Wherever you plan to give birth to your baby, it’s a good idea to have at least a minimal ‘hospital’ bag. Have this ready from 37 weeks of pregnancy (or earlier).
Our NCT Antenatal courses talk about how to prepare for the labour and birth. Our practitioners suggest packing three different bags for:
- Labour – everything needed for a straightforward labour and birth, or a planned caesarean birth, with the expectation that the return home will be in under 24 hours
- Postnatal stay – a couple of days’ worth of additional clothes, nappies, and baby clothes in case the stay needs to be a little longer
- Partner – the father, birth partner or co-parent will also need a bag for labour
Any kind of bags are fine, there’s no need to buy something new. Once packed, the bags should be kept in a place where they’re easy to find in a hurry. This could be by the door or in the car.
There might be other preferred additions to our suggested list. And remember, the shops will still be open after the baby is born, for any additional needs.
The labour bag for the mother or birthing parent
Keep in mind that the birth partner, father or co-parent might be the one to fetch these items during labour or recovery after labour. So they should be familiar with what’s in the bag(s) and where.
The only essential item is the maternity notes. Have these at hand from 37 weeks.
For a straightforward birth, going home within hours, you may need:
- Maternity notes. Many Trusts now offer digital notes, so this might be on a phone. If you have opted out of digital then remember your paper copy.
- Birth plan
- Comfortable clothes to go home in (the belly will still be big for a while so this might be what is worn into hospital)
- Maternity pads (a few)
- Cord tie, if planning to use your own rather than a medical one
- Bottle and formula if planning to bottle or formula feed (some hospitals prefer parents to bring in starter packs of ready-made formula)
- Breast pads (a few may be needed however you plan to feed your baby)
- Supportive and comfortable bra (which may be a nursing bra)
- Phone and charger
- Book, magazines and/or games for the hanging around
- Any regular medication
And toiletries such as:
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Flannel or wipes
- Shower gel or soap (you may prefer unperfumed for sensitive skin after labour)
- Hair brush and hair bands or clips
- Contact lens kit or glasses case
Pack things that will help in labour:
- Something loose and comfortable to wear
- If planning a water birth, two sets of clothes might be useful. Ask the midwife if a towel is recommended
- Water bottle and isotonic drinks for the labouring woman or person
- Snacks for the labouring woman or person
- Flannel and/or cooling spray
- Lip balm for dry lips
- Music (e.g. phone & speaker for playing during labour)
- Warm socks (feet can get cold during transition)
- Own pillow or pillowslip (smells like home, more comfortable than hospital ones)
- Visual prompts if using
- Aromatherapy or massage oils and tools if using
- Birth ball (the hospital may have one, but you may prefer to take your own)
- TENS machine (if using, this will probably be on before travelling to hospital)
If planning a caesarean birth
- All of the above except clothes for labour and labour aids
- Full brief knickers that sit above the wound or disposable knickers that are easier on the scar (two or three pairs)
Items for the baby
- Newborn nappies (6-8 should cover the first couple of days)
- Cotton wool for cleaning, or alcohol and fragrance-free wipes
- Newborn vests and baby grows to wear inside (a couple of sets)
- Muslin square
- Blanket
- Hat and socks
- Something warm to go home in if cold outside
- Times this by two (or more) in the case of twins and multiples.
A newborn car seat (or more than one) will be needed to bring the baby or babies home if travelling by car. For public transport bring a sling or carrier, or a pushchair.
The birth partner’s bag
The birth partner, father or co-parent will find these items useful to help them feel more relaxed during a potentially long hospital stay. For example:
- Copy of the birth plan
- Their own snacks and drinks
- Distractions – music, something to read or play, phone and charger
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Their own medication
- Blanket or mat for sleeping
- Support items or ideas for labour as a pleasant surprise for the pregnant woman or person
- Change of clothes (hospitals can be hot)
- If planning a water birth, a set of clothes for the pool and a towel
- Cash if it’s needed for the car park or vending machines
A notebook and pen (or note app) can be useful for:
- taking note of interactions with healthcare professionals (e.g. names of midwives or doctors for thanks or feedback)
- recording timings - what happened when
- a reminder of planned support strategies, so they’re not forgotten
- a list of people to tell that the baby has been born (though there is no rush to do this!)
The postnatal stay bag
Sometimes the mother or birthing parent, and baby, remain in hospital after the birth. An extra bag (left in the car during labour or packed at home and ready to pick up) can be useful.
Additional items for the mother or birthing parent:
- Sleepwear with front opening. A nightie may be easier for changing maternity pads and examining any stitches.
- Lightweight dressing gown
- Slippers, sliders or flip-flops
- Comfortable bras, which might be nursing bras
- Breast pads
- Maternity pads
- Snacks and drinks
- Chewing gum can help with post-operative trapped wind
- Dried fruit to help get the digestive system moving again, particularly important after a caesarean birth
- Notebook and pen to record feelings, and things to discuss with healthcare professionals or partner
- Earplugs and eye mask (postnatal wards can be noisy)
- Headphones
- Bag for dirty items
Additional items for the baby:
- Vests and babygrows
- Nappies, and cotton wool or wipes
- Muslin square
- Bottles and formula if planning to use them (talk to the midwife as some hospitals do not have the facilities for making up formula, so starter packs may be best)
If an older child will be visiting, some parents include a small present for them ‘from the baby’ to help get them used to having a new sibling.
