Hospital bag checklist: Everything you need to pack for your labour

You'll need hospital essentials for labour and straight after birth. Knowing you've got a pre-packed hospital bag all ready to go will be a weight off your mind in the days coming up to your due date.

There’s lots to pack, from the practical – birth plan, any medical notes, breast pads and maternity pads – to the more comfy such as clothes and toiletries.

You might also want to think about preparing a second bag to be taken in later if you stay in the hospital for some time.

To help you organise, we've created a downloadable PDF checklist, so you can check off the items as you pack them.

You'll want to think about what to put in:

• Your hospital bag (before/during labour)
• Your hospital bag (after delivery)
• Your newborn's hospital bag
• Your birth partner's hospital bag

When to pack your hospital bag

It's a well-known fact that babies hardly ever arrive on their due date. Only 1 in 20 babies make their appearance into the world on their predicted big day so packing a hospital bag in advance is the best way to go.

You can pack your bag as early as you desire, after all, some mums find the whole experience to be an exciting activity. Otherwise, we suggest to start packing in your third trimester at around 36-38 weeks pregnant.

You can adjust the timings according to your individual situation, for example, if you know for certain you'll be going into labour early due to an induction booked or if your pregnancy is considered 'high risk' then you'll need to pack your hospital bag accordingly.

Having a hospital bag ready and packed in advance means you won't experience the anxiety-inducing panic of trying to find everything you need in the middle of active labour. It's reassuring to be prepared for birth in good timing.

Once your maternity hospital bag is packed, it can just sit there ready for the big moment to arrive.

What to pack for you (before/during labour)

Birth plan and medical notes

Your birth plan details what will happen before, during and after birth. It also includes who will be there, what pain relief you might want to use, any conditions you have that your carers need to be aware of and what you want to happen straight after birth. For example, would you like your partner to cut the cord? Do you want to be the first to hold your baby – and so on.

Make sure to keep your birth plan and medical notes all in one place, neat and protected in an easily accessible folder. Check out our pick of this personalised pregnancy folder below.

Available here: Etsy

Dressing gown and comfortable clothing for labour

Depending on how long you'll be in labour, you might find yourself wandering around the hospital to pass long waiting hours. A dressing gown is easy to put on and take off if you need an extra layer when walking around or simply to keep a bit of dignity. Here are some comfortable maternity dressing gowns that will fit around your baby bump.

Available here: Amazon, Seraphine and Bullabaloo

During labour comfort is essential – something loose and light is best to wear if you're not given a hospital gown. We recommend a dress for convenient access during medical examinations and easy exit for your baby! Remember, dark colours are the best option if you're concerned about visible stains during labour. Check out our recommendations for convenient labour gowns below.

Available here: Amazon, Amazon and Seraphine

Slippers, socks and flip-flops

Believe it or not – your feet can become quite cold during labour. Keep your legs and feet warm by packing some socks in your hospital bag. Slippers are handy too for taking walks outside of your birthing room.

Taking a shower in the hospital with your bare feet might not be appealing to some – take your flip flops into the shower to protect them and give you peace of mind.

Available here: TU Sainsbury's, IKEA and Matalan

Travel-size toiletries

Feel your best self by having your personal toiletries at hand. The last thing you want is to take a shower and not have your favourite essentials. Bring along travel-size mini versions of your toiletries especially if you want to carry light and save space in your maternity hospital bag. Throw in some antiseptic cleaning wipes too if you’re worried about the quality of hospital cleanliness or the shared toilets. Grab a few of your essentials below.

Available here: Boots, Superdrug and Amazon

Relaxation, comfort and pain relief tools

It's coming up to showtime and the moment you've been waiting for is slowly unfolding. Don't get carried away though, remember to have ready your relaxation tools such as a music playlist, heated pad, ice pack, TENS machine and/or hypnobirthing essentials. A TENS machine can be purchased or hired depending on your budget and they make a great tool for managing pain in the early stages of labour (as long as you don't mind wires and are not having a water birth).

If you decide on using hypnobirthing as a way of pain management, be sure to set the right atmosphere in your birthing room with rechargeable tealights, affirmation quotes, photos and aromatherapy spray. This is all of course down to personal choice, perhaps a soft pillow is all the comfort you need during labour – bring that along if so. Check out our picks of comfort items below.

What to pack for you (after delivery)

Postpartum toiletries and towels

Once the hard work of giving birth is over and you've met your new baby, you'll also have a new body to take care of. Make sure to pack those essential postpartum recovery toiletries such as heavy-duty maternity pads, cooling pads, witch hazel spray and more. We've shared below some postpartum recovery kits that have everything you need post-birth.

Remember a plastic bag to store dirty clothing in.

