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Packing your hospital bag and preparing for labour is the pregnancy milestone that makes it feel real. Nothing quite hits home that you’re about to have a baby more than packing the essentials for birth.
The irony is that although pregnancy is 40 weeks long, many of us still feel under-prepared right up to that first contraction. From getting the baby’s nursery ready to choosing the pushchair to suit your lifestyle best, there is a lot to think about.
This feeling is natural because there are many things to think about. It’s not always easy to know what you might need, and spending some time packing your hospital bag, however, is essential.
And remember, even planning a home birth, it’s a good idea to have a bag ready nearby.
Midwives recommend that you have your hospital bag packed for around 31 weeks.
From suitcase to designer duffel, your hospital bag needs to have a few simple rules. The bag must be big enough for all your items and the new baby essentials, and it might even be worth choosing a bag with compartments.
We’ve picked a few recommendations that are ideal for hospital bags.
This canvas holdall has a separate section that mums-to-be could use to keep essentials at hand or pack baby items separately so they are within easy reach when the moment arrives.
A duffel bag with separate compartments is perfect for organising items for labour. This item is neutral enough to be used for weekends away at a later date too.
For a chic choice, a fashionable weekend bag offers extra pockets and an adjustable strap to add a sense of style to the occasion.
With a bit of Googling, you’ll find lots of advice from websites such as Cow & Gate, Bounty, and the NHS about what you need to pack in your hospital bag.
You could also look at online forums, and Facebook groups and ask friends what they found helpful.
To help you get started, we’ve put our ideas together for you with the ultimate hospital bag checklist for mum and baby.
If you are being induced, monitored, or in the early stages of labour, you’ll still want to have your essentials to hand. These times can drag, so it’s important to stay comfortable to reduce boredom as much as possible.
One of the most important things to remember is to pack your birth plan and any maternity notes. Your hospital notes document your pregnancy and general health in the lead-up to the due date.
Other useful items:
Labour needs to be all about you. Your items for labour should keep you as comfortable as possible and ensure you have everything you need.
Remember that labour can take days, so you’ll want to ensure you have plenty of supplies.
You probably won’t need books or magazines.
After labour, you’ll want to be comfortable and cosy. Choose loose-fitting clothing but items that also feel snug to aid your recovery.
Look for items that won’t aggravate stitches or any cesarean wounds and allow for medical checks easily.
You’ll also want to pack:
Now that we have covered everything you’ll need for the hospital, we mustn’t forget the baby. Here are some essentials for your new arrival at the hospital and the journey home.
We’ve put all of our suggested products and more on our Hospital Bag Example Wishlist to make things easy for you.
Parent recommendations and feedback power Little Wishlist.
So we know how helpful a hospital bag checklist can be.
Use our free download to make a new baby wishlist, and pack your bag for the hospital.
(Right-click to download and print)
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