Hospital Bag, Labour Bag; call it what you will, but you'll almost certainly need a checklist!

So, what DO you need to pack in your hospital bag?  It's generally suggested that you pack your bag by around 36 weeks or so, so it's ready to go for those 3am twinges! Pack everything in advance so you're not flapping around looking for a hairbrush whilst doing your yoga breathing to get through those early contractions!

You probably won't want to take EVERYTHING on the list, but use it as guide & take what appeals to you.  Most hospitals have limited space around the beds, so do check before you lug in a family sized suitcase!

Know anyone who could do with seeing this? Click here to pass our details to a friend.

General:

• Change for the car park (easy to forget in the rush)!
• Maternity Notes...Quite important to remember!

For Labour:

• Birth Plan
• Dressing Gown
• Slippers
• Socks – in case you get cold feet in labour!
• T-Shirt - to wear for the birth
• Massage Oil
• Labour 'energiser'
• Snacks/Drinks
• Energy Sweets
• Watch – to time contractions
• Camera
• Books/Mags/Music – to pass the time
• Tens Machine
• Toiletries
• Water Spray Bottle - cool yourself down
• CD/MP3 Player (battery, not mains operated) – favourite tunes make labour more bearable!
• Small Sponge - great for taking small sips of water & to cool down with
• Flannel - get your birth partner to mop your brow!
• Hair Brush
• Hair Bands
• Hair clips
• Water – small bottles are easier to sip from
• Antenatal Notes
• Bach Rescue Remedy – for times of crisis
• Birth Ball – some labour wards provide them

For Birth Partner

• Change of Clothes
• Snacks & Drinks

For After the Birth:

• Going home outfit (someone can always bring that in for you later)
• Knickers – disposable or cheap cotton 'big pants'
• Nursing Bras – best to get properly fitted in late pregnancy
• Breast Pads
• Maternity Pads - take a couple of packs & have someone bring in more if need be
• Nightdress that's suitable for breastfeeding (more comfy than PJs if you have stitches)
• Dressing Gown, lightweight - hospitals are hot!
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Cleanser/Toner/Moisturiser
• Shower Gel
• Deodorant - hospitals are hot!
• Soap
• Hand Cream 
• Towels – ones that don’t matter, dark colours are good!
• Hairbrush
• Toothbrush & Toothpaste
• Arnica – helps with possible bruising
• Lavender Oil – a few drops in your bath can help healing and also relax you
• Tea Tree Oil – a few drops in your bath can help healing
• Nipple cream – well worth packing!
• Cosmetics (if you can't bear the thought of being seen 'au naturel').
• Favourite breakfast cereal/ tea bags
• Fruit juice/mineral water
• Tissues
• Inflatable Feeding Pillow
• Ear plugs – in case you find yourself with the only sleeping baby on a noisy ward!
• Small plastic jug - some people swear by it....perhaps best not to ask why beforehand!

 For Baby:

• Car Seat
• One outfit for going home
• Babygros/sleepsuits
• Baby bundlers/gowns – great for night time nappy changes
• Baby Bodysuits/Vests
• Blanket
• Nappies
• Socks
• Hat
• Muslin Squares
• Baby Toiletries (all our toiletries are organic) - Shampoo/bodywash and Moisturiser
• Baby Nail Scissors & clippers - babies nails can be surprisingly long at birth
• Cotton Wool balls....you'll be surprised how many you get through
• Nappy Sacks - degradable or non-degradable.  How eco friendly do you want to be?
• Nappy Cream
• Baby Wipes - organic or not (useful to freshen up yourself, if not baby)!
• Scratch Mittens
• Bottles if required/milk - if not breastfeeding