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 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. |
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! |
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?
Angel says
December 20, 2017 at 5:07 amHi! What do I only need to pack for the baby? After reading your post and other comments, I think I overpacked. I will also give birth at St Luke’s. Thanks!
Abhie says
June 23, 2017 at 10:35 pmThanks for sharing this one! Very helpful specially to us who are first timer! ???
neva says
July 17, 2017 at 3:55 pmThank you Abhie!
jp says
April 11, 2017 at 12:33 pmhi nevs, im 38 y.old, my youngest is 15 y.old, i am noow 3 mos preggy…thanks for the tips.
maricris says
April 11, 2013 at 9:00 pmThanks for this post! It’s my 2nd time to give birth (csd) and I still find it hard to organize what I/we need to bring. The paperworks are a BIG help!
cryz geronimo - ferreol says
March 24, 2013 at 1:49 pmhi.. thanks for this article really helpful.. next week im 8 months pregnant.. this is really important for me especially my hubby is away.. my due is on may and he will not be here.. really glad to see this online.. thanks again
manilamommy says
March 25, 2013 at 9:59 amglad to help cryz!! good luck on your delivery 🙂
yenko_mom says
September 27, 2012 at 9:47 ambottles are a no-no and a violation of the milk code. be sure to erase it before someone reports you
manilamommy says
September 27, 2012 at 4:55 pmi think personal bottles are ok, it’s the hospitals who shouldn’t provide the feeding bottles. i recently gave birth and i brought bottles with me that i used when i was pumping milk.
Aisa says
May 10, 2012 at 1:08 pmHi! Your article really a helpful tips to all the Moms to be out there. Thanks for sharing your experienced. I also had a baby girl who just turned one last May 2. During my pregnancy, they keep on insisting that I need to pack my hospital bag as early as 7 months, but just like you, I think it would be too early to pack so I decided to do it during my 9 month. Gladly, we packed all the items we need. You had almost the same list as I had during the big day. Btw, I got the list from my maternity book gave by my OB. It really helps… : )
neva | manilamommy says
May 11, 2012 at 9:22 amthank you aisa and CONGRATULATIONS! 😀 were there any things in your bag that wasn’t included in the list i made? i hope you could share din 😀 thank you!
Yan Quinones says
February 24, 2012 at 3:28 pmSuch an informative post, Manila Mommy! I’m about to give birth soon (the earliest possible date my OB told me was tomorrow Feb 25). Haha! When I reached my seventh month, I’ve already packed our hospital bags, one for baby Uno and one for me and my hubby. Upon reading your post, it looks like I overpacked… BIGTIME. 🙂 Thanks to your post I think I’m re-arranging our bags tonight. 🙂
manilamommy says
February 24, 2012 at 5:34 pmhi yan! you’re welcome! i’ll be praying for your safe delivery 😀
angel_abby says
November 14, 2011 at 8:01 pmThank 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!
manilamommy says
November 15, 2011 at 4:21 pmyou’re welcome and good luck!
Alexi says
July 27, 2011 at 8:16 pmThanks 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
manilamommy says
July 27, 2011 at 11:33 pmhi alexi! thanks so much and good luck with the blog!
mcristine says
July 14, 2011 at 5:09 pmUhm, 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.
manilamommy says
July 14, 2011 at 10:27 pmgreat tip mommy cristine! thank you 😀
Topaz Mommy says
June 2, 2010 at 11:37 pmThese 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!
neva adelane says
June 3, 2010 at 8:47 amYou’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 😀
mimi says
September 29, 2009 at 11:34 pmHey 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-
newborn disposable diapers (or meron na sa hospital?)
baby book 🙂 for the hand and footprints
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
neva adelane says
September 30, 2009 at 9:06 amhi 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 😛
kitty says
September 20, 2009 at 9:50 pmNevs – salamat dito, really helpful. late nako with packing our hospital bag, next week i can already give birth!
neva adelane says
September 21, 2009 at 8:40 amoh wow good luck kitty!!! (and ton too haha!)
ana says
September 9, 2009 at 1:46 pmvery helpful for a soon-to-be 1st time mommy like me. glad found your site. =D
neva adelane says
September 10, 2009 at 5:35 pmthanks for dropping by ana 😀 i’ll be posting other lists and checklists too 🙂
Tiffany says
September 8, 2009 at 11:29 amThanks 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 🙂
neva adelane says
September 8, 2009 at 3:42 pmhi tiff! the pajamas are a great tip 😀 thanks for sharing!