Packing your hospital bag?

| What to take…

For labour… For after your baby is born…

 Your birth plan  Going-home outfit
 Dressing gown  Breastfeeding bras
 Slippers  Breast pads
 Socks  Maternity pads
 An old nightdress or T-shirt to wear in labour  Nightdress or pyjamas
 Massage oils or lotions  Toiletries
 Lip balm  Towels, hairbrush, toothbrush and toothpaste
 Snacks and drinks or glucose tablets  Old knickers/cheap knickers/disposable knickers
 Something to read or watch  Ear plugs (in case you end up on a noisy ward)
 A hairband. If you have long hair, you might want it  Arnica tablets (may help with bruising)
tied up
 Pillows For your baby…
 TENS pain relief machine, if you are planning to
use one  Infant car seat
 Toiletries  One outfit for the trip home. All-in-one stretchy
outfits are best
 Music to listen to (some hospitals will provide a CD
player or have an iPod dock)  Baby blanket (a warm one if weather is cold)
 Nappies
For the birth partner…  One pair of socks or booties
 Water spray to cool down and refresh the mum-to-  Hat
be while she’s in labour  Jacket or snowsuit for winter babies
 Comfortable shoes – you might be pacing the  Muslin squares
corridors!
 A change of clothes, toothbrush and deodorant Add your own items…
 Watch with a second hand to time contractions
 Swimwear, if you want to join the mum-to-be in a 
birth pool 
 Your phone, camera or camcorder

 Snacks and drinks


Bag packed? Visit www.babycentre.co.uk/labour, so you know when it’s the real thing!