What should I pack for birth in Quebec?

The short answer

Your birth bag doesn’t have to be complicated. Pack important documents, clothes and toiletries for the person giving birth, a few essentials for your baby, and anything that may make the stay more comfortable for your support person. If you’re going home by car, have the baby’s car seat ready too.

The exact list depends on where you’re giving birth. Some hospitals and birth centres provide items for parents or babies; others may ask you to bring them. The INSPQ’s Mieux vivre avec notre enfant guide offers suggestions, not a mandatory packing list. The Government of Canada also notes that expectations vary between locations. If you’re unsure what to pack, call your birth location and ask what they provide and what you should bring.

Documents and essentials for you

Put your documents together in a folder that’s easy to find. Depending on your situation and what you received during prenatal care, the INSPQ’s list suggests bringing:

• your provincial health card and any other insurance documents, if applicable;
• your hospital card, if you have one;
• your prenatal record and any follow-up forms you were given;
• your birth plan, if you’ve prepared one;
• your immunization record;
• a notepad and pen.

For your stay, consider comfortable clothes for labour if you’d rather not wear the gown provided. Pack easy-to-put-on clothes for daytime and nighttime, as well as underwear, a change of clothes, slippers, warm socks and a loose outfit for going home. Large sanitary pads may be useful after birth; check whether your birth location supplies them.

Your toiletries can include the things you usually use, such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, hairbrush and lip balm. Bring your glasses and their case, or your contact lens case, if you use them. If you take medication, plan to bring it and ask your care team how to manage it during your stay. For questions about medication, talk to your pharmacist.

A labour and comfort bag

You don’t need to fill your bag with extras. Choose a few things that help you feel comfortable and are allowed at your birth location. The INSPQ lists examples such as massage oil, an extra pillow, a hot water bottle or music. It also suggests snacks and drinks. Rules can vary, so ask your care team or birth location about food and any equipment you’re thinking of bringing.

You might also pack tissues, a book or a watch. If you plan to listen to music, check that your phone and headphones are charged. A charger with a long enough cable can be handy, as can a short list of important phone numbers. These are comfort options, not must-haves. Keep only what you think will be useful to you, so your bag stays manageable.

What your support person can pack

Your support person can prepare a small separate bag. Based on the INSPQ’s suggestions, they might bring:

• comfortable clothes and shoes;
• sleepwear and a change of clothes;
• food and drinks;
• toiletries and, if they’d like, a pillow;
• a phone or camera, depending on your preferences.

If your support person would like to join you in a whirlpool bath during labour, the INSPQ suggests packing a bathing suit. Check first whether this option is available at your birth location.

It can also help to plan for the rest of the family. Who will care for older children or pets? Who could take over if your support person needs to step away? The INSPQ guide recommends making arrangements for the children ahead of time and letting their caregiver know their routines and preferences. A few practical notes can make it easier for everyone to know what to expect while you’re away.

Baby’s things and getting home

For your baby, the INSPQ’s list suggests diapers if they aren’t provided, sleepers, undershirts or bodysuits, a blanket, a hat and an outfit for going home that suits the season. Ask your birth location what it provides and what you need to bring. There’s no need to pack items that are already available there.

If you’re going home by car, get the car seat ready before you leave for your birth location. The INSPQ says it’s required to transport your baby by car on the way home. The Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) says the seat must suit your child’s height and weight and meet applicable requirements. Check the SAAQ’s guidance and the manufacturer’s instructions for installation. If you’re not sure how to install the seat, ask a qualified person for help before your trip.

Choose an outfit for your baby based on the weather. In cold weather, plan suitable layers, but follow the car seat manufacturer’s instructions about clothing worn under the harness. The Canadian Paediatric Society’s Caring for Kids reminds parents that a rear-facing car seat should be installed if you’re driving home from the hospital. It can be simpler to put the seat in your vehicle before labour begins and check the installation ahead of time.

Finally, keep your bag somewhere easy to reach. Make a note of the last-minute things to add when you leave, such as your phone, its charger and any documents you’re still using. A short list that suits your birth location and family is more useful than an overfilled suitcase.

Frequently asked questions

This article is for information; it does not replace advice from a health professional. In Québec, call Info-Santé 811 when in doubt (elsewhere in Canada, your provincial health line). In an emergency, call 911.

Sources

1. Votre nouveau-né : l’arrivée de bébé à la maison (in French), Société canadienne de pédiatrie, Soins de nos enfants