What to pack in your maternity hospital bag
As your due date gets closer, packing your hospital bag is one of those jobs that suddenly makes everything feel very real.
The good news is you don’t need to pack for every possible scenario. A few essentials for you, your baby and your support person will usually have you well covered.
If you’re wondering where to start, here’s a practical checklist.
When should I pack my hospital bag?
There’s no exact date, but having your bag packed by around 30 - 34 weeks means it’s ready to go if your baby decides to arrive earlier than expected.
If you have a planned caesarean birth or there’s a possibility you may deliver earlier, it can be worth getting organised a little sooner.
Keep your bag somewhere easy to grab — and make sure your support person knows where it is!
What to pack for you
Think comfort and practicality. You don’t need an entirely new wardrobe for hospital.
Consider packing:
Comfortable, loose clothing and pyjamas
Underwear
Maternity pads
Comfortable bras or feeding bras if you plan to breastfeed
Dressing gown
Slippers or thongs
Socks
Toiletries
Hair ties
Lip balm
Any regular medications
Glasses or contact lenses if needed
Water bottle
Phone and charger — preferably with a long cable
Clothes to wear home
If you have particular things that help you relax, such as your own pillow, music or headphones, you might like to bring those too.
What to pack for your baby
Consider packing:
Three beanies
Five singlets
Five growsuits
Three baby wraps
Two packs of disposable nappies
An outfit for going home
And, of course, you'll need an approved rear-facing infant car restraint correctly fitted in your car before it’s time to head home.
Don't forget your support person
Your support person may be at the hospital for quite a while too, so it pays for them to have a few things packed.
A change of clothes, basic toiletries, phone charger, water bottle and some snacks are a good start.
They may also want a jumper or extra layer, hospitals have an impressive ability to be freezing when you least expect it.
A few things people often forget
There are always a few little things that don’t make the obvious hospital-bag lists but can be surprisingly useful.
A long phone-charging cable is high on that list. Power points aren't always conveniently located beside the bed.
A reusable water bottle, lip balm, hair ties, comfortable slip-on shoes and a bag for dirty clothes can also come in handy.
You may also want to have any relevant paperwork, Medicare and private health insurance details easily accessible.
What about labour?
If you're planning a vaginal birth, you might like to pack a few things specifically for labour.
That could include comfortable clothing, music or headphones, massage tools, snacks for your support person and anything else you've discussed as part of your birth preferences.
You certainly don't need to arrive with an entire toolkit. Bring whatever you think will help make the space feel comfortable for you.
Check with your hospital before you pack
Every maternity hospital is slightly different in terms of what it provides and what you'll need to bring yourself.
I deliver babies at St John of God Subiaco Hospital, so I recommend checking the hospital's current maternity information before you finish packing your bag. That way, you won't unnecessarily pack things that are already provided.
And finally...
Try not to stress too much about getting your hospital bag perfect.
If you forget something, chances are it can be brought in later. The most important things are having the essentials ready, knowing how you're getting to hospital and having your support person on standby.
And yes — remember the phone charger!
Dr Michael Allen is a Specialist Obstetrician, Gynaecologist and Fertility Specialist consulting in Subiaco, Perth, and Clinical Director of IVF Australia WA.
To make an appointment, contact Dr Allen's rooms on (08) 9381 2400 or please fill in a contact form.
