For mom

Clothes

You may be fine with the gowns at the hospital – in that case just remember to pack a set of clothes to wear home. If you’d like to wear you own clothes, consider packing the following:

– Pajama pants, maternity pants or yoga pants. If you’ve had a vaginal birth you’ll be wearing large pads after the delivery and might prefer to wear loose pants.

– Comfy socks and/or grippy socks so you don’t slip and fall. Slip on shoes of some sort as your feet might be swollen.

– Shirts you can button up for skin-to-skin contact and/or nursing tanks.

– Comfortable underwear, sports- or feeding bras. If you’ve had a c-section you might want to think about wearing materials that allow your incision to breath – for instance wool. Some find it annoying to wear pants due to the incision. Loose summer dresses/maxi dresses and large underpants might do the trick.

– Bathrobe or cardigan

– Abdominal binder (belly band). Remember to ask if your hospital can provide one (some do for free).

Toiletries

– Your own pads – if you don’t want to use the large ones at the hospital.

– Shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, shower gel, face wipes, chap stick, deodorant, hand lotion, hair ties (maybe even a headband to get your hair completely out of your face), hair brush and products, make-up.

– If you plan on breastfeeding, bring lanolin cream (nipple cream) and breast pads. Consider buying them in wool. The natural fibers of wool allow your skin to breathe. This is especially beneficial if you have cracked or bleeding nipples.

– Soft toilet paper. The hospital will supply toilet paper, but sometimes it’s coarse. This can be especially irritating after a vaginal birth.

For babies

– Twin nursing pillow – have a look at our Twin Nursing Pillow Review.

– Going home outfits for both children in a couple of sizes. Remember socks. Consider packing both preemie and newborn clothes, depending on the size of your babies.

– Blankets and caps for both babies if it’s chilly.

– Car seats. Have a look at this car seat guide and find out how to choose the best car seat.

– A few diapers depending on how far you have to drive when taking your babies home.

For partner & room

– Long charging cords for your phones or tablets.

– Camera, if you won’t or can’t use your phone.

– Your own snacks if you don’t want to buy from vending machines and cafeterias. You might be up at night nursing or caring for the babies and get hungry.

– Water bottle.

– Your own pillows (especially if you have neck issues).

– Change of clothes and toiletries for partner.

– Earplugs.

– Baby memory books.

Did we miss something when doing this “hospital bag for twins” list? Please let us know by commenting below or writing us an e-mail. 

They’re no longer considered born very preterm. This is according to the World Health Organization (WHO), who subcategories preterm birth based on gestational age.

extremely preterm (<28 weeks)
very preterm (28 to <32 weeks)
moderate to late preterm (32 to <37 weeks)

Will my babies survive?

In high-income countries, almost all babies born at 32 weeks survive. In low-income settings, half of the babies born at or below 32 weeks die.

This is due to a lack of feasible, cost-effective care, according to the WHO. Note that these statistics relate to mortality regarding prematurity. This means that the outlook may be different for your babies if they, in addition, are suffering from for instance Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome.

What happens if I go into preterm labor?

If you go into preterm labor, steroid injections should be given before birth maturing the lungs of your babies. The WHO also recommends that the mother is given antibiotics when her water breaks before the onset of labor, and magnesium sulfate to prevent future neurological impairment of the children.

You need to give birth at a medical facility equipped to deal with preterm babies. Read about women who’ve given birth to twins prematurely and at term. 

What happens to twins born at 32 weeks?

If your twins are born at 32 weeks, they’ll need to spend a few weeks in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Twins born at 32 weeks require assistance to breathe and they’ll need help eating.

The staff in the NICU will guide you on how to start breast- or bottle-feeding once your babies have developed sucking reflexes.

Can I do something to help my babies?

Frequent skin-to-skin contact is beneficial. This is called kangaroo care and has also been associated with a decreased likelihood of infection, severe illness, and death.

Be aware though that your children need to be in stable conditions before you’re able to hold them.