Packing your Hospital Bag
Watching endless YouTube videos on ‘What’s in my Hospital Bag’ is such a guilty pleasure when you’re pregnant. There’s something about getting that job done that officially means you are prepared and ready for the arrival of your baby, which comes with such a buzz and so much excitement.
It’s important to pack a hospital bag even if you’re planning to birth at home, so you have everything available should you need to transfer to the hospital for any reason. I recommend making sure the hospital bag is packed and ready to go by 36 weeks, with a note on top of any bits you need to pop at the last minute.
I think there’s a kind of standard list, which I’ll run through but also some useful additional extras. I’ve created the list to accommodate a 2-day hospital stay, as this should cover the vast majority of people. If you need to stay longer you may need a friend or birth partner to bring some extras in for you.
For inside the main bag I, personally, love a packing cube – they are great for organising and labelling everything and keeping it really neat, they’re not essential though and a couple of toiletries bags to separate bits would work just as well. I’m going to split it into categories for ease.
Essentials
Hospital Notes
Change for the Hospital Car Park/Vending Machine (most things are card these days anyway, but you never know)
Birth Plan - sign up to our Hypnobirthing Pack for a birth preferences template and guidance on how to complete it
Any Medication you’re taking
For birthing person
Loose fitting, comfortable outfit for going home x1
Thin, non bulky dressing gown (not essential)
Slippers/ Flip-Flops
Socks x2
Big pants x4 – I’d go for full coverage and a couple of sizes bigger than normal
Pads – Night-time pads with wings are the best, 1 pack is enough. Alternatively you could try these Bells Bumz reusable pads - tried and tested by Team PBC!
Toiletries – Get minis if you can to save space if you can (I think you only really need body wash, toothpaste/toothbrush and deodorant but you may also want shampoo/conditioner, body spray and skincare products, hairbrush).
Phone and Charger/Tablet
Nipple balm
Nursing bra (omit if bottle feeding) & breast pads - we love Royce Lingerie nursing bras
Loose fitting Nightie/T-Shirt x1 (for labour, to comfortably move around in)
Nightie/Pyjamas x2 (for after birth, ideally front opening) - Seraphine offer a 4-piece maternity kit that is perfect to take in your hospital bag. For just £99, it includes a comfy dressing gown, pair of PJ’s that are breastfeeding friendly, and a nightie that buttons at the front- perfect for feeding!
Separate labour bag
Most of these, although not all, will be useful in any type of birth. You can put essential oils on a cotton wool ball and tape to the top of your gown, for example, if you have a caesarean. I used a second toiletry bag for this and found it really useful as a grab bag for my partner that held of all of the things I might want for labour.
TENS machine
Paracetamol
Affirmations - our little pack of positivity for pregnancy is just £8.50
Massage oil
Essential oils (I’d recommend one or two, not the whole lot)
Lavender and frankincense are great for relaxing vibes
Mandarin is brilliant if you’re needing a bit of a boost and are feeling a bit tired and emotional
Lemon and peppermint are great to combat Nausea
Flannels x2 and a waterproof sandwich bag for storage (Great for a cold compress or festival wash)
Lip balm
Cooling spray/mini fan
Hairbands/clips
Headphones/bluetooth speaker
Battery operated fairy Lights/LED tealights
Bin Bag – For wet/dirty clothes
Colostrum - if you’ve harvested colostrum bring this for your baby in a cooler bag.
Birth partner
Change of Clothes
Toothbrush/Toothpaste
Mini deodorant/body spray
Phone and Charger
Headphones
For baby
Newborn clothes really will fit the majority of babies, so don’t worry about taking multiple sizes of clothes. They might be slightly big on a 6lb baby and a big snug on a 10lb baby but It’s not worth packing loads of outfits in multiple sizes.
Nappies x 8
Baby Vests in Newborn Size x3
Baby Grows In Newborn Size x3
Baby Vest 0-1 Month x1
Baby Grow 0-1 Month x1
Baby’s first outfit- this is a special moment and picking out a super cute onesie for your little one can be a lovely way to remember this sepcial moment. Check out the Cozy Crew Club’s snug rompers for inspiration.
Baby Hat x2
Baby Blanket x1
Muslin Cloth x2- we love the Aden + Anais muslins
Snowsuit if it’s cold
Pre-prepared formula and bottle if you’re planning to bottle feed
Swaddle - how cute are the Love To Dream newborn swaddles! If you use the code PBCbirthbag15 you can get 15% off too! These are so easy to use, rather than having to get to grips with swaddling your baby, especially if you’re less mobile.
Snacks
This is obviously personal preference, I find fruit and sweets are usually the only things women want to eat in labour, but you never know! It’s also a really good idea to get snacks for after birth and for your birth partner. A small squeezy squash bottle and a couple of bottles of non-fizzy Lucozade can also be great additions. Mints or Chewing Gum can also be great to have to hand.
The car
I’d put a pillow in your car so its there if you need it, it can be nice to have, particularly after birth.
If you are planning to breastfeed it might also be useful to pack a nursing pillow and leave it in the car.
Knowing how to fit and use your car seat is really important, so make sure you know how it all works and have done a trial run prior to the day.
I appreciate this is quite an extensive list, but most things are small and overall, it should fit into a holdall or small/medium sized suitcase. I find it better not to take multiple bags. If you can fit everything into one bag that is best and it makes moving around and transportation between wards much easier.
Good luck, and happy packing 😊
Siobhan x
