| The packing of the hospital bag should begin in | | | | contractions. |
| good time; it is not possible to predict your exact | | | | Favourite Pillow - Hugging a familiar pillow is far |
| needs for the immanent birth of your baby, but | | | | more relaxing than a hospital pillow, it will also smell |
| with a little extra time you can add items. There | | | | of home, if you can't manage a pillow, pop in a |
| are items that can be placed in the bag in | | | | couple of old but newly laundered pillow cases, for |
| readiness; this can form the foundation, with | | | | the same effect (you may loose them into the |
| other items being added should time allow at the | | | | hospital laundry). |
| time of departure. | | | | Partners Swimwear - If planning a water birth or |
| Basic maternity Hospital Bag Items | | | | just to relax in a pool before the birth, your |
| Nightdress -something old and comfortable, it may | | | | partner will need swimwear to be able to support |
| become stained and spoilt, ideally loose fitting with | | | | your body in the water. |
| buttons to the front. If you are to stay in hospital | | | | Music Player - Battery operated radio or CD |
| for a couple of days another nightdress for | | | | player will help to relax you, you may find that a |
| receiving visitors will help you to feel better, with | | | | personal system is uncomfortable in your ears, |
| access for baby to breast feed, or for baby to | | | | relaxing CDs. |
| be able to snuggle close becoming accustomed to | | | | Snacks - Place some snacks in the bottom of the |
| the smell of 'mummy'. | | | | bag just in case making sandwiches and grabbing |
| Slippers - These are a must, you may well walk a | | | | fresh fruit is not given time when having to leave |
| great deal during labour, non-slip soles will allow | | | | the house, dried fruit, lollipops, cereal bars and |
| you to squat and manoeuvre into comfortable | | | | cartons of juice can all be packed in advance. |
| positions possibly using a birthing ball. | | | | Leaving the Hospital |
| Socks - Two pairs of warm socks | | | | Going Home Clothes - A loose fitting and |
| Bras - Two feeding bras will be needed for breast | | | | comfortable outfit for leaving hospital, you will |
| feeding along with soft comfortable breast pads, | | | | probably not get back into your pre pregnancy |
| if you are not planning to breast feed you will still | | | | jeans - possibly items purchased during the first |
| need 2 bras and breast pads. | | | | stages of pregnancy, it does take the body a |
| Address Book & Phone Number List - Many | | | | while to get back to shape. |
| hospitals do not allow mobile phones to be | | | | Baby Clothes - Baby will require simple |
| switched on, so write down the numbers you are | | | | comfortable clothing for those first days, packing |
| going to need, and store with loose change for | | | | 3 vests, 3 sleepsuits, scratch mitts, socks a pack |
| the pay phone, you will want to spread the news | | | | of disposable nappies (even if you plan to use |
| of your baby too. | | | | cloth nappies) wipes and a simple nappy cream, |
| Disposable Camera - Even if you plan to take the | | | | will make a good start. |
| family camera, placing a disposable camera in the | | | | For Baby to Go Home - Baby will need a baby |
| bag can prevent a panic, when it is realised the | | | | car seat, - most hospitals will not discharge baby |
| camera was removed for a quick photo the night | | | | without a seat, in addition to the clothing worn in |
| before, or the battery is flat! | | | | hospital baby will need a hat, coat, and blanket. |
| Cosmetic Items | | | | This may seem enough to fill a bag carried by |
| Toiletries - Mild un-perfumed soap, shampoo and | | | | Mary Poppins, but it is a busy day and it is better |
| deodorant - baby will recognise the smell of | | | | to have everything in place, rather than your |
| 'mummy' long before sight recognition, keeping | | | | partner disappearing to get a small but vital item - |
| perfumes to a minimum will help to keep baby | | | | like the camera and missing the occasion. |
| settled and happy. | | | | Many plan, and do go home within hours of the |
| Toothbrush & Toothpaste - a regular tooth | | | | birth of baby, for others a caesarean or other |
| brush should be put in the bag, even if you plan | | | | complication may keep them in hospital a little |
| to remember the electric one from the bathroom. | | | | longer, having a second bag ready packed with |
| Glasses or Contact lenses - Complete with a | | | | further supplies of night clothes, underwear, baby |
| selection of favourite magazines or books including | | | | clothes, sanitary pads, breast pads, squash etc. will |
| something for your birth partner. | | | | mean that your partner can turn up at the |
| Cosmetics & Make Up - Remember you will | | | | hospital with the correct items, should it not be |
| appear in a huge number of photos!! | | | | required it can easily be slipped back into drawers, |
| Sanitary Towels & Old Briefs - A pack of | | | | reminding you how lucky you are to be home so |
| sanitary towels and plenty of old pants or 2 | | | | quickly safe and sound. |
| packs of the Emma Jane disposable briefs, this will | | | | Additions to the bag on the day of departure: |
| reduce the washing sent home use and throw | | | | -Sandwiches |
| away. | | | | -Video/camera |
| Hairbrush - Scrunches and tie backs to keep your | | | | -Flask of drink |
| hair from you face during labour. | | | | -Electric toothbrush |
| Other Useful Birth Items | | | | -Fruit |
| Watch - A watch for timing contractions | | | | -Ice cubes/ice drinks |
| Sponge, Flannel & Hand Towel - These are | | | | -Tens machine or other pain relief items. |
| used with cold water to help cool your face during | | | | |