Checklist Guide👘Hospital Bag Checklist: What to Actually Pack
Pack by 36 weeks. Three bags: labour, postnatal, birth partner. Here's exactly what goes in each — including what most lists leave off and what you can safely skip.
⏳ 6 minute read✓ NHS-aligned🇬🇧 UK-specific
Pack by 36 weeks. Organise into three bags: one for labour, one for postnatal, one for your birth partner. Here's exactly what goes in each — including what most lists leave off, and what you can safely skip.
Labour bag — keep accessible
💉 Documents & admin
Keep these at the top where you can grab them immediately.
- Maternity notes — essential, bring every time
- Birth plan — 3–4 copies (for shift changes)
- Hospital appointment letters if relevant
- Insurance card / NHS number
- Phone charger and a portable battery
🩹 Comfort & pain relief
The things that actually get used.
- TENS machine (hire in advance — most hospitals don't provide them) hire from week 37
- Lip balm — gas and air dries your lips significantly
- Hair ties / clips if you have long hair
- Massage oil or lotion for your birth partner to use
- A pillow from home — hospital pillows are flat and plasticky
- Snacks — cereal bars, dried fruit, isotonic drinks. You may labour for many hours.
- Water bottle with a straw (easier to drink in various positions)
- Warm socks — feet get cold in labour
- Old, dark clothing for early labour — something you don't mind if it gets stained
💡 Many women wear nothing for active labour. Pack what you might want, accept you might not use it.
🎧 Entertainment & atmosphere
Labour can be long. Early labour especially.
- Headphones — for music, breathing guides, podcasts
- Bluetooth speaker if you want shared music without headphones
- Focal point — a small object, photo, or card for concentration
- Download any apps (Freya, etc.) or playlists before you go in
Postnatal bag — for after the birth
👷 For you — postnatal
You'll want comfortable, accessible clothing.
- Nightwear that opens at the front for feeding — 2–3 sets minimum
- Dressing gown and non-slip slippers
- Comfortable day clothes for discharge — maternity-sized, not pre-pregnancy
- Maternity bra (2+) or crop tops if not breastfeeding
- Breast pads — 2 packs minimum. Your milk coming in is unpredictable.
- Maternity pads — thick ones, not pantyliners. Minimum 2 packs.
- Dark cotton underwear — 5+ pairs, high-waisted. Disposable options exist.
- Toiletries & towel — hospital towels are thin
- Pain relief — you can bring your own paracetamol and ibuprofen
- Peri bottle — for post-birth toilet hygiene. Often overlooked, always appreciated.
⚠️ Don't pack tampons. You'll be wearing maternity pads for several weeks.
👶 For the baby
Newborns need less than you think.
- 3–5 babygrows / sleepsuits in newborn AND 0–3 month size
- 3–5 vests with envelope necks (easier for cord care)
- Cardigan or jacket for going home
- Nappies — a small pack of newborn size (most hospitals have some)
- Cotton wool or water wipes for first nappy changes
- Car seat — fitted and tested before you go in
- Going-home outfit including hat and blanket
💡 Babies are often born larger or smaller than expected. Pack one outfit in early baby size AND one in 0–3 months.
Birth partner bag
👤 For your birth partner
They'll be there a long time. Prepare them.
- Change of clothes — labour is unpredictable in length
- Food and drinks — hospital cafes close at night
- Cash for vending machines
- Phone charger
- Copy of birth plan on their phone
- List of people to contact after the birth
- Something to do during early labour — a book, downloaded shows
⚡ The birth partner's most important job is to advocate from the birth plan when you can't. Brief them specifically on your key preferences before you go in.
⚠️ What to leave out
Baby bath, bouncer, moses basket, most toys — you don't need these at the hospital. Candles (not permitted on wards). Expensive jewellery or valuables. A full wardrobe — most people are home within 24–48 hours for a straightforward birth.
📖 Want to go deeper?
Preparing for Labour & Birth — the full guide
Pain relief, birth plans, what happens in each stage of labour, and what to do when things don't go as expected.
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