Baby Delivery Checklist

As your anticipated delivery date draws closer, you have to think about last-minute preparations for the birth. Getting ready in advance will bring peace of mind and help ease your stress levels.

Your OB/GYN may provide you with a checklist or information to help you prepare for giving birth. The information below can also help ensure that you’re ready, once the time comes for your new baby’s arrival.

Gather Pertinent Information

When it’s time to head to the hospital, the last thing you want to be doing is scrambling to find the address or your obstetrician’s phone number. Gathering all relevant information ahead of time will help ensure that everything goes smoothly and everyone remains calm.

HealthyChildren.org recommends collecting full contact information for the following before going into labor:

The hospital where you plan to deliver
Your OB/GYN and their designated backup practitioner
Your designated driver and their backup

You may want to consider doing a trial run to the hospital, so you can determine the best route and identify the correct door for drop-off. Map out at least one alternate driving route, in case of traffic or road closures.

If you so desire, put together a list of names and contact information for anyone you want to notify of the happy details, once your baby arrives. If you plan to mail (or email) birth announcements, make that list now also, complete with current addresses, as you may not have the time or energy to do so once you’re back home with the baby.

Pack Your Hospital Bag

Packing your hospital bag well ahead of your designated delivery date will help ensure that you don’t forget anything. MedlinePlus recommends including:

Toiletries
Nightgowns
Bathrobe
Slippers
Socks
Underwear
Nursing bra
Breast pads
Comfortable clothing for the trip home

Additional items that you may wish to bring with you, if appropriate, include:

Snacks (if the hospital allows them)
Books or magazines
Music and headphones
Smartphone or tablet
Cellphone charger

For the baby, you should pack:

Receiving blanket
Socks
Hat
Outfit for the trip home
Outerwear, bunting or warm clothing (if the weather is cold)

You will also need to provide the hospital with your insurance card, medical records, pre-admission paperwork (if applicable), birthing plan, medical power of attorney, and contact information for your healthcare provider(s) and the designated healthcare provider for your baby, upon arrival.

Finally, consider any items you may need for your birthing partner or labor coach, such as a stopwatch, timer, massage supplies or focus object.

Prepare for Your Absence

If you have older children or anyone else at home who requires care, finalize arrangements with caregivers, grandparents or whoever will be handling those duties in your absence. Don’t forget to arrange for a pet sitter if you have pets in the home that will require attention.

Consider making and freezing meals before your anticipated delivery date, for both during your absence and when you return home, to make life easier.

Prepare for Your Return Home

You’ll want to have everything ready when it’s time to bring your new baby home.

For the drive home, you’ll need to have a rear-facing car seat (one that’s approved for newborns) installed in the back seat of your vehicle. Whether this will be your first baby or your fifth, have the car seat and installation checked by someone who is trained in child passenger safety.

If you have any last-minute preparations left for the nursery, or if you haven’t already ordered a breast-milk pump, now is the time to take care of those details.

If you have any questions or concerns about being prepared for childbirth, talk to your OB/GYN or healthcare practitioner to help ease your mind and ensure that you are ready for the arrival of your new baby.