A Birth Bag with Heart: What I Really Packed for the Delivery Room

The final weeks of pregnancy brought so many questions — and one of the most practical was: What should I pack for the hospital?
Between online checklists and well-meaning advice from friends, I started to feel like I was packing for the unknown.

But truthfully? A great birth bag holds only what I actually needed — and didn’t weigh me down with extras. When the time came, I realized that the best bag was one that took care of both my body and my heart.

So here’s what I packed — what helped me feel supported, grounded, and a little more myself during such a big moment.

What I packed for myself:

• ID, hospital forms, and birth plan (if I had one)
• Loose robe or clothes I could breastfeed in
• Warm socks — the delivery room was freezing
• Mesh or disposable postpartum underwear
• Maternity pads — the heavy-duty kind!
• Soft nursing bra or bralette
• Flip-flops for the shower, slippers for comfort
• Mini toiletries: soap, shampoo, face cream, hair ties, wipes
• Reusable water bottle with a straw — absolute lifesaver
• Eye mask and lip balm — the lighting and dry air were harsh
• Something that smelled like home — for me, lavender oil and my own pillow

What I brought for my baby:

• A tiny cotton onesie — easy to dress her in
• A soft hat and socks (even though it was warm out)
• Muslin cloth for swaddling and burping
• A few diapers and wipes — the hospital gave more, but I felt better bringing some
• Mini towel
• Bottle and pacifier — just in case
• Car seat — had to show it before we could leave

What I packed for my partner:

• Change of clothes + deodorant
• Chargers + power bank
• Snacks, water, instant coffee in a thermos
• Earphones and something to read
• A little note from me — reminders of what helps me when I’m in pain
• A short list of people to update so I could stay present

Unexpected extras that were totally worth it:

• A letter to myself – A few lines I wrote in advance, with words I knew I’d need. A quiet reminder of courage and trust, when things got intense.
• A snack I actually liked – Not just for energy, but for comfort and a little taste of normalcy.
• A small meaningful item – My hair tie and face cream made me feel a little more in control in a very new space.
• A printed photo of someone I love – Not on my phone — a real photo to place beside my bed. It kept me grounded.
• A soft playlist I made – Just calm background music, nothing too emotional. It helped me stay centered.