Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsThe Basics of PackingYour Hospital Stay ChecklistMaternity Checklist
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
The Basics of Packing
Your Hospital Stay Checklist
Maternity Checklist
When planning astay in the hospital, whether it is for surgery, childbirth, or an inpatient procedure, it is important to be prepared.
This involves packing everything you need not only to be comfortable, but to make up for some common shortcomings of the hospital (such as food or the lack of privacy).
While modern hospitals are designed to be more people-friendly than ever, function,hygiene, and durability are more important than comfort.
This article will help you think through what you may need to take with you so you’re not stuck doing without during your hospital stay.
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As you prepare for your stay, think about all of the things you’d take on a weekend trip. Then cut down. Especially omit valuables like jewelry or electronics.
Hospitals won’t take responsibility if personal belongings are stolen. It’s ultimately your call as to whether you’re willing to risk it or take out a short-term insurance policy to cover the loss.
If you really must bring electronics, such as a laptop, ask the hospital in advance if they offer lockable storage in the rooms. If they do, check to see if your belongings will fit inside.
If you’re uncertain whether to bring a valuable, ask yourself if you’re willing to lose it. If not, keep it at home.
Once you’ve cut back to the basics, decide which things would:
You should also bring entertainment and, if your treatment or procedure allows, maybe some snacks or drinks.
You won’t have a lot of space to store things. Try to fit everything you need into a standard carry-on bag. Be sure it’s well-labeled and lockable for security reasons.
The clothing you may want to take includes:
Personal care products to take are:
Electronic and entertainment items may include:
Important documents to bring include:
You may wonder if you can bring non-perishable snacks and drinks, especially if you have dietary needs with a condition like diabetes or need to take medicine with food. Remember to check with your healthcare team before eating any food brought from home to ensure it won’t interfere with your care.
For your stay after delivery, you may want to have:
Hospitals will not allow you to take a newborn home without an appropriate car seat.Be sure yours is properly installed before you go into labor.
Remember that after giving birth, it takes a while for your uterus to shrink back to its pre-pregnancy size, so your clothes for going home should be comfortable maternity clothes.
Summary
Before you check into the hospital, make sure you’ve packed everything you’ll need and want for your stay. Leave valuables at home. Consider what you’ll want to wear, personal hygiene items you’ll need, things to ensure your comfort, and how you’ll entertain yourself.
2 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.van Herpen-Meeuwissen LJM, van den Bemt BJF, Derijks HJ, van den Bemt PMLA, Maat B, van Onzenoort HAW.The effect of Patient’s Own Medication use on patient’s self-reported medication knowledge during hospitalisation: a pre-post intervention study.BMC Health Serv Res. 2022;22:423. doi:10.1186/s12913-022-07752-6Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Car seat safety: newborn to 2 years.
2 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.van Herpen-Meeuwissen LJM, van den Bemt BJF, Derijks HJ, van den Bemt PMLA, Maat B, van Onzenoort HAW.The effect of Patient’s Own Medication use on patient’s self-reported medication knowledge during hospitalisation: a pre-post intervention study.BMC Health Serv Res. 2022;22:423. doi:10.1186/s12913-022-07752-6Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Car seat safety: newborn to 2 years.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
van Herpen-Meeuwissen LJM, van den Bemt BJF, Derijks HJ, van den Bemt PMLA, Maat B, van Onzenoort HAW.The effect of Patient’s Own Medication use on patient’s self-reported medication knowledge during hospitalisation: a pre-post intervention study.BMC Health Serv Res. 2022;22:423. doi:10.1186/s12913-022-07752-6Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Car seat safety: newborn to 2 years.
van Herpen-Meeuwissen LJM, van den Bemt BJF, Derijks HJ, van den Bemt PMLA, Maat B, van Onzenoort HAW.The effect of Patient’s Own Medication use on patient’s self-reported medication knowledge during hospitalisation: a pre-post intervention study.BMC Health Serv Res. 2022;22:423. doi:10.1186/s12913-022-07752-6
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Car seat safety: newborn to 2 years.
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