D-Day: What are the essentials to bring to the delivery room?

Only a few weeks to go before the big day!
It’s time to pack your hospital bag: your things and baby’s will soon be waiting by the front door, ready to go!
But did you know that you won’t be able to take your whole hospital bag with you into the delivery room?
You will be asked to take only the bare essentials with you.
So that you don’t panic on the big day, here is the list of everything you will need for the delivery room:

What should I take with me into the delivery room?

For you:

Pack a small bag with:

A loose, comfortable top that you'll keep on during the birth: a nightdress or a big T-shirt. Don't take clothes you're attached to, as they may end up stained with disinfectant.
A light cardigan and some socks may come in handy if you tend to feel the cold.
A water mist spray: it will help you cool down if you have hot flushes. It can also “quench your thirst” and save you from that unpleasant dry-mouth feeling.
Something to pass the time: the wait can be long! Depending on what you like, take magazines, a book or some music with you. Your phone or tablet can also help you pass the time.
Remember your charger! It would be a shame not to be able to announce the good news because of a flat battery!

For baby:

Pack a small dedicated pouch with baby's birth outfit:

A wrap bodysuit / crossover top. Go for 100% cotton to avoid any risk of allergic reaction.
A warm velour baby sleepsuit (even in summer!) that opens at the front.
A baby wrap cardigan / warm cardigan in wool or cotton. A must in winter and summer alike! Baby will go through a big temperature shock at birth, suddenly going from 37°C to 25°C.
A cotton baby hat: essential to prevent any heat loss.
A pair of baby booties or socks.

For baby’s clothing size, go by the estimates you were given at your last scan.

Baby's hospital bag not finished yet?

Don’t panic! You’ll find all the essentials for baby’s hospital bag in our shop!

Premiers Moments Newborn Set - Hospital Bag

Complete my bag

Baby's hospital bag not finished yet?

Don’t panic! You’ll find all the essentials for baby’s hospital bag in our shop!

Complete my bag

Remember to bring your maternity notes:

Your medical documents: all your scans, your blood group card and your test results.
Your administrative documents: your Carte Vitale (French health insurance card) and its up-to-date certificate, an identity document and possibly your Livret de Famille (family record book) or your prenatal acknowledgement of the child

Don't forget Dad!

Water and snacks: for the dad/parent-to-be too, the wait will be long. And unlike you, they'll be allowed to eat a little.
A few coins: the lockers for storing your hospital bag often need a coin to lock them. The coins will also let your partner grab the odd coffee at the maternity unit's cafeteria.

There you go, you know it all!
The essentials for the delivery room no longer hold any secrets for you!!
You are all set for the big day!

Finish packing baby's bag!

with

Complete my bag

Finish packing baby's bag! with

Complete my bag

Dylan
Proud dad of three little ones and founder of Premiers Moments. Together with the whole team, I share our parenting tips here to support you, from pregnancy through your child's first years.