Skip to content

Delivery Preparation Checklist

After entering the third trimester, making full preparations for delivery can help you welcome the arrival of new life more calmly. Here is a detailed preparation checklist.

Documents and Files Preparation

Essential Documents

  • ID Card: Original and copy of both husband and wife's ID cards
  • Marriage Certificate: Original and copy
  • Medical Insurance Card: Ensure there is enough balance in the card
  • Prenatal Checkup File: Complete prenatal checkup records
  • Birth Permit: Handled by local family planning department
  • Household Register: For baby's birth certificate

Other Documents

  • Hospital Appointment Slip: If booked in advance
  • Bank Card: Prepare enough cash
  • Emergency Contact: Contact information of family and friends
  • Birth Plan: If there are special instructions

Hospital Bag Preparation

Maternal Supplies

Clothing

  • Nursing Clothes: 2-3 pieces, front opening design for easy breastfeeding
  • Nursing Bras: 2-3 pieces, good support
  • Disposable Underwear: 1 pack, for postpartum use
  • Loose Pajamas: 2-3 sets, front opening is better
  • Breast Pads: 1-2 boxes
  • Socks: 3-4 pairs, warm and non-slip
  • Slippers: 1 pair, non-slip and warm

Hygiene Supplies

  • Maternity Pads: 1 pack each of L and M sizes
  • Nursing Pads: 2 packs, for postpartum use
  • Wet Wipes: 1 pack, for cleaning
  • Toilet Paper: 2 packs
  • Mouthwash: 1 bottle
  • Towels: 2-3 pieces

Toiletries

  • Maternity Body Wash: 1 bottle
  • Gentle Facial Cleanser: 1 bottle
  • Lotion: 1 bottle, for postpartum use
  • Nipple Cream: 1 tube, prevent nipple cracking
  • Toothbrush: 2 pieces, soft bristles
  • Toothpaste: 1 tube
  • Comb: 1 piece

Other Supplies

  • Straw Cup: 1, convenient for drinking water
  • Thermos Cup: 1
  • Phone Charger: 1
  • Camera: Record precious moments
  • Nutritional Supplements: Chocolate, energy bars, etc.

Newborn Supplies

Clothing

  • Onesies: 3-5 pieces, pure cotton material
  • Swaddles: 2-3 pieces, different thickness
  • Hats: 2 pieces
  • Socks: 3-4 pairs
  • Gloves: 2 pairs, prevent scratching
  • Bibs: 5-8 pieces
  • Coat: 1 piece

Diaper Supplies

  • Newborn Diapers: 1 pack
  • Wet Wipes: 2-3 packs
  • Diaper Cream: 1 tube
  • Diaper Rash Cream: 1 tube
  • Changing Mats: 1-2 pieces

Feeding Supplies

  • Bottles: 2, different capacities
  • Nipples: 2-3 pieces
  • Formula: 1 small can (spare)
  • Bottle Brush: 1 piece
  • Bottle Sterilizer: 1 piece

Toiletries

  • Baby Body Wash: 1 bottle
  • Baby Lotion: 1 bottle
  • Baby Powder: 1 box
  • Cotton Swabs: 1 box
  • Medical Alcohol: 1 bottle, for umbilical cord care
  • Thermometer: 1 piece

Other Supplies

  • Baby Nail Clippers: 1 piece
  • Small Blankets: 2 pieces
  • Car Seat: For discharge home

Delivery Knowledge Preparation

Understand Delivery Process

First Stage: Cervical Dilation Period

  • Early Phase: Cervix dilates to 3-4 cm
  • Active Phase: Cervix dilates to 8-9 cm
  • Deceleration Phase: Cervix dilates to 10 cm
  • Duration: 8-14 hours for primiparas, 4-8 hours for multiparas

Second Stage: Fetal Expulsion Period

  • Characteristics: From full cervical dilation to birth of fetus
  • Duration: 1-2 hours for primiparas, 30 minutes-1 hour for multiparas
  • Cooperation Needed: Pushing, breathing cooperation

