C–Section Hospital Bag: What to Pack?

Mom–to–be with prescheduled C–Section? Need to a bold new look on what & how to pack a Hospital Bag? Wondering how to make your suitcase lighter & mightier? Be sure, you’ll make it. If you have a scheduled C–Section, you may be feeling like a bundle of nerves, or even extremely anxious. And it is okay to feel this way. Embrace all your feelings. And let yourself have a little bit more time for prepping as this is not an easy thing to go through.

Take a comfortable seat, add a Steaming Sip of Inspiration & Happiness, and prepare the Blueprint of your hospital bag checklist anywhere you want — iPhone, iPad, Mac with ready to print option, or in handwriting. All you need is an empty space for noting down essentials you want to take from home. And some of the hospital bag checklists you saved or downloaded. 

Yeah, there are 1,000000+hospital bag checklists, 1,00000 blog posts, and 1,0000 recommendations. And yea, it is helpful. But each birth experience is different, so, even the best checklist needs to be tailored to your case.  

If you have already called your hospital & listed all items they’ll provide for your stay — it’ll be easier to think about what to take and what to leave at home. 

If you haven’t called them — call now. Just 10 minutes of phone conversation & some notes — and you’ll have all info on what you’ll & what you won’t have at the hospital.

Ready to make your packing flow? If nope, let yourself have 10+ extra minutes without thinking about packing your hospital bag. It’s no secret that thinking about the upcoming C–Section can be anxiety–provoking, but it’s your response to the stress that will make or break you. If C–Section is inevitable, it’s time to stop letting the ‘what ifs’ get the best of you, and avoid letting one setback ruin your entire Meet Up with your Newborn Newbie. And it is time to do your best on making your birth experience a little bit more bearable & even beautiful. 

First, hospital bags packed for a C–Section will be different than those prepared for labor. You go into a scheduled C–section knowing it means a longer hospital stay, so you’ll need more things. And you will need all things to be light on the weight & purposeful at the same time.

Explore a C–Section Hospital Bag Checklist below versatile enough to be adjusted to your birth experience. You can drag, drop, rotate, add or delete the listed essentials in any way you like. Or simply, print, screenshot, add like & save it. 

A file or folder with essential medical paperwork.

• ID & Driver’s License (if you drive the car or only ID if you don’t)
• Personal Health Card & Prenatal Health Record
• Copy of Pre–Registration Papers & Filled Out Hospital Forms
• List of Current Medications & Notes on Taking Them
• Notes on Allergies to Any Medication You Had in the Past
• Insurance Card & Insurance Info
• 2x Printed Copies of Your C–Section Birth Plan 
• 2x Large Envelopes/File Folders for Storing Any Loose Paperwork
• Notebook/Planner & 2x Pens
• Wallet, Cash, Coins & Credit Card

30 Things to Pack in Mom Hospital Bag

Mom–to–Be Clothing Packing Cube

• 2x High–Waisted, Loose & Lightweight Clothing/Loungewear Outfits & 3x Comfy No–Slip Socks
• 2x High–Waisted & Loose Sleep Pants & 2x T–Shirts or 2x Loose Night Gowns & 1x Sleep Mask
• 1x Cardigan
• 1x Laundry Bag

Mom–to–Be Underwear Bag 

• 2x C–Section Postpartum Belly Bands & 2x C–Panties
• 4x High–Waist C–Panties with Adjustable Belly Wrap (C–Section Recovery Underwear)
• 3x Stretching Nursing Tops
• 1x pack of Maternity Pads

Mom–to–Be Shoe Bag

• 1x Slippers/Booties for the hospital ward
• 1x Flip–Flops (for taking a shower before surgery)

Mom–to–Be Toiletries Bag

• 1x Shampoo (60ml) & 1x Hair Conditioner (60ml)
• 1x Hair Brush with Natural Bristles Ceramic + ion Boar
• 1x Toothpaste (50 ml) & 1x Toothbrush 
• 1x Bar of Soap (100g) & 1x Silicone Soap Dish
• 1x Deodorant (travel size)

