Kliniktasche packen - was gehört rein?

When should I pack the hospital bag?

A rule of thumb says that the hospital bag should be ready about four weeks before the due date. Impatient people might start earlier. A good idea is to leave the bag open in the bedroom for a while and gradually pack the items you've acquired or remembered.

Do I need a hospital bag for an outpatient birth?

Prepared for all eventualities:

Many women prefer to recover at home in a familiar environment after the birth. If mother and baby are doing well, there is nothing to prevent leaving the maternity clinic shortly after the first check-up. Still, you should pack your toiletry bag, some change of clothes and a nightshirt in your hospital bag. The birth may take longer than expected or additional examinations may be necessary once your baby is born. Some women feel better cared for in the hospital after the strains of childbirth, even if an outpatient birth was originally planned. Better to be safe so you can later fully focus on yourself and your baby.

A hospital bag for a home birth?

Even if you go to a birthing center or are even planning a home birth, you should expect the possibility of a hospital stay. Both the midwives at the birthing center and your midwife at home will refer you to the nearest hospital if there are complications. For this case you should pack everything necessary for a hospital stay and keep your fingers crossed that you won't need your hospital bag at all.

All set: the checklist for the hospital bag

Important documents

Health insurance card
ID card
Maternity record
For married couples: marriage certificate, family record book
For unmarried couples: birth certificates of father and mother
List of phone contacts with names (and, if applicable, phone numbers) of the people you or your partner want to call after the birth
If a contract midwife is attending the birth: your midwife's phone number for postnatal care to arrange the first follow-up appointment

You will probably carry your health insurance card and maternity record with you anyway. Just in case, you should also pack a folder with your civil registry documents. In many hospitals you can have the birth certificate issued on site, saving you a trip to the registry office.

For the birth

Comfortable clothing (ideally a loose nightgown, a long T-shirt or a men's shirt made of soft cotton)
A change of shirt
Warm socks – cold feet can be very uncomfortable during labor Slippers or flip-flops
A cardigan or a loose sweater
If you have long hair: a hair tie
Glucose tablets or a light snack to replenish energy reserves
Lip balm stick (lips can quickly become chapped from sweating and heavy breathing)
Possibly your favorite juice (midwives provide water)
Anything that makes labor easier for you: favorite music, a particular scent, a talisman, or your nursing pillow

Women react very differently during labor. Familiar songs or scents may suddenly be perceived as disturbing. Many women also simply forget during contractions that they brought music or similar items. You will probably not need everything you pack in the hospital bag. Still, it's good to be prepared for all eventualities.

For the partner

Comfortable clothing
Slippers
A snack for in between (cookies, fruit or a roll)
Fans – many women find it very pleasant to be fanned with cool air between the strenuous contractions

For the postpartum period

Nightwear, preferably a nightgown that buttons up
1–2 comfortable pants
T-shirts or nursing tops – will probably be enough because hospitals are usually very warm
Depending on the season: 1–2 comfortable sweatshirts
Comfortable cotton underwear
1–2 nursing bras (preferably 1–2 sizes larger than during pregnancy) with nursing pads
Slippers or flip-flops
Toiletry bag with toothbrush, wash items, hairbrush etc.
Optional bathrobe

Towels, pads for postpartum bleeding and also nightgowns are available on the maternity ward. Your baby will also be dressed by the hospital, so you only need to pack some clothing for the trip home.