Third TrimesterApril 2026

What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag: The Complete UK Guide

DueDate.Baby Team

UK Pregnancy Experts

Most midwives will tell you the same thing: have your hospital bag packed and ready by 36 weeks. Babies don't always wait for the due date, and the last thing you want at 3am is to be hunting for your maternity notes while timing contractions.

This guide covers everything you need — for you, your birth partner, and your baby — along with a few things that often get forgotten and a handful that aren't worth the bag space.

Quick Answer

Midwives recommend packing your hospital bags by 36 weeks of pregnancy. It is best to pack two separate bags: one for labour and delivery (containing your maternity notes, birth plan, loose clothing, and energy snacks) and one for the postnatal ward stay (containing fresh clothing, maternity/breast pads, toiletries, and baby essentials like newborn nappies and sleepsuits).

Before you start packing

A few things worth knowing before you throw everything into a bag:

You'll likely need two bags, not one. Labour and delivery has different requirements from the postnatal ward, and having them separate means your birth partner can find things quickly when it counts.

Check your hospital's guidance. Most NHS trusts publish a recommended list on their website, and some have specific rules (some limit the number of bags, others restrict certain items in certain wards). Your midwife will be able to tell you what applies locally.

Think about your birth preferences. If you're planning a water birth, a home birth, or an elective caesarean, some of the items on this list will be more or less relevant — there are notes throughout.

Bag 1: For labour and delivery

This is the bag that goes with you into the room. Keep it light and accessible.

Your documents

Maternity notes — the single most important thing. Keep them in an easy-to-find pocket, ideally in a dedicated maternity notes wallet so they stay flat and don't get crumpled. NHS staff will want these immediately on arrival.
Your birth preferences / birth plan — bring a few printed copies if you have one. Midwives change shifts; having copies means you don't have to explain your preferences from scratch each time.
A form of ID and your NHS number

Clothing for labour

A comfortable, loose nightgown or labour gown — you'll want something you don't mind getting messy, with easy access for monitoring straps and examinations. Dark colours are practical. Some people prefer a specific labour gown; others just use an old t-shirt.
Warm socks — hospital floors are cold and you may be up and moving around during labour. Grip socks are particularly useful.
A dressing gown or lightweight robe — for moving between rooms and staying warm during the early stages.
A supportive, comfortable bra — not an underwired one. If you're planning to breastfeed, a soft nursing bra is ideal from the start.

Pain relief and comfort

TENS machine — if you're planning to use one, bring it charged and with fresh batteries. TENS is most effective in early labour, so you want to be able to start using it at home and bring it with you. Hospitals don't supply these.
A small handheld fan — hospitals are warm and labour is physical. This is one of the most consistently recommended items by mothers who've done it before.
A water spray bottle — for keeping cool between contractions.
A tens electrode gel — needed if you're using a TENS machine for extended periods.
Lip balm — gas and air (Entonox) dries your lips quickly. Worth having within reach.
A small snack bag — energy-dense snacks for you and your birth partner. Cereal bars, dried fruit, nuts, and energy chews are all good options. Labour can take a long time.

Practical items

Phone and charger (long cable) — hospital plug sockets are rarely where you'd like them to be.
A portable phone charger / power bank — a backup for if the socket situation is difficult.
Headphones — for music, hypnobirthing audio, or simply to block out noise if you're in a shared space.
A small bluetooth speaker — if you'd rather fill the room with sound than use headphones.
Hair ties / clips — to keep hair off your face.
Something to read or watch — early labour can involve a lot of waiting. A tablet loaded with a series, or a downloaded podcast, is worth having.

For your birth partner

A change of clothes — they may be there for many hours, possibly overnight.
Their own snacks and a water bottle — hospital cafeterias close.
Cash — for the car park, the vending machine, or anything else that doesn't take card.
A phone charger — they'll be taking photos.
A pillow or travel pillow — for resting in the chair during a long labour.

Bag 2: For the postnatal ward

This bag can stay in the car or with a family member until you're transferred from delivery.

Clothing for after the birth

2–3 nightgowns or pyjama sets — front-opening or button-front if you're breastfeeding. Dark colours or patterns are practical. You'll want to feel clean and comfortable, not like you're in a hospital gown if you can help it.
A lightweight dressing gown — for getting up to the bathroom and moving around the ward.
Comfortable underwear (3–4 pairs) — high-waisted, soft, and ones you don't mind retiring. Many people buy disposable maternity briefs for the first few days; others find these uncomfortable and prefer big, soft cotton pants instead. Both are worth having.
Supportive nursing bra (2 pairs) — if you're planning to breastfeed. Fitted but not tight, no underwire.
Comfortable shoes or slippers — for moving around the ward. Flip-flops are useful for shared bathrooms.

