If you’re having a cesarean delivery your c-section hospital bag might look a little different than what you would pack in a traditional hospital bag for a vaginal birth.
As a mom who has experienced 4 c-section deliveries, I have figured out the must-haves for your c-section hospital bag (list included below) and the things you can leave home.
In this post, I will share everything you need to bring to the hospital if your baby is arriving via scheduled c-section.
If you are having a planned c-section chances are the date will be scheduled within a week of your due date. All of my scheduled births have been at 39 weeks.
After 4 hospital stays of about 3 days each, have learned a lot about what you actually need in your c-section hospital bag.
With my first baby, I was very underprepared for what I would want and need at the hospital and for having an unexpected c-section.
Related post: My disappointment after giving birth wasn’t my c-section
What you pack in your hospital bag for a scheduled c-section looks a little bit different because you won’t spend much time as much time in labor but you will spend more time in the hospital after delivery.
C-section moms typically spend 3-5 days in the hospital as opposed to the 1-2 days that moms who deliver vaginally stay. This is because not only are you recovering from childbirth but also surgery.
Hospital Bag List Overview
This post ended up being a lot longer than expected but is packed with everything you need to know for packing your c-section hospital bag. In this post you will find:
- Tips for packing your hospital bag
- What to pack in your c-section bag
- What to pack for your hospital stay
- What to pack for Mom
- What to pack for Dad
- What to Pack for Baby
- Other items to pack
- Things to Leave at Home
Plus at the bottom of this post, you can get a free printable C-Section Hospital Bag List to plan the things you need to pack.
How to Pack Your C-Section Hospital Bag
Before you start packing your hospital bags there are a few tips to make life at the hospital a little easier. I found it was a good idea to pack a couple of different bags one for delivery, your hospital stay, and one for dad.
Pack a Bag for Delivery
Pack a bag with the things you and your spouse might want or need while you are waiting for the scheduled c-section and during recovery.
In my experience you usually have a couple of hours you are waiting for your c-section, sometimes longer if an emergency happens and you get bumped. We also spent a couple of hours in recovery.
This bag isn’t going to hold a lot so you could use something small like a backpack.
Pack Bags for Your Hospital Stay
Pack a separate bag with the things you want or need for your hospital stay. You can bring this bag into the hospital with you or leave these bags in the car and have your husband or support person go get them once you are in your room after delivery.
Pack Bags for Each Person
Pack a bag for mom and a separate one for dad. You could also pack a separate one for the baby or if you’re like me and don’t bring many baby things to the hospital just add the baby stuff to mom’s bag or put it in a diaper bag with things you might need on your drive home.
Having separate bags will make it easier for everyone to find what they need when they need it. It’s also a good idea for dad to be involved in the packing since chances are he will be the one trying to find everything.
Try Not to Over Pack
Knowing that you will be in the hospital for several days it can be tempting to pack a lot of things you really won’t need. So try not to over-pack it will make getting everything into and out of the hospital a lot easier.
What to Pack in Your C-Section Hospital Bag
This is the bag you will bring in with you when you go to the hospital for your c-section. It really doesn’t need to be a big bag, depending you might be able to use your purse, backpack or camera bag and just add a few extra things to it.
What you decide to pack in your bag might be slightly different than what I share on this c section hospital bag list. But these are all things you’ll want to consider including in the hospital bag.
- Birth Plan (if you have one)
- Driver’s License and Insurance Card
- Eyeglasses and Contact Lens Supplies (if needed)
- Lip balm
- Hair ties
- Phone and Charger
- Camera
- Snacks (for the hubby since you can’t eat before surgery)
What to Pack for Your C-Section Hospital Stay
After you have had your c-section, spent time in recovery, and finally make it to your hospital room your husband can head out to the car to get the bags for your hospital stay.
We have brought stuff in with us for the delivery and we have left it in the car, both are typically ok. If you brought your bags in with you they will tell you what to do with your stuff during the delivery and how to get everything to your room after.
What to Pack for Mom
There isn’t a lot that mom has to have while in the hospital since the hospital provides pretty much everything you need for those first few days.
Don’t stress about bringing maternity pads, sanitary pads, mesh underwear, etc. the hospital should have all of that for you. If you’re worried about it call and ask what supplies the hospital will provide.
Though you won’t need a lot there are a few things that it’s nice to have as a new mom while recovering from a major surgery.
