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Having a Baby? When To Head to the Hospital and What To Bring

January 16, 2025

As you near the end of your pregnancy, one question occupies your mind: How soon before I need to go to the hospital? Here are the labor signs to watch for.

Your Water Breaks. A surefire sign to head to the hospital is if your water breaks. When it breaks, typically you’ll have no doubts as to what just happened. Call your physician and grab your bag.

Vaginal Bleeding. If you experience significant vaginal bleeding – more than what you’d call spotting – call your physician. If you bleed enough that you fill a pad, it’s time to go to the hospital.

Decreased Fetal Movement. By the third trimester, moms typically know what normal movement feels like for their baby. If you notice that your baby is moving much less than you would expect, head to the hospital.

Contractions. Contractions are another indicator that your delivery window is nearing. However, before you hop in the car, you’ll want to make sure your contractions are:

  • Consistent
  • Strong
  • Painful

Contractions need to be ongoing, occurring at regular intervals. They should also increase in intensity over time and cause enough pain that it’s hard to talk or walk while you experience them.

When contractions continue for several hours, the cervix dilates. Your cervix needs to widen to at least 5 cm before the labor process begins. Typically, the cervix opening to this extent corresponds to the kind of contractions that lead to the start of labor.

You may also experience smaller Braxton Hicks contractions, brought on by dehydration, exercise overexertion or even sex. These are considered a pre-labor event and aren't a reason to head to the hospital – that is, until they become more consistent and grow in intensity.

If you experience any other signs or symptoms that seem out of the norm, it’s always a good idea to call your obstetrician.

As you approach your delivery date, you’ll want to start packing. Here’s a list to help you stay as comfortable as possible during your hospital stay.

What Mom Needs To Pack

  • Comfortable pajamas
  • Robe
  • Slippers
  • Socks
  • Nursing bras
  • Underwear that you don’t mind ruining
  • Comfortable clothes for you to go home in
  • A drink container for you
  • Pillow from home
  • Toiletries
  • Chapstick
  • Glasses, especially if you wear contacts
  • Phone charger

You’ll want to pack enough clothes and toiletries to last two days, possibly three. Vaginal births tend to require two overnights in the hospital, whereas C-sections require three.

Hospitals are drier and colder than home, so you may want to pack extra lotions for your face and body, as well as layers, such as a sweatshirt or wrap.

If your partner is staying at the hospital, they will also need their own bag with many of the same items as above. They’ll also want snacks, such as fruit, granola bars, trail mix or beef jerky. Women in labor aren’t eating during the process, which can last 18 hours or longer, and any support folks will likely have an appetite. The cafeteria may be closed and vending machines have limited selections, so be sure to bring a supply of refueling foods.

What To Pack for Baby

  • Onesies
  • Pacifiers
  • Swaddle blankets
  • Going-home outfit
  • Car seat already set up in the car

The hospital has formula, diapers and wipes. The hospital also has a breast pump, but you’re welcome to bring yours if you’d like help getting familiar with it. Hospitals have lactation experts on staff to answer any questions and help teach you how to pump. These lactation experts are also available for consultations later on, so don’t feel as if you have to have all your questions ready on day one.

The obstetrics wing of hospitals also tends to have photographers available to take photos of you, your baby and your new family. These are at an additional cost but are a convenience and wonderful keepsake. You may want to bring a few things for that photo, such as a nice outfit for your baby and some makeup if that’s something that helps you feel more comfortable in a photo.

Before you leave the hospital, ideally you have already selected a pediatrician. Should you have questions at home, you’ll have a resource available. If you haven’t chosen a pediatrician, the hospital staff can suggest a few names. After all, the real work of mothering starts when you get home, and it’s common for new moms to have lots of questions along the way.

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