Mom–to–Be Beauty Skin Cleansers & Skincare Essentials Zipped Bag

• 1x Cleansing Foam/Milk/Cream (50 ml)
• 1x Micellar Lotion (50 ml)
• 1x Skin Resurfacing Peel (30 ml)

Mom–to–Be Makeup Zipped Bag

• 1x Makeup Primer (15 ml) & 1x Foundation (15 ml) 
• 1x Powder & 1x Highlighter 
• 1x Makeup Brush & 1x Makeup Beauty Blender 
• 1x Lip Balm & 1x Lipstick/Liquid Lipstick

Mom–to–Be Electronics Zipped Cube

• Phone/iPhone/iPad/Tablet & Super Long Charger(s) so you can use it plugged in from the bed)
• Headphones/AirPods/AirPods Max

Mom–to–Be Health Zipped Bag 

• Medication List & Prescribed Medication & Prenatal Vitamins
• Glasses/Contacts & Solution

Mom–to–Be Nursing Packing Cube

• Notes from breastfeeding class 
• 1x C–Shaped Nursing Pillow & 2x Protective Pillow Liners
• 1x Nipple Balm/Cream (15 ml) 
• 10x Nursing Pads

For Baby

Going Home Essentials

• Car Seat Installed (if you or your loved one drive the car & planning to drive the baby home. If you don’t — just call Uber & ask them about Installed Infant Car seat)

15 Things to Pack in Baby Hospital Bag 

Baby Clothing Packing Cube

For fall/winter & early spring:

• 4x Velvet Newborn Onesies (Newborn & 0–3 Months’ size)
• 1x Knitted Cardigan/Sweater (0–3 Months’ size)
• 1x Newborn Beanie (for fall/winter & early spring)
• 1x Baby Coverall (for fall/winter & early spring)
• 2x Newborn Cotton Hats
• 2x pairs of Scratch Mittens
• 1x Laundry Bag

For late spring & summer:

• 4x Cotton Newborn Onesies (Newborn & 0–3 Months’ size)
• 1x Cardigan (0–3 Months’ size)
• 2x Newborn Cotton Hats
• 2x pairs of Scratch Mittens
• 1x Laundry Bag

Baby Underwear Bag 

• 4x Newborn Undies

Baby Shoe Bag

• 2x Booties
• 2x Socks

Baby Essentials Packing Cube

• 2x Baby Bottles & 2x Pacifiers
• 10x Newborn Nappies (Preemie/Newborn/Size 1) & 1x pack Water Wipes
• 1x Swaddle Blanket & 1x Warm Blanket
• 2x Muslin Washcloths Natural Purified Cotton
• Some baby care items you love

What to Pack in Father–to–Be Hospital Bag?

A file or folder with essential medical paperwork.

• ID & Driver’s License
• Copy of Pre–Registration Papers & Filled Out Hospital Forms
• List of Current Medications & Notes on Taking Them
• Notes on Allergies to Any Medication You Had in the Past
• Insurance Card & Insurance Info
• Notebook/Planner & 2x Pens
• Wallet, Cash, Coins & Credit Card 

20 Things to Pack in Father–to–Be Hospital Bag

Father Clothing Packing Cube

• 2x Loungewear Sets
• 2x Button Up Shirt for Skin–to–Skin Contact
• 1x Button Up Jumper
• 1x Pj’s 
• 1x Laundry Bag

Father–to–Be Underwear Bag 

• 4x Underwear Sets
• 4x Comfy Socks

 Father–to–Be Shoe Bag

• 1x Slippers/Booties for the hospital ward
• 1x Flip–Flops (for taking a shower before surgery)

Father–to–Be Toiletries Bag

• Mini–Set of Haircare Essentials
• Mini–Set of Cleansing & Skincare Essentials
• 1x Bar of Soap & 1x Silicone Soap Dish/Shower Gel (travel size)
• 1x Toothpaste & 1x Toothbrush 
• 1x Deodorant (travel size)
• 1x Razor 

Father–to–Be Electronics Zipped Cube

• Phone/iPhone/iPad/Tablet & Super Long Charger(s) so you can use it plugged in from the bed)
• Headphones/AirPods/AirPods Max

Father–to–Be Health Zipped Bag 

• Copy of medical history with notes on allergies to medication or chemicals
• Medication List & Prescribed Medication & Vitamins
• Glasses/Contacts & Solution

Extras

• 2x Coffee Cups
• Healthy Snacks & Lollies
• 2x Water Bottles
• Pillow(s) & 2x non–white or patterned pillowcases
• Power Bank(s)
• Digital Camera, Charger & SD card
• Book or other activity

Is there something to add?

