What to bring to the hospital or birthing centre

Suggestions for the mother

  • Your health insurance card and other proof of insurance (if you have any)
  • Your hospital card
  • Your pregnancy notebook and pregnancy follow-up forms (sheets 1, 2, 3, and 4) if you received any during your pregnancy checkups
  • Your birth plan
  • Your vaccination record
  • A note pad and pen
  • Comfortable clothes for the labour and delivery (if you don’t want to wear a hospital gown)
  • Comfortable clothes for day and night
  • Slippers and warm socks
  • Tissues (not always provided by the hospital)
  • A change of clothes and underwear
  • One or two nursing bras
  • Going home outfit
  • Super maxi pads (heavy flow)
  • Your toiletry bag
  • Your glasses and contact lens case, if you wear them
  • Snacks (like muffins, cereal bars, dried fruit) and drinks
  • Items you may want during labour, like massage oil, extra pillows, a hot water bottle, and music
  • Reading material
  • A watch
  • Any medication you are taking
  • Your From Tiny Tot to Toddler guide!

Suggestions for the partner

  • Comfortable clothes and shoes
  • Food and drinks
  • A camera
  • Reading material
  • Your toiletry bag
  • A bathing suit (if you want to get in the whirlpool with your partner during labour)
  • Your pillow
  • Pyjamas
  • A change of clothes

Suggestions for the baby

  • Diapers (if not provided by the hospital or birthing center)
  • Pyjamas
  • Undershirts and bodysuits
  • A blanket
  • A hat
  • Going home outfit (appropriate for the season)
  • An infant car seat (required to go home by car, see Travelling safely: Car seats)

Labour: Process by which the baby passes from the uterus to the outside world, primarily through contractions of the uterus.