Packing for the Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI: What to Bring for Labor and Birth

Packing your hospital bag is an exciting step as you get ready to meet your baby. In Grand Rapids, Michigan, most births happen at major hospitals such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health) Butterworth Hospital, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health facilities. Each hospital has its own policies about what they provide and what you should bring, so use this guide as a starting point and then confirm details with your chosen Grand Rapids hospital or birth center.

Because West Michigan weather can be cold and snowy in winter and warm and humid in summer, it’s especially important to pack layers and season‑appropriate clothing for both you and your baby.

When to Start Packing Your Hospital Bag

Third Trimester Planning (Around 29 Weeks)

Early in your third trimester (after 29 weeks) is a good time to start getting organized:

  • Make a list of what you want to take.
  • Set items aside in one place (a basket, box, or small suitcase).
  • Keep adding to your bag over a couple of weeks.

By the last few weeks of pregnancy, you may feel more tired or distracted. Preparing early helps reduce stress—especially if you go into labor on a snowy Grand Rapids night or during a busy weekday.

Be Ready in Case Baby Comes Early (Around 36 Weeks)

By 36 weeks, aim to have your hospital bag fully packed and ready by the door or in your car. Even if you are planning a home birth in Grand Rapids or the surrounding Kent County area, it’s wise to have a hospital bag ready in case:

  • Your baby arrives early (premature birth)
  • You develop pregnancy complications
  • You need to transfer to a hospital from home or a birth center

Besides packing your bag, plan for:

  • Gas in the car for the trip to the hospital (especially important in winter storms)
  • Backup childcare for older children
  • Pet care if needed
  • The route to your hospital (Butterworth, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, etc.)
  • A safe sleep space at home (crib or bassinet)
  • Frozen or pre-cooked meals for when you return home

Check What Your Grand Rapids Hospital Provides

Different Grand Rapids hospitals and birth centers vary in what they provide for moms and babies. Before you pack, contact:

  • Your hospital’s maternity unit
  • Your midwife or OB-GYN
  • Or check the hospital’s maternity webpage

Ask specifically if they provide:

  • Baby blankets and hats
  • Newborn nappies/diapers and wipes
  • Maternity pads
  • Formula and bottles (if needed)
  • Breast pumps or lactation support equipment

Also ask what they allow you to bring from home, such as:

  • Your own pillow
  • Aromatherapy oils or diffuser
  • Bluetooth speakers for music
  • Valuables (many hospitals recommend leaving these at home)

If you’re planning to give birth at a midwifery‑led birth center in the Grand Rapids area, your midwife will usually give you a detailed packing list tailored to that location.

Update Your Phone and Important Contacts

Before labor starts:

  • Make sure your phone is charged and has credit or an active plan.
  • Save important numbers:
    • Your partner or birth support person
    • Your doula (if you have one)
    • Your chosen hospital or birth center
    • Babysitter or person caring for older children
    • Your OB-GYN or midwife

If you don’t use a mobile phone, keep a written list of phone numbers in your hospital bag.

What to Pack for Hospital in Grand Rapids

Below is a practical checklist to help you pack your hospital bag for delivery in Grand Rapids, MI. You can copy and print this list to check items off as you go.

For Hospital Admission (To Give at the Maternity Desk)

Have these documents ready in an easy-to-reach folder:

  • Antenatal/prenatal records (if you have a paper copy)
  • Your OB-GYN or midwife’s details
  • Photo ID
  • Health insurance card
  • Any hospital registration or consent forms you completed in advance
  • List of current medications and allergies

For the Birth Room

These items will help you feel more comfortable during labor:

  • Your birth plan (if you have written one)
  • Light dressing gown/robe – helpful for walking the halls during early labor
  • Slippers or non-slip socks – hospital floors can be cold, especially in winter
  • Old nightdress or large t‑shirt you don’t mind getting messy
  • Massage oil or lotion – if you’d like your partner to massage your back or shoulders
  • Labor comfort items, such as:
    • Birthing ball (if not provided by the hospital)
    • Heat pack (check hospital policy)
    • TENS machine (if you plan to use one)
  • Entertainment for early labor:
    • Books or magazines
    • Knitting or a small craft project
    • Simple games on your phone or tablet

Music and Relaxation

  • Your phone with a labor playlist downloaded (Wi‑Fi may be slow or spotty)
  • Battery‑operated Bluetooth speaker (some hospitals restrict use of wall outlets for safety)
  • Charger and/or power bank for your phone

Other Helpful Items

  • Hairband and brush – to keep hair off your face
  • Lip balm – hospital air can be dry, especially in heated winter environments
  • Face washers or small towels
  • Snacks (check your hospital’s policy on eating in labor)
  • Drinks – sports drinks, lemonade, or diluted juice
  • Spare change or a card for vending machines and parking
  • Watch with a second hand or a contraction-timing app

What to Pack for After the Birth (For You)

Once your baby is born, you’ll want to be as comfortable as possible while you recover and bond.

