Pregnancy

• It’s best to start packing your hospital bag around 36 weeks of pregnancy so you’re ready whenever labour begins. 
• Pack essentials for labour, birth, and recovery in your bag, as well as items for your baby.

• Include things that help you feel comfortable, calm, and prepared, e.g. cosy clothes, snacks, chargers, breast pads, toiletries, maternity pads and high waisted underwear.

• If your partner or birthing partner is joining you, they should have a small bag of essentials like a change of clothes, snacks, cash for parking machines. 

Packing your hospital bag is one of those exciting milestones that makes everything feel real. Whether you’re giving birth in a hospital or planning a home birth, having your essentials ready will help you feel calm, organised, and confident when the big day arrives. 

Very few babies are born on their due date: only around four or five per cent are. So it’s a good idea to keep your hospital bag in the car or by the door from around 36 weeks, so you’re ready to grab it and go when labour begins.

You may want to pack two smaller bags: one for labour and one for after birth to make things easier to find. 

If you're wondering where to start with your hospital bag checklist for baby, you and your birthing partner, we’ve got you. We’re here to help with the ultimate hospital bag essentials to make sure you’re prepped and ready to go. 

When should you pack your hospital bag?

Most parents aim to have their hospital bag packed by 36 weeks of pregnancy - or a little earlier if you’re expecting twins or have been advised that you may deliver earlier. It’s one less thing to think about as you approach your due date. 

You can start collecting items slowly and tick them off your checklist over a few weeks. 

Hospital bag checklist for parents

Here are some key things to remember before we get started... 

1. Even if you're planning a home birth, you'll still want to pack a hospital bag and have the essentials ready to go - just in case! 
2. If you think you might not need it, you're probably wrong, just pack it anyway to be safe. 
3. Check your bag yourself before you go, after all, you know what you need more than anyone else. 

 What to pack for labour 

• Paperwork: You'll need to pack your medical notes and a few copies of your birth plan (if you've written one). Some people find that using clear plastic wallets to keep everything separate and labelled makes things easier to find. 

• Drinks: You and your birthing partner are bound to feel very thirsty during and after labour, so as well as keeping hydrated with small and frequent sips of water, bringing along some of your favourite flavoured drinks will help you stay hydrated and energised. 

• Books, magazines, podcasts, and a tablet or iPad if you have one: These will help keep you and your birthing partner entertained and calm during the early stages of labour. 

• Essential oils and cotton pads: Soothing scents can be a great tool during labour and delivery. Peppermint can help with nausea, lavender is calming, and citrus will wake you up. It's good to note that strong smells can become overwhelming, so instead of using a diffuser, just pop a few drops of the oil on a cotton pad and use as needed. 

• A birthing playlist: This is your chance to set the scene and compile the perfect playlist of songs and sounds to keep you calm, motivated and in the zone during labour. 

• Headphones or a portable speaker: So that you can listen to your perfectly curated playlist! 

• A fan or water spray: These can help you feel cooler, after all, labour is hard work and hospitals tend to be hot. 

• High-energy snacks: A couple of packets of crisps won't cut it! You'll need a plethora of your favourite foods to get you through labour. Eating lots of small meals frequently can give you an energy boost and keep your momentum going. Nuts and raisins, boiled sweets, sandwiches, flapjacks, and fruits such as bananas are ideal! 

• A cool, loose-fitting nightie or T-shirt for labour: You're going to be bringing life into the world, so now more than ever you deserve to be as comfortable as possible! A loose-fitting outfit also makes it easy for your midwife to check how your labour is progressing. 

• Maternity pads and disposable maternity briefs: You can buy pads and disposable briefs that are specially developed for use in the days following the birth of your baby. Look for extra-long, thick pads with an absorbent core for maximum comfort and protection. 

• A few pairs of comfy, high-coverage underwear: Trust us, big cotton knickers are a hospital bag essential! 

• Breast pads and nipple cream: To absorb any leaks and keep your boobs comfortable. 

• A nursing bra and some front-opening nighties or pyjama tops: These are perfect for when you're breastfeeding. 

• A lightweight dressing gown: One that's not too bulky but will still keep you warm. 

• Slippers or flip flops: Pack some shoes with a grippy sole and that slip on and off easily. You don't want to be bending down to tie laces! 

• A comfortable, maternity-sized outfit to go home in: Go for something loose-fitting that's easy to pull on and off. 

• Your favourite deodorant, shampoo, shower gel, cleanser, and moisturiser: Perfect for your first post-labour shower and a freshen-up to help you feel like yourself. 

• Toothpaste and toothbrush: To keep you feeling minty fresh. 

• A face flannel and a soft towel: These will help you feel a little fresher post-birth. 

• Makeup: If that's your thing, go for it. 

• Some lip balm or salve: To keep your lips comfortable and hydrated. 

• A hairbrush, comb, hair clips and ties: You'll want these to keep your hair under control and out of your face. 

• A water bottle: Try to find one with a straw that's easy to drink from. 

• A comfortable pillow: Whether it's a pregnancy pillow or a normal one, your very own pillow might be the perfect thing to keep you and your birth partner relaxed throughout labour. 

• Heat packs or a hot water bottle: These can really help to soothe aches and pains and can also help to relieve sore muscles after birth. 

• A camera or mobile phone and charger: To document those first few moments. 

• An eye mask and ear plugs: Hospitals are noisy places that are on the go 24/7, so an eye mask and ear plugs may come in useful. 

Hospital bag checklist for birthing partners 

The last thing you want during labour is to worry about the comfort of your birthing partner.

While a birthing partner needs to engage and support in the labour, it is a long process, and they need to be prepared. Although they may not be the one giving birth, it's still important for birthing partners to be prepared too. 

They should pack their own bag containing things like: 

• a comfortable change of clothes 
• a toiletry bag 
• some cash for vending machines and car parking meters 
• a list of people to contact with your baby news and send newborn photos 
• something to keep them entertained if their partner is sleeping or wants to be left alone 
• their own snacks and drinks 
• an extra phone charger 
• a small pillow and a light blanket 

What type of bag is best for a hospital bag?  

Which type of bag you choose to take to the hospital is down to personal preference. Some people like to use packing pods to be extra organised, while others opt for a more throw-in-and-go method. 

We recommend the following options: 

• A small wheelie suitcase: Easier to manoeuvre through the hospital corridors and ideal if you're having a C-section.
• A changing bag: Make use of your changing bag and all of its practical pockets before the baby arrives. 
• A large open-top holdall bag: Lots of room, great if you've organised everything into separate containers. 
• Backpack: These are easy to carry. A large, roomy one with plenty of pockets might work well for you.
• A bag for life: There's nothing wrong with re-using carrier bags to hold your birthing essentials.

Don't forget your car seat! 

It's important that your car seat fits your car and is suitable for a newborn because if your baby is born in the hospital, you'll need it to drive them home safely. You should practise fitting the seat before your baby arrives. 

If you're getting a taxi home, make sure that you know how to fit the car seat yourself. You might want to opt for a carry car seat as opposed to a car seat that's left in the car, so you can carry your baby out of the hospital and straight home without disturbing them.  

Home birth checklist  

It's good to prepare for a homebirth by talking to your midwife or doula, and even if you're planning on delivering your baby at home, it's always a good idea to have a hospital bag ready just in case. That way, you know everything you need is one place and it's there if you do need to go to the hospital unexpectedly.