It’s no surprise that hospitals have changed their policies to protect expecting parents and their babies as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some hospitals around the country now only allow one support person to be in the room during labor, and that person should be healthy with no temperature or cough. However, policies differ by area and may depend on levels of COVID-19 transmission in the local community.
Hospitals may also place limits on how often your support person can come and go, and many discourage outside visitors.
With these changes, you may be wondering if your hospital bag list needs some additional items.
What to pack in your hospital bag during the pandemic
The good news? Most of the items you'll need during labor and delivery will remain the same, experts say.
Pack your birth plan, insurance card, pillow and personal items like a cell phone and extra-long charging cord, pajamas, slippers, a change of clothing, toiletries and any personal care items you want for your own comfort.
Items for your baby, like a going-home outfit, also remain the same. Most importantly, remember to bring an infant car seat to safely transport your little one home from the hospital. (For more, here’s a full packing list.)
Once you get to the hospital, your bag should stay in your hospital room at all times.
Here are a few other items you may consider also bringing:
- Plenty of drinks and snacks. If there’s a snack or beverage that you know you’ll want after you give birth (or that your partner will want during labor), make sure you pack it. In the past, your support person could go out or visitors could bring you additional food, but limits on the number of people you may have with you might make this tricky. Every hospital has different rules, but some don’t want your support person leaving the hospital once you’re there.
- A small tripod to prop your smartphone. Since some hospitals only allow moms-to-be to bring one support person into the room, your hospital may let you prop up a cell phone or tablet so you can communicate with family, friends or your doula during labor. However, while you can FaceTime during labor, many hospitals have policies that don't allow you to take videos during delivery. Others may provide their own devices. Ask your hospital about its technology policy so you can prepare accordingly.
- Face masks. Medical centers have their own policies on indoor masking, but many require that people mask up — outside their rooms, at least. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people who are considered high risk for severe COVID-19 — including pregnant women — wear a mask indoors when cases of the virus in the community are at medium or high levels. It's a smart idea to pack extras in your bag.
- Hand sanitizer. Pack a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol (often listed on the label as ethanol, ethyl alcohol, isopropanol or 2-propanol).
What you don't need to pack
- Additional cleaning supplies. Hospitals use cleaning supplies that disinfect surfaces effectively but don't damage special equipment. As a result, your hospital probably won't recommend bringing your own cleaning supplies. That said, your support person can still wipe down areas you may touch often, such as the table holding your food tray and drink.
- Gloves. It’s much better to practice good hand hygiene than it is to wear gloves. When people wear gloves they’re less likely to continually wash their hands, which is much more important to protect against the coronavirus.
In general, pack less, experts say. Some hospitals are allowing moms and babies to leave earlier than they previously did, which means you might not need to bring as many clothes as you might have if you weren't giving birth during the pandemic.
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