The last thing you want to when you are in labour is pack your bag for hospital – so pack early, the earlier the better – then if labour starts early you’ll be ready to go.

This article covers things for you in labour, for you and baby in the hospital, for your partner, and things you need for the journey home.

Think of items you will want before your baby is born and things for afterwards.

When in labour you will want to be as relaxed and comfortable as possible.

For you in labour:

• Something to wear. Nightgown or comfortable shirt in which to give birth
• Music. Some people like their favourite music to listen to during labour. I thought this would be a good idea, but just found it annoying. To take music is no bad thing though; you can’t listen to it if you have left it at home.
• Extra pillows to keep you comfortable during labour. This might sound strange, but the hospital I went to, (great though it was) didn’t have a spare pillow which I really wanted, so I ended up using a rolled up towel to pop behind my back.
• Your favourite magazines or books. This really is the same as music, not appropriate for me, but it will be for some women.
• Lip balm. This was really essential for me as I was using gas and air as pain relief, and this makes your mouth and lips really dry and uncomfortable. Lip balm really helped.
• Comfy socks. Sounds silly, but my feet got really cold!
• Food and drink. Food is usually not appropriate in later stages of labour. You don’t feel like eating for a start even if your labour is a long one, and 2ndly it doesn’t mix well with some of the pain relieving drugs. Water is the best drink, the hospital will provide you with water, but it won’t hurt to have a couple of bottles of water in your bag.

For Dad or your birth partner:

• A stash of food and drink. Mars bars, cans of cola are good – lots of energy.
• Phone numbers and contact information. Write a list of everyone you will want to call, or programme their numbers into your mobile
• Mobile phone or a phone card. Remember to keep your mobile charged up, and credit on it
• Money, for the hospital shop to buy all those things you have forgotten or run out of
• Camera. You will want to capture that 1st photo of your newborn. Make sure it is charged up, or you have spare batteries, there is plenty of space on it to take lots of pictures, and if it is new – test it out 1st !

For Mummy and Baby in the hospital

For Mummy

• Dressing gown, nighties/pyjamas. If you are going to breastfeed, don’t forget you will need clothes that open at the front
• Towels
• Slippers and socks
• Underwear. Choose big comfy knickers, you might be feeling a bit tender, and you will need knickers that maternity towels fit comfortably into
• Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, body lotions, whatever you normally use
• Contact lens equipment if you use them
• Cosmetics, ie makeup, hair brushes, and hair products
• Maternity towels, you can buy special maternity towels, they are like night-time sanitary towels
• Nursing bra, if you are planning on breatfeeding
  

For Baby

• Plenty of nappies. I would buy newborn size, if your baby is smaller, you can send a friend or relative to buy you smaller ones.
• Vests and sleepsuits to wear in the hospital. Again, I would buy newborn size, if your baby is smaller, you can send a friend or relative to buy you smaller ones.
• Outfit to wear home: this can just be a sleepsuit with a cardigan and a hat

For going home

Going home bag

You can have this ready packed and get your partner or friend to bring it in with them when you are ready to go home. Pack into it some loose, comfy clothes for you.

• A baby seat for the car. Most hospitals will not let you go home by car unless you have a properly fitted car seat.
• See our articles on car seats
• Blanket. To put on baby for the journey

Your hospital will tell you what they provide and what they don’t. Also they will advise how long you are likely to stay in hospital for a normal 1st birth, or normal caesarean birth.

Other related articles:

Giving birth – Where, who with and how
Giving birth – Do Dad’s need to pack a beg for hospital too?

OK so your partner is going into labour, she has a bag packed – should you have one too?

The answer is yes. Your partner’s labour might be long, and you need to encourage and support her for the whole time. You need to keep your energy up, and your wits about you. Who do you call when it is all over?

Things for dad to pack:

A stash of food and drink
Mars bars, cereal bars, and cans of cola are good – lots of energy.

Phone numbers and contact information
Write a list of everyone you will want to call, or programme their numbers into your mobile

Mobile phone or a phone card
Remember to keep your mobile charged up, and credit on it

Money
For the hospital shop to buy all those things you have forgotten or run out of

Tissues
For mum, or for you in case you blub when the baby is born!

Change of clothes
You will want to look good on the pics, not look like you have veen wearing the same clothes all night

Camera
You will want to capture that 1^st photo of your newborn

Make sure it is charged up, or you have spare batteries, there is plenty of space on it to take lots of pictures, and if it is new – test it out 1^st !

Of course when the event really happens, you could be so full of hurry and anxiety that you forget your bag totally – let a trusted friend have a key to your house and send them for your supplies!

Other related articles

Giving birth- where, who with and how
Giving birth – what should I pack for hospital? – A checklist