What to pack in your hospital bag for labour
What to pack in your hospital bag for labour – So it’s nearly time for your baby to come out so I thought I would show you what to pack in your hospital bag.
I have had three vaginal births so I’m packing quite a minimal amount based on not being in hospital for very long at all. I’m hoping to be home the same day as I was with Isabelle.
So this is what I packed:
Hospital Notes – I wouldn’t pack these actually in the bag, just leave them in the top as you may still have appointments to attend between now and then.
Nightie – this is more for afterwards so I’ve gone for one with buttons down the front for breastfeeding.
Dressing Gown – I don’t know about you but I feel exposed walking around the ward without one.
Nursing Bra – for wearing after the baby is born for those first feeds.
A comfort bra – I’m taking this with the intention of wearing it in the birthing pool.
Vest top – Again I may wear this in the pool as I’m not really one for birthing in the nude.
Maternity Pads – I’ve bought Boots Maternity pads which seem to be the recommended ones at the moment but I may switch these to Always Nighttime ones which are a lot thinner.
Breast Pads x 3 sets – I intend to use washable ones but have a few disposable ones to take into hospital as well.
Nipple Cream – for sore and cracked nipples. This probably won’t be a problem to start with or ever if you’re lucky, but I suffered last time so this time I’m embracing breastfeeding with every single tool in my belt!
Flip flops – for walking around in both before, during and after the birth. Much easier than slippers especially if your waters haven’t broken.
Towel – Hospitals do provide towels but it’s always much nicer to take your own. Preferably not a pristine white one.
Knickers x 3 – I bought a pack of three from Primark for £5 which are just basic full brief knickers which will be comfortable afterwards. Definitely go for black or navy.
Face wipes/wash – whichever you find more refreshing. You will want this afterwards to help you feel more human and less hot and sticky.
Deodorant – for afterwards when you’ve showered.
Toothbrush and toothpaste – again an obvious one to take with you so that you can freshen up afterwards.
Hairbrush – my hair looked like I’d been dragged through a bush which kind of sums up how the rest of me felt.
Body wash – you will be thankful for a shower once you’ve had the baby and lots of kisses and cuddles. It’s best to choose a fragrance free one if you intend to breastfeed or even just for skin to skin so I’m taking the Dove Baby head to toe wash that I got in my Emma’s Diary Labour Information Pack. This is also the range that we intend to use on the baby for bath time etc.
Shampoo & Conditioner – for washing my hair when I have my post labour shower which will make me feel refreshed from the head sweat.
Hair bands – unless you’ve got really short hair you may want to tie your hair up so that it’s not in your way or stuck to your face.
Lip Balm – using gas and air last time my lips were so horribly dry and split so this time I’m taking a lip balm to help with this.
Clothes for coming home in – this is something that I forgot last time so had to go home in what I arrived in. I’m taking a pair of leggings, a loose fitting top and a cardigan.
Change for the car park – it’s amazing how people forget that you need to pay for parking at most hospitals and you don’t want to be scrabbling around looking for change. Have a bag of change on the glove compartment ready for when the time comes.
Camera – for taking those precious first pictures.
Phone – I don’t go anywhere without mine, but my hypnobirthing tracks are downloaded onto my phone which I intend to listen to during labour.
Phone charger – what a nightmare it would be if you’re battery ran flat.
Kindle/tablet/magazines – for both you and your birthing partner. It may turn into a long day otherwise.
Snacks – the hospital do provide meals for you but not for your birthing partner. Also if you go into labour in the middle of the night you may find that there isn’t anything available. Pack easy to eat snacks such as fruit, cereal bars, drinks, jelly babies and crackers. I’ve also packed some Dextro Energy sweets to help me get through if it’s going to be a long one again.
Contact Lens stuff – I wear contact lenses to have to pack my lens pot, solution and saline as well as a spare pair of contact lenses. I wear 30 day ones so i will take a new set so I don’t have to worry if one goes astray.
Glasses – I do wear contact lenses but in the mornings before I put my lenses in I wear my glasses whilst i have my morning cuppa etc.
Hair stuff – I have wavy/curly hair so I’ll take some hair mousse just to put a bit through my hair once washed.
Toner & cotton pads – just for my usual post face wash face.
Moisturiser – a light day cream that I wear daily.
Make-up – this is totally a personal preference but I don’t go anywhere without make-up and having a baby is no different. I don’t wear loads but I will be putting it on as soon as I’ve had my shower unless it’s the middle of the night.
Comfy clothes for your partner – as I was induced last time we took in joggers, a t-short and flip flops for Chris so that he would be comfortable in the hospital.
Plastic bag – for putting any wet or worn clothes in.
Dextro Energy Tablets or Jelly Babies – my labour with Isabelle was long and exhausting so a sugar boost can help with your energy levels.
I must have packed and re-packed my bag so many times, just in case I’d missed anything.
If you’re unsure as to what to pack I’ve attached a downloadable Hospital Bag Checklist that you can print off and keep with your bag so that you can tick them off as you add them. I’ve even left a space to add your own.
Good luck.
Lisa x
