The 9 months leading up to the day when your child says HELLO (DITO NA ME!! ) is your time to prepare. The crib, the diaper bags, the clothes, the toys, the strollers, the bottles, the monthly check-ups and weigh-ins all lead to that one day when you finally go to the hospital to finally meet the little cutie who’s been kicking and moving inside you.
One of the last things that I prepared was the hospital bag. My mom was bugging me to prepare one when I was on my 7th month but I thought that it was too early and honestly, I didn’t know what to pack. With all the resources and parenting forums out there, the list can get too long and complicated and the helpful pieces of advice can be too overwhelming. So on my eight month when I finally got around to packing, I did what any first time mom probably did— I overpacked.
It is true what they say “buti ng sobra kesa kulang” (better to go over than be lacking) but it’s also true that hindsight is 20/20. My bag thefore had stuff that I never used and did not have those that I wish I brought.
So fellow parents, here’s my own checklist based on my own experience. It’s always better to check with your hospital’s nursery and your OB what you need to pack. I was surprised at the list my OB gave me, it only had five items. Syempre di ko sinunod haha 
This list (found after the cut) is based on my stay at St. Luke’s hospital. If you have any more to add to the list, please post them at the comments section including why you think they’re musts! I would love to hear from you!
The ManilaMommy Hospital Bag Checklist
| FOR MOMMY | ||
|---|---|---|
| What | Why | How Many |
| Cotton Robe | It would be easy to just put this over your hospital gown when you have to receive visitors or you need to go to nursery for feeding (if you're not rooming in) | One is enough |
House Dress/Cotton Nightgown i wore something similar to this....if only i looked just as fresh and stress-free too! | I chucked my hospital gown when I was well enough to change. We were receiving visitors all throughout our stay at the hospital and I was going out of my room to go to the nursery for feeding. Wearing this made me feel comfy and "presentable" | Two |
| Breast Pump and Breast Pads | I wasn't able to breastfeed DW and so the pump came in handy when I was trying to express milk. The breastpads will be there to protect...your clothes haha | |
Underpads for your peace of mind... | Underpads will protect your hospital bed from accidental stains and spills. I used only one during my stay at the hospital because I was just so paranoid that my "flow" will overflow! | One pack is enough. Mercury sells a variety of them. The one I bought came with 4 underpads. |
| Adult Diapers/Maternity Pads | I brought maternity pads with me but I woke up after labor wearing adult diapers. When I changed, I tried using the maternity pads but they were such a hassle to use and they stained my undies. I bought adult diapers instead and used them up until my flow has gotten "manageable". | One pack is enough. I have also heard that the overnight pads of Whisper can be used for this purpose as well. At least may wings, really helpful for the sideleaks. |
| Undies and Socks | Socks will keep toes warm and toasty in the freezing hospital. | A pair of socks is enough. Five undies should be your minimum (think, 2-3 changes a day) |
| Glasses/Contact Lenses/Contact Lens Solution | I use disposable contact lenses so I just packed a pair in my toiletry kit plus a travel sized contact lens solution and container. | |
| Toiletries - Shampoo and conditioner - Shower gel or soap - Toothbrush, Toothpaste - Lotion - Moisturizer - Chapstick - Hair clips - Deodorant - A light scented cologne/perfume | Bring your favorite toiletries and favorite scents. A good hot shower can definitely lift your spirits so bring whatever it is you need to feel fresh and clean. A lip balm would keep the chapped lips at bay. I had major chapping at the hospital and unfortunately my cherry chapstick could not cut it. | |
Betadine Feminine Wash  | Moms (and future moms). You know what would happen down there right? This will keep our nether regions clean...very clean until we heal. | A small bottle is enough. A penny-sized drop should be diluted in a palmful of water. |
| Going Home Clothes | A dress would be preferable, it would be easy to just slip it over your head. Pants or shorts will require you to lift your legs and may not be as comfy when you're still sore down there. | Keep in mind that you could be going back and forth from your room to the nursery (checking on the baby, giving the nurses your baby's clothes, signing off papers) so comfort is key here. |
A Checklist for Dad
| What | Why | How Many |
|---|---|---|
| Camera | Better leave the SLR If Dad or the birth partner won't be in the delivery room to take the pics. Your point and shoot will do just fine. Cameraphones also provide good quality pics too nowadays. In fact DW's "premiere" was all captured via iphone! | Make sure to bring the charger and the memory card has enough space to take pics of the baby, the mom, the family and the visitors. |
| Pillow and Comforter | The hospital could only provide one pillow and a blanket at least. Since Dad would be sleeping on the couch anyway or a small bed, best if he brings a pillow or comforter to make sure he's comfy. | |
| Toiletries - same stuff as what mom should bring + a shaving kit | ...so that dad won't have a five o' clock shadow when all those pics are taken :) | |
| A Change of Clothes and Sleepwear | ||
| Something to Keep Him Busy | The wait could take long so he better have something to keep him preoccupied | PSP, DS, Blackberry, A laptop (so that e could tweet live updates on your labor! LOL!) |
| Phone Chargers | one for every phone you plan on using to tell all your contacts the great news! |
Checklist for the Baby
| What | Why | How Many |
|---|---|---|
| Bonnet and Mittens | To keep baby's noggin warm and to keep baby from scratching himself/herself. Babies come out with long nails but they're still too soft to be trimmed. Mittens will protect them from accidentally scratching themselves (DW once did and boy he did he cry! I cried with him too haha) | One pair of mittens, one bonnet |
