Packing Your Hospital Bag in Singapore: What You Actually Need

Packing Your Hospital Bag in Singapore: What You Actually Need

Baby blankets, pillows, documents, toiletries - the seemingly endless list of items you might need to pack for your hospital bag might seem like a daunting hassle. With countless guides online and well-meaning advice from friends and family, the list often seems to grow longer with every conversation.

In reality, many hospitals already provide key essentials for both mum and baby. Here to ease your concerns, Cradlenest simplifies the process by walking you through what actually happens during delivery and what you’ll truly need at each stage.

 

The First 24 Hours - Essentials (What you should definitely pack)

Stage 1: Check-in 

The process usually begins with check-in at the maternity reception. At this stage, you will need the necessary documents:

For Mum 👩

  • Essentials

    • Admission Letter from your doctor

    • Identification Documents:
      Identity Card (for Singaporeans & Permanent Residents) / Birth Certificate / Passport (for foreigners)

    • Prenatal Records and Pre-Filled forms 

  • If applicable

    • Medication

    • Antenatal receipts issued by the clinic (Used for MediSave claims)

    • Letter of Guarantee from your company/insurance company

    • Birth Plan


For Dad / Partner 👨

  • Essentials

    • Identification Documents:
      Identity Card (for Singaporeans & Permanent Residents) / Birth Certificate / Passport (for foreigners)

    • Wallet with cash/card for parking, meals, etc.

 

Stage 2: Medical assessment 

Upon arrival at the hospital, mothers undergo an initial medical assessment. For vaginal births, this typically occurs in an assessment area or early labour ward, where vital signs, baby's heart rate, and contraction patterns are closely monitored. If in active labour, discussions around pain relief options (e.g.: epidural, gas) will take place. According to HealthHub, common medications used for pain relief include: 

  • Analgesics for pain relief to prevent or decrease labour pains 

  • Oxytocics to increase the effectiveness of uterine contractions so that the labour can progress normally. After your delivery, these medications will be used to reduce the amount of blood loss by promoting effective womb contractions. 

  • Antibiotics may be given intravenously to reduce the chance of infections under certain circumstances

  • A fleet enema may be given to you to help empty your bowels before your delivery. 

  • Medicines that may have been prescribed for you during your pregnancy will be continued to be served during your labour such as antiepileptic or thyroid medications. 

For planned caesarean births, admission is usually directly to a pre-operative or day surgery ward. The anaesthetist will discuss anaesthesia options (regional or general), and pre-operative medications are administered. These may include antacids (to neutralise stomach acidity), antibiotics, and intravenous (IV) fluids, in addition to continued pregnancy-presprescribed medications.

Dads can stay with the mother in the labour ward, and provide emotional support by helping with comfort measures (e.g.: breathing, massage, encouragement). Dad may also assist in communicating the mother’s needs to the medical team. 

Below are the recommended items for this stage:

For Mum 👩

  • Essentials

    • Lip balm (hospitals are often dry and air-conditioned)

    • Hair ties or headband

    • Warm, non-slip socks / compression socks

    • Portable fan / cooling wipes

    • Chargers and Wires (extra-long cable is helpful)

    • Personal toiletries

    • Disposable panties

  • Optional

    • Comfortable labour gown or robe (hospitals usually provide but some mums prefer their own)

    • Massage tools / heat packs 

    • Essential oils or calming sprays

    • Sweater (hospitals usually provide extra blankets upon request)


For Dad / Partner 👨

  • Essentials

    • Change of clothes / sweater (labour wards can be cold)

    • Phone charger / power bank

    • Personal toiletries (for overnight stays)

    • Personal grooming kit

  • Optional

    • Entertainment items (e.g.: book, tablet, etc.)

