What to pack in your hospital bag: Our comprehensive list of everything you may need for the birth of your baby via C-Section.
We've taken the guesswork out of packing your hospital bag
First, a couple small tips when packing your hospital bag.
Don't under-pack: IMO packing not enough is worse than having a little too much, so don't let this list scare you by thinking it's too much. Take one look at my house; you'll know I'm a minimalist at heart, but I don't recommend practising minimalism when packing your hospital bag. From personal experience of both regrets, regretting not bringing it will sting more than regretting bringing it.
Pack two bags: I hear you; it sounds OTT. But hear me out; riffling through your shower stuff and all your clothes to find a little baby beanie is not what you want to be doing. Nor do you want to be going through it all when you really need your chapstick in in the middle of the night, and you need it LIKE RIGHT NOW!
Add, remove, and you do you: Some of this will be preference-based, and you may not want it all. Though the products that are intended for comfort, we recommend not skipping them. Something that brings you even the slightest additional comfort in postpartum is worth its weight in gold and more! You won't regret prioritising yourself!
Bag One: Parent's Ward Bag
- Birth plan
- Glasses - if you wear them, you won't be able to wear contacts during the birth
- Peppermints - can help soothe the pain of trapped wind which you may have from the surgery
- Hair ties
- Bobby pins, clips or a headband - to keep hair off your face
- Hairbrush
- Chapstick or Pawpaw cream – your lips tend to get very dry in hospital
- Long phone charger – one for you and your partner if you have different phones
- Thongs – for the shower and to easily slip on an off around the hospital
- Paracetamol and Ibuprofen - for your birthing partner
- Entertainment for the hours before baby is born & once on the ward - charged iPad or tablet/word puzzles/card games/magazines
- Slippers
- Dressing gown
- 3 - 4 packs of Disposable underwear for post-partum bleeding or;
- 7 x High waisted underwear + 3 packs of maternity pads
- 5x Button front nighties OR 4x nursing singlets and 5x pyjama pants – it might seem excessive, but you’ll likely leak breastmilk on shirts and bleed on pants and they don’t have washing facilities
- Shampoo & conditioner
- Body wash - something with low or no scent
- Outfit to go home in
- Gel breast icepacks
- Nipple cream
- Breast pads
- Nipple shield (preferential)
- Silverettes
- 3x Maternity bras
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Headphones
- Roll on deodorant
- TENS Machine (if you plan to use one for pain after surgery, though this is not necessary as you will be given pain meds)
Baby on the Ward:
- Small pack of newborn nappies
- 1x Pack of wipes
- 2x Dummies - if using
- 2x Blanket
- 3x Newborn swaddles
- 5x Baby onesies
- 2x Baby beanies
- 5x Baby singlet onesies
- Expressed colostrum
- Birth announcement items
- Hospital bag organisers
Okay, I warned you it was going to be extended. Some of this might not apply to you and is more of a 'nice to have', but if you hope to go in prepared and not have to send anyone home for anything, this list should help.
Something we have forgotten? Let us know, and we'll add it!
We recommend packing your bag around the 36-week mark unless you feel that you may go earlier.
