What Should I Bring to the Delivery Room?
Mar 13, 2026
You’ve probably started a packing list for labor multiple times since reaching your third trimester. Each time, you add items, cross them off, then wonder if you’re forgetting something obvious or bringing things you’ll never touch.
At The Birth Center of New Jersey in Union, New Jersey, our certified professional midwives have guided plenty of families through birth. We know what makes labor more comfortable and what just takes up space in your bag.
Packing thoughtfully means you can create an environment that supports your body’s work without pulling your attention away from the intense focus labor requires.
These items will help you through labor and those first hours with your baby.
Your body needs freedom to move during contractions. Tight or restrictive clothing can make it harder for your body to move into the positions that help labor progress, and you’ll want something that allows quick, easy access for skin‑to‑skin contact as soon as your baby arrives.
Pack clothing that moves with you, such as:
Many women labor partially undressed, especially if you choose a water birth, so bring items you won’t mind getting wet or stained.
Add your favorite pillow from home, a Bluetooth speaker for music, a phone charger, and battery-operated candles or string lights if you want to adjust the atmosphere in your suite.
Labor burns enormous energy, even when your appetite disappears. Small amounts of easy-to-digest food between contractions prevent exhaustion and help you stay focused through the most difficult parts of labor.
Bring items that give you quick energy without upsetting your stomach:
Your support person needs their own snacks, drinks, phone charger, and a change of clothes. Early labor can last many hours, and they need to stay comfortable so they can help you when active labor intensifies.
You may want to freshen up after delivery, and having your own toiletries makes you more comfortable during your stay.
Pack a toothbrush and toothpaste, face wash, deodorant, shampoo and conditioner if you want to shower, and glasses or contacts if you wear them. Keep these items simple and accessible throughout your stay.
Those first hours with your newborn are precious. Having a few key items ready lets you focus on bonding rather than scrambling for necessities.
Pack a going-home outfit in both newborn and 0-3 month sizes, a warm blanket, and a properly installed car seat. For your postpartum body, bring heavy-flow pads, comfortable high-waisted underwear you don’t mind throwing away, nursing pads if you’re breastfeeding, and loose pants for going home.
Your vaginal area will be sore and swollen after delivery. Soft clothing and proper supplies for bleeding make those first hours more manageable.
Some commonly recommended items just clutter your space. You probably don’t need multiple outfit options, elaborate toiletries, or printed birth plans. Our birth center suites provide towels, bedding, and immediate postpartum supplies.
Focus on items that create comfort rather than trying to pack for every possible scenario. What you need most — your instinct and your body’s ability to birth — you’re already bringing with you.
At The Birth Center of New Jersey, our midwives help you prepare for labor and create the birth experience you envision. We're here to answer questions about what to expect and what you'll need.
To discuss your birth plan or schedule a prenatal appointment, call our office at 908-627-4455 or book a visit online