Hospital Transfer bag Checklist

published October 2019

If you are having a homebirth or an unassisted homebirth, you might be thinking, “Why do i need a hospital bag?”

Well, birth is always beautiful and unpredictable. You may decide you need to transfer, and it will save you stress at the time if you know you can just grab your bag and go, especially in a time sensitive transfer. 

Packing a hospital bag just in case you need to transfer during or after your homebirth is NOT planning for failure.

It is instead being wise and preparing for any outcome, even if it is definitely not your preferred outcome.

I admit with my first home birth I did not pack a bag, as I thought I could easily grab something last minute, or my hubby could grab it for me. Looking back, during transition, there was no way I would have known which of the multiple cute baby outfits I wanted to take! And hubby is great, but he would have wanted to be at my side the whole time, not grabbing the nappies I could have already packed.

The other benefit to an already packed bag is you can just live out of it if you don’t transfer, as all your favourite items will already be assembled!

You may wish to pack two separate bags, one for you and one for baby. You may also wish to pack a third bag for labour only. And perhaps your partner may like to pack a few things as well.

I advise not over-packing, otherwise you will be digging all day to find what you want.

I recommend packing for 1-3 nights stay. If you need to stay any longer, then your partner can absolutely bring more things for you.

For you 

• 3 comfortable breastfeeding shirts (or soft t-shirts for the two shirt method)

• 3 breastfeeding singlets or bras (wire-free)

• 1-3 comfortable trackies or pants (your tummy will shrink but not completely - you will still look about 3 months pregnant)

• 1x pj’s, nightie, old t-shirt or robe that allows for skin to skin and night feeds

• 3-6 pairs large dark coloured or old undies

• Adult diapers or maternity or overnight pads (enough for 3 days heavy bleeding, changing every 3-4 hours aprox 30 pads minimum)

• 1 nice top for pictures

• Warm socks

• Thongs or easy slip on shoes

• Slippers

• Nursing pads

• Nipple cream (doubles as nappy cream)

• Small makeup case with whatever you need to make you feel fresh eg mascara, wipes, BB foundation, deodorant, comb 

• lip balm

• Toothbrush and toothpaste

• Mobile phone charger

• Extra soft toilet paper roll

• Paracetamol for afterbirth pains or headaches

• Favourite herbs for after birth healing

Labour 

• Papers: Medicare card, birth plan etc

• Earphones or portable Bluetooth speaker

• Snacks 

• hydration such as coconut water, electrolyte water

• Water bottle

• Large t-shirt, nightie or robe

• Hair ties to keep your hair out of your face

• Plastic bag for dirty clothes

• Essential oil rollers

• Camera

For baby

• 6 long-sleeved onesies/grow-suits in both 0000 and 000 in case you have a bigger baby. 

• 2 short body suits (can be layered under the grow-suits)

• 2 jumpers/cardigans

• 3-6 pairs of socks

• 3 singlets

• 1 going home outfit/photo outfit

• 1 pack newborn size disposable nappies and a pack of wipes

• 2 swaddles/swaddle blankets

• 1 warm blanket

• 2 cotton receiving blankets/bunny rugs

• 2 burp cloths

• A couple of dual purpose muslin blankets (to use as breastfeeding covers, spare blankets etc)

• A dummy if you plan to use one

• Infant car seat pre-installed in your car by 37 weeks 

For your partner

• Board shorts to help you in the shower

• Change of clothes

• Mobile phone and other entertainment eg book, ipod

• Phone charger