Maternity hospital bag: a complete list of things for mother and baby

List of things to take to the maternity hospital

My Sunshine® Complete list of things for the maternity hospital. Save the checklist so you don't forget anything.

Getting ready for the maternity hospital is a very important stage in the joyful anticipation of the first meeting with the baby. Making a list of things in advance and packing a bag for the maternity hospital is moral preparation for an important event and a guarantee of comfort before and after childbirth. You don’t have to spend a lot of time explaining to your mom or husband what things you need to buy. A list of things to take to the maternity hospital has been compiled, things have been collected - this means you can not be distracted by little things and focus on the long-awaited meeting with your child.

Doctors recommend preparing a bag for the maternity hospital at 31-32 weeks. Things that you may need in the maternity hospital can be divided into 4 groups: before birth, after birth, for the baby and for discharge. Of course, with so many bags they may not be allowed into the maternity hospital, so it’s better to put everything sequentially in one transparent bag.

According to sanitary standards, the bag cannot be made of leather or fabric; it is required to take a bag or a transparent plastic bag to the maternity hospital. We will consistently go through the list of necessary things for mother and baby - from documents to slippers, so as not to forget anything.

What documents should be in the delivery bag?

You need to put the following in the folder:

Passport and photocopy of passport;
Original marriage certificate to obtain a child’s birth certificate on the day of discharge;
Compulsory health insurance policy (CHI) and its photocopy;
Insurance certificate of compulsory pension insurance and its photocopy;
An exchange card with data on how the pregnancy progressed: the dynamics of fetal development, the results of all ultrasounds and tests, drug intolerance, indications for cesarean section;
A complete medical record for 9 months (do not forget to take the record to the doctor from the 32nd week);
Birth certificate (if available);
Contract with the maternity hospital if you are giving birth for a fee;
Receipt for payment for a single room or joint birth, if you have chosen paid services.

A separate point is that the spouse must be taken to the maternity hospital if he plans to be present at the birth:

Passport;
Health certificate;
Fluorography.

The list of documents, certificates and things that you need with you during a partner birth depends on which maternity hospital you choose. You will need to check by phone.

Let's move on to the main thing: what to take to the maternity hospital?

The most complete list for the maternity hospital
In general, the most important thing is documents: without them you will not be admitted, and if you are admitted to give birth, then only in the observation department (where women in labor are kept without documents and medical certificates, with hepatitis, HIV infection, various infectious diseases ).

What documents are needed for the maternity hospital 2021:

passport;
compulsory health insurance policy (if any);
if there is a contract for paid childbirth or an agreement for individual delivery of childbirth;
exchange card received at the antenatal clinic at 30 weeks;
open sick leave;
all tests, certificates, examinations: everything you have received over the past 9 months;
Recent tests for hepatitis, RW, HIV infection, general urine test, clinical blood test, coagulogram are required. Everything else depends on the indications and health status of the woman.

It is advisable to put all documents in a separate folder and after 34-35 weeks (and even earlier) constantly carry them with you, even if your health and well-being are excellent!

What things will you need before giving birth?

Before making purchases, call the reception department of your maternity hospital and find out whether they provide underwear for women in labor and newborns, or if you should bring everything with you. Each maternity hospital has its own order. But in order to be comfortable in the maternity hospital, you need to prepare everything you need:

For placement in the ward: shoe covers, clothing bags (to fold the clothes in which you were admitted);
A robe with a belt or zipper that will not hinder movement. Choose a robe according to the time of year - warmer or thinner. Terry robes are not allowed;
Shirt;
Washable slippers to keep them clean;
Thin and warm socks (not woolen ones), several pairs;
Compression stockings: they are recommended to be worn during childbirth to protect the legs from the formation of blood clots in the veins;
Hygiene items: toilet paper, toothpaste and brush, shampoo, razor - everything you are used to using to take care of yourself. It is better to limit yourself to a travel set of cosmetics to lighten the load;
Utensils: cup, spoon and mug;
A bottle of still water (1 liter or more);
Have a snack in case you get hungry and the dining room is closed: the main thing is that the food intake does not contradict the doctor’s recommendations;
Garbage bags (the room is sterile, so there is no trash can), paper toilet seats;
If you are having a partner birth, your husband will need rubber slippers and a change of clothes.

