'You are due to give birth in three weeks. You are excited, nervous, restless, anxious. Here is a list of things to bring to the hospital for labor and delivery. It is widely recommended to pack the hospital bag at least three weeks before your due date. Preparing the bag early will definitely help you feel more relaxed.  Below is the list of what I brought when I gave birth more than a year ago. You can add or discard depending on what you think will work for you. 

FOR DOCUMENTATION
• Camera and film/batteries with charger
• Cellphone and charger
• List of whom to call and text
• Camcorder, tape, and batteries

DURING LABOR
• Music and equipment to play, tape or CD (preferably soothing music)
• Journal and pen
• Books, magazines for diversion
• Eyeglasses, contact lenses, cleaner and case (lenses are a no-no during labor and delivery)
• Birthing plan, if you have one. Preferably 2-3 copies
• Labor support aids, such as massage lotion and wooden massager, hard candy, ice chips, favorite pillow

MOMMY BAG
• Personal hygiene items
Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Mouthwash
Comb and brush
Deodorant
Shampoo and conditioner (if you’re ready and willing to bathe the next day)
Hair scrunchies, headband (you don’t want your hair all over the newborn when breastfeeding)
Lip balm
Make up kit (I made sure I applied blush and lipstick a few minutes before I was wheeled to the delivery room)
Lotion
• A robe (that will open in the front), nightgown
• Slippers and lots of underwear (panties and lots of socks especially if you get cold easily)
• A comfortable support bra and if breastfeeding, a nursing bra with pads (believe me, it’s really difficult to breast feed with ordinary-type bras)
• Maternity girdle or binder
• Adult diapers
• Breastpump, batteries, electric cord, adaptor
• Going home outfit for mommy
• Your copies of informed consents
• Current insurance card/information, Philhealth card, SSS ID, HMO card
• Credit cards, ATM cards, cash

DADDY BAG
• Clothes for hubby (good for 3 days)
• Pillow for hubby (which you will surely end up using anyway)
• Underwear, blanket, sweater, bath towel

FOOD BAG
• Cooler with sandwiches, juices, lunch, snacks, chocolate bars, lots of ICE CHIPS!
• Plates, forks, spoons, knifes (plastic ones), plastic cups

BABY BAG
• Baby tie-side shirts, onesies (I packed around 8 pieces each but ended up using only 3 because we where discharged on the 3rd day)
• mittens, socks or booties (I suggest packing around 3 each of these)
• Pacifier, if not planning to breastfeed (although personally, my baby never used a pacifier)
• Diapers (cloth, disposables) – Prokids carry a line of newborn diapers
• Diapers clips (not pins!)
• Receiving blanket
• Bath soap, wash cloth, bath towel
• 70% Isopropyl Alcohol for cleaning stump
• Cotton balls and swabs
• Carrying basket/bassinet
• Carseat, if applicable
• Baby’s going home outfit
• Baby Book (make sure you hand this over to a nurse to bring inside the delivery room if you want your baby’s hand and foot prints printed right away.)

Happy Delivery!