Pregnancy Labor & Delivery The Essential Hospital Bag Checklist for Support Partners Partners play an important role in the labor and delivery process and should include these items in their hospital bag. By Wayne Parker Published on July 22, 2024 Fact checked by Karen Cilli In This Article View All In This Article Choose a Bag and Pack Early Comfort Items To Pack Supplies To Help Support Your Partner Close When it comes to packing for the hospital, there are many lists for birthing parents, but what about their partners? Not only are they often an active part of the process, but support partners have been feeling more empowered lately to increase their role during the delivery of their newborns. Remember, support partners are often at the hospital the entire time, sometimes even sleeping in the room with the birthing parent and baby. Use this as a checklist when packing a comprehensive hospital bag for dads, moms, and other support companions. When Should I Go to the Hospital for Labor? Parents / JR Bee Choose a Bag and Pack Early When selecting a bag, choose one made from durable materials with lots of pockets and pouches, and that is big enough to hold a blanket. Plan to pack your bag for the hospital when your partner packs their bag, which is usually around 35 to 36 weeks pregnant. You can use a bag you already own. Good options include a laptop bag, duffle bag, backpack, overnight suitcase, or even a diaper bag you plan to repurpose later. While you want to be prepared, you don't need to pack a suitcase full of stuff that will likely never be used once you get to the hospital and find yourself distracted with supporting your partner during labor. Once your meet your baby, you will be absorbed in their care, not what you packed in your bag. Focus on the essentials, and try to cut down on superfluous items that will only get in the way. Comfort Items To Pack Labor, delivery, and recovery can be a long process. Both you and your partner may need items to help make your time in the hospital more comfortable. Snacks You need to maintain your strength throughout the birthing process, so consider what healthy snacks you might want to include. Trail mix, granola bars, or whole-grain crackers are good choices. Try to avoid snacks with onion or garlic—your partner will appreciate that—and include items that are not perishable. You can always grab a few pieces of fruit as you head out the door, but if you forget, include some dry snacks in your bag. Toiletries Pack a toothbrush, floss, mouthwash, mints, and breath-freshening gum. Keeping your teeth clean will make a big difference and make you feel better overall. You also should consider packing deodorant, facial cleansing wipes, hand sanitizer, and spare contacts or contact lens solution—anything you think you might need when you cannot shower but want to freshen up. Medications You will want to pack antacids, pain relievers, and allergy medications just in case you end up with a headache, a sore back, or an upset stomach. Create a checklist of last-minute items, including any medications that you take daily and cannot pack in advance. Once you're done packing, attach this list to the bag so you don't leave the house without what you need. Small bills and change Having cash on hand is always a good idea, but in this case, you may appreciate it more than you might realize. Access to small denominations and a few coins could prove helpful if you want something from the vending machine or need to feed a parking meter that doesn't accept cards. Phone Although you cannot pack your phone ahead of time, you can pack extra charging cables and power banks into which you can plug your phone. You also may want to bring a list of phone numbers as a backup to your contact list on your smartphone. There will be grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, and friends waiting for news of the baby's arrival. Add your phone to the checklist of last-minute items to bring when you're finished packing. Remember, you might be a little frazzled once those contractions start and your partner goes into labor. So, having a list to reference will help ensure you don't forget anything, especially something as important as your phone. Other electronics Consider what additional electronics you might need, like earbuds, headphones, tablets, e-readers, and so on. You may also want to include a camera or video camera if you prefer not to use your phone to document those first few moments and hours. And don't forget the chargers! Chat in advance with your partner to determine what they prefer. Remember, during the heat of labor and transition, you will be helping your partner through the labor process, so you won't need a lot of electronics. But they are nice for capturing special moments or use during quiet periods. Clothing Fresh underwear, a clean shirt, and a pair of socks should be sufficient to keep you feeling clean and ready for anything. It also might be wise to include a warm sweatshirt in case the room is a little cool. Some partners also find that having comfortable shoes and pajamas on hand is helpful. Reusable bottle and beverages Both you and your partner will need to stay hydrated throughout the labor and delivery process, so bring some reusable water bottles along. You may also want to include any other refreshing bottled drinks you might want, such as Gatorade, Crystal Light, or Powerade. Although your partner may have limits on what they can drink, you may appreciate having some variety. Pillow and blanket Packing a travel pillow or neck pillow and an extra blanket is helpful. Although the hospital sometimes supplies partners with a blanket and pillow, it is good to be prepared. If you would prefer a larger, more comfortable pillow, add it to the checklist of last-minute items attached to your bag. That way, you can always grab it on your way out the door. Many partners report that a good, comfortable pillow makes all the difference when spending the night on a cot or just dozing in a rocker or recliner in the room. Some partners even put a lightweight sleeping bag in the car in case the room is cold and they need something warmer. Supplies To Help Support Your Partner Labor can be long and draining. As your partner's support person, you can help by bringing along items to help them manage pain (and even boredom). Music Create a labor and delivery playlist with your partner full of music that will help inspire and comfort them. Bring a Bluetooth speaker (with a charging cord) so you can play music in the hospital room. Massage oil There can be times during the labor and delivery process when the laboring parent will appreciate a soothing massage. Bringing a bit of your partner's favorite massage oil can really make a big difference in the experience. Pack them in a sealed bag to prevent them from leaking. Push present A more recent trend is the push present, a gift that a partner gives right after the baby is born. You know your partner best, so pick something to communicate your love and appreciation. 10 Labor and Delivery Support Tips for Partners Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources Parents uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Fathers’ Experiences during Delivery of Their Newborns: A Content Analysis. Int J Community Based Nurs Midwifery. 2024.