Obviously, the main people to worry about in the delivery room are the mother and, once they are born, the baby. In this post, I’ll focus on what the dad needs in the delivery room. You will likely be at the hospital or birthing center for several days, so it’s imperative to be prepared. Remember, you will likely be the main caregiver for your wife or partner, so take the time to make yourself comfortable and feel at home while in the delivery room, which could be several days.

Here are some of the essentials:

1. Comfortable clothes and several changes of clothes. Make sure to have warm clothing as the room can get cold.
2. A phone charger and a power bank. Perhaps a book or other type of entertainment because there will likely be some downtime.
3. Snacks, water/hydration, and whatever else you enjoy. Of course, if the hospital has a good cafeteria or cafe, knock yourself out.
4. Toitetries
5. Pillows, blankets, and whatever else you need for a comfortable night’s sleep.
6. Definitely have some cash and/or credit cards on hand. Of course, there are many types of payment methods now.
7. Important paperwork that you may need to have or work on.
8. A proper ID.

If you have room in your bag, you can pack a few things for your partner too. Find out what you can bring yourself to make your partner’s stay more comfortable. For example, we had a mini fan with us that I used for my wife during the delivery process, as the room can get quite warm.

Make a small bag yourself well ahead of time so you can easily grab it when it’s time to go to the hospital. Don’t try to search for and pack all these items at the last minute. Basically, bring whatever you can to feel more at home that is allowed at the hospital. Bear in mind that the hospital will provide many of the basics that you need, like toiletries and bedding, if you’re okay not using your own for a few days.