When it comes to packing your hospital bag or home birth bag, there are various items to think about. It is recommended to have your bag packed at least 2 weeks before your due date and once your bag is packed, ask your birth partner to unpack it and pack it again, so that they know where everything is when you are in labour.
Some people like to use hospital bag organisers. This helps them to very quickly and easily find anything that they might need. LabelsByPenny offers some lovely hospital bag labels and maternity organiser bags. Visit Penny's Etsy website to see the full range.
If you are planning a hospital birth, below are a few things to think about for your hospital bag.
For Mum
Dressing gown
Nightdress (With easy access if planning to breastfeed)
Slippers
Socks
Water spray/ sponge/ fan
Birth plan
Medical notes
Hand sanitiser
Lip balm
Ear plugs / eye mask
Pillow (Coloured, not white)
Book/ Magazines/ Sudoku/ Crosswords/ Tablet
Maternity pads / Heavy duty Sanitary wear (2 x packs)
Big knickers (5-6 pairs)
Toiletries (towel, toothbrush, toothpaste, tissues, deodorant, hairbrush, face wipes/wash, flannel, shampoo, conditioner, soap, hairdryer)
Hair bobbles/ hair clips
Plastic bag for dirty clothes
Cosmetics / make up
Glasses / contact lenses + solution
Phone & charger
Comfortable going home clothes
Snacks & drinks (cereal bars, fruit, pack of raisins, energy drinks)
Bendy straws
Massage oil
TENS machine (if you plan to use one)
Calming music/ playlist
Bra or vest top (if planning to use birthing pool and want to cover up)
Any medications you are taking
Nipple cream (if planning to breastfeed)
Nursing bars (x 2)
Breast pads
A pen
A jug (to pour warm water onto the perineum during the first wee, after a vaginal birth)
For Baby
Babygrows (Approx. 4-5)
Vests (Several)
Newborn hat
Blanket / shawl
Socks/booties
Newborn nappies (Approx. 20-30)
Sensitive Baby wipes
Cotton wool balls
Muslin squares (3-4)
Going home outfit (Depending on the season, think about mittens, snow suit or jacket for the journey home)
Car seat
Formula milk & sterile bottles (if planning to formula feed)
For Birth Partner
Snacks and drinks (Cereal bars, energy drinks, water, fruit, crisps, chocolate, sandwich)
Phone & charger
Camera and batteries
A change of clothes
Shorts/T-shirt (Hospital can get extremely hot)
Small pillow (Coloured, not white)
Spare glasses or contact lenses + solution
Hand sanitiser
Book/ Magazine/ Sudoku/ Crosswords/ Tablet
Any medications you are taking
Change for car park / vending machine
A pen
If you are planning a homebirth, here are a few things to think about.
Clean old towels (2-3)
Blanket or towel to wrap baby in
Blanket or towel for Mum
A private area in your home to nest and deliver your baby
Absorbent pads (puppy training pads)
Waterproof coverings (e.g. tarpaulin)
A bucket
A torch
Big knickers
Maternity pads/ heavy duty sanitary wear
Birth plan & notes
Phone numbers of midwife and/or doula
Snacks & drinks
Fan/ sponge/ face cloth/ water spray
Socks
Nightdress (If planning to breastfeed, with easy access)
Ice pack
Water bottle
Black bin liners (to put dirty linen and rubbish in)
A jug (for the first wee after giving birth)
Candles
Relaxing music
Hot water bottle *
You might want to hire or buy a birthing pool * - contact me for a 10% discount from Birth Pool in a Box
TENS machine (can be bought or hired) *
Massage oil *
Hair bobble/clip
Bean bag/pillow/old duvet
Thermometer/ sieve/ pump/ hose/ mirror for a water birth
You can still receive various forms of pain relief at a home birth. Your midwife will bring Entonox (gas and air) on arrival and your midwife can also order you dihydrocodeine tablets in advance, for you to collect from your GP. There are also many forms of pain relief that you can provide yourself, if you are planning a home birth and these have been highlighted by an asterisk (*).
If you would like any birth preparation support, birth doula support, postnatal support or looking to do a group or private hypnobirthing course, please take a look at my website and get in touch.
