2020 Hospital Bag Checklist | Packing for Labour & Birth
Disclaimer: Some of the following products were sent for the purpose of testing them out for review. These products are highlighted by the use of an asterisk (*) beside them. This post also contains affiliate links which are indicated by the use of a dagger (†). All review words and opinions are my own. All photos are copyright property of Me Becoming Mum.
As you head into the final weeks of pregnancy, one of the key pieces of planning you'll need to get underway is packing your hospital bag. Here is my guide to packing your hospital bag for labour, birth and baby.
If you are interested in using my templates; you can find my labour & birth plan here, and my hosptial bag checklist here. They can be found at the bottom of this post too!
In my bag
Clothing
Comfy, loose clothing
Not only is this type of clothing great for through labour; but also for heading home. After birth everyone feels a little bit fragile, and sore. Don't worry about looking fancy and fashionable… comfort is imperative. Post-birth it won't matter how you look, but trust me you'll want to be comfortable.
Don't forget: During labour the clothing will need to accommodate your bump, and afterwards it doesn’t all just spring back, so don’t pack pre-pregnancy clothes!
Soft, wire-free bras
My go-to brand is Molke. They are not the cheapest bras but they are the comfiest, most supportive brand I’ve ever used. Not only does buying from them support a small, Scottish brand; but they look awesome too. I’ve used them for pregnancy, breastfeeding and even everyday use for the past few years; and never looked back.
A night dress (or two)
I plan on breastfeeding Munchkin, so I’ve chosen a shirt style night dress (Minnie Mouse for the win!) which opens at the front to allow easy access for feeding my son.
Slippers and/or slipper socks
I am not a fan of walking on hospital floors without anything on my feet. I’m sure I’m not the only mama who has a tendency to pace while in labour! Slippers or slipper socks are the perfect solution, and so much more comfortable than shoes.
Cheap, dark or disposable knickers
Some people choose to use disposable knickers for the first few days after birth… and I can see the appeal; it's not a clean and tidy process! I have used them in the past (as ugly and uncomfortable as they are.) However, this time I've also opted for dark-coloured ‘full’ briefs from Primark. These I can wash and reuse to both save money and be a little more environmentally conscious.
For hosptial stays
Washbag and essentials
Whether it's for straight after birth (when you're likely to have been in labour for hours and be desperate for a shower!) or simply because you have to stay in overnight; a fully-equipped washbag is essential. In mine I’ve ensured I have:
N.B. When it comes to packing your toiletries, why not consider buying reusable bottles? I got a pack from Primark (only £1!) and filled them up with my own shampoo, conditioner etc. They even came with handy labels.
For labour
Snacks and drinks
Things to help you relax
† wishlist, or ask for it as a gift?
For after birth
Post-partum pads
Relief spray for Those bits
Multi-Gyn maternity compresses*
† so you don’t have to worry about finding them at the chemist.Breast pads
In Munchkin’s bag
An umbilical cord tie
They aren’t cheap, but after the awful reaction Squidgy had to the plastic umbilical cord clip we made the decision to use a handmade cotton cord tie instead. We used one for Pickle (you can just about see it in the photo below!) and have bought a rainbow one from Crafty Fox Crochet for Munchkin. After all, he's our third little rainbow!
A blanket
And for Munchkin, his giraffe
A blanket is a must-have whether it's to wrap your baby in after birth or tuck them in nice and warm to head home. Plus, my girls both have a handmade, crochet giraffe; and it seems only fair Munchkin has one too! I loved making these for him. The best part will be taking them out of his hospital bag for him when he arrives.
Clothes in different sizes
And accessories to match!
There is no guarantee on sizes when it comes to newborn babies. My brothers and I were all different weights from 7lbs to 9lbs and my girls were both different too. With this in mind, and the chance Mhnchkin may be early; I've packed an outfit in tiny baby (5-7lbs) newborn (7-10lbs) and up to 1 month (10lbs+). I’ve also added in little cardigans and hats for him too!
† (a guide to which I included on my labour and birth plan!) That way, no matter what happens, anyone will know what's what without having to dig out the entire bag.
Nappies, wipes and bum cream
My birth plan
and hospital bag checklist
The hospital bag checklist is for my peace of mind. It will help me make sure all the items I'm about to show you are packed and ready when I need them. It includes a summary of everything I've covered in this post.
My labour and birth plan will ensure everyone knows what I want when I go into hospital. From who I want with me (John, obviously!) to my plans for pain relief, to post-birth information I have tried to cover all my bases.
So, whether you're just looking for ideas to prepare yourself or you’re packing last minute; this post has you covered. Everything you need for getting your hag ready for hospital can be found right here.
For more blog posts about pregnancy, check out the category here. Do you think I've missed something in my packing? Let me know in the comments below.
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Check out when we popped down to Bassenthwaite with my camera to snap maternity photos as a family.