Hospital Bag Checklist: What Should You Pack for Labour?

Our expert, fitness midwife Ivonne Teufl, is here to guide you on what to pack in your hospital bag for labour – and what you can safely leave at home. This hospital bag checklist is divided into three parts. The first helps you prepare your bag for the birth itself, the second lists useful items for your stay on the postnatal ward, and the final section covers what you really don’t need to bring.

What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag for Labour

• Washable slippers or disposable slip-ons for you and your birth partner.
• Headphones (ideally wireless) and a 4-hour playlist of relaxing music.
• Earplugs are incredibly useful if another birth is happening nearby while yours is just starting or being induced. Sometimes you'll be in a room with other mums and babies even before yours arrives. Quiet helps you relax and stay calm.
• A comfy dress or oversized old T-shirt will serve you well – hospital gowns are usually thick cotton and not ideal for labour.
• Wool socks – warm feet can actually help support contractions.
• A sports water bottle so you can easily drink even while lying down.
• A sports drink with electrolytes – birth is like a marathon! You lose minerals, salts and sugars, and staying fuelled helps you maintain energy during contractions.
• Dextrose tablets provide quick energy and are easy on the stomach.
• Snacks like granola bars, juice, bananas or cola – ideal for your partner during labour and for you just after birth, so you don’t have to wait hours for the next meal on the ward.
• Massage oils for lower back or sacrum massage.
• A small nursing pillow – useful during labour for leg support, and later for breastfeeding on the ward.
• Hair ties – loose hair during labour is as impractical as during a workout.
• A light dressing gown – perfect for walking to check-ups or when you just feel chilly.
• A wool baby blanket that you’ve already kept in your bed during pregnancy so it carries your scent. After your baby is weighed, they can be wrapped in this familiar-smelling blanket.
• Comfortable, lightweight clothing for your partner – they’ll thank you, as delivery rooms are usually kept very warm.
• Documents for the birth: Passport or ID, health insurance card, maternity notes (Mother-Child Passport), referral from your gynaecologist if you have one, and any allergy ID if needed.
• Documents to register your baby’s birth: Your birth certificate, paternity declaration (if not married), marriage certificate, and family record book (Germany).

What to Pack for the First Days on the Postnatal Ward

In the first few days after giving birth, your body needs time to rest and recover. You’ll also be getting to know your new little one – bonding, feeding and adjusting to life together. Here are some helpful tips on what to bring to make this special time more comfortable for you both.

• Healthy snacks and a few treats.
• 2 pairs of comfortable leggings or loose-fitting trousers – your maternity bottoms work perfectly here.
• 1 nursing bra. Tip: Buy it in your third trimester, one cup size larger. Make sure it’s underwire-free and doesn’t dig in. Nursing tops can be a comfier option, especially for mums with a smaller bust.
• 2–3 cotton knickers – go for a bigger size so they don’t feel restrictive.
• Rose-tea tree hydrosol for your perineal area. This cooling spray supports healing and can be applied after using the toilet.
• Silver or tin nursing cups – antibacterial and soothing for sore nipples. Just pop them inside your bra.
• Iron-rich juice like Kräuterblut or fortified orange juice.
• Nursing tea – I personally recommend Weleda.
• Natural toiletries like shower gel, shampoo, and deodorant free from perfume and harsh chemicals.
• Hairbrush and toothbrush
• 1 set of baby clothes in size 50 and size 56: long-sleeved bodysuit, sleepsuit, socks, soft hat, and a wool fleece overall (depending on the season).
• A baby car seat for going home. My tip: Install it in advance so you're not stressed when it’s time to leave the hospital.
• A sheepskin liner for the car seat – great in both winter and summer. It regulates temperature and helps reduce sweating.
• Camera – to capture those first precious memories.

What You Can Leave at Home

Many mums aren’t sure which items are already provided at the hospital. Here's what you can safely leave at home – these are usually available in the maternity ward:

• Dummies (soothers)
• Maternity pads
• Disposable nappies
• Muslin cloths
• Pram or pushchair
• Baby wraps/slings
• Towels
• Breast pads
• Nightdresses
• Mesh underwear

I hope you now feel well-prepared for your birth, and I’d love to meet you in one of my online courses. Wishing you a beautiful and empowering birth experience!

Download your hospital bag checklist here! (currently only available in German)

With love, Your Ivonne