Clothing and Comfort

  • Front‑opening or loose‑fitting nightgowns or tops (especially if breastfeeding)
  • A few sets of comfortable day clothes
    • Think soft leggings, loose pants, or dresses
    • Consider layers for Michigan’s changing weather
  • Something to wear home that is loose around the waist
  • Dressing gown/robe and slippers
  • Plenty of disposable underwear or several pairs of large, comfortable cotton underwear
  • Sanitary pads – super or maternity size (often available at supermarkets and pharmacies in Grand Rapids)
  • Breast pads (even if you’re not sure about breastfeeding; your milk may still come in)
  • Ear plugs – helpful if the ward is noisy

Toiletries

Pack a small toiletry bag with:

  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Hairbrush or comb
  • Shampoo and conditioner
  • Deodorant
  • Face wash or wipes
  • Basic skincare products
  • Lip balm
  • Tissues

Practical Items

  • Glasses or contact lenses and solution (note: you usually cannot wear contacts during surgery if you have a cesarean)
  • Notepad and pen to:
    • Track baby’s feeds and diaper changes
    • Write down questions for your pediatrician, OB, or midwife
    • Jot down memories from baby’s first days
    • Start birth registration details
  • Bag for dirty clothes to send home for washing

Additional Items for Cesarean Birth (C‑Section)

If you are planning a cesarean birth, or there’s a chance you may need one, consider adding:

  • Large, high‑waisted underwear that sits above your incision
  • Clothing without a tight waistline, such as:
    • Loose dresses
    • Soft, high‑rise leggings that don’t rub on your wound
  • Comfort foods that help you feel good (check hospital guidelines)
  • Yogurt or probiotic foods to support gut health after surgery and antibiotics
  • Sugar‑free chewing gum – this can help get your bowels working again after surgery (many hospitals encourage this)
  • Mouthwash and dry shampoo – especially helpful if you’re not up to showering right away

What to Pack for Your Baby

Grand Rapids weather can be cold, especially from late fall through early spring, so plan for layers and a warm going‑home outfit.

Pack:

  • Different sized jumpsuits/onesies (a mix of newborn and 0–3 month sizes)
  • A few singlets or bodysuits for layering
  • Two lightweight baby blankets (not too heavy; add more layers in winter)
  • Baby socks or booties
  • A few muslin squares for wrapping, burping, or light covering
  • Skin care for your baby (if recommended by your pediatrician or midwife)
  • Nappies/diapers and wipes (check if your hospital provides these)
  • Bags for soiled nappies, especially if using cloth diapers

Car Seat / Baby Capsule

Michigan law requires your baby to travel home in an approved car seat. Before you go into labor:

  • Install a rear‑facing baby capsule or convertible car seat in your car.
  • Make sure you know how to use it correctly.
  • Consider having it checked at a car seat inspection event or by a certified technician (ask your pediatrician, Kent County Health Department, or local fire department for resources).

What Not to Pack

To keep your hospital stay simple and safe:

  • Leave jewelry, large amounts of cash, and valuables at home.
  • Avoid bringing:
    • Strong perfumes (some babies and staff may be sensitive)
    • Large suitcases (storage space is limited)
    • Items with open flames (candles, burners) – these are not allowed

Most Grand Rapids hospitals have limited storage in rooms. A small suitcase or duffel bag plus a baby bag is usually enough.

Local Resources for Pregnancy and Birth in Grand Rapids

If you have questions about what to pack or need extra support during pregnancy, you can reach out to:

  • Your Grand Rapids hospital or birth center (maternity/OB unit)
  • Your OB-GYN, midwife, or family doctor
  • Your pharmacist for advice on safe medications in pregnancy
  • Kent County Health Department – for maternal and child health resources
  • Grand Rapids Public Health programs – for local support, classes, and education

These local resources can also connect you with childbirth education classes, breastfeeding support, and postpartum care tailored to families in the Grand Rapids, MI area.

By planning ahead and packing thoughtfully for your hospital stay in Grand Rapids, you can focus less on logistics and more on welcoming your new baby—whether it’s a snowy January morning or a sunny Lake Michigan summer afternoon.