First published 1 March 2020. Updated 25 October 2024.
Early in the third trimester is a great time to get your hospital bag packed ready for when you need to go to hospital in labour.
Here is our Essential Maternity Bag Checklist:
St John of God Mt Lawley Hospital Director of Nursing and Midwifery Emma Cook says when you are approximately 30 to 34 weeks you should start putting some of the most important items in your bag.
“The number one thing for mums is to have their antenatal notes in their bag so all the midwives involved have the most up-to-date information,” she says.
“The number one item for baby is to pack a beanie to help them maintain their body temperature in the first 24 hours after being born.”
Emma says mums (and dads if they are staying overnight) should pack to stay at hospital for three to four days.
What to pack for mum
- Comfortable clothes to enable breastfeeding
- Pyjamas
- Slippers
- Your own pillow, if you'd prefer
- Two or more maternity bras
- One box of nursing pads
- Two packs of maternity sanitary pads
- Large, comfortable underpants
- Personal toiletries
- Comfortable clothes to wear home
- Comforts for labour such as a music playlist, essential oils, massage oil, a fit ball (if not using a hospital-supplied ball), TENS machine (if it's part of your birth plan)
“If dads are staying overnight they should also bring toiletries, pyjamas and clothes for hospital and a buttoned shirt to enable skin to skin contact with their baby,” Emma says.
What to pack for baby
- Three beanies
- Five singlets (the hospital may also supply singlets during your stay)
- Five grow suits for hospital and for going home
- Three baby wraps, and one for going home. The hospital supplies wraps during your stay
- Two packs of disposable nappies
“Always remember the golden rule for dressing your baby: consider what you are wearing and then add another layer for baby,” Emma says.
