Hospital bag checklist - what to pack for your labour

You might not look this relaxed when you're in the maternity ward, but a few things, like mags or MP3 player to pass the time will be welcome.

If you're having a hospital birth, you'll definitely need to bring things with you for your labour and time on the maternity ward. Some hospitals will provide more things than others, so ask if they have a list. You can download the below list as a pdf, to print out and tick off all your hospital bag essentials.

Essentials:

• Birth plan
• Medical notes
• Maternity bra
• Comfortable, loose maternity clothing for labour. Take a spare set, in case you need to change through labour
• Snacks, water, drinks for labour
• Cereal bars, snacks, water, small juice cartons to have post-birth for energy
• Toiletries, including lip balm, hair bands and hairbrush
• Towels
• Flannel
• Underwear, either very comfy old ones or disposable paper ones
• 1 pack maternity pads
• Nursing bra
• Breast pads
• Smart-looking, comfortable, loose maternity clothing or nightwear for after birth
• Nightwear or large top, front-opening options will make breastfeeding easier
• Dressing gown
• Slippers
• Plastic bag for dirty clothing
• Antiseptic cleaning wipes, for the shared toilets if you’re worried about quality of hospital cleanliness

Nice to have:

• MP3/iPod
• Magazines/books
• Extra pillow
• Water spray
• Birth ball, if you plan to use
• TENS machine, if you plan to use
• Aromatherapy oils, if you plan to use
• Make-up, because those baby photos will be kicking around for the rest of your life
• Hot water bottle, for backache
• Sleep bras, if you tend to wear them
• Plastic water jug – post-birth, pouring water on yourself as you pee can make things feel less sore

Other packing checklists you need to know about:

• Hospital bag for your baby
• Hospital bag for your partner
• Second hospital bag for you, for your partner to bring later