Packing your Hospital Bag
When it’s time to have your baby, you will need to bring some items to the hospital or birth centre. This is called your labour and birth bag. It’s a good idea to pack a bag even if you are planning a home birth just in case you need to go to the hospital.
Not every baby arrives on their due date so packing your bag a few weeks before (by 37 weeks) will make sure you have everything you need when the times comes.
Remember to pack enough for a few days just in case you stay at the hospital longer than planned.
Always ask your consultant/doctor or midwife about what the hospital has and what you should bring.
Here’s what you should pack:
| FOR YOU | FOR YOUR BIRTH PARTNER | FOR YOUR BABY |
|---|---|---|
| Maternity notes and birth plan | Coins for car park/car park payment details | x1 pack of nappies |
| Any medications that you take regularly | Comfy clothes/shoes/shorts | Clothes; sleep suits and vests (x3-4 of each) |
| Comfy clothes to wear in labour | Drinks and snacks | Several cotton hats and a woolly hat |
| Slippers and/or flip-flops | Phone and charger | Clothes for going home |
| Dressing gown and pyjamas/ nightdress (x2) that opens at the front (for ease of feeding) | Camera | Socks/mittens (x2 pairs) |
| Comfy clothes to wear home | Books/magazines | Cotton wool/water wipes |
| Crop top/bikini top if using water/ birthing pool | Overnight stay clothes/toiletries etc if planning/able to stay | Muslin square/bibs |
| Comfortable maternity bra/feeding bra | Car seat to take baby home | |
| Knickers for after the birth – large size, cotton and comfortable and/or disposable knickers | Baby blanket/shawl | |
| Towel (x2 if using birthing pool) | ||
| Toiletries, including deodorant, toothbrush and toothpaste, hairbrush, hair ties and lip balm | ||
| x2 packs of maternity sanitary pads (thick and ultra-absorbent) | ||
| Breast pads | ||
| Glasses/contact lenses | ||
| Portable speakers/earphones to play music | ||
| Drinks, snacks and drinking straws | ||
| If you want to use TENS Machine for pain relief, bring it. If you don’t have one, speak to your midwife about hiring one. | ||
| Water spray/fan | ||
| Extra pillow(s) | ||
| Books/magazines | ||
| Phone and charger |