Just a few tips to keep in mind before you start packing your suitcase for the C–Section & hospital stay. They will help you to make your hospital bag Lighter & Mightier. 

1. Pack early

Don’t wait until the last moment for packing your bag comes. Even two days can be not enough to pre–pack, repack & pack your hospital bag. Your goal should be to have everything packed & ready to go around 34–36 weeks in case your water breaks or you go into spontaneous labor.

2. Waiting for twins or triplets? 

Congratulations! Just take in mind that it is better to pack 2 or 3 gorgeous branded outfits (1 for each little one) for going home & 2 beautiful onesies (2 for each tiny Bundle) to make your suitcase lighter than to overpack it with 20+ footed, footless, short–sleeved, long–sleeved convertible onesies for all cases, dozens of amazing cardigans of all sizes from Preemie to 0–3 months, etc.

Call your hospital to learn more about the essentials they provide. If there are many bonnets, onesies, rompers, bodysuits & footies — leave most of the baby clothing at home & take only what you exactly will need. 

3. Edit down your essentials’ checklist

Most new moms are spending 3–5 days in the hospital following a C–section. So, no need for overpacking your hospital bag. If you are not sure about how long you’ll stay at the hospital after having surgery, just pack 1+ Hospital Bag & leave it at home.

If you’d have a longer stay — your loved one or maybe, your mom, or your dad, or your sister, or bro, or your friend will drive to your home & bring it to you. 

4. Consider the season you’ll be leaving the hospital with your Newbie

Don’t forget that you’ll be leaving the hospital with a tiny Newbie. So, when packing a bag for your tiny one, consider season & weather. There is no need to take a warm blanket if it is summertime. But you’ll do need a warm blanket & clothing if it is January outside. Even if you have the best car in the world — you’ll need to keep your newborn warm as you transfer them to the car.

5. Take advantage of hospital supplies

There are many items you don’t need to pack. The hospital provides lots of essentials for your first few days being together. You’ll have access to all the newborn diapers, water wipes, unscented baby soaps, unscented moisturizers, mesh underwear, maternity pads, essentials for breastfeeding you could want or need during your stay.

Onesies, cotton hats, knitted baby hats, newborn beanies, scratch mitts, socks, booties, blankets & warm blankets, swaddles, bottles and pacifiers are typically available as well. If you plan on formula feeding, check with your hospital to find out whether they supply ready–to–feed bottles or you should bring your own.

6. Leave home without expensive items

You should consider leaving expensive items, such as jewelry (including engagement and wedding rings), laptops, clothing, and other pricey personal items at home, if possible. 

7. Leave at home excessive cash 

While you’ll want to have a credit card and/or a little bit of money readily available, having excessive cash on hand is not necessary. If you would need extra cash — you’ll ask your loved one to go to ATM. Or you’ll just make the payment online.

8. Send unnecessary things home

If you have mom, dad, sister, bro. or close friends visiting you in the hospital, ask them to take home items you no longer need (laundry bags with clothing for washing, extra shoes, flip–flops, newborn clothing, some comforts & extras).

This will make packing to head home from the hospital easier — your go–home bag will be lighter to carry & you don’t forget something at the hospital. 

9. Send at home the bouquets & gifts

If you received lots of bouquets and gifts in your hospital room, ask someone to bring them to your home, too — maybe keep one bouquet to brighten up your hospital mornings & your way home. 

10. One more bag for your +1

If you have a younger child or children and they do want to stay with you one night — add one more bag with a few essentials for them — snacks, drinks, clothes, slippers, toiletries, and medications.