What things are not needed in the maternity hospital?

When packing a bag for the maternity hospital and making a list of things needed for mother and baby, some women can overdo it and pack in a lot of unnecessary, and sometimes even harmful, things. “Mom’s suitcase” is overflowing, things are scattered into additional bags. Check out this list of things you don't need for mom and baby in the hospital. If you find any of them in your bag, feel free to post them:

Food. Despite the fact that the food in the maternity hospital may not seem very sophisticated, it is dietary, balanced and meets the needs of women who have just given birth. The only thing you need to take to the maternity hospital for your mother is bottled water. And if before discharge you really want to eat some special dish or product, be sure to listen to the doctor’s opinion before calling your loved one and asking him to bring it.
Bandage. A bandage is definitely not on the list of things to take to the maternity hospital for your mother. Women are not recommended to start wearing a brace immediately after giving birth, and you will need one at home.
Breast pump. This device is one of the most harmful things for mother and baby in the maternity hospital. In the first days, it is very important to establish proper lactation and emotional contact, and this can only be achieved by attaching the baby to the breast. The only thing you can get if you take a breast pump with you to the maternity hospital is hyperlactation, and it will not be easy to cope with excess milk production later. Remember: a breast pump is designed to express milk into a bottle if the mother had to temporarily separate from the baby.
Dummy. Pacifiers are also items that are not recommended for a newborn in the maternity hospital. The baby has just begun to explore the world, and there is no need to confuse him - let him first learn to suck on his mother’s breast.
Cosmetics and perfumes for mom. Every woman wants to capture the best moments of life (and share them on Instagram), and for this she needs to be beautiful. Understand: the happiness of motherhood makes you beautiful without any makeup, and cosmetics and perfumes are things that are dangerous for the baby in the maternity hospital. Unfamiliar, strong odors can frighten him, and some substances in beauty products can trigger allergies.
Large set of children's cosmetics. During pregnancy, did you buy a bunch of cosmetics for your baby - milk, shampoo, foam, oils and much more? Leave it at home. Cream and soap are the only things you need to take to the maternity hospital for your child; you simply won’t have time to use everything else.
Laptop or tablet. Some people think that a laptop or tablet is a necessary thing for the maternity hospital: it will be important for the mother to relax, watch movies, read books. In fact, even if your child turns out to be unusually calm, you will not have time for entertainment. What you need in the maternity hospital is to recover, sleep more and gain strength.
Sling. In the first days after birth, the baby needs to lie down as much as possible, and doctors do not recommend wearing him in a sling. Feel free to cross off the sling from the list of necessary things in the maternity hospital.
Clothes you wore before pregnancy. I really want to walk out of the doors of the maternity hospital in my most chic dress! Forget this idea: even though you've "lost" a few pounds, it takes time to get back to your normal shape. When choosing what things your mother needs in the maternity hospital, give preference to comfortable, loose clothing.
Beautiful suits or dresses for a child. What clothes to take to the maternity hospital for a newborn? Simple and comfortable, and let the outfits stay at home.

What should be in a baby's cosmetic bag?

Wet wipes, for example, “My Sunshine”, which are recommended by pediatricians for children from birth.

Soap or washing gel from the “My Sunshine” series; they can also be used from the first day of life.

Diaper cream “My sunshine”. Thanks to jojoba oil, D-panthenol and zinc in the cream, the baby's skin will be protected from irritation and diaper rash.

Kit for the maternity hospital with a 10% discount. Buy* on apteka.ru

During the period from February 1 to December 31, 2021, you can order* using the apteka.ru service, children's cosmetics for the maternity hospital from the My Sunshko® brand at a special price.

*Apteka.ru is a service for searching and ordering medicines and other goods. An order on the website apteka.ru means an application from a pharmacy to a supplier for the supply of goods. This is not a public offer.

List of things for a newborn for the first time

You've probably already dealt with big purchases like a crib, changing table or a special smart lamp. As with many other purchases in general. There is no need to separately make a list of things that you need to buy for the baby for the first time, just make sure that among your purchases there is something that you will definitely need in the first days and weeks after the birth of the baby.

