Labour and Delivery: What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag?
Guest Blog written by My Expert Midwife.
Preparing for your baby is exciting in so many ways! There are many preparations, from choosing nursery decor to your baby's first outfit! However, packing your hospital bag is necessary when preparing for labour.
Packing your hospital bag can feel like packing for a short holiday! Snacks, clothing, lip balm, your birth plan; there's so much to remember. However, this should be fun and exciting. We recommend packing your maternity bag at least one month before your due date.
For ultra-planners, you can start even sooner; when it comes to having your bag packed, there is no "too early." It's a smart idea to create a hospital bag checklist to ensure you don't miss any critical hospital bag essentials. Below we've created the ultimate essential hospital bag checklist for the UK.
Maternity Bag Essentials
- Birth plan: Not all couples create a birth plan, but if you do, have it packed in your bag. It is wise to make a copy and store it in your car or have a digital copy on your phone just in case you go into labour in an unexpected place.
- Portable Chargers & Cords: Labour can take hours, sometimes days, plus you may have a few days of recovery time. Pack extra chargers and cords to keep your devices charged. You want your camera ready for those first adorable photos!
- Emergency Contacts: Keep a copy of your emergency info in your hospital bag and on your phone.
- The hospital or birthing centre's contact information and address.
- Your partner's or birth partner's phone number.
- Second emergency contact in case your partner is unreachable.
- Comfy Clothes: A loose-fitting outfit, such as a baggy T-shirt or a roomy nighty, is ideal. Remember that anything you wear during active labour will be ruined due to fluid discharge and blood. Your partner should also have a change of comfy clothes.
- Dressing Gown - A dressing gown will make you feel more comfortable and cosy if you want to get up and walk around or use the toilet.
- Snacks: Your partner will need some snacks to maintain energy. During the latent phase of labour, it's a good idea to eat and drink to maintain your energy for when labour starts. Light meals and carby snacks are best for this. During labour, energy drinks are a good idea. You should also have cash or a card for vending machines or the hospital cafe.
- Books and Magazines: For bibliophiles, a book is a must to pass the time. Consider packing some of your favourite magazines, puzzle books, or adult colouring books.
- Going Home Outfit: Unless you have a home birth, you'll need a going home outfit, so pack loose, comfy clothes. If you're having a C-section, a gown or maxi dress is recommended to prevent irritation on your scar.
Other Essentials
Hospital Bag For Baby
You should pack a smaller, separate bag for your baby.
- Car seat: Your car seat won't go in the bag, but it should be on the bag checklist and properly installed weeks before the baby's due date.
- Going home outfit: Pack two different sizes since it is difficult to predict their size and weight in utero.
- Baby wipes and nappies
- Bottles if you're not nursing
- Blankets or a sleeping bag
- Hat
- Scratch mittens
- Postpartum Essentials
My Expert Midwife's Hospital Bag set includes everything you need to feel relief and soothe aching bits post labour and birth. It even has a few items like the Labour Rollerball and Spritz for Labour to help keep you calm during labour.
Additional Items:
- Maternity pads (iced ones if you can find them!)
- Peri bottle for water spray
- Change of comfy clothes
- Witch hazel
- Large, loose underwear (that can be ruined and thrown away)
- Medications you currently take
There is no wrong or right way to pack your maternity hospital bag. Some people pack several and have a backup one in the car or at work. Others pack their bags and leave them by the front door until it is time to go! Consider your daily routine, how far you live from the hospital and possible hiccups that could occur en route.
Ultimately deciding what to pack in a hospital bag is up to you. Avoid overpacking, but be sure you have everything you need. In most cases, hospitals can provide essential missing items, or you can purchase them on-site or nearby.
The critical thing to remember when preparing your hospital bag is to prep it at least 4-weeks prior. Pack your birth plan, emergency contact list, and comfortable clothing. Lastly, have fun as you prepare for your exciting journey into parenthood!
Author Bio
My Expert Midwife was founded in 2017 to help with the physical recovery challenges that women face during pregnancy, childbirth and beyond. Working with in-house expert midwives, they have developed a range of award-winning products designed especially for new and expectant mums and new babies. Their midwife-developed products come glowingly recommended by thousands of mums.
