Once it’s time for the baby to arrive, you really want to have to do mimimum extra thinking. As soon as you go into labor, you (or your birth partner) can quickly scan the list to grab those remaining items. Put everthing you can in the bag, and for the remaining ‘last-minute’ items, write a short list and put it inside the bag. Tip #3: Try to have your bag ready by week 34 of pregnancy, just in case you go into labor early.

I suggest using organizers and making the sections easy to understand so that if you need your partner or a nurse to take out items, they can do so easily. Within the suitcase, have different sections of the items you will need for yourself in the delivery room, what you will need post-delivery, for your birth partner, and for your baby. However, I proved him wrong, when it ended up being super convenient to keep everything consolidated in our room and was easy to transport back and forth. My husband teased me for being overkill, and that it looked like I was going on a vacation. Tip #2: Pack all your items (for yourself, baby, and birth partner) in one rolling suitcase. Also most hospitals will provide baby onesies, hats, mittens, and swaddles for the baby to wear during the hospital visit, so you will most likely only need to take the baby clothing/accessories for when you leave the hospital or for any special photos. For example, if they provide basic toiletries (i.e., toothbrush, shampoo, body wash, etc.), you won’t have to worry about that. Tip #1: Call the hospital where you are giving birth to find out what items they will provide, so that you can plan accordingly. Change of clothes (if they are able to stay overnight).Carseat (Most hospitals have a rule that you need to carry baby out in a carseat.).Swaddle/ Name Sign/Gear for Photos (I LOVED the name sign I got from Esty to help with our announcement.).My suggestion is to keep it simple with a cute onesie with built in mittens/footies.) Newborn sized outfit/accessories (It might be good to have a back-up in case of a poop or puke explosion.Boppy pillow (This helps to nurse/bottle feed more comfortably.).Post-delivery nursing-friendly gown (This was gifted to me by my dear friend during my first delivery, and so glad I still had it for this birth).Pillow/Blanket (I also like having my own).Water bottle: My husband and I are obsessed with these water bottles, they help us stay hydrated and on track.Wallet/Phone/Tablet/Charger: Binge watching chick flic shows really does make contractions more bearable.Leaving hospital outfit (Make sure it is nursing friendly, and not super difficult to access if your baby gets fussy - my mistake with my first).My personal favorite item that I used after my sons birth was a Revlon Volumizer brush to quickly make me feel a little more human post-labor. But I loved being able freshen up a bit after giving birth for some pictures.

Pony ties, toiletries, make-up, hair products (check with the hospital on what they provide).1 flip flop/slippers (I loved mine from ASOS.).I really loved this particular gown that was accessible for check-ups, the epidural, and nursing.). I loved having my own, because I’m a bit of a germaphobe. 2 labor/delivery gowns (The hospital provides gowns, so confirm with them if you can bring your own.Also, if you are searching for a gift for a pregnant friendly, any of these would be a practical purchase. Sidenote: If I really loved a product, I linked to the one that I personally used.

Hospital bag checklist