You’ve heard of the infamous “hospital bag” – the bag that pregnant women pack as they approach their due date (or long before). And because prior successful pregnancies are required to become a surrogate, you’ve likely packed this bag before.
But is the hospital bag different for a surrogate? Should there be differences? Should you add some things, or leave some things at home?
First and foremost, what you want to pack is always a personal preference. Some surrogates prefer to pack all of the same comfort and care items that they packed the first time around. Others like to pack lightly, since they will not have the same responsibilities of caring for the child like they did their first time around, and they might not need to stay in the hospital for as long.
Your Hospital Bag Packing List
Clothes
As you probably know by now, hospital gowns are comfy – until they’re not. Many surrogates like to bring their own clothes to the hospital, most of the time baggy, comfy clothes. Consider especially if you have a C-section, you will want to bring your comfiest clothes to wear.
Surrogates commonly pack:
- Pajamas – nightgowns or lightweight joggers are best
- Non-slip socks or slippers
- Bathrobe
- Hair clip or scrunchie
- An extra T-shirt
- Adult absorbent underwear, or adult diapers for added security
- Slip-on shoes, like flip flops
As a general piece of advice, avoid anything even remotely restrictive for your body – the one exception is a supportive bra. If your surrogacy arrangement includes breastfeeding or pumping, be sure to pack:
Personal Items
Being comfortable should be your first priority because you should enjoy the grand finale of your surrogacy experience. But keep in mind that you will be spending time with your intended parent partners on the day of their child’s birth. Both of you will probably take photos to commemorate the day.
We recommend bringing:
- Shower essentials (ex. body wash and shampoo)
- Hair care products (ex. hairbrush, dry shampoo, extra hair ties)
- Dental care products (ex. toothbrush, toothpaste, floss)
- Face wash and moisturizer
- Body lotion
- Nipple cream, if you are breastfeeding or pumping
- Deodorant
- Chapstick
- Makeup (optional, of course)
- Glasses and contact lenses, if you wear them
Accessories
Surrogates like to bring the comfort items and self-care items that help them sleep well when spending an overnight (or longer) visit in the hospital. There is no reason why you can’t make your hospital stay as comfortable as humanly possible!
Our suggestions are:
- Your favorite pillow and blanket
- Face masks or under-eye masks
- Essential oil diffuser
- Small fan
- Portable speaker
Some hospitals’ towels are very thin and scratchy, so we also recommend our surrogates bring their own bath towels for maximum comfort.
Food & Drink
The hospital will have water and basic food and drink necessities, but it never hurts to bring your favorite drinks along with you!
Consider bringing:
- Electrolyte drinks
- Protein snacks
- Teas
- A reusable water bottle
- Your favorite pregnancy snacks that are easy to eat, like granola bars
- Prenatal vitamins
Tech
Staying connected allows you to share your journey with others, either in the moment or later on. Mobile devices also provide entertainment and distractions from any labor pains.
Aside from books, crossword puzzles, magazines, or sudoku, don’t forget to pack:
- Phone charger (we suggest packing the longest one you have, as you won’t know the layout of your hospital room until you get there!)
- Tablet/Laptop & applicable chargers
- Airpods/Headphones
Your Birth Plan
Your birth plan is a written summary of your preferences while in labor and delivery, including what position you’d like to give birth in, what medications you would like to receive, and who you approve to be in the room during delivery. This will be prepared in coordination with your agency, and your case manager will ensure all of your preferences are met.
What You Shouldn’t Pack
Items For Baby
Because your baby will be going home with your intended parent partners, you don’t need to worry about packing anything for the baby. So, there is no need to pack:
- A coming-home outfit for the baby
- A car seat
- Diapers for the baby (the hospital will have plenty of these)
- Baby wipes
- Bottles, unless you are pumping for your intended parents
- Pediatrician contact information
It is usually standard to bring your pediatrician’s contact information to provide your nurses with. However, your intended parents will communicate with your surrogacy agency to decide where the baby’s first appointment will be. It is usually a personal choice for the intended parents, as they will need to consider location, medical specialties, etc. You will not need to worry about bringing pediatrician information.
We also don’t recommend bringing:
- Any tight clothes
- Shoes that you can’t slip on easily
- Get-ready tools that require a lot of effort
Though everyone is different, most women do not curl their hair with a hot styling tool while in labor. But, effortless overnight curlers work for some! We provide recommendation guidelines, but everyone is different. The purpose of the hospital bag is to make you feel comfortable, prepared, and safe with everything you need to get through labor and delivery.
Overall Advice
Inform Your Partner
At Los Angeles Surrogacy, one piece of advice we always give to our surrogates is to let a trusted person know where your hospital bag is at all times, just in case! That way you can be sure you will have your bag arrive at the hospital even if you don’t have it with you when your water breaks.
We recommend telling your partner (or whoever will be staying with you at the hospital, if applicable) to also bring entertainment, like a book or tablet, and sleeping accessories, like a pillow and blanket, for him/her/themself.
Print or Handwrite Your List
It may be helpful to print out this list and check the items off as you pack your bag to ensure you don’t forget anything. You will review a personalized list with your surrogacy case manager to be certain your list incorporates everything you need.
Los Angeles Surrogacy will guide you through every step of your surrogacy journey. Are you interested in becoming a surrogate? Please reach out to us here and we schedule a talk to answer all of your questions.