Packing for Labour

Home » My Kids » Birth Options » Packing for Labour

Packing for Labour Packing your hospital bag can be a fun experience. Like packing for a holiday, you want to be sure that you are selecting appropriate attire for the...

Packing your hospital bag can be a fun experience. Like packing for a holiday, you want to be sure that you are selecting appropriate attire for the situation. However, instead of wondering whether it is going to be sunny or rainy on your vacation, you will be wondering whether you have packed enough pads, whether your robe is suitable for breastfeeding and whether you remembered the nipple cream.

Below are some of the things you may want to consider adding to your hospital bag:

Your antenatal card or ‘blue’ book
Medicare and private health care card
Birthing plan
Lip Balm
Hair bands
Water bottle
Phone and charger
Camera and charger
Video camera
Facewash
Gatorade
Snack food
Thongs
CD or iPod
Heat pack and ice blocks
Socks
Baggy shirts/singlets to give birth in unless you want to wear the hospital gowns
Breath mints
Stress balls
Massage oil
Spare change for the vending machine

After Labour Items

The hard work is done – you have had your baby – congratulations!!!!. But most hospitals will not allow you to pack up and head home straight away. And, in most instances, you won’t want to. So make recovery as comfortable as possible with these comforts:

Mini shampoo/conditioner and shower puff
Towels (All hospitals provide towels, but if you want an extra fluffy one etc)
Comfortable clothes – pyjama pants/ sweat pants/ shirts that button up. You may also want to pack a nicer shirt if you want to get some family photos done
A good book
A pen
Your own pillow
Moisturiser
Maternity pads (pack at least two full boxes)
Comfortable underwear (make sure they are roomy and dark coloured)
Ear plugs
Hairbrush
Maternity bra x 2
Snacks– hospital food can get a little stale after the first bite
Dressing gown
Slippers
Nursing pads
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Makeup
Deodorant
Plastic bags for dirty clothes
Lanisol or other breastfeeding nipple cream