So last time I packed my hospital bag for labour, I packed WAY TOO MUCH. We ended up taking a medium sized suitcase, a bag for me, the changing bag, a bag for James AND a bag full of food and drinks and snacks. We didn’t even open the suitcase during labour and James could have done without a bag, I could have done without a bag and I’m SO GLAD we have a PROPER changing bag* this time around (its mega organised).
*Kindly #gifted by the wonder women at Tiba + Marl
If you’re feeling nostalgic, you can see a bit of that nonsense here >>> I’VE FINALLY DONE IT! HOSPITAL BAG(S) ARE PACKED!
Don’t get me wrong, you do NEED to take a lot of STUFF into hospital with you, if thats where you’re choosing to birth your baby, of course! If you’re opting for a home-birth, then:
- I envy you (!!)
- You will have everything you need at your immediate disposal…
- …although, some of the below items may still be useful for home birth – and could be useful to have packed incase of a hospital transfer too.
So here we go, a list for the Mama, a list for the Baba and a list for your birth partner – plus a list of things that are good to have sorted and at hand for when the time comes. I’ll add in links for you to quick shop where possible too!
![](https://www.clairebriston.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Screen-Shot-2019-06-21-at-18.32.49.png)
FOR ME //
To have packed in suitcase //
- Suitcase – Cabin Size – by Aerolite
- Medela Swing Breastpump
- Medela Nipple Shields – for just incase
- Natural Birthing Company Essentials Kit
- Dressing Gown
- Maternity Pads – x2 packs of 10
- Breast pads – 15 pairs
- Maternity / Nursing Bra – x2 incase of leaks
- Nipple cream – my preferred choice is by LANSINOH
- High waisted cotton knickers – this pack from M&S is perfect to throw in the case
- Bikini Top / Vest / Bra – for the birthing pool! (or just go nude, its much comfier!)
- Cheap night dress for labour, if needed. H&M is a great place to shop!
- Dark or old bath towels – M&S generally have good deals on
- Lip balm
- Bobbles / Headband / Hair grips
- Hair brush
- Sliders / Flip Flops – great to chuck on and off, and also for use in the shower so you don’t slip over!
- Mini Fan – it gets VERY hot in hospitals
- Phone Chargers / Plugs / Battery packs – we’re never without our ANKER one!
- Change of clothing for leaving the hospital – think baggy, to fit at least a 4-5 month pregnant bump
- Face cloth / Flannels – so many uses! For keeping your face/head and feet cool – for cleaning your – for cleaning the baby.
- Wash bag for worn clothes / used towels
- Ear plugs – if you’re kept in after labour, the wards can be quite loud with people coming and going
- Headphones – for the same reason, above! But also, to help ‘zone out’ and relax during labour, if you’ve made a playlist or are using Hypnobirthing
- Eye mask – Can be helpful to relax and ‘zone out’ during labour. If you’re kept in after labour, the wards can be quite bright. These SPACE MASKS are my preferred choice.
- Cosmetics Bag including // Travel sized miniatures are great here – Shampoo & Conditioner, Deodorant, Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Mouthwash, Skincare items / wipes
- Remember to pack any medications that you regularly take
Hynobirthing essentials //
- Natural Birthing Company Essentials Kit
- LED Tea Light candles
- Oil Diffuser – James bought me this VicSting one from Amazon for my birthday and its brilliant!
- Essential Oils – I’ve gone for Lavender, Clary Sage**, Chamomile
- Little Pack of Positivity – by the The Positive Birth Company
- Pregnancy Affirmation MP3’s – by The Positive Birth Company – *Kindly #gifted by Siobahn Miller, founder of PBC.
- Freya iPhone app – by The Positive Birth Company
- Headphones
- Eye Mask
**DO NOT USE CLARY SAGE OIL BEFORE 37 WEEKS OF PREGNANCY.
Other items for consideration //
- Your pillow from home
- Pregnancy pillow
- Socks with grip – some women get cold feet during labour
- Music / CD’s
- A treat for the Midwives for afterwards
- Plastic water jug – can be helpful for easing the pain of your first toilet trips afterwards
- Birth ball – if your hospital doesn’t supply them
- TENS Machine – if you plan on using one
- Make-up if you’re that way inclined
- Small pack of Dettol wipes – if you’re concerned about cleanliness post-birth
- Hot water bottle – to help ease back pain
A few ideas for food, drinks, snacks //
- Eat little & often!
- Pack your favourite snacks that are easy to chew down and won’t wilt in the heat of the hospital – items of high energy are what you need!
- Cereal bars
- Bananas
- Frozen drinks – it’s quite hot on the wards, a frozen drink will melt slowly, so will be much nicer than warm bottled water!
- Bottles of water / Isotonic drinks – avoid fizzy drinks!
- Glucose tablets
- Bendy straws/a sports bottle/bottle with straw – useful for drinking at any angle!
- Peppermint teabags – useful for trapped wind and cramps afterwards
FOR JAmes //
- Clean clothing for James, my birth partner
- Food, snacks, drinks
- Toiletries – Deodorant, Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Mouthwash, Skincare items / wipes
- Car Seat – we’ve gone for another MAXI COSI car seat this time as we loved the security of the one we had for Eli, but the laws have all changed since he was a newborn. Just a reminder that many NHS trusts will not allow the baby to leave the department WITHOUT proof of a car seat for safety reasons.
To have ready to hand //
- Birth preferences
- Maternity notes
- Cash for car park
- Pen & Paper – just incase you need to leave a note in a hurry
- Cash for payphone – there might not be signal. The battery might go on your phone!
- List of important phone numbers on paper
- In the lead-up to your ‘due window’, ensure you have enough fuel in the car
- Headphones & Eye Mask for the journey to the hospital
FOR BABY BRISTON-HILL //
- Tiba + Marl x Selfridges ELWOOD Changing Bag *Kindly #gifted by the wonder women at Tiba + Marl
- Going home outfit
- Vests – x5
- Sleep -suits – x5
- Pair of scratch mittens, if they’re not integrated into the sleep-suits
- Hat
- Blanket – we’ve gone for this beautiful cellular blanket from MAMA DESIGNS
- Muslin squares – we’ve got a mixture from lots of retailers – but I LOVE these muslins by Tilly Hobbs & Co, 10% of the cost also goes to the MCR Fund.
- Soft toy – Eli has picked this JELLYCAT one for his baby sister (!!!!)
- Swaddle – if using. We’re using these GRO COMPANY ones from when Eli was newborn
- Cardigan – just incase, I know it’s July, but I do live in England
- Newborn Toiletries //
- Cotton wool balls / Cotton wool pleats
- x27 nappies – whole pack of nappies for New Born
- Sudacrem
- Ready made formula bottles – just incase there’s an issue with breast feeding or if you’ve chosen not to breastfeed – I’ve packed these SMA handy bottles
Is there anything I’m missing from above, that might prove absolutely essential for you during labour or afterwards? Comment below or send me a message and I’ll get it added in!
For ease – you can check my most favourite essentials out via the SHOP, here>>> HOSPITAL BAG
C
✖️✖️✖️
One thought on “PREGNANCY & ME // THE HOSPITAL BAG”