Labour Bag Checklist

You are 36 weeks pregnant and don’t know what things to bring to the hospital? Having your bag packed with the necessary things will make your hospital stay less stressful. You can follow your labour bag checklist and prepare everything as this will make you feel more relaxed knowing you have got everything you need for your baby’s birth. This article will help you prepare your labour bag.

What To Include In Your Labour Bag

Labour Bags

Labour Bag Checklist

Most women stay in hospital for around 3-4 days after a vaginal delivery and 5-6 days after a caesarean section. Some hospitals and birth centres allow you a night out with your partner (usually to their onsite restaurant or cafeteria) before you leave, so you may wish to pack something for this event. Some hospitals and Birth Centres supply all your baby’s needs while you are there. Check if they have any requirements before you arrive.The following are things that you should consider packing for your big day;

During Labour

  • Hospital paperwork – registration card/health record or similar
  • Medicare card and/or private health insurance company card
  • Birth plan
  • Cardboard/plastic folder to keep all your paperwork in (you’ll get given more when the baby is born)
  • A comfortable, loose fitting gown or T-shirt that you can wear through labour and give birth in. You should expect that this may get covered in the fluids from delivery
  • Warm socks – feet can get cold during labour
  • Flat slip-on shoes or slippers because you may be pacing the corridors.
  • Books/magazines will help you relax or pass the time
  • Candies to suck on
  • CD’s to play during the birth of your baby
  • Massage oil or lotion if you would like to be massaged during your labour
  • Face cloth / face spray
  • Snacks and drinks may help while you are in labour. Isotonic sports drinks are good to supply you glucose for energy that will keep you going
  • Hair band to keep your hair out of your face
  • Lip balm is needed because lips can get dry during labour
  • Phone card for public phones – mobile phones must often be switched off in hospital wards and there will often be a public phone by your bed
  • Phone cards and coins for making calls. Check with the hospital staff before using a mobile phone.
  • Laundry bag for dirty clothes

After Your Labour

  • Include in your labour bag a going-home outfit. It is much comfortable to have loose clothes to wear while you’re in hospital and for journey home. You can still wear maternity clothes when you come home because it will take a while for your tummy to go back to its pre-pregnancy state.
  • Feeding Bra/Vest
  • Breast pads
  • Nipple cream
  • Anica cream for any possible bruising
  • Lavender oil/Teetree oil (mix a few drops with some milk and put it in you bath, is very soothing on your stitches)
  • Native Birth Labour Healing Remedy
  • Spare underwear (lots of very cheap or disposable paper ones are best)
  • Maternity pads (have plenty you may go through a pack a day)
  • Wash bag: toothbrush, toothpaste, shower gel, shampoo and conditioner, deodorant.
  • Ear plugs, in case you’re placed on a noisy ward.
  • Snacks. You’ll probably be starving after labour and may not fancy what they have to offer. Healthy snacks is also a good idea (such as oatmeal cookies, dried fruit, etc.) to keep you going. Your birthing partner may also need it to keep them going through a long labour.

For Your Partner

  • Camera and/or video camera with batteries/charger to capture your baby’s first moments
  • Drinks and snacks for your partner.
  • Extra clothes for partner – they may get wet helping you in shower or bath
  • Books/magazines for you and your partner too

For Your Baby

  • An infant car seat. It is sometimes needed and some hospitals won’t let you leave by car without one.
  • Nappies
  • Going-home outfit for baby
  • Wipes (although for the first few weeks usually better just to use water so pack some cotton wool too)
  • Muslin Squares
  • Milk and Bottles if not breastfeeding
  • Nappy cream
  • Nappy bags
  • Hats (babies lose most of their heat through their head)
  • Baby blanket. Take one to provide heat to your baby if the weather is cold.
  • A pair of socks or booties.
  • Jacket or snow suit for winter babies.

Hospitals have different policies about what you are allowed to bring with you when you have your baby. Most women may want to take a few items from home such as your own blanket and pillows to make them feel at home and less clinical. However, you must check what the hospital offers and what you can include in your labour bag but always consider that hospitals can be short on space. You may have to store everything in a small cabinet by your bed once you’re on the post natal ward.