Postnatal essentials

Maternity pads — you'll need more than you think. Heavy-duty maternity pads (not regular sanitary pads) for the first few days, then you can transition to lighter options. Bring at least 2 full packs. Midwives recommend avoiding anything with a plastic backing as these can cause irritation.
Breast pads — your milk will come in while you're on the ward, usually between days 2–4. Bring disposable ones for the hospital; you can switch to washable ones at home.
Nipple cream — if you're planning to breastfeed, applying lanolin-based nipple cream from the first feed can prevent soreness becoming a problem.
Toiletries — keep it simple. Travel-sized shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, face wipes, dry shampoo. A shower after labour is one of life's genuine pleasures — make it easy.
Maternity compression socks — swelling in the legs and feet is common after birth and particularly after a caesarean. NHS staff may provide these for a c-section, but it's worth having your own.

Baby's bag (within your postnatal bag)

Hospitals provide basics like nappies in the immediate period, but you'll want your own for your time on the ward and for the journey home.

Newborn nappies — a small pack (around 12–20 nappies). Don't buy in bulk at newborn size beforehand; many babies skip straight past them.
Newborn sleepsuits (3–4) — all-in-ones with poppers, easy to get on and off. Envelope necks are useful for nappy changes gone wrong.
Newborn vests / bodysuits (3–4) — as a layer underneath sleepsuits.
A warm layer — a lightweight baby hat and a swaddle blanket or cellular blanket. The hospital may provide a hat, but it's better to have your own.
A coming-home outfit — if you want one. This is entirely optional and purely for the photos, which is a completely valid reason.
Nappy bags — small scented bags for disposing of nappies on the ward.

For the journey home

A car seat — you cannot leave the hospital without one. It must be correctly installed before you go, so get this sorted well before your due date. If you're not sure how to install it, your local fire station will often check it for free.

For a planned caesarean

Everything above still applies, with a few additions and adjustments:

High-waisted underwear — to sit above your scar rather than on it. This is important for comfort in the days after.
Loose, wide-leg trousers or a skirt — for going home in. Anything with a waistband that sits on your scar will be uncomfortable.
Extra maternity pads — bleeding tends to be heavier after a c-section.
A pillow for the car journey home — to hold against your abdomen over the seatbelt.
Easy-to-open snacks — reaching and bending is difficult in the first few days.

What you probably don't need to pack

A few commonly suggested items that most UK parents find unnecessary:

A birthing ball — some hospitals have their own; it's worth asking rather than hauling one in.
Arnica tablets — there's limited evidence for these and some NHS midwives advise against them in the immediate postnatal period. Ask your midwife if you're considering them.
Candles or oil diffusers — most hospitals don't allow open flames or strong scents in clinical areas.
A full make-up bag — a tinted moisturiser, mascara, and lip balm will cover everything you actually want for photos. Save the bag space.
Every size of baby clothing — babies grow quickly and you'll get supplies to you. Just bring newborn and 0–3 months.

A note on timing

Week 28: Start gathering items and making a list of what you still need to buy.

Week 32: Most items should be purchased. Begin assembling the bags.

Week 36: Both bags should be fully packed and by the door. Your maternity notes should live permanently in your hospital bag from this point.

If you go into labour before 37 weeks (preterm), call your maternity unit immediately rather than worrying about the bag — they will have what you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I have my hospital bag packed?

You should aim to have your hospital bags fully packed and ready by 36 weeks of pregnancy, just in case your labour begins earlier than expected.

Does the NHS provide nappies and formula?

NHS hospitals generally expect you to bring your own newborn nappies, baby wipes, and baby clothes. If you are planning to formula feed, you will need to bring ready-to-use formula cartons and sterile teats, as hospitals do not normally supply these.

What should I pack if I am having a planned C-section?

In addition to the standard items, you should pack extremely high-waisted underwear that sits well above your c-section incision, very loose clothing for going home, and a small pillow to protect your stomach from the seatbelt on the drive home.

Your NHS midwife is your best resource

This guide is designed to give you a thorough starting point, but your midwife knows your individual circumstances, your hospital, and your birth preferences. Use this list as a framework and adjust based on their guidance. If anything on this list conflicts with advice you've received from your maternity team, follow their advice.