Maternity Hospital Bag Checklist

To avoid a mad rush following your first contraction, it’s a good idea to pack your hospital bag at around 35 weeks. We’ve put together a checklist to cover the essentials but feel free to add your own little extras. Check with your doctor or midwife if you have any special requirements, too.

• Clothes – A nightie or big t-shirt for labour (much easier than PJs), a dressing gown for around the ward, and some cosy socks and slippers. Bring loose fitting clothes and comfy shoes for going home (your tummy will still be quite big).
• Undies and bras – Maternity bras or singlets (ideal for feeding) and a few of your oldest pairs of undies (you might end up binning them afterwards). High-waisted nanna knickers provide good support following a caesarean, and avoid the wound area.
• Toiletries – Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shower gel and shampoo, hair brush and ties, moisturiser and hand cream.
• Breast pads – A couple of boxes for when your milk comes in.
• Sanitary pads – A pack or two of ‘super’ or special ‘maternity’ pads.
• Glasses/contact lenses – Easy to forget, impossible to do without! Don’t forget your glasses case and contact lens cases/solution too.
• Mobile phone and charger – So you can share the happy news with your friends and family.

• Your birth plan
• Swimmers and a towel (if there is a bath)
• Lip balm
• A wheat pack or hot water bottle
• Healthy snacks and drinks
• Magazines/iPod (in case labour stops and starts)
• Spray bottle
• Little extras like massage oils or your favourite pillow

• Clothes – A few onesies (or anything with press studs) for easy changing, plus scratch mitts, cosy socks/bootees, and a beanie and cardigan if it is cool. Their ‘going home’ outfit will need legs so the capsule strap can fit between them.
• Disposable nappies and baby wipes – Bring your own if you plan to use them, as some hospitals don’t supply disposables.
• Muslins – Useful for swaddling and keeping your little one (and you) clean during feeding.
• Baby lotion – For a bonding massage with your baby.
• Baby blanket – To tuck around your bub in the capsule for the ride home. Make it a super cosy one if the weather’s cold.
• Capsule – Make sure it’s correctly fitted in your car ready for the journey home.

• Toiletries and a change of clothes – Labour can take a while so a change of clothes, a toothbrush and toothpaste are a good idea for freshening up along the way.
• Food and drink – Have a supply of snacks and drinks for during and after labour.
• Loose change – Have some cash at the ready for parking.
• Swimmers and towel – If there’s a large bath at your hospital, they could join you in the bath for extra support.
• A camera/smartphone and charger – Make sure it has plenty of room on the memory card to capture those special moments.

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