What to Bring

Depending on the length of your visit or stay, you may need to pack differently. Please consider some of the following items, and speak to your care team ahead of any appointments or overnight stays if you have questions.

​​​​​​​​​​All visits and stays 

If you have time to prepare, please bring the following items with you: 

  • BC Services Card, if available 

  • Medical records, if available 

  • Current labelled medications, both prescription and non-prescription 

  • Medical equipment, such as crutches, glasses or hearing aids 

  • A diary, tracking journal or calendar if you are recording your condition or symptoms ​

​Clinic appointments and procedures 

As well as the items above, for day-time visits and appointments, please consider packing the following items: 

  • Appointment information, such as the clinic name and its location 

  • Snacks and other refreshments 

  • Your primary care provider’s details, if relevant 

  • Notepaper and pen 

 For procedures, please speak to your care team about whether you can eat or drink before your appointment.  ​

Overnight stays 

General- Overnight stays
​​​If you are staying overnight and/or have a longer-term stay at BC Women’s, you may consider packing the following items: 

  • Loose-fitting and comfortable clothes  

  • Toothbrush and toothpaste 

  • Comb or brush 

  • Phone charger 

  • Pajamas, bathrobe and slippers 

  • Entertainment, such as a book or tablet ​

If you do not have time to pack or are facing financial hardship, please speak with the social worker on your unit or visit the Patient Experience  webpage​ to find out how we can support you. 

​​

Maternity stays
​During your labour we will provide you with water, juice, snacks, and popsicles. We will also supply you with a starter pack that will include the following items:   

  • Diapers  

  • Blue pads  

  • Sanitary pads  

  • Baby wipes  

  • Mesh underwear 

  • Peri-bottle 

​Please bring additional supplies from home for yourself and your baby. 

Please bring a small bag with these additional items for your labour and stay. 

For your labour
  • ​​Labour and Birth guide  

  • BC Services Card or BC Driver’s License (with Personal Health number)  

  • Medical or hospital forms (e.g. Bright Start Bundle form; Cord Blood Banking consent form)  

  • A pair of socks and underwear  

  • Flip-flops or slippers  

  • Comfortable clothes to wear while in-hospital  

  • Lip balm  

  • Water bottle (filtered water is available at the hospital)  

  • Other drinks that you like (Gatorade, coconut water etc.)  

  • Snacks (e.g. soft fruits and plain bread, buns, or crackers)  

  • Extra pillow (use a patterned pillowcase to not mix with the blue hospital pillows) ​

​​​​

Support person/people
  • ​​​​Cellphone laptop/tablet and chargers  

  • Music player and small speaker (download music before coming to the hospital 

  • Camera and video recorder (charge cameras before arrival; have a large memory card) 

  • Bathing suit (to assist the labouring person in the shower or bathtub)  

  • List of people to call after the birth  

  • Bedding and pillows (blankets, sleeping bag)  

  • Toiletries (toothbrush, soap)  

  • Snacks and drinks ​

​​

After baby is born ​

For birthing person
  • ​​Toiletries (toothbrush, hairbrush, soap, shampoo) 

  • Comfortable bra for breastfeeding 

  • Nursing pads 

  • Extra underwear 

  • Breastfeeding pillow 

  • Extra sanitary pads 

  • Clothing to wear home 

​​

For baby
  • ​​Clothing for baby to wear in hospital (2-3 sleepers or onesies) 

  • Extra diapers and baby wipes 

  • Four baby blankets 

  • Clothing for baby to wear home 

  • Car seat (bought in Canada) 

  • What not to bring  

  • Valuables, including jewelry 

  • Cash (credit and debit cards are accepted at hospital shops) 

  • Scents and aromatherapy (due to allergies) ​


​​

Communicating with your care team  

​The Provincial Health Services Authority provides free interpreting services in more than 200 languages, from American Sign Language to Zyphe. Services are available to patients and families 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you would like an interpreter to be present when you meet with your care team, please tell them before your appointment. ​​