What to Bring to the Hospital

In the past few years, hospital stays have become shorter. Now, more than ever, it is important for you to be prepared for your hospital stay and take an active part in your recovery.

Plan ahead on what comfort items you will need for your hospital stay. Here are suggested items to pack if you are preparing for the birth of a new baby or if you are having surgery.

Labor & Delivery
Decide which comfort items you will need for the labor and birth and put them into one small bag. Plan to bring this bag with you to the hospital.

Then, for after birth, decide what items will be needed for you and baby during your hospital stay and for the trip home. Put these items into one suitcase and leave this suitcase locked in the trunk of your car until after baby is born. To help you with your plans, we’ve put together a list of items you may find helpful to commemorate and capture this special time.

Small Bag:
• Camera and film
• List of who to call
• Camcorder, tape, and batteries
• Music and equipment to play tape or CD
• Copy of your birth plan that you and your doctor have agreed upon
• Labor support aids; for example, massage lotion and focal point
• Socks and slippers
• Personal hygiene items; for example, a toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, lip balm,
comb and brush, deodorant
• Books
• Cards
• Baby book

Important Papers to Include in the Small Bag:
• Packet of prenatal records from your doctor’s office
• Your copies of informed consents
• Current insurance card/information and driver's license
• Name of your baby’s pediatrician
• Copies of Advance Directive (if you have one)

Suitcase:
• A robe, nightgown, slippers, and underwear
• A comfortable support (or sports) bra; if breastfeeding, a nursing bra with pads
• Extra peri pads
• Toiletries, toothbrush, toothpaste, makeup, hair care products
• Baby mittens, socks or booties
• Pacifier, if desired
• Clothing for baby to wear while at the hospital and to wear home and a receiving blanket
• Books and magazines
• A small amount of money
• Clothing to wear home for Mom

Surgery
If you are having surgery at Woman's Hospital, please remember to bring:
• Socks, robe, nightgown, slippers (we recommend slippers that you can just slide your feet into)
• A comfortable set of loose-fitting clothes and cotton underpants to wear home after surgery;
the waistbands should be loose and comfortable
• Toothbrush, toothpaste, makeup, deodorant
• The booklet given to you by your physician’s office, "A Woman’s Guide to Abdominal Surgery"
or "A Woman’s Guide to Breast Surgery"
• Leave your medications at home; asthma patients should bring their inhalers to the hospital
• Your favorite pillow or other comfort items (optional)
• Reading material (optional)
• Any special medical equipment that you use (such as walkers, canes, braces, special shoes)
• Current insurance card/information and driver's license or another form of picture identification
• Copies of Advance Directive (if you have one)

Please clearly label these items with your name.