Packing your hospital bag is one of those final pre-baby tasks that can both excite and overwhelm you. Making sure that you’re organised and following a solid checklist, can ensure that you have everything you need for labour, postpartum, and those precious first days with your baby.
Here’s a detailed guide to packing your hospital bag, featuring a comprehensive checklist from Lauren Brenton, an endorsed midwife, mum of 4 and antenatal class educator.
For Labour
Birth Plan: There is no right or wrong when it comes to having a birth plan. Some people like to have theirs written and printed out while other’s just like to use it as an opportunity to discuss all of the options with your partner so that you’re on the same page.
Items to create your birth space:
- Fairy Lights or battery-operated candlesHeat Pack to help relieve any back pain and cramps
- Diffuser and oils to help can help keep you calm and in the zon
- Speaker or airpods so that you can play your One Mama Midwife Labour Hits Playlist to help you stay relaxed and calm
- Comforting Items from Home – whether it’s a favourite pillow or blanket, bring items that make you feel at ease.
TENS Machine: A TENs Machine is a small handheld device that uses tiny electrical impulses that travel through 4 electrode pads on the pack. These little electrical impulses interrupt the pain pathway to the brain, therefore reducing the amount of pain signals that can get up to the brain. Helping to provide pain relief while enabling you to remain mobile throughout your labour and birth.
- Snacks – It is important that you have snacks throughout your labour to keep your energy up. You may not feel like eating a meal, so small more frequent snacks can help. Try high carb, high protein foods like protein balls, nuts, toast, bananas, apples, plain pasta.
- Mama Labour Shirt – The Mama Labour Shirt is an innovative designed shirt perfect for your labour, birth and postpartum. It features press studs on the sleeves so that they completely open, making navigating fluid lines easier. The back of the shirt completely opens, meaning if you decide to get an epidural you don’t have to change out of the comfort of your own clothes and into a scratchy hospital gown!
For Postpartum
Comfort and Clothing
- Pyjamas – There is nothing better than changing into comfortable, soft PJs after birth. For women who are having a caesarean, I recommend wearing a nightie for the first night after birth so that you feel much better.
- Breastfeeding Bras – approximately 1.5 per day your planning to stay
- Large undies – Black and high waisted are the best.
- Robe – A soft, comfy robe can make moving around the hospital easier.
- Socks – Hospitals can be chilly, and a warm pair of socks will be comforting.
- Slippers – Easy to slip on and off, with a good grip.
- Jumper – Hospitals can be chilly.
Essential items
- Maternity Pads or partum panties
- Haakaa Ladybug to catch your letdown
- Breastpads
- TheRY Group Compression shorts or tights
- TheRY Group compression socks if you have a caesarean
- Reuseable ice packs from Bare Mum
- Water bottle with a straw
- Toiletries – shampoo/conditioner, soap, moisturiser
- First Shower Pack – This is something I learnt along the way as a midwife and mum of 4. If you pack all of the items that you need for your first shower after birth into one easy to grab out bag it will make it easier for your support person to get it out of the bag for you.
- Gum and prunes for your bowels – if you chew chewing gum every 2 hours after birth until you start passing wind, it will reduce the risk of you having gas pain.
- Handheld fan – get a small handheld fan from amazon. Sometimes it can get hot and sweaty after birth, having a handheld fan can make you more comfortable.
- Phone Charger, the longer the cord the better – You’ll want your phone charged for updates and pictures. Long cords are handy because most outlets are far from your bed.
Entertainment for waiting periods or downtime (when you’re not sleeping)
- Airpods
- Book
- Laptop
- Cards
For your baby
- Nappies and Wipes – Bring enough for your stay.
- Nappy Rash Cream from b.box body incase your baby gets a nappy rash.
- Stretchy Swaddles, the big stretchy ones are the best for helping keep your baby nice and snug
- Singlets and Long Sleeve Onesies – Babies can go through 2-3 outfits a day, so pack accordingly. Hospitals are often cold, so long sleeve onsies are perfect!
- Baby Socks – TheRY Group socks are the only baby socks that don’t constantly fall off!
- Going Home Outfit – choose something cute and comfortable and don’t forget to snap a pic!!
- Feeding Supplies (if formula feeding):
- Formula of Choice and Bottles
- Carseat or Capsule: Ensure its properly installed in your car before heading to the hospital.
For your support person
- Snacks so that they don’t leave the hospital room too often
- Spare clothes and PJs if planning on sleeping at the hospital
- Closed in shoes incase a caesarean is required
- Jumper
- Swimmers – if your partner plans to join you in the bath or shower during labour
- Toiletrires
- Camera or phone for photos/videos
Final Tips
- Double-check your list to make sure you haven’t missed anything important.
- Pack ahead of time so that you aren’t feeling stressed about packing your bag. Most people will aim to have their hospital bag packed by around 36 weeks. Keep it in the car once it’s packed.
- Label everything – hospitals can be busy, and labelling your items can help keep things from getting lost. For any items that need to go into a freezer or shared fridge make sure to place in a plastic bag that is labelled.
With this comprehensive checklist, you’re ready to pack your hospital bag with confidence. Having all these items prepared will help ensure a smoother, more comfortable experience as you welcome your new baby into the world. Booking into a One Mama Midwife Antenatal Class can further help you feel confident and prepared for your birth and postpartum.
