What to Bring to the Hospital When Having a Baby

Having a smooth childbirth experience is all about preparation. One way to be prepared is to pack a suitcase ahead of time so you are ready when it’s time to go to the hospital.

It’s a good idea to have your bag packed by the time your pregnancy is at 37 weeks, just in case you go into labor before your due date. Keep your “go-bag” near the door — or even in the car.

What to Bring for Your Hospital Stay

Here’s a list of items you will need or want while you’re in the hospital:

Health insurance card(s) and photo ID
Any papers your doctor has given you, such as lab orders, medication list and your medical history
Birth plan (Download one here.)
Lists of phone numbers to call
Cellphone and phone charger or long-distance calling card
Camera and battery
Credit card or small amount of cash for vending machine or cafeteria
Reading material
Laptop or tablet
Headphones or Bluetooth speaker for music
Snacks for your support person
Overnight bag with clothes and toiletries

Items for Mom

Nightgown or pajamas that button down the front
Socks and slippers
Flip-flops
Nursing bra and underwear
Lip balm
Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.)
Glasses and/or contacts
Sanitary pads
Loose-fitting clothes to wear home
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine (if applicable)
Insulin pump/Dexcom (glucose monitor) supplies (if applicable)

Items for Baby

Receiving blanket
Clothes for baby to wear home
Infant car seat (installed in your car)
Outfit for first pictures

Items NOT to Bring

Jewelry, including watches and rings
Large amount of cash
Gift cards
Checkbooks

What the Hospital Provides

Mesh panties
Ice packs
Postpartum pads
Peri bottle
Tucks pads
Sitz bath
Breast pads and breast pump kits
Infant diapers and wipes for use at the hospital
Formula
Free Wi-Fi
Sleeping couch for designated support person
Smiling faces, help and education!

What to Expect from Norton Women’s Care

More mothers in Louisville and Southern Indiana choose to deliver their babies at Norton Hospital or Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital than with any other hospital system in the area.

We deliver more than 8,000 babies a year. We’re close to you with more than 90 providers at more than 25 locations around Louisville and Southern Indiana. Choosing Norton Women’s Care gives you many options for how delivery day could go — all with the confidence of knowing that our obstetrics and pediatric specialists are there to help. With Norton Women’s Care, you’ll find:

The birth experience you want: You can choose natural childbirth, a midwife, labor tub, nitrous oxide and other birthing options. We’ll recommend a C-section (cesarean section) or induced labor only if it’s medically necessary.
Preparation: Our specialists offer the support you need, including free Lamaze and other childbirth classes, new parent classes, breastfeeding support, child safety classes and more.
Confidence and quality in care: Norton Women’s Care has been recognized as High Performing — the highest rating available — for maternity care with fewer complications and C-sections, plus breastfeeding support and other benefits.
We offer the highest-level (Level IV) neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Louisville and Southern Indiana at Norton Children’s Hospital, and a sophisticated Level III NICU at Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital.
Around-the-clock OB/GYN care is available at Norton Hospital and Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital emergency departments.
Our board-certified maternal-fetal medicine specialists can help guide you through a high-risk pregnancy, from treating preexisting diabetes in the pregnant patient to a fetal echocardiogram to diagnose a congenital heart condition before a baby is born.
Medicare, Medicaid and most major commercial insurance plans are accepted.
Convenient access to your medical record: Communicate with your health care provider, get lab results, renew prescriptions and more through your free Norton MyChart account.