Clothes (bodysuits, slips, socks, caps)
Diapers
Diapers
Means for treating the umbilical wound, cotton pads, sticks with limiters.
Cosmetics (diaper cream, powder, bath product, shampoo, wet wipes)
Thermometer for determining body temperature. The most comfortable and safe option for a newborn would be a non-contact infrared device (a contact one is also suitable). It’s good if the thermometer has a function for determining the temperature of the environment and the surface of the water. A good option would be the AGU Giraffe non-contact thermometer; it has all the functions mentioned above.
Aspirator. It is best to choose an electronic nozzle ejector: with such a device you can remove mucus from your baby’s nose as efficiently and safely as possible.
Scales. At first, it is important to control the weight of the newborn; modern models, such as AGU scales, which save data and send it to an application on a smartphone, are suitable for this task. This way there will be no need to record measurements, the dynamics will be visible on the phone.
Sterilizer
Milk bottle, pacifier, pacifier.

A very important “thing” that you will need both in the maternity hospital and after is faith in yourself and the knowledge that everything will be fine! And everything will really be like that!

What will a child need in the maternity hospital?

Caps, 2 pieces each, warm and light

Undershirts, it’s better to take 3-4 pieces with you, of different density (depending on the time of year).

Bodysuits, jumpsuits. Buy at the rate: one day - one set. It is better to choose ones that fasten with buttons rather than being pulled over your head.

Socks and anti-scratch socks.

Disposable diapers 60x60, which will be needed during examinations.

Diapers for newborns (3-5 kg), large package.

Cotton pads and sterile cotton wool for ears and nose.

Mixture and bottle. Keep it in your bag in case you don't breastfeed.

What will mom need after giving birth?

Typically, mother and baby spend 3-5 days in the postpartum ward, so it is important to stock up on:

Nursing bra (keep in mind that your breasts will become larger after childbirth): they have clasps on the straps or between the cups to help you feed your baby faster;
Disposable panties and regular cotton panties;
Towels;
Wet wipes;
Pads - urological or postpartum;
Breast pads to avoid staining your underwear;
Glycerin suppositories (to make it easier to go to the toilet after childbirth);
A postpartum bandage to quickly bring your figure back to normal (if you had a caesarean section, a postoperative bandage is better);
Something for leisure: you can take with you a novel or a tablet with books and movies. Don't forget your phone and charger!

Complete list of things for the maternity hospital 2021 + checklist in a convenient format

I was admitted to the maternity hospital at 41 weeks.
I gave birth in a regular maternity hospital under compulsory medical insurance. I spent 7 days in “pathology” and another 5 days in the postpartum ward. Read my birth story here I have prepared the most complete list for the maternity hospital (stay, birth and discharge). You don't have to take everything! Everyone's list of necessities will be slightly different.

—

You are not allowed into the maternity hospital with a travel bag.

also
have to say goodbye to your handbag
if you have it with you.
Therefore, you need to collect things in ordinary plastic bags.
Or you can buy special
transparent bags.

Maternity hospital bags are very convenient, but in the future you may not need them at all. 3 empty bags cost about 700 rubles (price varies). They also sell stuffed bags everywhere. It was more convenient for me to choose everything myself. It's up to you to decide which option is better.

Documentation

It's the most important

.
We collect all documents in a separate folder. This folder will also be useful upon discharge (they will give you documents for you and the baby). Documents must be prominently displayed on top of all items.

Passport and its copy;
medical policy and its copy;
SNILS and its copy;
birth certificate (issued when going on sick leave for pregnancy and childbirth at the antenatal clinic);
exchange card (a booklet from the antenatal clinic);
documents for a partner (if you are taking a partner). There must be personal documents and certificates;
Covid test results (insert immediately into the exchange card). While needed during a pandemic;
contract for paid childbirth (if you are giving birth for a fee).

Childbirth bag

These are things that will be with you directly in the birth block. They will be needed during natural childbirth. For a planned caesarean section, only compression stockings will be needed.

