{"id":6150,"date":"2023-08-01T01:00:41","date_gmt":"2023-08-01T06:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.osfhealthcare.org\/blog\/?p=6150"},"modified":"2023-09-21T09:54:13","modified_gmt":"2023-09-21T14:54:13","slug":"birthing-center-what-to-expect-and-what-to-bring","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/birthing-center-what-to-expect-and-what-to-bring\/","title":{"rendered":"What to pack in a hospital bag for labor and delivery"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re an expectant mom, preparing for the big day can be a little overwhelming, especially if you\u2019ve never given birth before<\/a>. Nursery colors, cribs, car seats \u2013 there\u2019s so much to do, it can be easy to put off preparing for your hospital stay.<\/p>\n

You might spend multiple nights in the hospital after labor and delivery<\/a>, so you\u2019ll want to have a hospital bag \u2013 a backpack, duffel bag, piece of luggage or whatever you prefer \u2013 packed with things to make your stay more comfortable.<\/p>\n

Patricia Gelezauskas, a nursing supervisor for acute obstetrics at OSF HealthCare, offered this tip about when to pack your hospital bag.<\/p>\n

\u201cA hospital bag should be prepared ahead of time, not when you’re getting ready to leave for the hospital,\u201d Patricia said. \u201cThink about the things you want to have with you. You can ask friends or relatives who have been through labor and delivery what they brought. Your pajamas, your slippers or flip flops, showering necessities, anything you think you would use at home, bring with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

It’s wise to have your bag packed at least a few weeks before your scheduled due date, so everything is ready if you go into labor before that date.<\/p>\n

Below is more guidance to help you decide what to pack in your hospital bag. You can also print out our handy checklist for mom and baby to help make sure you have the right hospital bag essentials for this big occasion.<\/p>\n

\"hospital<\/a>

Get organized before delivery day
Download our checklist<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

What to pack in your hospital bag<\/h2>\n

Hospital bag for mom<\/h3>\n

Every birthing facility is different when it comes to what it supplies for patients during their stay, so take a tour of the place and ask the staff questions beforehand, if possible. Moms are going to want to have essentially whatever they would want or need for recuperating at home.<\/p>\n