How to Pack Your Hospital Bag for Giving Birth in Basel – My Third Trimester Story as A Second-Time Mom
- Nikolett Mayer
- Oct 5
- 8 min read
The third trimester is all about waiting, preparing, and trying to stay comfortable as your due date gets closer. For me, it was a mix of excitement, exhaustion, and a lot of “nesting energy.” I also felt extremely tired and dizzy due to iron deficiency, and being pregnant for the second time made resting even more difficult; after all, you’re also taking care of another child.
But one of the most practical (and reassuring) things I did was pack my hospital bag early. If you’re wondering how to pack your hospital bag for giving birth in Basel — especially at Bethesda Spital — this guide combines my personal experience with the official recommendations, so you can feel calm and ready when the big day arrives.
Read more about the first trimester and all the general rules and regulations for pregnancy in Switzerland here.
Read more about my experience in the second trimester here.
The Third Trimester: Checkups, Symptoms, and Preparing for Birth
Common Third Trimester Symptoms
Every pregnancy is different, but here’s what I personally experienced and what’s quite common around this time:
Back and pelvic pain (or just pain everywhere): During my first pregnancy, I had almost no back pain or discomfort until the very last week. The second time around, the entire third trimester felt like a constant battle with pain and tension in my upper body.
Iron deficiency: A really common symptom in pregnancy, and most of the time it’s treated with iron infusions since supplements rarely help enough. Most of my friends had at least one round of infusions at some point during the third trimester. It might sound scarier than it is — and honestly, you can really feel the difference afterward. I was actually looking forward to getting mine this time because I knew how much better I’d feel.
Swelling (especially in the ankles and feet): I wore compression socks every day to help with the swelling, and despite my initial hesitation, they worked really well.
Heartburn and indigestion: Sadly, this is quite common in late pregnancy. If nothing else helps, your doctor can prescribe safe medication to ease the symptoms.
Tightening or hardening of the stomach: This happened quite often for me in both pregnancies, especially if I’d been on my feet all day or overly active. Lying down and taking magnesium regularly helped a lot.
Cramping legs: This was much worse the first time, but magnesium helped with this, too.
Pregnancy brain (and general clumsiness): Let’s just say your body is focusing on something far more important than your daily tasks or to-do list! I’ve learned to just accept it and write everything down. 😄
Practice contractions: Something I never had, not in my first nor in my second pregnancy (so far), even though it’s very common. I didn’t feel any contractions when my water broke, even though the CTG monitor showed plenty. So, just because you don’t feel them doesn’t mean your body isn’t getting ready. It’s practicing even if you don’t notice it.
How long do you need to work before the due date?
In Switzerland, there’s no specific legal point when you must stop working during pregnancy; you’ll need a medical reason to stop before delivery. I’ve seen women working until just a week before giving birth, while others have taken extended sick leave for several months. It really depends on your individual health and your doctor’s assessment.
If you feel exhausted or if your workplace feels mentally or physically stressful, make sure to share this openly with your doctor. They can’t always see how you’re feeling just from scans or external symptoms, so it’s important to communicate honestly.
You can also discuss the option of reducing your workload instead of taking a full sick leave. The key takeaway is: don’t wait for your doctor to suggest signing you off work, that rarely happens here in Switzerland. Unlike in some other European countries, it’s not standard to stop working a few months before your due date, so you’ll need to advocate for your own well-being.
How to prepare for the birth?
By the time I reached my third trimester, even as early as around 30 weeks, my focus started shifting toward preparing for birth, both mentally and practically.
During my first pregnancy, I had zero doubts or fears about giving birth. I was genuinely curious and excited to experience what it’s like to bring a new life into the world. I also took an in-person birth preparation class with a local midwife, which gave me that final boost of confidence I needed.
This time, things feel a bit different. For one, I already have another child, which adds a whole new layer of logistics and emotions. Birth can start at any time, and now it’s not just me I need to think about, it’s also her. So, we made several plans for how to handle things when labour begins, with different options depending on how it all starts.
I also know what to expect this time, and to be honest, that makes me a little nervous. To help with that, I’ve been using birth affirmation cards to boost my confidence and keep my mindset positive.
I’m also putting more thought into my postpartum recovery. I’ve started preparing my pelvic floor and supporting the natural loosening of my pelvis with birth preparation acupuncture. It’s usually only covered by supplementary insurance or paid out of pocket, but I’ve heard so many good things about it, and even my doctor agrees it can be really beneficial.
Learning some breathing and relaxation techniques can also make a big difference. It’s worth taking time to research what kinds of pain relief options are available at your chosen hospital, so you feel informed and in control when the big day comes.
Why the Hospital Bag Matters in the Third Trimester
As the bump grows heavier, sleep gets trickier, and emotions go on a rollercoaster, the third trimester can feel like a marathon. Packing my hospital bag gave me a sense of control and preparedness. It meant that whenever labour started, I didn’t have to scramble; everything was already waiting by the door.
What Bethesda Spital Recommends
At Bethesda Spital, preparing your hospital bag is an important part of getting ready for birth. Their official advice is to have it ready three weeks before your due date.