    • Camera

    • Preferred pillow and blankets (for overnight stays)

    • Snacks (for long labour hours)

 

Stage 3: Pre-delivery

For vaginal births, contractions become stronger, longer (about 45–60 seconds), and more regular during active labour. Your cervix dilates from 4 cm to 10 cm, and you may begin to feel pressure in the pelvis. Your chosen pain relief option may be administered, under the watchful eye of doctors and nurses. Most essentials are provided for by the hospital (maternity pads, basic hygiene items). More than anything, you will mostly require physical and emotional support from loved ones and medical staff. 

👩 Optional: If you have any preferred comfort aids to help with the pain, you may choose to bring them along too (e.g. plushie, emotional support water bottle, etc.)

For cesarean births, you'll likely have an IV inserted for fluids and medication, and a catheter will be placed to keep your bladder empty during surgery. Most C-sections are performed under regional anesthesia, which numbs you from the waist down, allowing you to be awake and aware during the birth. A support person (usually your partner) is often allowed to be present in the operating room.

 

Stage 4: Delivery

During a vaginal birth, pushing begins once you’re fully dilated. Duration varies - the process could be minutes to a few hours, especially for first-time mums. Rest assured that the doctors and nurses will coach you on when and how to push. Finally, your baby is born, followed by delivery of the placenta.

For cesarean births, the obstetrician will make an incision through your abdomen, usually a horizontal one near the pubic hairline, followed by a second incision in your uterus. Your baby will be gently delivered through these incisions. You may feel some pulling or pressure, but no pain. The umbilical cord will be cut. The placenta is then removed. Both the uterine and abdominal incisions will be carefully stitched or stapled closed. The entire surgical process typically takes 45 minutes to an hour.

 

After Delivery 

Upon immediate delivery, skin-to-skin contact with your newborn might be initiated, as initial medical checks (e.g.: Apgar score, weighing, etc.) are conducted by the medical team. Both mum and baby are monitored closely for at least one to two hours in the delivery ward. Once stable, you’ll both be transferred to the postnatal ward to rest and recover. 

First breastfeeding may be initiated shortly after. According to HealthHub, this helps to provide the baby with the necessary antibodies to protect him/her from illness and disease. Immediately after the delivery, your baby will be handed to you for the early initiation of breastfeeding. This will facilitate subsequent successful breastfeeding, and promote close bonding between mother and baby.

Items to prepare for this stage include the following: 

For Mum 👩

  • Essentials

    • Disposable panties

    • Going-home outfit for yourself

    • Warm, non-slip socks / compression socks

    • Non-slip slippers

  • Optional

    • Personal pillow 

    • Breastfeeding pillow

    • Breast shells 

    • Nipple cream 

    • Breast pump (If you want the hospital’s guidance on it's usage)

    • Nipple shield 

  • Provided by hospitals

    • Maternity pads

    • Changes of hospital gowns

    • Basic toiletries


For Dad / Partner 👨

  • Essentials 

    • Change of clothes / sweater


For Baby 👶

  • Essentials

    • Going-home outfit

    • Car seat

  • Optional

    • Mittens and booties

    • Personal swaddle or blanket

  • Provided by hospitals

    • Hospital clothing during stay

    • Diapers

    • Baby wipes

    • Baby blanket/swaddle

 

Summary of What to Pack

Below is an overview of what to pack at a glance

If you've already decided on your delivery method (vaginal or cesarean birth), here are some additional packing considerations:

  • For Vaginal Births:

    • Disposable period panties

  • For Cesarean Births:

    • Low-rise panties

    • Waist binder

When it comes to preparing your hospital bag, it’s less about packing everything under the sun and more about having the right items at the right time. Most hospitals in Singapore will provide key medical and hygiene essentials for both mum and baby, so you don’t have to overpack.

At Cradlenest, we’re here to support your parenting journey every step of the way. Whether you’re looking for detailed checklists, educational resources, or trusted newborn essentials, you can find them all in one place on our app and online marketplace, as well as connect with our parenting community for real-life tips and support. 



This article was informed by resources from the following: