What's In My Hospital Bag? - Heels In My Backpack

Yes sir, you are correct, I am a pregnant blogger cliché right now. But after documenting my pregnancy on this here blog, I thought it was only right to throw in my 2 cents on the massively-over-written-about topic of what I’m packing in my hospital bag when I’m off to give birth.

It’s just one of those things. Before you’re pregnant you literally couldn’t care less about posts like this. I get it.

But once you’re up the duff and planning your own getaway to the local labour ward, you MUST READ ALL THE PACKING LISTS. Because there are like 19,387 blog posts about this very topic and they all contradict each other and some of them are vague on quantities and what am I even meant to pack?

Plus, my memory is shot now I’m in my thirties so writing it all down here will likely help me out in the future should I find myself in the family way once again.

Oh and before I start – big up to the guys and gals that gave me their recommendations on Instagram! I’ve used a lot of your tips and you’re just swell.

So yes, hospital bags. Let’s do this.

What’s In My Hospital Bag?

The term hospital bag is used kinda fast and loose, as really it’s multiple bags. One for mama, one for baby, one for the birth partner and possibly another bag in the boot of the car with extra stuff you likely won’t use. But it’s good to be prepared.

Mum’s Bag

I’ve read a lot of things that actually talk about taking two bags for mum – one for labour and one for afterwards. But instead I’ve packed my mini Radley suitcase which has two separate halves. I’m thinking that will do and will keep things organised.

Here’s what’s in the labour half:

1 x maternity notes and 2 x print outs of birth plan (in case of midwife shift change)
1 x lightweight silky dressing gown in a dark floral pattern (in case of stains/leaks/other horrors I don’t know about yet)
1 x nightie to give birth in (comfy and oversized)
1 x nightie to change into after (with buttons for breastfeeding easy access)
1 x pair of slippers
1 x pair of slipper socks
1 x eye mask (I got this one off of Amazon)
1 x lavender sleep spray (to help relax me)
6 x LED tea lights (mine are from IKEA)
1 x headband, 2 x hair bands and 4 x kirby grips (get all the hair off my face)
1 x tub of Vaseline (apparently gas and air dries out your lips)
1 x Magicool mist spray (to cool me down)
1 x TENS Machine for pain relief (Instead of buying one, I hired one from Babycare TENS for 6 weeks for around £25)
Various snacks of the slow-releasing energy variety (I’ve gone with Belvita blueberry soft bakes, flapjack bars & dried apricots so far, but may add lucozade and jelly sweets to the mix)

I’ll also take my own pillow from home, but obvs not packed in the bag. Josh will have to carry that along with everything else. Like Buckaroo.

Here’s what’s in the other half for after the birth:

24 x maternity pads (I’ve consulted multiple sources and decided this should be enough. But I have more at home. A pal also told me to put them in the freezer which I think will be genius.)
3 x giant full-brief knickers (seriously giant, I bought these ones off of Amazon)
4 x incontinence disposable pants (apparently they’re comfier to wear post-birth, have less leaks and can be used with a maternity pad as well…)
1 x nursing bra (my most comfiest one from Jojo Maman Bebe)
2 x nursing vests (I got this 2 pack from H&M)
1 x maternity joggers (they’re my comfiest bottoms, also H&M)
1 x normal pair of socks
8 x breast pads (there’s contradictory information online regarding whether you actually need them as your milk doesn’t come in straight away, so I’m just packing a few in case)
1 x nipple cream
2 x mini packs of tissues
1 x travel-sized Tresemme shampoo
1 x travel-sized Tresemme conditioner
1 x travel-sized Superdrug shower gel
1 x travel-sized Batiste dry shampoo
1 x travel-sized Garnier miscellar water and 4 x make-up pads
1 x Mitchum roll on deodorant
1 x moisturiser (my fave Vitamin E one from The Body Shop)
1 x toothbrush and 1 x toothpaste
1 x pair of flip flops for the showers
1 x hair brush
1 x Spritz for Bitz postnatal relief spray (a couple of people recommended it for post-birth healing)
Minimal make up bag: 1 x eye brow pencil, 1 x mascara, 1 x Carmex lip balm

Ok, I think that’s it. Surely that’s enough but I’m thinking that if I need more clothes, Josh can pop home and get them for me.

Baby’s Bag

Ok, baby stuff. This one was actually a lot easier to pack as most internet sources are in agreement on what you should take.

I did umm and ahh over whether I should bring something warmer as baby girl will be born in January… But the thing is, you can’t put them in a car seat with a snowsuit on (safety issues), so I’ve gone for layers instead. I think that should be enough.

Here’s what I’ve packed for baby’s hospital bag:

24 x pack of Boots nappies in size 1 newborn (I literally have all brands at home but this was the smallest pack I had)
1 x sandwich bag full of cotton wool balls (will use instead of wipes at first)
1 x Johnson’s extra sensitive baby wipes
1 x mini Sudocrem (I’m sure I won’t need it this early but it’s small so just in case)
3 x short sleeved bodysuits (this pack from Next)
3 x sleepsuits (with the attached feet and mitts so I don’t need any extra) – (links here for the animal one and t he grey one pictured)
1 x cotton hat for post-birth (I’ve been told it gets mucky so just a cheap Tesco one)
1 x knitted hat for leaving the hospital in (knitted by my nan)
1 x knitted cardigan for leaving the hospital in (this one from M&S)
2 x muslins (from this Mothercare pack)
1 x swaddle (I got this one from the Gro Company)
1 x blanket for the car seat (over the straps) – (also knitted by my nan!)
1 x extra cellular blanket just in case (threw it in at the last minute)

Hopefully that’s enough, but again if I need more Josh can fetch it. I only live 10 minutes from the hospital so it’s easily done.

Birth Partner’s Bag

Who knew the birth partner needed a bag too, huh? But when you think about it, it makes sense. Baby daddy is going to need stuff too.

I’ve left this one down to Josh to pack, I mean it’s his bag after all. But here’s the brief I’ve given him!

A change of clothes (we don’t know how long we’ll be there, but chances are he’ll want to change clothes at some point)
Basic toiletries (toothbrush, deodorant, etc)
A portable speaker (for the birth playlist he’s made)
His own snacks (because I don’t want him eating all mine!)
His own pillow (in case we’re in overnight)

There you have it, everything I’ve packed for my trip to the local labour ward!

Mamas, hit me up – is there anything I haven’t mentioned that you think I should be taking?

Let me know in the comments below or head over to my Twitter and Instagram pages for regular updates on my pregnancy, my travels and life in general.