Phone and charger
(it’s more convenient to take not only a charger, but also a portable powerbank). You can download music to your phone for meditation and relaxation;
wireless headphones.
These are more convenient, but you can also use regular ones. Convenient if you want to listen to music or talk on the phone. You can put your phone anywhere, for example, leave it on charge. But it is better to remove the headphones away when active contractions begin with a short interval;
disposable diapers
(you will need 1 - 2 pieces);
compression stockings.
They are required for operations (caesarean section), and you will also have to wear them for another 6 weeks after the operation. During natural childbirth this is not always required. However, no one guarantees that labor will not end with ECS. So it's better to buy. They are needed to prevent thrombosis and varicose veins;
washable slippers
;
water
- about 1.5 - 2 liters. It is more convenient to take in small bottles of 0.5 liters. During contractions you may feel very thirsty. The maternity ward is usually quite hot and stuffy (so that newborns do not freeze);
diapers
for the baby. It’s better to take a few pieces - they will come in handy if there is an ECS when the child is taken away from you for several hours. If you don't need them, they will be returned to you;
clothes for the child.
Some maternity hospitals allow you to completely dress up your newborn.
But, as a rule, children are wrapped in sterile diapers and blankets. So it is better to clarify this question directly in the maternity hospital where you are going to give birth. If children are swaddled, you can take a hat and socks;
food.
It is better to take some small snack with you, since labor can last a long time. These can be crackers, unsweetened cookies (for example, “Maria” or “Leningradskoe”), bread. You can take a small chocolate bar to replenish your strength. But chocolate is usually not recommended. It is also important to have a snack because you can give birth at night, and you will only be fed in the morning;
bags for clothes and shoes.
In the reception room you will need to change clothes, and your relatives will take the things you arrived with. Or things will be put into a storage room. The same applies to handbags. So it’s better to go without it;
hygienic lipstick
(lips may dry out during contractions);
nasal drops.
You can use regular sea water drops. They may not be needed, but it happens that during contractions your nose gets stuffy. This makes it difficult to breathe properly during a contraction. Take them, especially if you have a cold or suffered from rhinitis during pregnancy;
nightgown or long T-shirt.
What you will wear when you give birth.
State maternity hospitals usually provide
a sterile gown.
cotton robe – 1 pc.
When you enter the emergency room, you will need to change into a gown. And when you go to the delivery room, after all the procedures, you will change into a shirt. Sometimes they may give you a shirt right away. It is better to put one robe in the delivery room bag.
towel.
To take a shower. You can also clarify. In a state maternity hospital you should be given a sterile towel. Most likely, you won't need yours;
toilet paper.
You can take a small amount.
You can also take toilet seat covers
if you are afraid to go to a public toilet;
handkerchiefs and wet wipes.
To wipe away sweat or blow your nose if your nose is stuffy;
socks (warm and thin)
To prevent your feet from freezing. Immediately after giving birth, chills may begin. It's better to take it just in case;
Shaver.
You may have to shave in the shower at the hospital if you don't have time to do this at home. It’s more convenient to do this with your own razor rather than a government-issued one. Some pregnant women undergo sugaring of the intimate area in the last month. In this case, you definitely won’t need a razor;
scrunchy.
There is a belief that it is better to go into labor with your hair down, as this will make the baby dilate faster. There is some truth in this, so it is better not to do any tight hairstyle. But if you take long hair, it will be more comfortable and not so hot;
a small talisman or something that will distract you.
This is not at all necessary. I took a talisman doll with me. Someone takes paper and pen and writes or draws something. Each has its own. But doctors do not always respond well to this.

What to take when leaving the maternity hospital?

You don't have to take this package right away. According to the rules, your things should be stored in a nightstand, and they usually don’t have much space. Let your loved ones bring you clothes for you and your child separately. Prepare things in advance and put them in a visible place.

Clothes and shoes for mom;
If necessary, take cosmetics (so you can clean up before leaving);
A suit, envelope or blanket for a child (choose the density according to the weather);
The baby needs a set of diapers. You can put it aside from what you have or put it in your bag with your things for discharge.

Your husband or relatives will be able to give you everything you need to the maternity hospital through the checkpoint on the day of discharge. Do not forget that in the car the newborn needs to lie in a special cradle. Choose a comfortable suit or overalls for traveling in public transport.