Hospital Bag Checklist for You AND Your Partner
Most hospital bag checklists cover the basics, here is the one we used ourselves as doulas! We are happy to share, and hope it helps!
For You:
Hairbrush and hair ties and shampoo/conditioner (the hospitals sucks)
Insurance/ID card
Phone charger
A robe or sleep dress that opens in the front
Going home outfit for you, comfortable, not going to hit on an incision or be too tight
OTC meds and prescription meds/ medical devices or CPAP
Chapstick and comb (squeeze to hit pressure points on your hand for pain/distraction)
Dry shampoo & face wipes for postpartum
Pillows and blankets from home (make it cozy!) or an airplane pillow for relaxing upright in bed
For The Birth:
Birth affirmation cards
Most hospitals have birth balls, so you don’t need to bring your own- as doulas we can bring the CUB if desired
Hot water bottle/pouch for cramps/contractions
Any essential oils you like the smell of! (commonly- lavender, or lemon for nausea)
Sleep mask (Helps you go to your zone during contractions)
Tums/Pepcid
Your favorite topical pain relief ( arnica gel, biofreeze, deep blue)
Tens unit/massage gun
Nourishment:
Easy to eat one handed snacks
Water bottle that has a straw that you can drink from any angle
Drinks with extra calories like coconut water/smoothie stuff, Liquid IV
Fresh fruit
For Them:
Airplane pillow (for relaxing in the uncomfortable chairs)
Camera w batteries
For Baby:
Newborn Outfits (smaller, regular, larger)
Car seat
Silverettes or Nipple Balm
Any Colostrum you may have harvested
Extras:
Champagne (!!!!!!)
Galaxy light or twinkle lights
Ziplock for a piece of the placenta if you want to make a tincture and watercolor paper for print
Tinctures you want to use, if you use them! (placenta ease, hem halt, CTFD (calm the F down) for anxiety