Your Labour Bag
Essentials
- Birth preference plan and maternity notes
- Several nightdresses or t-shirts — choose old ones as they are likely to get messy during labour
- Slippers — for when you are walking around
- Socks — to keep your feet warm
- A lightweight dressing gown — a dark colour will hide any stains
- Lip balm — to soothe your lips, which may become very dry
- Water spray or sponge — to help keep you cool
- Snacks and isotonic drinks — to keep your energy levels up
- Maternity pads — useful for when your waters break
- Prescribed medication you may have
- Loose change for car parking
You may also want
- Oil or lotion — if you want to be massaged
- Pillow / fleecy blanket
- Birth ball — this can be a useful aid during labour (provided on ward)
- TENS machine — if you are planning to use one for pain relief
- Music — some favourite tunes can be soothing
- A brush and hair clips — to tie your hair back
- Book, magazine or a tablet — to help pass the time
- Tissues or wet wipes
- Your mobile phone fully charged
- A list of important phone numbers in case your phone runs out of battery
Dad / Partner's Bag
- Clothes — to change into once the baby is born
- Mobile phone — useful for timing contractions as well as for letting people know the baby has arrived (make sure its fully charged — you may not be allowed to charge it in the hospital)
- Camera — fully charged so none of those special moments are missed
- Snacks and drinks — so there's no need to leave if refreshment is required
- Prescribed medication if you take any
- Deodorant and toothbrush
After the Birth Bag
For you
- Going home clothes — a loose comfortable outfit, remembering that your tummy won't have gone down yet
- Nursing bras — two or three
- Breast pads — to mop up any leaks
- Maternity pads — at least two packs
- Disposable pants — or old cotton ones that you're happy to throw away later
- Open-fronted nightie — suitable for breastfeeding
- Toiletries — wash things, toothbrush, toothpaste and deodorant
- Plastic bags — to put dirty clothes into
For your baby
- Baby clothes — vests, sleep suits, cardigans (at least three of each) and a hat and mittens, plus an all in one snow suit if it's cold
- Muslins or bibs — useful for mopping up
- Nappies and wipes
- Baby toiletries and cotton wool
- Baby blanket or shawl — for when you go home
- Baby car seat — essential if you are driving home after the birth. Practise putting a teddy into the seat and fitting it in the car before you have your baby.
- If you have made an informed decision to formula feed your baby, you will need to bring into hospital ready-made first infant milk in sealed bottles with teats like in the starter packs (we do not provide formula, bottles, teats or facilities to sterilise or make up powdered formula).