? Let us know in the comments section.
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Is There Anything You Shouldnt Bring With You To The Hospital
Yup, you can certainly overdo it when it comes to packing your hospital bag. Heres what not to bring to the hospital when youre ready to deliver:
- Too much clothing for you or the baby. Choose one outfit each and leave the rest home.
- Valuables! Dont bring diamond earrings, the priceless watch your dad gave you or anything youd be sad to lose. Hospitals arent hot beds of crime, but better safe than sorry.
- A bunch of cash .
- Lots of diapers, since the hospital will provide enough for the time youre there.
From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You’re Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.
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