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Hospital Bag List
A note: This list is not to be seen as a "you must have all these items or you won't survive" type list. It is more a suggestion of things you may want to consider when packing. I recommend going through the list and just including what you feel necessary. Quantities are also just suggestions.Many don't want aromatherapy for example, or are planning a very short stay in hospital. It's purely a guide to help with the mental strain as it's quite daunting.
Check with your hospital for a list of what is supplied. Many provide little gowns for the baby and nappies for example as well as plenty of nice warm blankets and almost everything you need to care for baby during your stay.
Paperwork:
- Ante Natal Card
- Hospital Information
- Several copies of your birth plan (if applicable)
- Private Health Insurance details (if applicable)
- Cheque for Excess (if applicable)
- Medicare Card/Details
- GP's details
For Mum during the birth:
- Lip Balm - lips can become dry and chafed during labour from heavy breathing. This may offer some relief.
- Massage/Aromatherpay oils for during labour.
- Soothing Music of your choice for during labour, and CD player if hospital does not supply.
- Something comfortable to wear – I.e. a loose T-Shirt or nightie (something you don’t mind throwing out in case it gets ruined).
- Something to put on afterward
- Extra Pillows
- Beanbag if preferred (check with your birthing hospital)
- Lollies or lollipops to suck on.
- Watch with a 2nd hand or a stop watch to time contractions
- Hand Mirror if you want to watch the head crowning and baby being born (or speak to your birthing hospital about mirror availability).
- Something to wear in the bath if you’re shy
- Heat packs, massage tools etc. to help with pain relief or other items such as a TENS machine if you’ve hired one.
- Cool pack. Can be nice on the forehead and better than wet paper towels.
For Mum after the birth:
- 2 - 3 Nightie/Pyjamas
- Slippers/Socks
- Bathrobe
- 2 - 3 Nursing Bras & Tops
- 2 Boxes Breast Pads
- 8 x Underwear - It pays to have some old ones in the bag that can be thrown away in case of staining in the days after birth.
- Maternity Pads - At least 2 packets - your partner can always bring more if needed. (Some also prefer incontinence Pants - Not good post Caeser though)
- Toiletries - such as toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, hairbrush, hair bands, make up, deodorant, Liquid Soap, Moisteriser, Lanisoh.(Nipple Cream), Hairdryer (wonderful for drying yourself completely and gently.
- Eye Glasses/Contact Lenses - if worn.
- Face Washers
- Towel
- Day clothes - bear in mind that you will be sore so loose fitting clothes are the suggestion.
- A roll or 2 of your own SOFT toilet paper - You are bound to be tender and don't want to be using something hard and scratchy! Or Some prefer Flushable Wipes.
- Water bottle with a pop top squeezy lid to clean your bits in the shower
- Breast Pump - in case there is a need to express. The hospital should have these, but some women prefer certain brands and may prefer to use their own.
- Plastic bags for dirty clothes.
- Tissues.
- Metamucil & Ural.
- Multivitamins and any other medications you may need.
For Partner:
- Snacks for during and after labour - It can be a long time between meals for Dad so pack some snacks that he can nibble on whilst you are in labour.
- Panadol - some Dad's suffer from stress and tension headaches when watching their partners in pain and often hospitals won't give medication to fathers so it can be handy to have some in your bag.
- Money for pay phone - or a charged mobile phone to make birth announcement calls.
- Swimmers in case he wants to join you in the shower or bath
- Change of clothes in case you're there a while and he wants to get cleaned up
Extra's:
- Address Book
- Video Camera, extra tapes and charger
- Normal camera with extra batteries or charger
- Snacks for when you are back on the ward.
- MP3 player or equivalent
- Journal/Notepad - to keep notes of the things you may forget in the haste of everything.
- Magazines and books - for reading when baby is sleeping (if you are not!)
- Wallet - if wanting to purchase from snack trollies, canteens, or Pay for the use of TV or telephone. Be careful about leaving money in your room when unattended, or simply make sure hubby has money with him each time he comes!
- Pen for filling out paperwork, and Thankyous if you feel up to it.
- Mobile phone and charger (if allowed)
- Your own Pillow/Doona.
- Box of Chocolates and thankyou Pressies for Midwifes.
- Sports drink for during the birth
For Baby:
- 4 stretchsuits
- 4 singlets
- 4 pairs socks/booties
- 4 cardigans (depending on season)
- 1 cellular blanket (for going home)
- Scratch mittens
- Nappies & Wipes (some hospitals provide them, discuss this with your hospital before you give birth.)
- Cotton Wool
- Going Home Outfit
- Bunny Rugs
- Toiletries - Baby Bath stuff. Baby Shampoo. Baby brush and comb. Massage Oil.
- If bottle feeding, check if you need to supply your own bottles and formula.
- Nail scissors for baby
- Warm hat
Car:
- A correctly fitted Australian Standards Approved Car Restraint