Here’s what Bethesda specifically recommends bringing:
Important documents: insurance card, blood group card, passport, vaccination booklet, and pregnancy lab results.
Baby items: the hospital provides the essentials during your stay, but you’ll want an outfit and blanket for going home.
Personal items: for comfort and a smoother postpartum recovery.
How to Pack Your Hospital Bag for Giving Birth in Basel, based on my own experience
In general, the hospital provides almost everything you’ll need for both you and your baby. The only things worth packing are your personal comfort items, the little things that make birth and recovery better.
Here’s my hospital bag checklist for Bethesda Spital in Basel, combining what the hospital recommends with what I actually found useful.
1. Documents & Essentials
Insurance card, blood group card, ID card or passport, vaccination booklet
All pregnancy lab results in a folder (Mutterpass)
Paperwork for the birth certificate: This depends on your canton and nationality, but generally you’ll need your marriage certificate or, if you’re not married, a certificate confirming your partner’s paternity. There’s usually also a form to fill out with the parents’ details and the baby’s name.
If you’re an expat like me, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with your local embassy before birth to arrange paperwork for your baby (passport, local birth certificate, etc.).
2. Clothing & Comfort
2–3 soft nightgowns or button-down pyjama tops (easy for nursing). For the lower half, you’ll likely wear the hospital’s disposable underwear.
A robe and warm socks
Slippers
A comfortable going-home outfit
Nursing bras and pads (though your milk may not come in until after you’re home)
An eye mask, especially if you’re in a shared room, as the lights may stay on for your roommate’s nursing sessions
Phone and charger (or a power bank)
3. Toiletries & Personal Care
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Hair ties and clips
Gentle skincare products
Lip balm (a must during labour!)
A cooling and healing postpartum wipe, the hospital provides DIY wipes, but I like to bring my own just in case
Any personal medications you take regularly
4. Labour Comfort Items
Headphones or a relaxation playlist
Snacks and a water bottle with a straw
A small pillow or neck pillow for extra comfort
Labour and delivery affirmation cards
Acupressure birthing comb — you can read more here in case you haven`t heard about it.
Perineum massage oil (if you use one)
A simple birth plan: it doesn’t have to be very complicated, but discuss your preferences with your doctor or midwife beforehand. If you’re giving birth with the hospital team, let them know your wishes early on: whether you’d like pain relief, to use the birthing bath, dim lighting, or certain delivery positions.
5. Baby Kit
A few newborn outfits in different sizes (so at least one will fit!)
A soft hat and mittens
A baby sling: perfect if you need to rest while your partner walks with the baby. We have this specific one and love it.
A pacifier, optional, but I really wished I had packed one the first time around! The hospital can usually provide one, but I prefer to bring our own. In general, you want your baby to nurse as much as possible so your milk comes in, but my daughter was such an enthusiastic little nurser that my milk arrived within 24 hours, and she still wanted to feed constantly. Having a pacifier (or nuggi, as they call it here in Switzerland) would have given both of us a much-needed little break.
A blanket or an overall for the way home (depending on the weather)
6. Partner or Support Person’s Bag
A change of clothes (or at least a spare T-shirt, labour can be long, and nerves can make them sweat!)
Snacks: The hospital was kind enough to provide some last time, but we’ll bring our own this time
Phone charger
Anything that helps them stay comfortable and relaxed
7. Prep for Home (Postpartum / Wochenbett)
You probably already have all the baby essentials — and more — but preparing for your own recovery is equally important. As a first-time mom, I was surprised by how tough the first week at home could be.
Here’s what I recommend having ready:
Wochenbett tea (postpartum recovery tea)
Postpartum pads (you can buy the same ones the hospital uses in pharmacies or online on Galaxus)
A selection of smaller pads for later recovery stages
A basic nipple cream (your midwife can prescribe a healing one if needed)
Quark: the Swiss/German remedy! Quark wraps help relieve breast pain and inflammation when your milk comes in. I also only learned it here, and even the hospital provides you with a Quark breast wrap if needed.
Frozen meals, honestly, are a lifesaver. For my second postpartum period, I prepped two weeks’ worth of easy, nutritious meals so my husband just had to heat them up.
Rest, rest, rest!!!. The first time, I was eager to bounce back and went for a walk the day after coming home: big mistake. Even without tearing, your pelvic floor muscles and uterus need time to recover. The best thing you can do for your body is to rest and let it heal for about 2 weeks.
When to Pack Your Hospital Bag
If you’re wondering when to pack your hospital bag for giving birth in Basel, the short answer is: by week 37.
Bethesda recommends being ready three weeks before your due date, but I prefer having mine done by week 35–36; it gives me peace of mind. Babies have their own timing, after all!
Final Thoughts
Every pregnancy is different, but having your hospital bag packed in advance helps reduce stress and gives you confidence. For me, walking into Bethesda Spital knowing I had everything from paperwork to baby items made the experience so much calmer.
If you’re in Basel and wondering how to pack your hospital bag for giving birth, I hope this list helps you feel organized, prepared, and reassured. When the time comes, you’ll be able to focus less on what’s in your bag and more on the incredible moment of meeting your baby.
I wish you all a quick birth!
Nikolett
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