At 38 weeks pregnant, you need to be prepared to go to the hospital at any second. If you haven’t already, you need to start packing your hospital bag. Some women like to pack three bags: one for mom, one for dad, and another for the newborn baby.

As you are deciding what to pack, you should also call your hospital or birth center and ask what they will provide. All hospitals will provide diapers for your baby, but they may also provide nipple cream for breastfeeding mothers, gowns, and other items.

In your hospital bag, you need to pack these pregnancy and delivery essentials:

• Toiletries
• Insurance information and birth plan
• Warm socks
• Robe or sweater
• Maternity bras (sans underwire) and nursing pads
• Lip balm or chap-stick
• Eyeglasses or contacts
• Camera, video camera, film, and batteries
• Cell phone and charger
• Extra pillows
• Going-home clothes

For baby, you should have your hubby or partner install an approved car seat. The hospital will not allow you to leave without a car safety seat for your little one. Also bring a going-home outfit for your baby and warm blankets.

If you want to start your baby on formula, you should bring that to the hospital too. Remember to pack cloth diapers, if you are going to use them instead of disposable ones.

You may want to pack snacks and drinks, reading material and anything else you want that will keep your husband or partner company when you and baby are sleeping. (Remember that you will be in the hospital for at least a day. Longer if you are having a c-section).

The end of your pregnancy is near. Enjoy the rest of your pregnancy week by week! Read more about 38 weeks pregnant at Women’s Healthcare Topics.