Things You Don’t Want to Forget
- Extra Long Phone Charger
- Toiletries
- Postpartum Clothes / Going Home Outfit
- Nursing Bras and Nursing Pads
- Slip-on Shoes
- Belly Band
Extra Long Phone Charger
Having an extra long cord to charge your phone means that you can plug in your phone and still have easy access to it. The more you can limit bending, twisting, and stretching to reach your phone the better.
Amazon has some great options for long phone chargers. The 8-10 foot ones would make it easy to get your phone without moving very much. (we all know that phone has to be within easy reach to take all the pictures!)
Toiletries
Think of those hygiene items you use every day those are the things you don’t want to forget. They are probably things you will want to pack last minute since you use them all the time.
These toiletry items would include things like:
- Toothbrush and Toothpaste
- Hairbrush and Hair Ties
- Shampoo, Conditioner, Dry Shampoo and Soap
- Makeup
- Contact Solution / Glasses / Contact lenses
- Snacks
- face wipes (for the first night)
Related Post: 10 Things You Should Know about C-Sections
Comfortable Outfit
After your c-section, you need to be very selective about what you wear so it doesn’t bother your incision.
I typically spend most of the time at the hospital wearing a hospital gown, I’ll let them do the laundry thanks! They aren’t the cutest but they are easy for breastfeeding and everything else.
If you decide you want to wear something other than a hospital gown then pick something that is loose and comfortable and easy for nurses to check your incision and for skin-to-skin/ breastfeeding your baby. A cute dressing gown in a dark color is a great option.
For your going-home outfit also pick something loose and comfortable that won’t rub your incision. Maxi skirts, dresses, leggings, loose drawstring pants, and loose-fitting pajamas are all great options. High-waisted underwear is also a must-have after a c-section birth.
Nursing Supplies
If you’re planning on breastfeeding be sure to pack a nursing bra or two and some breast pads for when your milk comes in.
I prefer the soft washable nursing pads as they seem to work better for me and can be used multiple times. Nipple cream can also be a good thing to add to your bag.
Slip-on Shoes
Pack shoes that you won’t have to bend to put on, flip-flops are my go-to after having a c-section, but any comfortable shoes that are easy to put on will be great.
You may also want to pack a pair of shower shoes to use when you shower while you’re at the hospital.
Belly Binder
When I had my first c-section I had no idea what a belly binder was and no one at the hospital said anything about them.
After my second c-section when the nurse was telling me I needed to get up and walk. She said she would get me a belly band and then help me get out of bed. That belly binder was the best thing.
I used it for several weeks after having my daughter and the pain was so much more manageable and it was so much easier to get up and move around.
With my last baby I purchased a belly binder and used the one from the hospital as well. Dending on what I was wearing it was always nice to have another option.
If you aren’t sure if your hospital will have a binder for you then I would recommend packing one. In the early days after your major abdominal surgery, the binder makes such a big difference.
Snacks
Healthy snacks are one of the top things on my packing list. After having a baby I feel like I’m always hungry and while the hospital provides meals and some snacks it’s always nice to have some of your favorites to enjoy after the big day.
A Few Other Items You Might Want To Bring
- Pillow
- Towels
- Breastfeeding Pillow
- Breast Pump
Pillow
The hospital has pillows and you can always ask for extra pillows. But sometimes it is nice to have your own pillow if you feel like you will sleep better feel free to bring your own.
Make sure you bring a pillow in a pillowcase that you will be easily able to identify.
Towels
The hospital will have towels for you to use while you are staying but if you want a towel from home feel free to bring one since you know it will be more comfortable (and bigger) than a hospital towel.
Nursing Pillow
I have personally found that after having a c-section it’s easiest for me to use one or two regular bed pillows while nursing. So for me, I leave the breastfeeding pillow at home since I don’t typically start using it for a few weeks after giving birth.
Some moms find breastfeeding pillows comfortable and easy to use after c-sections so if you want to bring it go for it. But don’t be afraid to try using a pillow from the bed if the breastfeeding pillow isn’t comfortable to use.
Breast Pump
The hospital usually has a pump you can use if you need it, if you are planning on pumping it’s a great idea to bring your own pump. This is especially true if this is your first baby.
The lactation consultant will be happy to help you figure out how to use your pump, which is a lot easier than trying to figure it out on your own.
What to Pack in Dad’s Hospital Bag
These are some of the things you might want to pack in dad’s hospital bag if he is going home at night or quickly in the morning you might not need to pack these items.
- Change of Clothes
- Pajamas
- Toiletries
- Chargers
- Bedding (depending on the hospital)
- Snacks
Change of Clothes
Since you will be in the hospital for a couple of days, dad is definitely going to want a couple of pairs of clothes to be able to change into.
