What to take to hospital Heather Welford Make sure you've got the right things in your hospital bag. Your maternity unit may have a list of items they ask you to bring, but here are our suggestions as well.

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When to pack?

Labour bag

Hospital bag

Ideally, you should get your hospital bag ready with all your essentials about two weeks before your due date. If you're having a home birth, put all the things you think you'll need in one place.

It can be useful to have two bags: one for labour and one for your hospital stay afterwards.

Include:

• A clean T-shirt or front-opening nightie, dressing gown and slippers
• Drinks and snacks for you and whoever's going to be with you
• A straw, which will make sipping liquids easier
• A small facial sponge, for dabbing and sucking on
• Body oil, fine talcum powder or lotion for back rubs
• Music CDs and a battery-operated player
• Hairbrush, soap, towel and flannel, toothbrush and paste, and any other toiletries you want
• Maternity pads (night-time sanitary pads will do) and spare pants

Keep a water spray in the fridge until you leave for hospital. It's great for gentle cool-downs during labour.

You might also want to take a camera or camcorder. Check with the hospital first, as some units don't allow filming.

Include:

• A front-opening nightie (easier for breastfeeding)
• Comfy clothes (such as a tracksuit and T-shirts)
• Sandals or easy-fitting footwear
• Knickers and maternity pads for heavy bleeding after birth
• Nursing bras (at least two, as you can get sweaty in hospital and if your milk comes early your bra may get wet)
• Towels (take one or two - your partner can bring in extras if you're required to stay longer)
• Toiletries and cosmetics
• Breast pads (to absorb leaks of colostrum and milk)
• Magazines and books
• Writing materials
• Personal music player/radio and headphones
• Biscuits and snacks
• Favourite tea bags
• Fruit juice/mineral water
• Baby clothes
• Nappies for your new baby

Remember, you'll need clothing for you and your baby to travel home in, although someone can bring that in once you've had your baby.

A few maternity units ask you to bring in your own sterilising and bottlefeeding gear, including formula milk, if you're not breastfeeding.

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