How to Pack a Hospital Bag

Planning a trip to the hospital? Packing your hospital bag is easy, if you know what you may need! If you know how many days you will be staying then it makes it so much easier!

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• luggage bag (duffle is fine)
• magazines or books
• cd or mp3 player with headphones
• clothing

1. If you are going in for the birth of your child, you may want to plan on a 4 day stay, just in case you end up with a cesarean or other complications.
2. With your luggage or duffle bag, you can begin packing. You will need a hairbrush and any accessories, although you might want to avoid hair dryers and curling irons until you get home. They just take up space and you may be too tired to worry about it!
3. If you do not want to wear a hospital gown the entire time, take a few changes of clothing. When choosing the clothing, remember you will be sore and swollen. You will not be able to wear anything tight, so choose loose fitting clothes. Undergarments should be stretchy and full coverage, as you will be bleeding.
4. Throw in a few of your favorite magazines, a book, an mp3 or cd player with headphones, camera, and spare batteries if needed. These will all help keep you comfortable during the long hours. You may also want to put in a few snacks if you will be having a coach, as he may be hungry and it would be easier to grab something from the bag than leave you to find food.
5. For the baby, you will need a take home outfit, car seat, and possibly a pacifier. Hospitals provide many items including diapers, wipes, formula, blankets, nasal aspirator (nose sucker), and pacifier. If you are lucky, they may even send you home with a ton of extras, so you might want to toss in a smaller empty bag!
6. Now that your bag is packed, you are ready to go! Enjoy your hospital stay, and TRY to get some rest!

Tips & Warnings

• Choose loose fitting clothing such as maternity clothes for going home.