Nesting and prepping for your trip to the hospital (or birth center) is something we both obsessed with during our final weeks of pregnancy. Sometimes practical items are the easiest ones to forget. We’ve come up with a list of easily forgotten items to pack in your hospital bag while you prep for the big day!

This list goes beyond the typical items for mom (extra change of clothes), for dad (a pillow, clothes, etc) and baby (going home outfit). And of course, you’ll also need an installed car seat and a shortlist of baby names on hand.

Here are our recommendations for things you might want to throw in the bag as well!

1. A Pen – you’ll have to fill out a bunch of paperwork and the nurses probably won’t be super willing to give theirs up.
2. Printed Copies of Your ID and Medical Coverage Card – you never know where you’ll be or what you’ll remember to grab on the way out the door and these are two things you’ll need regardless of if you’ve remembered your purse!
3. A Foldable Duffel Bag – hospitals are full of great supplies that you’ll be needing after your stay. Bring an extra bag that you can fill with newborn diapers, wipes and granny panties on your way out the door.
4. Toothbrush & Toothpaste – in addition to the normal toiletries, this is one you really don’t want to forget. We recommend throwing a cheap one or even the free one you got at your last dental visit in the bag now just in case you forget to grab your regular one on the way out. Don’t forget one for your support partner too 🙂
5. Phone Charger and/or Extra Battery Pack – this is something you’ll want to be sure you have a spare of packed and ready to go. You don’t know how long the stay will be and you’ll want the option to communicate with the outside world if you end up being there for a lengthy stretch of time. We love the mophie brand for external chargers, they’ve come in handy for us so many times!
6. A Nice Towel – the hospital towels are likely going to be small and scratchy. A nice towel from home might be just what you need to feel clean and relaxed post-birth.
7. SNACKS – even if the hospital limits what you can eat during labor, you’ll need your support team to keep their energy up and you’ll want something to snack on once you’ve given birth. Check-in with your hospital as well, they might be ok with clear liquids (Gatorade and/or coconut water) during labor.

Does anyone else have great recommendations for easily forgotten items to add to our list? Let us know in the comments!