Third Stage: Placental Expulsion Period

  • Characteristics: From birth of fetus to expulsion of placenta
  • Duration: 5-30 minutes
  • Handling: Doctor assists in placental expulsion

Pain Relief Methods

Non-drug Methods

  • Breathing Techniques: Lamaze breathing method
  • Massage: Back, waist massage
  • Hot Compress: Hot water bottle or hot towel
  • Position Change: Walking, squatting, lying on side
  • Hydrotherapy: Warm water soaking
  • Music Therapy: Relax mood

Drug Methods

  • Epidural Anesthesia: Most common painless delivery
  • Intravenous Analgesia: Drug intravenous injection
  • Inhalation Anesthesia: Laughing gas, etc.
  • Local Anesthesia: Perineal local anesthesia

Hospital and Medical Preparation

Hospital Selection Confirmation

  • Maternity Hospital: Confirm selected hospital
  • Appointment Doctor: Confirm attending doctor
  • Understand Facilities: Understand hospital environment and facilities
  • Convenient Transportation: Confirm transportation route

Delivery Method Preparation

Natural Delivery Preparation

  • Practice Breathing: Lamaze breathing practice
  • Understand Positions: Pros and cons of different delivery positions
  • Massage Techniques: Learn self-massage and partner massage
  • Psychological Preparation: Establish positive delivery attitude

Cesarean Section Preparation

  • Understand Process: Surgical process of cesarean section
  • Postoperative Care: Understand postoperative recovery points
  • Scar Care: Understand scar care methods
  • Breastfeeding: Understand breastfeeding after cesarean section

Family and Logistics Arrangements

Hospitalization Arrangements

  • Home Care: Arrange family members to take care of the family
  • Child Care: Arrange care for other children
  • Pet Care: Arrange care for pets
  • Work Handover: Handover with work unit

Postpartum Arrangements

  • Postpartum Care: Arrange confinement nurse or family care
  • Confinement Center: Book in advance if needed
  • Baby Supplies: Confirm baby supplies at home are complete
  • Visitor Arrangements: Reasonably arrange visitor time

Psychological and Emotional Preparation

Partner Preparation

  • Participate in Learning: Attend pregnancy classes
  • Delivery Support: Learn how to support delivery
  • Postpartum Participation: Understand postpartum care knowledge
  • Emotional Support: Provide emotional support and encouragement

Psychological Adjustment

  • Accept Change: Accept changes in role and life
  • Seek Support: Seek support from family and friends
  • Stay Positive: Maintain a positive attitude
  • Learn Knowledge: Learn parenting and postpartum knowledge

Emergency Preparation

Emergency Situation Preparation

  • Emergency Contact: Contact information of doctors, family, friends
  • Backup Hospital: Prepare backup delivery hospital
  • Transportation Arrangement: Prepare multiple transportation methods
  • Emergency Funds: Prepare emergency cash

Delivery Signal Recognition

  • Bloody Show: Understand normal situation of bloody show
  • Contractions: Understand characteristics of regular contractions
  • Water Breaking: Understand how to deal with water breaking
  • Abnormal Fetal Movement: Understand response to abnormal fetal movement

Final Checklist

Last Week Before Delivery

  • Confirm hospital and doctor contact information
  • Hospital bag organized and placed in obvious position
  • Confirm someone is at home to take care
  • Fill up car gas tank
  • Prepare cash and documents
  • Understand the fastest route to the hospital
  • Download offline map for backup
  • Fully charge power bank
  • Complete work and housework handover

Final Check Before Hospitalization

  • Shower and wash hair
  • Trim nails
  • Eat easy-to-digest food
  • Empty bladder and bowels
  • Confirm contraction situation
  • Contact hospital to confirm preparation
  • Let partner and family be prepared

Friendly Reminder: Although preparation is important, keep a relaxed mind. Believe in yourself, believe in medicine, and be ready to welcome the most beautiful moment in your life!