Preparing for Labor and Delivery

What an exciting time this is! Preparing for labor and delivery is a time to cherish and savor the excitement of preparing to meet your new baby! In addition to practicing your childbirth techniques, you want to be sure you've got your suitcase packed with all the vital necessities! Of course different people recommend different things, but here of some of these most popular items to pack:

Checklists Contents

BabyPartner checklists: packing for labor

The moment you go into labor is not the time to start making last minute plans!

Try to prepare for the moment you enter labor early. The ride to the hospital will be stressful enough, without the anxiety of trying to remember if you brought everything you might need.

Prepare for labor by packing a suitcase well in advance. Leave it by your front door or in the trunk of your car, so that when the big moment arrives you can simply drive to the hospital. If you can, you and your partner should drive to the hospital so that you know the route, and during the last few weeks of your pregnancy, make sure that your car has a full tank of gas! Buy and install a car seat so that you can bring your baby home when you leave the hospital.


Labor bag basics
Your birthplan
Health insurance card
Pediatrician's name and phone number
Books, magazines, board games, cards, music, etc
Glasses (if you need them)
Hairband, grips or haircomb
To prevent hair falling into your eyes.
Nightgown and robe
Slippers
Thick socks or legwarmers
Sanitary pads
Nursing bra
Breast pads
Maternity panties
Nursing pillow
Lip salve or chapstick
Scented wipes or tissues and cologne
For Natural Pain Relief
Massage oil or talcum powder
Tennis ball or spinal roll
To Keep You Warm
A hot water bottle
To Keep You Cool
Face cloth or sponge
Small handheld fan
Box of tissues
To Give You Energy
Glucose sweets or isotonic drink
Most hospitals won't let you eat in case you need to be anesthetized
Postpartum bag basics
Clothes and comfortable shoes for the trip home
Choose something that fit comfortably during month six of pregnancy.
Toiletries
Cosmetics
Hair dryer
Camera or video
Make sure you have spare batteries and spare film, so that you can take pictures of the newborn
Birth announcement cards
Don't forget to bring envelopes, stamps and a pen!
Address book or PDA
So that you can call the relatives
Mobile phone or prepaid phone card
Pillow from home
A favorite pillow can make you more comfortable. (Choose patterned design that won't get mixed up with the hospital laundry)

Many labor rooms have a television installed, but the local provider may air your favorite shows at different times!
Baby bag basics
Infant car seat
The hospital will not let you take your baby home without one!
Baby clothes for the trip home
Booties, mittens; hat
Receiving blanket
Birthpartner bag basics
Handwipes
Food & drink for yourself
Food &; drink for mom
She won't be allowed to eat during labor, so after delivery she will be hungry
A change of clothes
Books or music to pass the time (I would suggest your iPod or pre-programmed "Childbirth Serenity Headphones."


Items marked with a pink asterisk are optional
Copyright ©1999 - 2005 BabyPartner, Inc. All Rights Reserved




All content is the © copyright 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 of BabyPartner, Inc.