Packing Your Hospital Bag (and Why You’ll Want a Separate Birth & Labour Bag)
- Hannah Elyce
- Sep 21, 2025
- 3 min read
As I creep closer to the end of my pregnancy, I’ve been busy getting my bags ready for the big day. One thing I’ve learned from reading, chatting with mums, and preparing myself is that it’s so helpful to pack two separate bags:
A Birth & Labour Bag – for things you’ll need during labour and birth.
A Hospital Bag – for everything you’ll need after baby arrives, while you’re recovering and soaking up those first precious days.
This makes it so much easier when you’re in the moment. Your support person can grab the right bag without digging through piles of clothes and toiletries when all you really need is your birth comb or a charger!
Check out my TikTok video discussing this: https://www.tiktok.com/@hannahelyce/video/7552145940384124168?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7548299820839273991
The Birth & Labour Bag
This is the smaller bag that comes with you into the birth suite or delivery room. It has all the things that will keep you comfortable, calm, and supported while you’re in labour. Here’s what I’ve packed:
TENS machine (hired or bought) – a game-changer for managing contractions naturally.
Slippers & Dressing gown – for comfort while moving around the room.
Toiletry bag – chances are you will have your first shower in the delivery room before you get moved into your overnight hospital room.
Printed out birth plan – so the midwives, doctors and support person know your wishes.
Loose fitting outfit – for changing into after a shower and labour if you’d like.
Birth combs – a simple but powerful tool for pain management.
Speaker – for your calming playlist, hypnobirthing tracks, or even just background music to help you focus.
Phone & charger (with a long cord) – for timing contractions, keeping in touch, and capturing those first moments.
Disposable underwear – handy for immediately after birth, as you will bleed from where you had your placenta removed.
Handheld electric fan – because labour gets sweaty, and a little breeze can feel like heaven.
I’ve created a full Birth and Labour Bag Checklist for Mum (see below 👇), which covers everything you may need while in the delivery room when you don't want to dig through your Hospital Bag for pain management tools.
✨ Download my full checklist here:
Along with your Birth and Labour Bag, you can also choose to pack a Snacks and Drink bag. For me personally, I decided to do this because I rely to fuel my body with food and electrolytes if I am going through labour for hours. What you decide to put in that bag is really up to you! But where are some ideas based on what I went with:
Savoury - crackers, chips, pretzels, nuts Sweet - mixed lollies, chocolate, muesli bars, fruit bars Drinks - Powerade/Gatorade, juice, soft drink
Tip: Use a cooler bag and add frozen ice bricks before going to the hospital. You can add frozen, collected Colostrum in there too to keep cold before midwives take it to store in a fridge.
The Hospital Bag
This bag is for your stay after baby is born. Depending on your hospital, you might be there for one night or up to five days, so it’s better to be prepared. Based in Western Australia - If you are giving birth publicly you can stay in hospital for 2 days, if you are going the private route, you can stay up to 5 days.
I’ve created a full Hospital Bag Checklist for Mum (see below 👇), which covers clothing, toiletries, postpartum essentials, and those little extras that make a hospital room feel more comfortable.
✨ Download my full checklist here:
Some of the key things you’ll want include:
Nursing-friendly clothes and pyjamas
Comfy disposable underwear and maternity pads
Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, moisturiser, etc.)
Snacks and a water bottle
Pillow, towel, and slippers
Postpartum care items like peri bottle, nipple balm, and breast pads
Check out my TikTok video of the breakdown:
Why Two Bags Work Best
Labour can be unpredictable, and the last thing you want is to feel overwhelmed digging through a giant suitcase. Keeping your labour essentials separate means your support person won’t have to ask, “Where’s the fan?” or “Which pocket is the TENS machine in?”
Then, once baby is here and you’re settled in your room, your hospital bag can be brought in with everything you’ll need for recovery and bonding.
Packing these bags has helped me feel more organised and less anxious as the big day gets closer. Hopefully, this helps you too!
💛 Have you packed your hospital bag yet? Are you going with one big bag or separating into two like I am?
Comments