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Hospital bag checklist: what to pack for labor and birth

The complete hospital bag checklist for labor and birth: what to pack for you, your baby and your birth partner, when to pack it, and what to leave at home.

By the Prego team · Updated · 3 min read · How we create content

A 3D clay overnight bag with a teddy bear and baby onesie on a soft pink background

Packing your hospital bag is one of those jobs that feels very real. Aim to have it ready by week 35 or 36, so you aren't scrambling if your baby arrives early. Most people stay in hospital for one to three days after a vaginal birth, and two to four after a cesarean.

This is the same checklist that appears in the Prego app's third-trimester to-do list, with a little more detail.

Documents and essentials

  • Photo ID and insurance card
  • Your birth plan, printed (see our birth plan guide)
  • Your prenatal records or hospital notes, if you have them
  • Phone, a long charging cable and a power bank
  • A list of phone numbers, in case your phone dies
  • Glasses or contact lenses and case

Hospitals ask for ID and insurance at admission. Having your birth plan printed means staff can follow your preferences without you having to explain them mid-contraction.

For labor

  • A loose nightgown, big T-shirt or birthing gown
  • Warm socks and slippers
  • A robe for walking the corridors
  • Lip balm: breathing through contractions dries your mouth
  • Hair ties or a headband
  • Snacks and drinks: dates, energy bars, crackers and isotonic drinks keep your energy up. Pack enough for your partner too
  • Things that help you relax: a playlist and headphones, a massage ball, a fan or a spray bottle
  • Your own pillow, in a colored pillowcase so it doesn't get mixed up. Hospital pillows are often thin, and good sleep matters in the first 48 hours

For after the birth

  • Two to three changes of loose, comfortable clothes. Labor can be messy and recovery takes days
  • High-waisted, comfortable underwear (or disposable postpartum underwear), especially after a cesarean
  • Extra-absorbent maternity pads, more than you think you will need
  • Nursing bras and breast pads: your milk can come in during your stay
  • Nipple cream (lanolin)
  • Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, a hairbrush, moisturizer
  • A towel (hospital ones are small)
  • A loose, comfortable going-home outfit. You will still look about five months pregnant, which is completely normal

For your baby

  • A going-home outfit with a hat, in two sizes. Some babies are bigger than expected and newborn sizes may not fit
  • Two or three bodysuits and sleepsuits
  • Socks or booties and scratch mitts
  • A soft blanket
  • Newborn diapers (some hospitals provide them) and wipes
  • Muslin or burp cloths
  • A rear-facing infant car seat, installed and checked before your due date. Hospitals won't let you drive your baby home without one

For your birth partner

  • Snacks, drinks and a refillable water bottle
  • A change of clothes and toiletries
  • Phone charger
  • Coins or a card for parking and vending machines
  • Something to do during a long early labor
  • Comfortable shoes

What to leave at home

Jewelry, lots of cash and valuables. Ask your hospital what they already provide; many supply diapers, pads and a gown.

Frequently asked questions

When should I pack my hospital bag?

By week 35 or 36. If you are expecting twins or have been told you are at risk of preterm labor, pack it earlier, around 32 weeks.

How many outfits should I pack for my baby?

Two or three outfits plus a going-home outfit is usually plenty for a one to three day stay, in both newborn and 0 to 3 month sizes.

Do I need a separate bag for the baby?

It helps. Many people pack a labor bag, a postpartum bag and a small baby bag, so the right things are easy to find at the right time.

Sources

General information only, not medical advice. Always follow the guidance of your doctor or midwife.

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