Want to make sure that your hospital bag has everything you will actually use? Here’s what you need to know in order to do just that. 

The third trimester of pregnancy comes with a lot of anticipation for welcoming the newest member of the family, so it’s definitely important to be prepared for your life’s next biggest change on the day you are admitted to the hospital for delivery.

To help make this experience a smoother one, it pays to know what goes into Mum’s delivery bag.

Here’s a Singapore hospital bag checklist that will ensure you have everything you need as you go off to meet the newest darling in the family!

Hospital Bag Checklist 1: Mum’s Essentials 

• Essential paperwork – birthing plan, admission letter from gynae, insurance documents (just in case), prenatal receipts (for Medisave claim) and anything else that you will need to submit or present at any time during your hospital stay.

• Marriage certificate – If you plan to register your baby’s birth at the hospital

• Tech gear – fully charged cell phone with a charger and cable, and a fully charged small power bank. You might also want to bring a 2-3 outlet extension cord, in case the room lacks enough electrical outlets or they are placed out of the way. Optional: a tablet and earphones for entertainment.

• Toiletries and personal effects – shower essentials,  toothbrush and toothpaste, lotion, lip balm and other items in travel-sized containers so they are more portable, ponytail holder and/or headband, hairbrush. Optional: makeup, if you are expecting visitors and prefer to be more presentable than expected, and dry shampoo if you don’t yet have the go signal to take a full shower.

• Eye-wear – glasses, contact lenses and solution (if you need these).

• Nursing wear – robe to cover yourself up, tops and/or dresses with nursing access, 2-3 wireless maternity bras, 3-4 maternity underwear, a pack of maternity pads, a few nursing pads.

• Comfortable clothing – elastic or comfortable pants (to accommodate your still-large belly) for when you’re up and about, one sweater, 1-2 pairs of socks, a comfortable going home outfit.

• Breast feeding essentials – Breast pump, breast shells for sore and bleeding nipples, nipple shield, nipple cream, nursing bra, lactation cookies and nursing tea.

Hospital Bag Checklist 2: Baby’s Essentials 

• One pack of newborn diapers – Around 12-18 pieces should be enough, depending on how long you might have to stay in the hospital and whether or not the infant package also offer this.

• For cleaning baby – wet wipes, diaper cream, bathing essentials etc.

• 1-2 sets of full clothing – Change for newborn (hospitals often provide for the infant’s first clothes).

• Newborn swaddles – 1 for each day until checkout.

• Warm clothing for baby – One extra baby bonnet and 1-2 pairs of mittens and booties, in case the room gets too cold.

• Infant car seat – necessary for the car ride back to your house.

Hospital Bag Checklist 3: Dad’s Essentials 

• Tech gear – Cell phone with charger and cable, fully charged power bank. Optional: digital camera with memory card and charger, in case you want to capture the first moments with your child with something other than your cell phone cameras.

• Financials – Credit cards needed to settle any other hospital bills.

• Entertainment paraphernalia – A novel/book, crossword puzzle, or a tablet to keep them occupied when they aren’t on baby duty.

• Full set of clothing – Enough for number of nights they are to stay in the hospital with you.

• Comfort wear – Jacket or sweater, disposable slippers, cozy socks.

• Toiletries and personal effects – Including towel, in case the hospital doesn’t provide one for the companion.

• Medicines and wellness supplements – With quantity limited to every day that you are in the hospital.

• Foods – snacks, favorite beverages, ready to heat meals to warm up in the ward pantry (most Singapore private hospitals provide a special dinner for both parents to celebrate the arrival of their newborn, but for the rest of your partner’s stay you will need to make personal arrangements for their meals).

Other Tips for Packing a Hospital Bag for Giving Birth

• Maternity package – Find out what the hospital’s maternity package includes, both for the newborn and the mother. This might help you cross off items in your hospital bag checklist because you know that the hospital will provide it.

• Insurance – Know the process for filing insurance claims (should there be a need). Government hospitals probably won’t do this for you, so you have to be in touch with your insurance agent. 

• Breastfeeding – Speak with a lactation consultant to find out what else to bring. If you are determined to breastfeed upon delivery, a lactation consultant might have suggestions on other items to bring to help encourage your milk to come in.

• Include items for sanitation – In today’s virus-laden world, it pays to bring items that can help sanitize your belongings and keep them clean to avoid the transfer of illnesses. These include antibacterial wipes, UV sanitizing wands (not to be used in contact with skin), and alcohol hand sprays with moisturizer in case the one in the hospital room dispenser is too harsh for your skin, etc.

• Number of days in hospital – Determine the number of items to bring based on projected number of days in the hospital. Normal deliveries usually average around 1-2 nights, while caesarean deliveries can stretch out for as long as 4 days. Plan for enough clothing and toiletries for the average number of days, with an extra set in case your stay gets extended. Find out the average number of days Singaporeans stay in different class wards for delivery.

• Separate bag for mummy, daddy & baby – Have separate bags or compartments for the baby, your partner, and yourself. This makes it easier to reach out for must-have items when needed. Your partner might only need a backpack or a small duffel bag for his essentials, while you and the baby can share a fairly large suitcase with your things in separate packing cubes.

Giving Birth in Singapore Hospital Bag Checklist

Packing a hospital bag need not be an overwhelming chore since you are now armed with this comprehensive list.

Make sure that your bags are ready by the week 35, so you are good to go in case your little one decides to arrive earlier than his or her due date.

With your hospital bag all packed and ready to go, it will take away the stress and anxiety when crunch time comes! Be prepared ahead of time with your hospital bag and that’s another possible kink out of the way!