Rebecca Hughes
Why It's Worth Packing Early
Most midwives suggest having your bag ready by around 36 weeks, and there's good reason for that. Babies keep their own timetable, and the last thing you want at the start of labour is to be rummaging through drawers hunting for a phone charger. Packing early also gives you space to think gently about what will genuinely help you feel calm and cared for, rather than grabbing whatever happens to be nearest.
If you're planning a hospital or midwife-led unit birth, it helps to pack two bags: a smaller one for labour and a larger one for the postnatal ward. Your birth partner can keep the small bag beside them and leave the rest in the car or with a relative until you're moved. Many units have limited space, so keeping things compact is a kindness to everyone.
Getting Organised: Bags and Easy Access
Think in layers. Clear pouches or labelled zip bags mean your birth partner can find things without having to ask you mid-contraction. Group toiletries, snacks, baby clothes and feeding bits separately, and write a simple list to sit on top of the bag. Anything that might stain is safer in a dark colour, and a separate small bag for your going-home outfit saves a great deal of rummaging later.
- A phone charger with an extra-long cable
- A refillable water bottle with a straw or sports cap
- A small notebook and pen for questions, notes and timings
- Lip balm, hairbands and a flannel within arm's reach
What to Pack for Labour
Comfort is everything here. Choose an oversized t-shirt or nightdress in a dark colour that you won't mind ruining, and bring socks, slippers with grip soles and a dressing gown for walking the corridors. A pillow from home feels wonderful, though use a distinctive pillowcase so it doesn't disappear into the laundry.
- Loose clothing you can move in, plus a spare set
- Massage oil, a hand fan or water spray, and a warm pair of socks
- Your maternity notes, birth preferences and any medication
- A TENS machine, birth ball or aromatherapy oils if your unit permits them
It's worth checking what your unit already provides before you buy anything. Some have birth balls, mats and oils on hand, and some have rules about what you can bring. One final note: most people over-pack for labour. Ten hours in, you'll likely want far less than you imagined.
Snacks, Drinks and Comfort Measures
Hospital meals arrive at set times, and labour rarely follows a schedule. Pack easy, energy-dense snacks that need no preparation and won't leave you feeling heavy.
- Oatcakes, cereal bars, dried fruit and nuts, and a few boiled sweets for a dry mouth
- Cartons of juice, coconut water or a sports drink for electrolytes
- Mints or sugar-free gum for afterwards
- A flask or insulated cup if you like hot drinks
Some people prepare a playlist, a few photos or a note of affirmations. Others want quiet and dim light. Pack for both possibilities and tell your birth partner which you'd prefer on the day, because you may not want to explain it in the moment.
Your Baby's Bag
Newborns need surprisingly little in the first day or two, and packing light makes the ward stay easier.
- Two or three vests and babygrows in newborn size, plus one in tiny baby size just in case
- A hat, a cardigan and a cellular blanket
- Cotton wool balls or pads for nappy changes, rather than wipes
- Around ten to fifteen nappies for a two-day stay
- Two or three muslin squares
- A going-home outfit and a car seat if you're travelling by car
Keep baby's clothes in their own pouch so you're never mixing them with yours in low light.
The Postnatal Ward and Your First Days
The postnatal ward is where the practical really matters. You'll be tired, tender and learning a great deal, so pack as though you're looking after yourself, too.
- Two or three nighties or loose pyjamas, front-opening if you're breastfeeding
- Two packs of maternity pads, and big, cheap, high-waisted knickers you can happily throw away
- A dark towel, flip-flops for the shower and hand sanitiser
- Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, flannel, nipple cream, hairbrush and dry shampoo
- Loose going-home clothes — you'll still look about five months pregnant, and that's entirely normal
- Snacks, a water bottle and anything that makes the room feel like yours
Ask your midwife what the unit supplies, as some provide pads and some don't. Being slightly over-prepared is far better than being caught short.
No bag covers every eventuality, and that's perfectly fine. If you forget something, most units have a small shop or staff who can help, and partners can always be sent home for supplies. This is as much about your wellbeing as it is about logistics. A bag packed with things that smell like home, taste like comfort and feel soft against your skin is a small, quiet act of care for the version of you who will open it in the middle of the night.
