Hospital bag checklist: pack for three people

Start with the things that cannot be guessed

Put your maternity notes or instructions for accessing them, birth preferences, and any medicines you take near the top. Ask your maternity team what you should bring and what the unit provides. Local arrangements differ, especially for feeding supplies and longer stays. Your maternity team includes the midwives and other professionals caring for you during pregnancy, birth and the early days afterwards.

The NHS suggests having the bag ready at least three weeks before your due date. Treat that as a useful planning reminder rather than a prediction of when your baby will arrive. If your team expects an earlier birth, ask them when to prepare.

Sources: NHS Best Start in Life, NHS Healthier Together

Make a small recovery kit

Include comfortable clothing, underwear, maternity pads, toiletries and something suitable for feeding if needed. Add your phone charger, a water bottle and a few snacks. An item you already own and find comfortable may be more useful than a new product bought just for hospital.

Organise small items in labelled pouches or separate bags if that helps. Tell your support person where the essentials are; you should not have to give directions to the toothbrush while concentrating on labour.

Sources: NHS Best Start in Life

Keep the baby section straightforward

Pack nappies, a few simple baby outfits, wiping supplies and muslins. Plan the journey home in advance. If travelling by car, have a suitable rear-facing infant seat fitted according to its instructions and practice using it before you need it.

Keep a first outfit together so it is easy to find. A separate spare bag at home can be useful for someone to bring later if needed. Check the weather close to the time instead of filling the main bag with every season's clothes.

Sources: NHS Best Start in Life, NHS

Give your support person their own list

Ask them to manage their own charger, food, spare clothes and any medicines. Agree who will contact family and whether you want messages during labour. Write down the maternity unit number, entrance information and travel plan where both of you can find them.

If you are going without a partner, these same jobs can be shared with a friend, relative or other support person. The roles matter more than the label. You can decide who is helpful and what you would prefer to keep private.

Finish with a last-minute card

Some items are still in everyday use: your phone, glasses, charger or medicines. Put a short ‘add before leaving’ card on top of the packed bag. Include where those items usually live so someone else can gather them.

Now do a five-minute rehearsal: find the notes, one outfit and the charger without unpacking everything. If that works, the bag has done its job. Recheck the list after using anything from it, then put it somewhere easy to reach.