Available here: My Expert Midwife, Frida Mom and Lansinoh

Underwear

This is all about comfort here. You've just birthed a whole baby and you might be sore down there afterwards. Pack 5-6 pairs of comfortable, old knickers you don't mind getting stained with postpartum bleeding or disposable plastic ones do the trick too.

Available here: Amazon, Boots, Tesco and Jojo Maman Bebe

Nightdress

After labour and delivery, taking a shower and slipping into something comfortable is one of the best feelings – after eating a slice of toast and tea of course! Opt for cosy nightwear or a large, oversized top with front-opening options to make breastfeeding easier if you choose to.

Comfortable/nursing bra and breast pads

Should you choose to breastfeed your newborn baby, there are a few things that will make breastfeeding that much easier and comfortable. A nursing bra is a great way to keep you supported and also allow your baby quick and convenient access when it's time to feed.

Available here: John Lewis and Amazon

Reusable or disposable breast pads are useful too in catching any leaks you might have in between feeds.

Available here: Boots, John Lewis and Mamas & Papas (reusable)

Cosmetics and skincare

Giving birth is hard work and one of the ways to feel like yourself again is by having your favourite cosmetics and skincare products with you. After delivery, freshen up and feel brand new by reaching for your cosmetics bag.

Snacks and drinks

Cereal bars, dried fruit, water, small juice cartons are just a few things to have post-birth for energy. Focus on protein, glucose and electrolytes that will give you and your partner that well-needed energy after labour.

Going home outfit

This is entirely your choice – if you think a loose-fitting dress sounds comfortable then go ahead and pack that. Otherwise, if you want to feel and look your best on the drive home with your baby, then pack a cute, homecoming outfit to your heart's desire. Just ensure whatever you bring has enough stretch and give around the tummy and groin area.

Glasses and contact lenses

It's easy to forget the little yet important things when packing a hospital bag. Bring along your glasses and/or contact lenses if you know you'll need them.

Eye mask and earplugs

After an intense labour and delivery experience and once all the adrenaline has worn off, you'll most likely be ready for your victory sleep. The maternity ward can be quite noisy and busy and it might be tricky trying to relax, bringing a pair of eye masks and earplugs can help you get some much-needed rest (until baby wakes you up again).

What to pack for your new baby

Baby changing items

You'll need nappies and wipes for changing your newborn. The first meconium (sticky poo) is known for being quite hard to clean off your baby's bottom, pack some cotton wool balls to gently remove the meconium. Pack nappy sacks for disposing of dirty nappies and a fold-up changing mat to lay baby on.

Baby clothing

Dress up your newborn in a babygrow and vest, bring spares just in case. Your baby will need a suitable going-home outfit, a hat and booties. Optional scratch mittens for their tiny hands and socks if their feet are exposed.

Muslin squares are also super useful for feeding and wiping off milk, spit-ups and frankly for so many

Available here: Aden+Anais and Boots

Car seat

Ready for the trip home from the hospital? Every hospital will expect you to bring a car seat to take your baby home in. If you still haven't managed to buy one we have some recommendations below.

Read our MadeForMums review of 14 best baby car seats from birth

How your birth partner can help

Your birth partner will be with you every step of the way during labour and birth. Whether it's your husband, partner, friend, sister or family member, it's good to ensure they have everything prepared so that when labour kicks off, they can keep calm and focus on assisting you.

The last thing you want is for your birth partner to have to make trips back home during such a crucial time.

Your birth partner can pack items for themselves but also for you too. They can help with bringing the car seat in for the new baby and helping you to feel as comfortable as they possibly can. Here are the things your partner's hospital bag should include:

Snacks and drinks

Labour and delivery can be long and tiresome, arming yourself with nutritious snacks can help keep energy levels up so that you're able to fully support the pregnant mum.

Change of clothes

Just in case you're in the hospital for over 24 hours and you feel like freshening up and changing then have some spare clothes ready to change into.

Blanket and pillow

Because if you're able to take a nap, the hospital chair won't be as comfortable as a ward bed so have a pillow and blanket handy to keep comfortable.

Mobile phone and camera

This goes without saying, just don't forget to bring chargers and a power bank to charge your phone if you're not able to find a plug socket.

Toiletries and swimwear

You could be at the hospital for just a night or for an extended period. In any case, you want to be prepared and have your toiletries essentials packed to freshen up. These include deodrant, toothbrush, toothpaste and anything eske.

Entertainment

This could be a magazine, a book or headphones and tablet to keep yourself occupied in between the quiet moments of labour.

Pics: Getty Images

Our hospital bag checklist download

Click here to download a PDF version of our checklist for you to check off the items as you pack them

Read more:

• 14 best car seats from birth
• Positive birth stories from our MadeForMums Community