What to take in the hospital bag: essentials for the mother

If you are reading this post, you are probably pregnant or helping someone who is, so congratulations! The beginning of the first trimester is a good time to start thinking about what you want to take in the hospital bag for the day of delivery and the days you have to be in the hospital. This list that we share with you is the result of conversations with many moms and is equally useful for all birth options: hospital, home birth or maternity home birth.

Our first recommendation is that you organize everything you are going to take with you in 3 different bags: one for the delivery, one for the baby (we will talk about it in another post) and another with what you will need while you are in the hospital. Most moms are in the hospital between 1 and 5 days, so it is worth preparing a bag for 3 days and leaving another prepared at home so that someone can bring it to you if you have to stay more days.

Hospital bag 1: essentials for mom on the day of delivery

There are as many births as there are women: natural, by caesarean section, short, slow or very slow. So it is worth preparing yourself to create a pleasant and relaxing environment with your music, aromatherapy or whatever you consider necessary so that the process that touches you is the best possible.

Before reviewing the list, we will talk about the most important thing, be clear and ready all the documentation that you must take with you: health card, ID card, birth plan, folder with all the documentation of the pregnancy

• An oversized t-shirt or comfortable nightgown to wear for the first few hours of labor (should be easy to get on and off if you want to get into the shower or tub). Sometimes it is practical to wear a sarong if you are induced or need antibiotics since you will be carrying the cannula.
• If you want to do part of the process in the water, take a dark top for when you're in the tub.
• Shoes that can be put on and taken off very easily, and that can get wet.
• Headband, band or hair bands.
• Lip balm (very important, you don't know what you miss when you don't have it)
• Reusable water bottle.
• A speaker and music prepared. Relaxing or meditative music can help a lot during contractions and labor. There are mothers who need to put on their headphones and disconnect from the noise in the room with their favorite music, but having music in the room makes your support team on the same wavelength. It's up to you!
• Maternity pads (we recommend organic cotton)
• Hot/cold pack to relieve perineal pain , sterile gauze and a plastic freezer bag to put it in the fridge
• Perineal bottle and salts from the Dead Sea , to wash every time you go to the bathroom or change the compress
• Postpartum panties, better if they are without mesh since they are more comfortable and great if they offer some support.
• If you want to breastfeed:
• Nursing bras or tops to wear after delivery
• Nipple balm , your nipples will appreciate that you are proactive :)
• Silicone Nipple Covers (you don't need these anyway but they're great to have on hand if you need them)
• Comfortable clothes that allow you to breastfeed
• Toiletry bag with toothbrush and toothpaste and soaps that are as neutral as possible. Babies are very sensitive to odors so it is best to minimize perfumes and scents in soaps.
• Comfortable socks and comfortable slippers
• Pajamas, nightgowns or very wide and soft pajama pants, since the whole body is super sensitive the first few days.
• A bag for dirty clothes
• A very long mobile charger cable, since the beds are always very far from the sockets in hospital rooms.

• Disposable panties are perfect for the first 2 days, but make sure you wear cotton panties that are flexible and comfortable and in dark colors (they always get stained for the first few days). In the case of vaginal delivery, they should be high-waisted and offer good support to the belly, and in the case of caesarean section, they should be above or below the scar.
• Plenty of organic cotton pads, as the bleeding is profuse the first few days and can last up to 6 weeks (every week it loosens but at first the bleeding can be strong)
• Nursing pads (for the hospital it is more practical to use the disposable ones, and at home the reusable ones)
• Warm socks and a comfortable sweater, sometimes hospitals are quite cold.
• A comfortable change of clothes for the day you come home.
• Comfortable crock-type shoes to return home, your feet are probably still swollen and you will appreciate being able to put them on easily.
• The person next to you should also carry a bag, which is sometimes forgotten 😉
• Super tip for the first days: ask someone close to you (mother, father, in-laws, siblings or friends) to send you 1 liter of homemade bone broth every day, you can drink it during the day. It's miraculous for postpartum recovery and I'm sure you'll find plenty of volunteers. We leave you here our favorite recipe .

We hope you find it very useful! And if you think we have left something out write to us and we will add it.

A hug