If you are going into labour, you need to make sure that you have a hospital bag prepared. This needs to be ready to go in the weeks building up to your labour, as the last thing you want to do is find yourself being caught off guard and going into labour without anything being ready for you. With that being said, continue reading to discover everything you need to know about what you will need to put in your hospital bag.
What should you put in your hospital bag?
There are a number of different things you are going to need to put in your hospital bag. This includes all of the following:
- Water spray or a fan to cool you down
- Things to help you with passing the time and relaxing, such as podcasts, music, magazines, and books
- Towels
- Your washbag, which should include toiletries, hair ties, deodorant, lip balm, soap, a flannel, hairbrush, shower gel, shampoo, toothpaste and a tooth brush
- Five or six pairs of underwear - you may want to consider bringing some disposable ones with you
- Two packets of maternity pads or super-absorbent sanitary pads
- Breast pads
- Two or three comfortable and supportive bras, including a nursing bra if you are going to breastfeed - it is important to remember that your breasts are going to be much bigger than usual
- Three changes of comfortable and loose clothing
- Something comfortable and loose to wear during labour that is not going to restrict you from moving around or make you feel too hot
- Hospital notes and your birth plan
- A car seat for the journey home
- Muslin squares
- A blanket or a shawl
- Plenty of nappies
- Socks or botties, scratch mittens, and a hat
- An outfit for your baby to go home in
- Sleepsuits, vests, bodysuits, and such like
- Any sort of medication that you take
- A TENS machine if you are intending to use one
- Extra pillows
- Healthy drinks and snacks
- Slippers and a dressing gown
- A loose-fitting or front-opening top or nightie if you are going to be breast feeding
This may seem like a very long list but it is better to have too many things than not enough. Remember, you are going to be going home with one more person than you arrived to the hospital with, and this one more person is going to require a lot of extra things. If you have everything that we have mentioned above, we are sure you won’t find yourself wanting or feeling like you have not prepared properly.
When should you get your hospital bag ready?
We would always recommend that your hospital bag is prepared a minimum of three weeks before you are due to give birth. The sooner, the better!
What if you are having a home birth?
If you are going to be having a home birth, make sure you speak about your plans and discuss what you are going to need to prepare with your midwife. Where in your home do you actually want to give birth? It is imperative to have a proper plan so you can make sure that everything goes smoothly.
Some of the things you are going to need include the likes of two packets of maternity pads or super-absorbent sanitary pads, clothes and nappies for the baby, which should include a baby’s hat, as well as clean towels and bed clothes too.
Despite the fact that you fully intend to have your baby at home, it is always recommended to pack a hospital bag just in case. There is a small chance that you may need to go into hospital for some assistance, and so you will want to have a hospital bag ready just in case this does happen. Of course, there is a high chance it won’t, but being prepared is critical because there is no time in these situations.
Final words on what to put in your hospital bag
So there you have it: everything you need to know about what you are going to need to put in your hospital bag for labour. We hope that the information that we have provided you with helps you to feel more prepared so that you are ready to go into labour at any moment. Unfortunately, babies have a mind of their own, and they do not often arrive on their due date, with many arriving early. This is why it is important to make sure you have your bag ready so that you can go as soon as you need to.