Packing Your Hospital Bag: A Calm, Week-by-Week Guide

There's no single perfect hospital bag, and you don't need to buy everything new. The aim is simply to have what you'll want close to hand, so that when labour starts you can focus on yourself and your baby rather than hunting for socks. A good time to have your bag mostly ready is around 36 weeks, though babies arriving earlier is completely normal, so packing a little sooner does no harm.

For you in labour, think comfort and ease. A loose, dark nightie or old t-shirt you don't mind getting messy, flip-flops or slippers, lip balm, hair ties, and your own pillow if you'd like one (a coloured pillowcase helps it come home with you). Pack any maternity notes or a printout of your birth preferences, your phone and a long charging cable, and a few snacks and drinks for energy. A handheld fan and a water spray can be surprisingly welcome if you get hot.

For after the birth, pack two or three changes of comfortable clothes that don't dig in around your bump, several pairs of high-waisted dark cotton pants, and a packet of maternity pads (you'll bleed for a while, and these are kinder than normal pads). If you plan to breastfeed, a couple of soft nursing bras and breast pads are useful. Don't forget a toothbrush, toiletries and anything that makes you feel human, your own shower gel can lift the spirits enormously.

For your baby, the hospital usually provides nappies and some basics, but pack a few babygros (sleepsuits), vests, a hat, a cardigan, scratch mittens and a going-home outfit. Bring a couple of muslin cloths and, crucially, a correctly fitted car seat if you're travelling home by car, many units will check it's installed before you leave.

A quick word on your baby's skin and colour. In the first days, midwives will check your baby for jaundice (a yellowing that's very common and usually harmless). On brown and Black babies, yellowing can be hard to see in the skin, so it's checked in the whites of the eyes, the gums and the inside of the lips, and on the palms and soles. It's worth knowing this so you can ask your midwife to look in those places too if you have any worry, your instinct matters and you should never feel you're making a fuss.

Lastly, pack a small bag for your birth partner: snacks, a drink, a change of clothes and some change or a card for parking and the café. Labour can be long, and a partner who's fed and comfortable is far better company. Keep everything by the door, tell your partner where it is, and then let it sit there quietly until the day arrives.