| Onesie - kimono or tie sides are preferred  | A romper is ok but my mom has advised us to bring tie-sides so that it would be easier to change the baby when we get home. Tie sides open up and so you don't have to pull over anything over the baby's head and strain his neck in the process. | One |
| Pajama | One pair | |
| Socks or Booties | To keep baby's feet warm and toasty | One pair |
| Receiving Blankets/Hooded Blankets | To wrap baby in, to cover your body with when you carry the baby home The hood will keep baby's head warm too. | Two |
| Cloth/Gauze Diapers (Disposables are given for free along with a welcome kit by St. Luke's)  | To wipe drool and milk away | Two |
| Bottles | Only if you're still not breastfeeding. Anyway, you will bring home baby after he/she's been fed so that you won't have to worry about feeding him/her in transit. If you're breastfeeding, better bring your nursing bib or use the receiving blanket to cover you and the baby during feeding time. | Two and make sure that they're filled with sterilized water for up to 2 ozs (enough for newborns) |
A Checklist for Dad and Mom
| Contact List | Emergency contacts, your OB's number, and people to call to announce the good news |
| Birth Plan | A birth plan is a document that would let everyone involved in your birthing process your preferences for labor and delivery. This plan should be discussed by you and your OB beforehand. In my experience, our birth plan focused on the reasons why I could undergo a Cesarean section. Agreeing to this beforehand and discussing all your options with your OB helped reduce my anxiety and the uncertainty of the whole birthing process. |
| Hospital Documents | From my OB I got, Admission Orders and Consent to Transfusion |
| Government Documents - Philhealth contributions (to be provided by employer) - Philhealth Form 1 and 2 (to be provided by the hospital) - Marriage Contract - At least 1 Government ID for Mom and Dad | Better bring everything that you need that would help you process your payments. Make sure that your Philhealth papers are duly signed by your office's higher ups as well. Just make sure to leave the "Date Signed" portion blank so that it can be filled in when you need to pay the hospital bills. For good measure, we brought all the legal documents we have, even our marriage certificate. You just need a long brown envelope to keep them organized anyway. Imagine the hassle if you forget to bring a piece of paper... |
| Cash/ATM Card / Credit Card/ | Bring cash to pay for the downpayment for the delivery room. St. Luke's charges Php20,000. ATM Card and the rest will be to settle the rest of the bills. |
| Ballpen/s | Ay, with all the stuff you need to sign and sign off, you need to have this at the ready. I kept one in the envelope with all the documents. |
So there we go, the things to pack for the big day for yourself, your partner and the baby. These lists are by no means complete and is just based on my experience during my stay at St. Luke’s. Did I miss anything? What other “musts” should any parent bring to the hospital for the big day?
Thank you so much for this wonderful post! I thought I have everything I need already. About to give birth this week so nice na din na ready talaga.
Thanks again!
you’re welcome and good luck!
Thanks for this great post. Will use this in buying stuff for the baby. Yours and another blog inspired me to write one as well. http://manilenamombudget.blogspot.com/2011/07/first-of-everything.html
hi alexi! thanks so much and good luck with the blog!
Uhm, I would just like to add: hand sanitizers, kasi pag naka-room in si baby at may mga visitors, ask them to clean their hands first before touching the baby.
great tip mommy cristine! thank you
These lists are very helpful, Manila Mommy! I’m almost there and my hubby is bugging me on what to prepare for the hospital and I’m like, “I dunno.” So this is priceless! Thanks!
You’re welcome Frances and good luck! I’m sure your hubby’s got the gadgets side of what to bring to the hospital covered hehe
Hey Nevs, I’m making a list, and checking yours twice LOL Salamat dito, laking tulong
Yan lang talaga nagamit mo? Haha, feeling ko overpacking din gagawin ko 
Anyway, may mga nabasa rin akong pwedeng isama sa list:
For mommies-
hairbrush
slippers
wash cloth, kung di pa makaligo agad
bath towel (unless provided ng hospital?)
maternity binder, para sa gustong maging seksi ulit
books/magazines, habang nagle-labor hehe
pen and paper/notebook for notes, baka di na maalala after ng anesthesia
nursing bib, for those who will breastfeed
For daddies-
SNACKS! LOL
For babies-
for the hand and footprints
newborn disposable diapers (or meron na sa hospital?)
baby book
going home outfit
diaper cream (kelangan ba to? hehe)
Question pala, enough na yung 1 of each outfit for the baby? Walang bihisan? Hehe.
Documents-
A printed information sheet (with mom’s medical records etc.) para daw sa mga FAQs ng hospital staff
For guests (Well di naman priority ito hehe) –
Chips, bread, drinks, disposable plates, utensils, cups and dishwashing liquid
hi mimi!!
thanks for the tips! true ang hairbrush
towels provided na ng hospital but some prefer to use their own.
we also brought diapers but the hospital provided us with a pack already, nasa welcome kit nila. during dw’s time it was huggies dry comfort, ngayon it’s prokids. diaper cream provided na rin ng hospital
enough na yung 1 outfit kasi during our stay at st.luke’s, the only time the nursery asked us for baby clothes was when we were on our way home already. we gave them a receiving blanket, bonnet, mittens, onesie and socks —- then when i saw dw fully dressed up umiyak ako haha
Nevs – salamat dito, really helpful. late nako with packing our hospital bag, next week i can already give birth!
oh wow good luck kitty!!! (and ton too haha!)
very helpful for a soon-to-be 1st time mommy like me. glad found your site. =D
thanks for dropping by ana
i’ll be posting other lists and checklists too 
Thanks for this, mommy nevs
my list is a little bit shorter cause i really like to travel light. One comment on the list that might be useful for moms who are directly breastfeeding (like me!) is to bring Pajamas instead of a 1-pc nightgown. It’s easier to just pull up your pajama top to feed than to pull up the entire nightgown. A bit more modest especially when you’re in the nursery. hehehe 
hi tiff! the pajamas are a great tip
thanks for sharing!