Hospital Bag Packing List - Real Suggestions from Real Birthers

Let me guess, you’ve googled “hospital bag checklist?” to prepare for labor and birth and keep coming up with the same ol’ generic list? 

While these lists can have some great items that you absolutely should pack, we thought it would be helpful to learn from those who recently gave birth on what their FAVORITE item they brought to the hospital for their birth and postpartum experience. 

Below are some of our favorite recommendations from real people who birthed in the last year -  many who are clients of Doulas of North County and birthing in San Diego hospitals. Here is what they shared:

But we didn’t stop there! Our team of doulas also shared their favorite items to bring to a birth. Do you have all these items on your list?

• Mini electric fan
• Tennis ball
• Pillow spray
• Acupressure balls
• Eye mask
• headphones/small speaker
• Nursing pillow
• Comfy blanket
• Electrolytes
• Your own clothes for laboring and postpartum
• Slip in, waterproof sandals
• Chapstick
• Wet hair brush 
• Hair ties
• Lotion
• Your own sleeping pillow (save for postpartum)
  

You may feel like you’re bringing a lot but keep in mind you do not have to haul everything all at once into the hospital. Consider having two bags, one for labor and birth and another for your postpartum stay. Keep your postpartum items in your car and send someone back to gather them later. 

The more you can create a cozy (read: Oxytocin producing) environment, the more comfortable you can feel. Comfort and ease produce oxytocin which is not only the hormone you need to birth your baby, but also a key hormone for bonding with your baby after birth. 

What did we miss? Send your recs to [email protected] and we will continue to add to this hospital packing list overtime!