I have done a lot of research on what should go into a hospital bag in preparation for labour. There are hundreds of articles and lists and YouTube videos and each one makes you feel like there is more stuff to take, or that there is no way you will need everything you have packed.

I finally realised, after hours and hours of lists and packing, unpacking and repacking that in the end, it’s a VERY personal part of the labour experience, and like with every pregnancy, each person’s bag will ultimately be different. Therefore, this is not a guide as to what to pack, although feel free to take ideas, but rather it is just me sharing what I have decided on for my own experience.

Of course, geography also has a big impact. In the UK, women may be discharged as early as 6 hours after pushing their tiny human outside their bodies but here in Gibraltar, I will be offered the change to spend 1 or even 2 nights in the postnatal ward so that I have 24 hour support and can bond with my baby without the distractions of home. Personally, I think being discharged after 6 hours is scary, especially for a first time mum so I am genuinely pleased that I will be in Gibraltar when my baby arrives.

With this in mind – here is what I will be taking to the hospital (picture at the end)… hopefully, most of it will be put to use:

For Baby:

• Nappies x 22 (can pop home in 5 minutes if we need more)
• Cotton wool
• Baby wipes
• Muslin squares x3
• Baby vests x4
• Sleep suits x2 (one of them is the one my parents had for me)
• Towel

The only thing I am currently missing from my list is 1 or 2 nursing bras – because I don’t have them. I need to go shopping but have been so comfortable without wearing a bra through the entire pregnancy basically that I haven’t bothered yet! Also, I will be taking my phone and camera, but those are things I use daily so will get taken last minute with their chargers.

My flat is only a 7 minute walk from the hospital, so if I feel like I have forgotten anything or we need more stuff, I can always ask someone to pick it up. Also, there is a Morrisons literally opposite the hospital so snacks are available there (hence them not being on my list). As for my birthing partner, it’ll be my mum and if I’m lucky my husband too – but they won’t be able to stay overnight so they don’t have a bag of stuff…

I feel like I have everything ready, and I have 3 weeks left to wait so I am glad it’s done… If I wish I’d taken something or found some stuff entirely useless, I will post it as an update after D-day has come and gone. Until then… I will keep busy and hope for the best. 💗