Hospital Bag Checklist
Our suggestions on what to pack in your bag if you’re planning to give birth at a hospital or birth centre.
Rather than having all of your things squeezed into one hospital bag, it can be helpful to have two – one for labour and one for after birth.
Labour bag
- Phone and wallet
- Loose comfortable clothes to labour in – like a baggy t-shirt
- Outfit to change into afterwards
- Jandals or slides
- Cardigan, in case you get cold
- Warm socks
- Underwear
- Bikini, if you’re planning for a water birth
- Hair ties
- Charger cord
- Face cloth
- Snacks – nuts, dried or fresh fruit, muesli bars
- Water bottle
- Reusable straw – makes it easy for your birthing partner to give you water
- Camera – make sure it’s charged!
- Portable speaker
- Lip balm
- Facial spray
- Massage oil – make sure it’s unscented so baby can smell you when they’re born
- Wheat pack – it’s easier to heat up in the microwave, rather than having a hot water bottle
- Your own pillow or pillow slip – it can be so much more comfortable having yours which is familiar
- Diffuser and essential oils, if you’d like to use them
- Any medications you’re taking
- Glasses and/or contact lenses
- Paperwork you’ve been asked to bring
- A copy of your birth plan/preferences
- Book/tablet/headphones for entertainment – especially if you’re induced and have time in early labour
A couple of weeks before your due date, put some old towels and a rubbish bag in your car in case your waters break on the way to the birthing unit. Some birthing people also vomit in labour so it’s a good idea to have a paper bag handy too.
Birth partner’s bag
- Phone and wallet
- Change of clothes
- Togs, if you’d like to have a water birth or use the shower
- Jandals
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Snacks
- Phone charger
- Book/tablet/headphones for entertainment
- Jumper, in case it’s cold
Even if you’re planning to have a home birth, you should pack a bag for you and your baby just in case you need to transfer to the hospital.
Your postnatal bag
- Comfortable clothing – like maternity leggings and tops for easy breastfeeding
- Button-up nighties or pyjamas
- Nursing bras
- Black cotton underwear – high-waisted ones are most comfortable
- Light robe
- Slippers
- Travel-sized toiletries – skincare, soap, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, dry shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste
- Hairbrush and hair ties
- Maternity pads/disposable underwear
- Nursing pads
- Laundry bag for dirty clothes
- Book/tablet/headphones for entertainment, just in case you have the chance!
- Antenatally-expressed colostrum in a cooler bag with ice, if you have it
For baby
- 4-5 outfits, including socks and hat
- Swaddles/wraps
- Baby blanket
- Nappies
- Baby wipes
- Car seat
- Going home outfit
- Baby oil – it can help to remove the sticky meconium (baby’s first poo)
It’s a good idea to pack your hospital bags no later than two weeks before your due date.
