My hospital birth bag checklist – what I prepped, packed (and actually used) for my second twin delivery

Getting prepared for birth

Once you get home after birth, you’ll need to focus on sleep, and rest – as well as taking care of your little one(s). Truth be told, I didn’t have much energy for anything else.

This is why it’s good to prepare for things that could feel challenging to do after giving birth.

I had a look at the NHS recommendations, and their official advice is that preparations you make – whether that’s preparing for when you return from the hospital or preparing to arrive at the hospital – should be in place three weeks before your due date.

Good to know – but perhaps not always realistic, especially if we’re feeling at a loss with where to start.

Start by stocking up

It can be a good idea to prepare some frozen meals so that you don’t even have to think about cooking. This is especially handy if you’ve already got older kiddos, like I do.

I also stocked up on things like paper towels, sanitary pads, nappies and large comfy knickers – the latter being an absolute non-negotiable for me, especially since I was going to be having my second c-section.

Restocking looks different for everyone, but these are the essentials that you absolutely won’t want to run low on, post-delivery.

Top tip – keep any stocked items separate from the ones you intend to use for your birth bag, to make sure that you have enough for when you are at home.

Prep your transport

If you have arranged for someone else to take you to the hospital for your delivery, arranging an alternative transport method, like having a taxi app on standby, can be a good idea.

This wasn’t so relevant for me this time round as I was being induced – all I had to do was show up at the ward on a Tuesday morning and wait – but as we know, due dates are a rough estimate, so you may go into labour at a time when your intended driver is unavailable.

I’ve also heard that having a night and day plan in place can really help, especially if you plan to take public transport, as travel options can differ.

My hospital birth bag checklist

This time around, I packed my birth bag the weekend before I was due to go in.

Here’s the hospital birth bag checklist that I used, and the go-to items that I actually needed, for my recent twin delivery.

Top tip – Your birth bag (like your birth plan) will be unique to you, so take things with a pinch of salt and take as much inspiration as you need.

My birth bag

My hospital birth bag was fairly streamlined this time round, having given birth twice already, but it is still a good idea to pack thoroughly.

This is what I brought:

• My birth plan – plus hospital notes
• An overnight bag – think hairbrush, toothbrush and toothpaste, hairbands, soap, lip balm, deodorant and any other toiletries and self-care products that I know made me feel good
• Comfortable underwear – six or more pairs, including some disposable. My go-tos were the Heal Postpartum Panties from Mommy Matters
• Extra absorbent sanitary or maternity pads – two or more packs should do
• Comfy, loose-fitting clothing – I brought two changes with me
• Bras – including supportive bras, and nursing bras as I wanted to breastfeed from the get-go
• Nipple pads – I loved the Bamboo Reusable Breast Pads by Wren
• A milk collector – I used the Wren Nipple Bubble 
• Nipple balm and perineal spray – the Wren Go-To Balm and the SOOTHE Perineal Spray from Mommy Matters, in my case
• A dressing gown and slippers – useful for walking around the hospital in, plus front opening gowns are good for breastfeeding
• Snacks and drinks – Lucozade Sport is my fave for labour
• My medications and supplements – I packed my Wild Nutrition Pregnancy and New Mother Biotic and Breastfeeding Support supplements
• My laptop and phone – good for helping pass the time, especially when I was waiting to be induced

My twin birth bag checklist

For the twins, I used the Storksak Cabin Carry On Scuba Bag – I’ve seen it described as the ‘mother’ of all hospital bags, and that’s truly for good reason.

I packed:

• Nappies – however many you are thinking, double it, especially for twins
• Car seats – regardless of the way you intend to travel, this will be necessary to leave the hospital 
• Muslin squares or bibs
• Bodysuits and sleepsuits – these came in handy for our stay in the hospital 
• Warm outfits to go home in
• Hats
• Scratch mittens
• Socks – booties work too
• A blanket each 
• Dummies – or pacifiers, I took in a pack of the nanobébé Flexy Soothers, designed for 0-3 months

Top tip – Do also pack any colostrum syringes, if you’ve been harvesting. This is something I wish I had been successful at, as it would have been really helpful when the twins had to stay in NICU briefly.  

My birth partner’s bag

You may have arranged to have a support system around you during labour, such as your partner, a friend or a relative.

My husband came with me, and he brought:

• A battery pack – for handy charging and getting in touch with family and friends
• Toiletries – if your birth partner is allowed to stay overnight
• A change of clothes
• Helpful birthing notes – especially if it’s your first time, and they’ve been preparing for ways they can help support you through labour
• Snacks and drinks – loose change for the older hospital vending machines can be good too 
• A pillow – travel pillows are handy here
• A chargeable fan

You’ve got this, mama

So you’re all packed, the freezer is stocked, and you’ve lined up your hospital transport. Go you!

Read these next, for more tail-end of pregnancy tips, while you wait:

• Everything to know about the best pregnancy massage (& who to see in London)
• Is acupuncture helpful postpartum? A leading acupuncturist shares her essentials
• Rosemary oil for postpartum hair loss – 5 viral best-sellers to try

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