When to pack your hospital bag
Pack ahead, keep it in one place, and check it again.
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For a birth stay
The MedlinePlus checklist suggests having your items ready about a month before the due date, and packing as many as you can ahead of time. Your clinician may give you a different timeline. Ask your clinician.
For a planned stay
Ask your hospital and your clinician what to bring and when to arrive. We suggest packing the night before at the latest.
Keep it in one place
Ready.gov, writing about emergency supply kits, says to keep a kit in a designated place and have it ready in case you have to leave your home quickly. It says to make sure all family members know where the kit is kept. The same idea works for a hospital bag.
A last-minute list
Some items stay in use until you leave, such as a phone, its charger, and glasses. We suggest a note inside the bag that lists them.
Check it again
Ready.gov says to re-think your needs every year and update your kit as your family's needs change. A bag kept packed for weeks needs the same check.
FAQ
General information only, not medical advice. We are not a hospital, birth center, or health care provider, and we cannot tell you what your hospital provides, allows, or requires. Ask your clinician and your hospital or birth center what to bring and what to expect. For car seats, follow the seat maker's instructions and your vehicle owner's manual, and see NHTSA's car seat guidance. If you think you have a medical emergency, call 911.
Next: labor and delivery bag
Your bag for a birth stay.
