Elara guides
Packing your hospital bag
What you'll actually use — and what you can leave at home.
Updated · Sources
Packing your hospital bag is one of those tasks that makes birth feel real. Aim to have it ready by around 36 weeks, in case your baby comes early. The trick is to pack for three moments — labour, your stay, and going home — without lugging a suitcase you'll never open.
For labour
- Your maternity notes and hospital paperwork.
- A comfy nightie or old t-shirt you don't mind getting messy.
- Lip balm, hair tie, and a phone charger with a long cable.
- Snacks and drinks for you and your birth partner.
- Anything for comfort — music, a pillow from home, massage oil.
For your stay
- Several pairs of dark, high-waisted cotton underwear and maternity pads (heavy flow).
- Comfortable, loose clothes and a dressing gown and slippers.
- Toiletries, and nipple cream if you plan to breastfeed.
- Nursing bras or comfortable bras and breast pads.
- Phone, charger, and a little cash or card for parking.
For the baby
- Bodysuits and sleepsuits in newborn and 0–3 month sizes.
- A hat, scratch mittens, and a cardigan or jacket.
- Nappies and cotton wool or sensitive wipes.
- A going-home outfit and a blanket.
- A properly fitted car seat (you usually can't leave without one).
Leave it at home
You won't need a full wardrobe, lots of toys, or valuables. Many hospitals provide some basics — check yours. Pack a separate small bag for your partner so they're not raiding yours. And keep the bag somewhere you can grab it one-handed at 3am.
Documents and practical items
- Maternity notes or pregnancy record, your birth plan and any hospital letters.
- ID, insurance or health card details if your country or hospital asks for them.
- A list of phone numbers: your maternity unit, birth partner and anyone you want told after the birth.
- Any medicines you take regularly, in their original packaging.
- Glasses or contact lens supplies, and a long phone charging cable or power bank.
A separate bag for your birth partner
Birth partners are often at the hospital for many hours. A small bag of their own keeps your bag uncluttered: a change of clothes, toiletries, snacks and drinks, a charger, some cash or a card for parking and vending machines, and anything that helps them stay calm, such as headphones.
Agree in advance who is responsible for the car seat, who calls the maternity unit when labour starts, and who will look after other children or pets. In Elara, partner mode and the weekly support ideas are a simple way to share this preparation over the last weeks rather than leaving it all to one person.
If you are planning a caesarean or a home birth
For a planned caesarean you are likely to stay longer than after a straightforward vaginal birth, so pack a few more changes of clothes. High-waisted underwear and loose trousers sit comfortably above a wound. Your team will tell you about fasting before the operation and what to bring on the day.
For a planned home birth, your midwife will explain what to have ready at home. It is still wise to pack a hospital bag in case you need to transfer.
When to leave for the hospital
Your maternity unit will tell you when to call and when to come in. In general, call them when contractions become regular and strong, if your waters break, or if you are worried. Call straight away if you have bleeding, if your baby’s movements change, or if you are in labour before 37 weeks.
Keep the bag by the door or in the car from 36 weeks, with the car seat already fitted, so leaving is one less thing to think about.
Common questions
When should I pack my hospital bag?
Aim to have it ready by around 36 weeks, because babies can arrive earlier than expected.
Do I need a car seat to leave hospital?
If you are travelling home by car, your baby needs a properly fitted rear-facing car seat. Practise fitting it before the due date.
How many baby clothes should I pack?
A few bodysuits and sleepsuits in newborn and 0–3 month sizes, a hat, a cardigan and a going-home outfit are usually enough for a short stay. Check your unit’s list for anything else.
Does my birth partner need their own bag?
It helps. Labour can be long, so a small bag with snacks, a change of clothes, a charger and money for parking keeps them comfortable and leaves your bag for your things.
Sources & editorial process
- NHS Best Start in Life — Hospital bag checklist
- NHS — Signs that labour has begun
- NHS — The stages of labour and birth
Written by the Elara editorial team from the sources above. This page has not been reviewed by an independent clinician. Read how we write and update health pages. Last updated .
Medical disclaimer: this page is general education, not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are worried about yourself or your baby, contact your midwife, doctor or maternity unit straight away. In an emergency call your local emergency number.