Hospital bag checklist: what to pack for labour
There is something steadying about having the bag by the door. Here is a complete UK checklist of what to pack for labour, for after the birth, for your baby and for your birth partner, with a gentle note on what you really do not need.
When to pack it
Aim to have your bag ready by around 36 weeks, since your baby is considered full term from 37 and could arrive any time after. Many people pack two smaller bags rather than one big one: a labour bag you take in first, and an after-the-birth bag your partner can fetch from the car later. Keep your maternity notes with the bag, or to hand, at all times.
For labour and you
- Your maternity notes and birth plan.
- A loose, comfortable nightie or old t-shirt you do not mind getting messy.
- A dressing gown, socks and slippers, hospital floors are cold.
- Lip balm, hair ties and a hand fan or flannel, labour is warm work.
- Snacks and drinks, plus change or a card for vending machines.
- A phone charger with a long cable, and headphones or a playlist if music helps you.
- Anything from your birth plan, such as a TENS machine or a massage oil you like.
For after the birth
- A few changes of comfortable, loose clothing and a going-home outfit.
- Maternity pads, several packs, and dark, comfortable or disposable underwear.
- Nursing bras and breast pads if you plan to breastfeed.
- Your usual toiletries, plus a towel, as hospital towels can be thin.
- Any regular medication you take.
For your baby
- First-size bodysuits and sleepsuits, a few of each, plus a hat and a cardigan.
- A pack of newborn nappies and cotton wool or sensitive wipes.
- A muslin or two, and a blanket for the journey home.
- A properly fitted car seat, you cannot drive your baby home without one. Practise fitting it ahead of time.
For your birth partner
- Snacks, a drink and some change, they may be there a long time.
- A change of clothes and a phone charger.
- A list of who to call or message, and the camera ready.
What you do not need
It is easy to overpack out of nerves. You will not need a fortnight of outfits, a full make-up bag, or every gadget you own. Most stays are short, and your partner can always bring more from home. A calm, well-chosen bag beats a bulging one you cannot lift. If a hospital bag "essentials" list online runs to fifty items, treat it as ideas, not instructions.
Frequently asked questions
When should my hospital bag be ready?
By about 36 weeks. Your baby is full term from 37 weeks and can arrive any time after, so earlier is better than later.
Do I really need a car seat to leave?
Yes, if you are travelling by car. A correctly fitted, suitable car seat is required, so fit and practise with it before the due date.
One bag or two?
Two smaller bags often works best: a labour bag for the early hours and a separate after-the-birth bag someone can bring in once your baby has arrived.
The bottom line
Have your bag ready by 36 weeks, split it into labour and after-the-birth, cover the basics for you and your baby, brief your birth partner, and resist the urge to pack the house. The car seat is the one thing you genuinely cannot leave without.
Sources
Read next: Pregnancy week by week · Trimester-by-trimester guide.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Your midwife will tell you what your unit recommends. See nhs.uk/pregnancy for trusted guidance.