Packing a Hospital Bag

The packing of the hospital bag should begin in good time, it is not possible to predict your exact needs for the immanent birth of your baby, but with a little extra time you can add items. There are items that can be placed in the bag in readiness; this can form the foundation, with other items being added should time allow at the time of departure.

Basic Hospital Bag Items

Nightdress -something old and comfortable, it may become stained and spoilt, ideally loose fitting with buttons to the front. If you are to stay in hospital for a couple of days another nightdress for receiving visitors will help you to feel better, with access for baby to breast feed, or for baby to be able to snuggle close becoming accustomed to the smell of 'mummy'.

Slippers - These are a must, you may well walk a great deal during labour, non-slip soles will allow you to squat and manoeuvre into comfortable positions possibly using a birthing ball.

Socks - Two pairs of warm socks

Bras - Two feeding bras will be needed for breast feeding along with soft comfortable breast pads, if you are not planning to breast feed you will still need 2 bras and breast pads.

Address Book & Phone Number List - Many hospitals do not allow mobile phones to be switched on, so write down the numbers you are going to need, and store with loose change for the pay phone, you will want to spread the news of your baby too.

Disposable Camera - Even if you plan to take the family camera, placing a disposable camera in the bag can prevent a panic, when it is realised the camera was removed for a quick photo the night before, or the battery is flat!

Cosmetic Items

Sanitary Towels & Old Briefs - A pack of sanitary towels and plenty of old pants or 2 packs of the Emma Jane disposable briefs, this will reduce the washing sent home use and throw away.

Toiletries - Mild un-perfumed soap, shampoo and deodorant - baby will recognise the smell of 'mummy' long before sight recognition, keeping perfumes to a minimum will help to keep baby settled and happy.

Toothbrush & Toothpaste - a regular tooth brush should be put in the bag, even if you plan to remember the electric one from the bathroom.

Glasses or Contact lenses - Complete with a selection of favourite magazines or books including something for your birth partner.

Cosmetics & Make Up - Remember you will appear in a huge number of photos!!

Hairbrush - Scrunches and tie backs to keep your hair from you face during labour.

Other Useful Birth Items

Watch - A watch for timing contractions

Sponge, Flannel & Hand Towel - These are used with cold water to help cool your face during contractions.

Favourite Pillow - Hugging a familiar pillow is far more relaxing than a hospital pillow, it will also smell of home, if you can't manage a pillow, pop in a couple of old but newly laundered pillow cases, for the same effect (you may loose them into the hospital laundry).

Partners Swimwear - If planning a water birth or just to relax in a pool before the birth, your partner will need swimwear to be able to support your body in the water.

Music Player - Battery operated radio or CD player will help to relax you, you may find that a personal system is uncomfortable in your ears, relaxing cd's.

Snacks - Place some snacks in the bottom of the bag just in case making sandwiches and grabbing fresh fruit is not given time when having to leave the house, dried fruit, lollipops, cereal bars and cartons of juice can all be packed in advance.

Leaving the Hospital

Going Home Clothes - A loose fitting and comfortable outfit for leaving hospital, you will probably not get back into your pre pregnancy jeans - possibly items purchased during the first stages of pregnancy, it does take the body a while to get back to shape.

Baby Clothes - Baby will require simple comfortable clothing for those first days, packing 3 vests, 3 sleepsuits, scratch mits, socks a pack of disposable nappies (even if you plan to use cloth nappies) wipes and a simple nappy cream, will make a good start.

For Baby to Go Home - Baby will need an infant car seat, - most hospitals will not discharge baby without a seat, in addition to the clothing worn in hospital baby will need a hat, coat, and blanket.

This may seem enough to fill a bag carried by Mary Poppins, but it is a busy day and it is better to have everything in place, rather than your partner disappearing to get a small but vital item - like the camera and missing the occasion.

Many plan, and do go home within hours of the birth of baby, for others a caesarean or other complication may keep them in hospital a little longer, having a second bag ready packed with further supplies of night clothes, underwear, baby clothes, sanitary pads, breast pads, squash etc. will mean that your partner can turn up at the hospital with the correct items, should it not be required it can easily be slipped back into drawers, reminding you how lucky you are to be home so quickly safe and sound.

Hospital Bag Additions

Additions to the bag on the day of departure

• Sandwiches
• Video/camera
• Flask of drink
• Electric toothbrush
• Fruit
• Ice cubes/ice drinks
• Tens machine or other pain relief items.