Since most of the time spent in the hospital will be cuddling the new baby, and relaxing, comfortable clothes are a great idea. If dad is going home to shower and get ready each day then a change of clothes probably isn’t needed.
Pajamas
If dad is planning on spending the night with you at the hospital he will probably want to pack some pajamas or gym shorts to sleep in.
The nurses pop in several times during the night typically so don’t think you’ll have your room to yourself all night.
Toiletries
If dad is staying the whole time in the hospital with mom he is going to want the things he needs to shower and get ready just as much as mom does. So don’t forget his body wash, toothbrush, etc.
If dad will go home each morning to get ready then you might only need to pack his nighttime toiletries. Or if he goes home each night and comes back in the morning you won’t need to pack any toiletries for him.
Chargers
For any electronics, you bring be sure to pack the chargers or bring extra batteries. Just like I suggested a long cell phone cord for mom it’s nice for dad to have one too.
You’ll want to keep those phones charged to be able to share the good news and capture sweet newborn pictures to share with family members.
Bedding
You might need to bring your own bedding for dad to use at night. This totally depends on the hospital so when you do a hospital tour be sure to check out the sleeping situation for dad. If you aren’t touring the hospital be sure to call and ask.
Our hospital had everything my husband needed but with our last baby, he knew the hospital beds weren’t very comfortable so he brought a pillow and blanket from home to make it a little more comfortable.
What to Pack for Baby
Honestly, there are only a couple of things you actually need to take to the hospital for the baby and those are a going-home outfit and an installed car seat.
Now saying that there are a few more things you might want to pack for pictures and just for fun.
- Going Home Outfit
- Car Seat
- Car Seat Cover
- Blanket / Swaddle
- Outfit for Photos
- Pacifier
Going Home Outfit
Some families have a tradition that the kids wear the same outfit or jacket when taking baby home from the hospital. Other families just like to pick a cute outfit for the baby to wear. Either way is great, just be sure to have an outfit for the baby to wear home.
You might want to pick two options in different sizes so that no matter what size the baby is you will have an outfit that fits.
Car Seat and Cover
To leave the hospital you need to have an installed car seat. Do this before you go to the hospital it will make life so much easier.
Depending on the weather and time of year a car seat cover is also really nice for when you carry the car seat outside.
Blanket
Have a blanket to cover the baby once they are in the car seat for your ride. You might also want one of your own swaddle blankets to use during your hospital stay.
The hospital will have plenty of blankets for the baby so you don’t really need any for your hospital stay.
Outfits for Photos
If you want photos taken in the hospital you might want to pack a special outfit for your new little one to wear in those photos. This is totally optional but something you might want to consider.
Pacifier
There are mixed feelings about when the best time to let your baby start taking a pacifier is. Some hospitals give baby’s a pacifier and others don’t. You might want to bring a pacifier to the hospital just in case you want to use it.
Other Items to Pack in Your Hospital Bag
These are just a few additional items that it can be nice to have while you are at the hospital.
- Snacks
- Laptop
- Camera Charger
- Refillable Waterbottle
- Change for Vending Machine
- Baby Book
Things to Leave at Home
Personally, these are items I don’t think it’s worth bringing to the hospital. Like I mentioned before I really try not to overpack my hospital bag.
The hospital already has all of these things so why should you pack them into the hospital? Instead, save them to be used at home.
- C-Section Friendly Underwear
- Pads
- Diapers
- Baby Wipes
- Breastfeeding cover (it just makes breastfeeding hard those first few days)
- Lots of Baby Clothes (stick to 1-2 outfits if you want them for pictures and going home)
Hospital Bag Checklist Printable
Get the free printable hospital bag checklist to keep track of everything you need to bring with you to the hospital. The list is blank and ready for you to use with three different sections one for mom, dad, and baby. Please keep this printable for personal use.
Now that you’ve got your C-section hospital bag packed here are a few more things to do before you have your scheduled c-section.
8 Things to Do Before Having A C-Section
There are a lot of different things you can do to get ready for a c-section. These are the 8 things that I have found to be most helpful.
Grocery Shop
No matter how you give birth to your baby you are going to want to stock up on groceries and prep some freezer meals if you can. It’s so nice to be able to stay home as much as possible with your new little one during the first couple of weeks.
When grocery shopping pick things for quick and easy meals as well as some quick snacks. Granola bars, fig bars, crackers, and fruit are some of my favorite quick snacks.
Meal Prep
Meal prepping doesn’t have to be anything big, just having a few meals you can pop into the oven or crockpot during those first few weeks with the new baby will make life so much easier.
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